10 days Discover Switzerland, Austria & Bavaria ( 2017 )
Journey through spectacular mountain scenery and picturesque cities as you experience the enchanting Alpine cultures of Switzerland, Austria and Bavaria. Spend four nights each in the UNESCO World Heritage city of Bern and the charming Alpine city of Innsbruck. Walk the halls of the 13th-century Château de Chillon, a princely residence on the shores of Lake Geneva. Ride the legendary GoldenPass Panoramic Train from Montreux to the Alpine ski resort Gstaad. Explore Lucerne, the "Swiss Paradise on the Lake.” Visit Mozart's birthplace and the Mirabell Gardens, featured in the "Sound of Music," during your time in Salzburg. See the fairy-tale castle, Neuschwanstein. Visit Oberammergau, a picture-perfect traditional German Alpine village. Sample traditional regional cuisine, including cheese fondue, at some of the oldest and most famous restaurants in Europe.
| Day | Location | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Overnight Flight | Set out to discover spectacular Switzerland, Austria and Bavaria. ( Flight not included ) |
| 2 | Bern, Switzerland - Tour Begins | Your tour opens in Bern, the capital of Switzerland. This UNESCO World Heritage site rests in the Swiss countryside. The cobbled Old Town section is so well preserved that residents who lived here 500 years ago would still find it familiar today. This evening, join your fellow travelers for a welcome dinner featuring local cuisine such as traditional cheese fondue. Dinner Hotel Bern. |
| 3 | Bern | Explore delightful Bern on a panoramic sightseeing tour featuring the Bundeshaus (the Swiss Parliament), the famous Bear Pit, the Rose Gardens and the gothic cathedral which dominates Old Town’s skyline. The remainder of the day is at leisure to explore independently or perhaps take a ride in the red carriages of the Gurtenbahn funicular railway, climbing Gurten Mountain to an altitude of 2,574 feet (858 meters) for impressive views of Bern, the surrounding towns and mountains. Breakfast. Hotel Bern. |
| 4 | Château de Chillon - Montreux - Train Ride - Gstaad - Bern | Travel along the shores of Lake Geneva to the legendary, medieval Château de Chillon. This princely residence faces the lake and puts forth the image of an imposing fortress from the mountains. Later, enjoy inspiring Alpine views with a ride on the GoldenPass Panoramic Train from Montreux to Gstaad. Discover the delightful ambience of this world-famous Alpine ski resort with its numerous traditional wood chalets. Breakfast. Hotel Bern. |
| 5 | Bern - Lucerne - Bern | Set out for Lucerne, the “Swiss Paradise on the Lake.” Enjoy a leisurely paced Altstadt (Old Town) walking tour, exploring the hidden treasures of the city. Lucerne has more than 800 years of history. Explore such medieval treasures as the covered Chapel Bridge (1833); the famous Water Tower which has served as a prison, watchtower and treasury; the Renaissance-style Town Hall; the baroque Jesuit Church; and the Lion Monument, carved from natural rock to commemorate the heroic Swiss Guard. Tonight we dine at one of Bern’s great restaurants. Breakfast & Dinner. Hotel Bern |
| 6 | Bern - Innsbruck, Austria | En route to Innsbruck we make our way through Liechtenstein, the smallest and richest German-speaking country in the world and the only country to lie entirely within the Alps. Upon arrival in Innsbruck, it’s your choice! Select one of two leisurely walking tours: join a local guide as you discover the city’s history, culture and popular attractions including Maria Theresien Strasse, the Hofburg and the “Golden Roof"; or, you may embark on a tour focusing on Innsbruck’s unique architectural structures including its famous ski jump. Breakfast. Hotel Innsbruck. |
| 7 | Innsbruck - Salzburg - Innsbruck | Travel through the picturesque Austrian countryside to Salzburg. There, enjoy a leisurely paced walking tour featuring Mirabell Gardens (seen in The Sound of Music); the quaint Getreidegasse (birthplace of Mozart); and many other highlights of this beautiful city. Enjoy an afternoon at leisure to independently explore and enjoy Salzburg’s fabulous sights. Complete your day with a delightful dinner at the 1,200-year-old St. Peter’s Restaurant, the oldest in Austria and still owned by the monks. Breakfast & Dinner. Hotel Innsbruck. |
| 8 | Innsbruck | Savor a free day in this beautiful city. You may stroll through Old Town and shop at many of the city’s outstanding stores or you may just relax and breathe in the mountain air while enjoying a beverage in one of the many cafés that dot this charming city. Later, experience the rich musical tradition of mountainous Austria during a Tyrolean folklore show hosted by a locally well-known musical family. Breakfast. Hotel Innsbruck. |
| 9 | Innsbruck - Bavaria, Germany - Oberammergau - Innsbruck | Today fairy tales come to life with a picture stop at Bavaria’s famous Neuschwanstein Castle. Visit Wies Church (UNESCO) before heading to the picturesque village of Oberammergau. Enjoy a brief tour and learn more about this charming place, famous for its Passion Play. Performed every ten years to fulfill a pledge made by the villagers to God for sparing their city from the plague in 1633, the Passion Play has grown into an international event. Tonight you are treated to a farewell dinner in one of Innsbruck’s most famous traditional restaurants. Breakfast & Dinner. Hotel Innsbruck. |
| 10 | Innsbruck - Tour Ends | Your tour comes to an end in Innsbruck. Breakfast |