Switzerland & Austria 2009
Day 1 - Depart USA Overnight flight to Zurich.
Day 2 - Arrive Zurich Welcome to Zurich, the financial centre of Switzerland. After check-in, late this afternoon our Tour Director will take us on an orientation tour of Switzerland's financial capital. Early this evening, we will enjoy a Welcome Drink and tour briefing with our Tour Director and fellow travelers.
Day 3 - Zurich — Liechtenstein — Salzburg Today we enjoy a morning drive along Lake Zurich to Liechtenstein. We stop at its capital Vaduz before following the Arlberg route into the Tyrol, then into the pretty skiing area around St. Johann in Tyrol and the Wilder Kaiser Mountains to Salzburg dominated by the fortress of Hohensalzburg. This evening why not enjoy a walk around the old town" (Buffet breakfast / Dinner)
Day 4 - Salzburg — Vienna (2 nights) Our guided walking tour explores the city of Mozart's birth and The Sound of Music fame. We'll see Mozart's family house and the Domplatz. Later, enjoy breathtaking scenery on our drive past Lake Mondsee to the Danube Valley. From the Monastery of Melk, vineyards line the river to Dürnstein en route to Imperial Vienna. (Buffet breakfast)
Day 5 - Vienna sightseeing and at leisure Our guided sightseeing tour includes views of the State Opera, the Hofburg and St. Stephen's Cathedral, plus Parliament and the Imperial Boulevards. We also enjoy a walking tour taking us to the oldest part of the city in the area known as "Am Hof". Tonight, why not head for the Prater Amusement Park or visit one of the nearby wine villages for dinner at a lively 'heurige' inn" (Buffet breakfast)
Day 6 - Vienna — Piber Stud Farm — Villach We're off to Graz to admire its galleried courtyards and Renaissance squares. Then we visit the Lippizaner Stud Farm at Piber, breeding place of the athletic white stallions of the Spanish Riding School. Next a scenic drive brings us to our hotel. (Buffet breakfast / Dinner)
Day 7 - Villach — Innsbruck Today we enjoy striking Alpine scenery as we drive into Italy via Carbonin and Lake Misurina to the Tre Croci Pass. From here we descend to Cortina d'Ampezzo, the Olympic skiing resort, in the heart of the Dolomites. Then through spectacular mountain passes into Austria again and the Tyrolean capital, Innsbruck, encircled by the spectacular Alps. On our arrival we enjoy an orientation which shows us the Golden Roof, Wilten Basilica and Hofburg Palace and views the Olympic ski-jump. Tonight, we enjoy a Highlight Dinner of Tyrolean specialities in a local restaurant. (Buffet breakfast / Highlight dinner)
Day 8 - Innsbruck — St. Moritz First we travel via Landeck and over the border back into Switzerland and across the Engadine. On through incomparable scenery as we approach the fashionable winter sportsresort of St. Moritz. The rest of the day is free. Perhaps visit some of the nearby glaciers. Tonight dinner is served at our hotel. (Buffet breakfast / Dinner)
Day 9 - St. Moritz — Stresa — Zermatt (2 nights) We drive across to Thusis and via San Bernadino route to Bellinzona with its three imposing castles. From here our journey takes us via Locarno to scenic Stresa on the shores of Lake Maggiore. Here we can see the beautiful Borromean Islands before we ascend towards the Simplon Pass, and travel up to our Zermatt hotel by electric mini-buses and taxis, where tonight we enjoy a Highlight Dinner - a special cheese fondue! (Buffet breakfast / Highlight dinner)
Day 10 - Zermatt at leisure Our Tour Director will show us a Hidden Treasure in this mountain haven, and we have time to relax and admire the wooden chalets bedecked with window boxes in this stunning setting beneath the Matterhorn. Time maybe to take a mountain trip for fantastic views of all the surrounding peaks" (Buffet breakfast)
Day 11 - Zermatt — Chamonix — Geneva — Lake geneva (evian) This morning we enjoy a beautiful drive to the French skiing resort of Chamonix, which is situated in the shadow of Europe's highest mountain, Mont Blanc! After free time we drive on to the international city of Geneva where an orientation shows us the Jet d'Eau, the Flower Clock, the United Nations building and includes a walking tour which takes us in to the old town and shows us the Reformation Monument. Then we drive along the south side of Lake Geneva to our hotel in Evian and this evening we can take a stroll along the lakeside. (Buffet breakfast)
Day 12 - Lake geneva (evian) — Berne — Interlaken — Lucerne (2 nights) We drive via Berne where we view the famous Bear Pit, then on to Interlaken in the Bernese Oberland, with time to admire the mighty Jungfrau. The name of the town derives from the fact that it is located between Lake Brienz to the east and Lake Thun to the west. It is one of the oldest tourist resorts in Switzerland and remains one of the most popular. Then over the Brünig Pass we will arrive in charming lakeside Lucerne for our two-night stay. (Buffet breakfast / Dinner)
Day 13 - Lucerne orientation and at leisure Today's morning orientation tour takes us past the Musegg Towers and walls of the old town to the Chapel Bridge and Lion Monument. Later, perhaps enjoy an excursion up a mountain, join in the fun of a Swiss folklore show and explore the old city. Shopping is plentiful, from Swiss watches to jewellery and delicious chocolates. Tonight we enjoy a Farewell Dinner with our Tour Director and traveling companions. (Buffet breakfast / Farewell dinner)
Day 14 - Lucerne — Zurich — USA Time to bid farewell to your Tour Director and new-found friends as our tour comes to an end. Airport transfers are available, conditions apply. (Buffet breakfast)
Day 15 - Please Note This tour will visit Germany, France and Italy for a short period.
Free airport transfers: Transfers on Day 2 at Zurich Airport will operate at 09.30, 11.00 and 12.30. Passengers arriving later should make their own way to the first hotel. Return transfers on the last touring day will arrive at Zurich Airport at 08.30.
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