Itinerary

Day 1:
Thu. BOARD YOUR OVERNIGHT TRANSATLANTIC FLIGHT.

Day 2:
Fri. ARRIVAL IN FRANKFURT, GERMANY. Check into your hotel. The rest of the day is free for you to see some of Frankfurt. Tonight, meet your Tour Director and fellow travelers. (D)

Day 3:
Sat. FRANKFURT–RHINE CRUISE–COLOGNE. Today’s highlight is an included Rhine cruise from Oberwesel to Boppard to enjoy scenic views of the Rhineland including the famous Lorelei Rock. The next highlight is Cologne and a visit to its impressive gothic cathedral, started in 1248 and completed in 1880. (B,D)

Day 4:
Sun. COLOGNE–HAMELIN–HAMBURG. Leave Cologne this morning and journey into Niedersachsen to visit Hamelin. Admire its town center with its colorful historical buildings and magically fancy gables. Also hear the story of the Pied Piper. Continue to Hamburg, where you arrive in time for an optional harbor cruise. (B)

Day 5:
Mon. HAMBURG–LÜBECK–BERLIN. Start the day with an orientation drive to see some of Germany’s greatest maritime cities. Later this morning a comfortable drive to Lübeck, formerly a free Hanseatic city and independent state. Lübeck, now a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is considered the cultural capital of northern Germany. Thomas Mann, Günther Grass, and Willy Brandt—all Nobel laureates—were among the famous residents of this city. Continue eastwards on the autobahn to reach Berlin in time to enjoy your first evening in the capital of Germany. (B)

Day 6:
Tue. BERLIN. No longer divided but every bit as fascinating, Berlin was once the city of contrasts with the wall separating two different worlds. Now the city has developed into a harmonious blend of new and old, preserving its historical buildings and impressive boulevards as well as creating brand new buildings in the most daring architectural styles. See all of this on the included city sightseeing with a Local Guide. In the afternoon there is an optional excursion to historic Potsdam to visit Sans Souci Park, a marvel of landscape gardening and architectural wonders, and Cecilienhof Castle. (B)

Day 7:
Wed. BERLIN–DRESDEN–LEIPZIG. This morning, travel southwest to Dresden, the old capital of Saxony, at one time rightly called “The Florence on the Elbe.” See the Zwinger Carillon Pavilion and much more of this city on your included sightseeing. Then it’s on to Leipzig, where the great composers Johann Sebastian Bach and Felix Mendelssohn lived the last years of their lives. It was Mendelssohn who founded the Leipziger Conservatory in 1843. (B,D)

Day 8:
Thu. LEIPZIG–WEIMAR–COBURG–NUREMBERG. Leave Leipzig for a stop in Weimar, home to many intellectuals of the past but mainly known for the name given to the historical period of the “Republic of Weimar.” This city is also famed as the home of the Bauhaus architectural movement in the 1920s. Next stop is Coburg. Visit the dominating and mighty Veste Coburg Castle, built in 1225. Enjoy some free time in the picturesque town center before heading for Nuremberg for an overnight. (B,D)

Day 9:
Fri. NUREMBERG–ROMANTIC ROAD–ROTHENBURG–MUNICH. Start the day with an included orientation drive of Nuremberg to see some of its highlights. Later, travel west and then southwards through the beautiful scenery of the Romantic Road. Visit picture-postcard medieval Rothenburg by the Tauber River, then on to the Bavarian capital, Munich, for two overnights. (B,D)

Day 10:
Sat. MUNICH. With a Local Guide, take advantage of the included sightseeing tour of the city known as Germany’s “secret capital.” Time to admire the beautiful main square, Marienplatz, do some shopping, and sample its most famous product—beer! Optional excursions are also available. (B)

Day 11:
Sun. MUNICH–OBERAMMERGAU–NEUSCHWANSTEIN–BLACK FOREST AREA. Leave Munich and drive into the heart of the Bavarian Alps to visit Oberammergau, home of the famous Passion Play which takes place every 10 years. Next, visit the most famous 19th-century neo-romantic castle of the world, King Ludwig II’s Neuschwanstein Castle. Enjoy more fairytale scenery on your way through the Black Forest for an overnight here. (B,D)

Day 12:
Mon. BLACK FOREST AREA–HEIDELBERG–FRANKFURT. The day starts by traveling to Heidelberg for a short visit. This city is the location of Germany’s oldest university and became an inspiration and myth for the German Romantic movement. From here, just a few more miles to Frankfurt. (B)

Day 13:
Tue. YOUR HOMEBOUND FLIGHT ARRIVES THE SAME DAY. (B)

Dates & Prices

Visits to Cologne, Hamelin, Hamburg, Lübeck, Leipzig, Weimar, Coburg, Nuremberg, Rothenburg, Oberammergau, Neuschwanstein Castle*, Heidelberg

*entrance fees included
 

Itinerary

Day 1:
Fri. BOARD YOUR OVERNIGHT TRANSATLANTIC FLIGHT.

Day 2:
Sat. ARRIVAL IN ZURICH, SWITZERLAND. Check into your hotel in Zurich. The rest of the day is free for you to explore this exciting city. Tonight, meet your Tour Director and fellow travelers. (D)

Day 3:
Sun. ZURICH-ST. MORITZ. A sensational drive today through some of Switzerland’s most famed cantons. First, by way of the market town of Herisau, then stop in Appenzell to see the old town center with its Town Hall. Further east to the minute Principality of Liechtenstein. A scenic drive through “Heidiland” to the Rhine Valley before starting the ascent of the mighty Julier Pass. Soon you’ll be in the heart of Switzerland’s largest canton, the Grisons. Here see some of the world’s best Alpine views before arriving in St. Moritz. (B)

Day 4:
Mon. ST. MORITZ-BERNINA EXPRESS TRAIN TO TIRANO, ITALY-LUGANO, SWITZERLAND. Enjoy the highlight of the whole tour and a wonderful way of crossing the Alps. One of Europe’s most spectacular train rides begins in St. Moritz and takes you across the lofty Bernina Pass via the Swiss Poschiavo area to Tirano in the Italian Valtellina. Here rejoin your coach for the journey to the shores of Lake Lugano. (B)

Day 5:
Tue. LUGANO-LAKE MAGGIORE-TÄSCH. Morning break in sub-tropical Lugano. Afterwards, return to Italy to savor the luminous atmosphere of Lake Maggiore. Time for an optional visit to Isola Bella, a magnificently located palace and garden island. Then back into Switzerland via scenic Simplon Pass. Overnight in the village of Täsch. (B,D)

Day 6:
Wed. TÄSCH-ZERMATT-LAUSANNE. This morning an excursion by train to Zermatt, the famous resort beneath the Matterhorn. In the afternoon motor through the vineyards and apricot groves of the lower Rhône Valley to Lake Geneva before arriving in Lausanne on its northern shore. (B)

Day 7:
Thu. LAUSANNE-LAKE LUCERNE. Stop awhile in Gruyère to visit a local cheese factory. Then on to Switzerland’s beautiful capital, Berne, a charming town with arcaded shops, carved fountains, and towers. The visit features the Bear Pit and the monumental Federal Palace. Then by way of the shores of Lake Thun to Interlaken. After a visit, continue over Brünig Pass to Lake Lucerne. Time for an optional folklore evening in Lucerne. (B,D)

Day 8:
Fri. LAKE LUCERNE-ZURICH. One of Switzerland’s finest cities, nestled amid its snow-capped Alps, surrounded by its lake, and embellished by the clear mountain waters of the River Reuss. Your visit takes in the main highlights. A grand selection of optional activities completes the day. The most popular option is an excursion to the Stanserhorn. In the late afternoon an easy drive back to Zurich for an overnight. (B)

Day 9:
Sat. YOUR HOMEBOUND FLIGHT ARRIVES THE SAME DAY. (B)

Dates & Prices

Visits to Appenzell, Liechtenstein, St. Moritz, Lugano, Lake Maggiore, Täsch, Zermatt, Lausanne, Gruyère village, Berne, Interlaken, Lucerne
 

Itinerary

Day 1:
Thu. BOARD YOUR OVERNIGHT TRANSATLANTIC FLIGHT.

Day 2:
Fri. ARRIVAL IN ZURICH, SWITZERLAND. Check into your hotel in Zurich. The rest of the day is free for you to explore this exciting city. Tonight, meet your Tour Director and fellow travelers. (D)

Day 3:
Sat. ZURICH-LUCERNE. Today journey by train from Zurich to Lucerne. Lucerne is one of Switzerland’s most idyllic medieval cities, surrounded by a beautiful lake and nestled amidst snow-capped Alps. The rest of the day is at leisure to discover the delights of this charming city or join one of the optional excursions. (B)

Day 4:
Sun. LUCERNE-GOLDEN PASS TRAIN-LAUSANNE. Leave Lucerne this morning on the Golden Pass Panoramic train. Beginning in Lucerne, cross the Brunig Pass en route to Interlaken. The Golden Pass Line continues its scenic journey to Lausanne via Zweisimmen and Meiringen, famous for its Reichenbach Falls and Sherlock Holmes Museum. Enjoy a short stop in the renowned winter resort of Gstaad before reaching Lausanne for an overnight. (B)

Day 5:
Mon. LAUSANNE-ZERMATT. This morning depart for the delightful Swiss mountain resort of Zermatt. En route stop in the town of Montreux, situated on the shores of Lake Geneva and known as the “Swiss Riviera.” Time for leisure or maybe join the optional excursion to Chillon with an opportunity to enjoy the guided visit of its castle before continuing by train to Zermatt for two overnights. (B,D)

Day 6:
Tue. ZERMATT. INCLUDED GORNERGRAT EXCURSION. Today enjoy the included excursion to the famous Gornergrat, traveling onboard Europe’s highest rack railway. The views from its summit are spectacular. The rest of the day is at leisure in Zermatt—with a variety of interesting shops, cafés, bars, and narrow streets to explore. (B)

Day 7:
Wed. ZERMATT-GLACIER EXPRESS-ST. MORITZ. The train journey today aboard the spectacular Glacier Express is without a doubt one of the main highlights of the tour. Enjoy an unforgettable journey as it makes its way through the unspoiled natural beauty of the Alps on its direct route from Zermatt to the world-famous mountain resort of St. Moritz. (B,D)

Day 8:
Thu. ST. MORITZ. BERNINA EXPRESS TO TIRANO, ITALY. Today take the Bernina Express train to Tirano for one of Europe’s most spectacular and breathtaking train rides. Starting in St. Moritz, travel across the lofty Bernina Pass via the Swiss Poschiavo area to Tirano in the Italian Valtellina, witnessing an array of beautiful mountain streams, glaciers, and alpine scenery along the way. Return to St. Moritz for an overnight. (B

Day 9:
Fri. ST. MORITZ-KLOSTERS-ZURICH. Leave St. Moritz this morning for the journey back to Zurich. En route stop in the town of Klosters, situated 3,937 feet above sea level, for some time at leisure. Overnight in Zurich. (B)

Day 10:
Sat. YOUR HOMEBOUND FLIGHT ARRIVES THE SAME DAY. (B)

Dates & Prices

Visits to Lucerne, Meiringen, Gstaad, Lausanne, Montreux, Täsch, Gornergrat train, St. Moritz, Klosters, and Zurich
 

Itinerary

Day 1:
Thu. BOARD YOUR OVERNIGHT TRANSATLANTIC FLIGHT.

Day 2:
Fri. ARRIVAL IN MUNICH AREA, GERMANY. Check into your hotel. Tonight, meet your Tour Director and fellow travelers.

Day 3:
AUSTRIA. Quite a fascinating itinerary today. Drive south for a stop to visit Linderhof Castle, set deep in a valley in the forest of the Ammergau Alps. A unique setting of a rococo palace surrounded by gardens and terraces in Italian Renaissance style and located in a park landscaped in the English fashion! Journey into Austria and, by way of the scenic Inn Valley, reach Innsbruck to admire its famous Golden Roof. (B,D)

Day 4:
Sun. INNSBRUCK-LIECHTENSTEIN, LAKE LUCERNE, SWITZERLAND. More glorious Alpine scenery as you motor westwards through the Tyrol to the Arlberg Tunnel and down into the Voralberg to reach Vaduz, the capital of the tiny but wealthy Principality of Liechtenstein. Now into Switzerland to the shores of lovely Lake Lucerne. One of Switzerland’s finest cities, nestled amid its snow-capped Alps, surrounded by its lake, and embellished by the clear mountain waters of the River Reuss. Your sightseeing takes in the impressive city walls, a covered wooden bridge, ornate patrician houses lining cobblestone streets, and the Lion Monument—a masterful stone sculpture in honor of the heroic Swiss Guard of Louis XVI. Overnight in the Lucerne area. (B)

Day 5:
Mon. LAKE LUCERNE-STANS-BERNE-GENEVA AREA. A day packed with a variety of scenery and places to visit. First to Stans. Take advantage of the optional excursion by funicular and cable car to the 6,227-foot summit of the Stanserhorn. Later, motor along the shores of Lake Thun, then on to Switzerland’s beautiful capital, Berne, a charming town with arcaded shops, carved fountains, and towers. The visit features the Bear Pit and the monumental Federal Palace. On to the Geneva area for an overnight. (B,D)

Day 6:
Tue. GENEVA AREA-CHILLON CASTLE-ZERMATT. First today the included Geneva visit takes in the famous lake fountain, the palace of nations, and the Reformation Monument. The next stop is to visit Chillon Castle of Byron fame, located on a rocky islet within sight of Montreux and the Dents du Midi. More Alpine scenery on the way to the typical Swiss village of Täsch for the train ride to Zermatt. (B,D)

Day 7:
Wed. ZERMATT. A whole day to enjoy one of Switzerland’s best-known winter and summer resorts. There’s a variety of shops, cafés, and bars, and the narrow streets are traffic-free. Later, enjoy the optional ride on Europe’s highest rack railway to 10,272-foot Gornergrat for breathtaking views of the Alps. (B)

Day 8:
Thu. ZERMATT-GLACIER EXPRESS-ANDERMATT-LUGANO. Today you’ll experience the highlight of this tour, the Glacier Express. This is Switzerland’s most famous mountain railway, which journeys over hundreds of bridges and through dozens of tunnels to give unique panoramic views of the Swiss Alps and surrounding valleys, mountain forests, Alpine meadows, rushing streams, and picture-postcard villages. Board the Glacier Express in Zermatt and leave it in Andermatt in the St. Gotthard massif, 4,711 feet above sea level. Rejoin your coach for the descent of the St. Gotthard into the quite different landscape of the Canton Ticino for an afternoon arrival in Lugano. (B,D)

Day 9:
Fri. LUGANO-VENICE AREA, ITALY. Through the flat farmlands of the Po Valley for an afternoon arrival in Venice. It’s really more like a marvelous film set than a real live city, with its criss-crossing canals, gondolas and water buses, arched bridges, palaces, and quiet little piazzas. Reach St. Mark''s Square by boat along one of the main canals. Time at leisure and a chance to watch Venetian glassblowers fashion their delicate objects as they did centuries ago. Don’t miss the optional gondola trip, gliding along the picturesque canals with a local troubadour to serenade you. (B,D)

Day 10:
Sat. VENICE AREA-DOLOMITES-SALZBURG AREA, AUSTRIA. Today leave the flat and fertile plains of Venetia and journey into the splendid scenery of the Dolomites, making a stop in the famous winter resort of Cortina. In the afternoon, cross into Austria and ascend the road over the Grossglockner; a stop to admire the surrounding Alpine scenery will be made during this part of the journey. Next, to Salzburg for an overnight. (B,D)

Day 11:
Sun. SALZBURG AREA-MUNICH AREA, GERMANY. Don’t miss out on the included city sightseeing excursion with a Local Guide. You’ll be taken through the historic center of Mozart’s hometown to see its many highlights including the Domplatz, the Horse Trough, Festival Hall, and, of course, the charming Getreidegasse where Mozart was born. This afternoon motor directly to Munich. This evening join the optional Bavarian evening. (B)

Day 12:
Mon. YOUR HOMEBOUND FLIGHT ARRIVES THE SAME DAY. (B)

Dates & Prices

Visits to Linderhof Castle*, Innsbruck, Liechtenstein, Lucerne, Stans, Berne, Geneva, Zermatt, Lugano, Cortina, Venice

*entrance fees included