The Grand Alpine Tour 2009
Day 1 - Depart USA Overnight flight to Frankfurt.
Day 2 - Arrive Frankfurt (Offenbach) Welcome to Germany and the city of Frankfurt. Later, an orientation tour of this city's centre and medieval Römerplatz is followed by a Welcome Drink with our Tour Director and fellow traveling companions.
Day 3 - Frankfurt (Raunheim) — Rhine Cruise — Heidelberg — Baden-Baden — Black Forest (Titisee) This morning we enjoy a scenic drive through the Rhine Valley en route to St. Goar. Here we embark on a Rhine cruise downstream to Boppard, passing the Lorelei Rock, ancient castles and terraced vineyards. From here we rejoin our coach and head to Heidelberg for a walking tour of the castle courtyards and then drive through Baden-Baden to see its pretty gardens and elegant casino. Finally, we arrive in our hotel in the Black Forest for dinner and overnight. (Buffet breakfast / Dinner)
Day 4 - Black Forest — Rhine Falls — Engelberg (2 nights) After breakfast, fairytale images are evoked on our drive through the Black Forest. We visit Lake Titisee and continue our journey to the Swiss border, stopping to view the mighty Rhine Falls at Schaffhausen. Next it's on to Switzerland and the ski resort of Engelberg for the next two nights. (Buffet breakfast / Dinner)
Day 5 - Lucerne Excursion This morning we drive to lakeside Lucerne where our orientation tour with our Tour Director includes a visit to the poignant Lion Monument, the medieval old town and a special Hidden Treasure! Later, time perhaps to take an exciting mountain excursion and then join the fun of a traditional Swiss folklore show before returning to the hotel. (Buffet Breakfast / Dinner)
Day 6 - Engelberg — Interlaken — Geneva Fantastic scenery on our drive over the Brünig Pass brings us to the resort of Interlaken in the Bernese Oberland. Here we admire the mighty Jungfrau before driving via Berne to the international city of Geneva where an orientation tour shows us the United Nations building, Jet d'Eau fountain and a walking tour takes us to the Reformation Monument in the old town. Tonight, why not enjoy a fondue - bourguignonne dinner accompanied by local wines in a restaurant at the foot of the Jura mountains" (Buffet breakfast)
Day 7 - Geneva — Mont Blanc — Zermatt (2 nights) Free time this morning to shop or take a cruise on the lake. Then we continue through Alpine France to view spectacular Mont Blanc, Europe's highest mountain. Next back in Switzerland we head through the Rhône Valley where we ascend by electric mini-buses and taxis to our Zermatt hotel. Tonight we will enjoy a special cheese fondue Highlight Dinner. (Buffet breakfast / Highlight Dinner)
Day 8 - Zermatt at leisure Enjoy a full day in Europe's most charming mountain resort. The streets are traffic-free and its views of the Matterhorn are stunning. Perhaps take a ride on the incredible Gornergrat mountain railway for lunch and fantastic views. (Buffet breakfast)
Day 9 - Zermatt — Stresa — St. Moritz Today, we descend to Tasch to rejoin our coach for a crossing of the Simplon Pass into Italy. We stop in the pretty resort of Stresa on Lake Maggiore before we drive along beautiful Lake Como. Back into Switzerland to the Engadine Valley and elegant St. Moritz. (Buffet breakfast / Dinner)
Day 10 - St. Moritz — Innsbruck We enjoy a scenic drive to Switzerland's Inn Valley and the Austrian frontier near Landeck. We continue through Tyrolean landscapes to Innsbruck where orientation features the Golden Roof, ornate Wilten Basilica, Hofburg Palace and the Olympic ski jump. Tonight we enjoy dinner in our hotel and then maybe enjoy a Tyrolean folklore show" (Buffet breakfast / Dinner)
Day 11 - Innsbruck — Berchtesgaden — Vienna (2 nights) Today's drive takes us past crumbling castles and tiny churches nestling below mountain peaks. Next into Germany and the Bavarian Alps to Alpine Berchtesgaden in the beautiful National Park. From here we continue our journey to the Salzkammergut and Imperial Vienna for two nights. (Buffet breakfast)
Day 12 - Vienna sightseeing & at leisure We will enjoy a guided sightseeing tour which highlights the Opera, the Hofburg, Parliament, St. Stephen's Cathedral and the Imperial Boulevards. Our walking tour will take us into the oldest part of the city, "Am Hof". This evening, why not dine in a lively 'heurige' inn or take in a Viennese waltz concert" (Buffet breakfast)
Day 13 - Vienna — Dürnstein — Salzburg This morning we will enjoy a guided sightseeing tour which highlights the impressive State Opera House, the Hofburg, the Austrian Parliament building, St. Stephen's Cathedral and the Imperial Boulevards. We will also take a walking tour through the oldest part of this elegant city, known as 'Am Hof'. Later we have time to explore or go shopping on the Karntnerstrasse, the main shopping street. This evening why not dine in a lively 'heurige' inn or take in a Viennese waltz concert. (Buffet breakfast / Dinner)
Day 14 - Salzburg — Munich — Oberammergau This morning after breakfast, we travel back into Germany, passing the Chiemsee Lake where King Ludwig II built a castle to rival Versailles. Then on our arrival in Munich, an orientation tour shows us the Ludwigstrasse and the Marienplatz. Later, we ascend into the Bavarian Alps past picturesque wooden farmhouses and baroque churches to arrive in the Passion Play village of Oberammergau. Orientation here will show us the Passion Play theatre and the frescoed houses of this charming village. Tonight dinner is included at our hotel. (Buffet breakfast / Dinner)
Day 15 - Oberammergau — Rothenburg — Frankfurt We head north to the Romantic Road and the old town of Rothenburg where our Tour Director will reveal another Hidden Treasure to us! Then we return to Frankfurt where we enjoy a Farewell Dinner with our Tour Director and fellow travelers tonight. (Buffet breakfast / Farewell Dinner)
Day 16 - Frankfurt — USA This morning there is time to bid farewell to new-found friends as our vacation comes to an end. Airport transfers are available, conditions apply. (Buffet breakfast)
Day 17 - Please Note This tour will visit France and Italy for a short period. Some passengers may require double entry visas. Please speak with your travel agent to access your specific requirements.
Free airport transfers: Transfers on Day 2 at Frankfurt Airport will operate at 09.30 and 12.00. Passengers arriving later should make their own way to the first hotel. Return transfers on the last touring day will arrive at Frankfurt Airport at 08.00 and 10.00.
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