Alpine Splendor: Switzerland & Austria

Depart U.S. for Zurich, Switzerland

Arrive Zurich/Lucerne

We arrive in Zurich and transfer by coach to Lucerne. After checking in at our hotel, we meet for a briefing about the journey ahead, followed by dinner at a local restaurant. D

Lucerne/Mt. Pilatus

This morning we encounter historic and alluring Lucerne, surrounded by mountains and sitting on its namesake lake. We visit the medieval Old Town, and cross treasured Kapellbrücke (Chapel Bridge), the oldest covered bridge in Europe. Later we ride the world’s steepest cogwheel train to the summit of nearby Mt. Pilatus for stunning views across the surrounding countryside. B

Lake Lucerne/Zermatt

Today’s scenic overload begins with a ferry ride on Lake Lucerne, where we pass Rütli meadow, legendary “birthplace of Switzerland.” Disembarking at Flüelen, we coach to Andermatt to board the celebrated Glacier Express train, renowned for its panoramic views as it sweeps through striking valleys, past mountain hamlets, and follows the course of the fabled Rhône. Our adventure on this famed route ends in Zermatt, gateway to the Swiss Alps in the shadow of the Matterhorn. Tonight, we enjoy a Swiss fondue dinner together at a local restaurant. B,D

Zermatt/Gornergrat

Sitting in a low-slung notch, Zermatt is surrounded on all sides by towering slopes. We get a unique view of this spectacular scenery this morning as we ride the Gornergratbahn, the highest open-air railway in Europe, to the summit of the Gornergrat. Atop this rocky ridge, a dramatic tapestry unfolds all around us: 29 Alpine peaks, each over 13,000 feet, including the majestic Matterhorn standing alone at nearly 15,000 feet. After admiring the jaw-dropping scenery, we begin our descent by train to Zermatt, where the remainder of the day is free to
explore this very walkable village as we wish. B

Zermatt/Stresa, Italy/Lugano

We travel by coach today through more superb Swiss scenery, and cross into northern Italy via the legendary Simplon Pass through the Alps. Late morning, we arrive in Stresa, Italy, along the shores of lovely Lake Maggiore, where we have time to explore and enjoy lunch on our own. Then a scenic drive through the famed Italian lake district returns us to Switzerland and our hotel in lakeside Lugano. B,D

Lugano/Bellinzona/Ascona

Today’s tour of Ticino, Switzerland’s southernmost canton, begins in medieval Bellinzona, with its three castles, all UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Here we visit Castelgrande, the iconic central castle, where we explore the ramparts and expansive grounds, then enjoy regional fare as we lunch alfresco at a local grotto restaurant built around mountain caves. Then we coach to the former artists’ colony of Ascona on the shores of Lake Maggiore. B,L

Lake Lugano

After a free morning to explore Lugano independently, we board a motorboat for a private half-day cruise around Lake Lugano. We put ashore at Morcote, a town barely a mile square whose Mediterranean charm led Swiss citizens in 2016 to name it the nation’s loveliest village. After lunch together and time to explore, we continue on our cruise with a stop in Gandria, whose stucco façades seem to cling precariously to the side of Monte Brè. B,L

Lugano/Maienfeld/Vaduz, Liechtenstein/ Seefeld, Austria

We’re bound for Austria today by way of the tiny sovereign nation of Liechtenstein. Late morning we arrive in the Swiss border town of Maienfeld, setting for the beloved novel Heidi. Here we enjoy a tour and tasting at Schloss Salenegg, Europe’s oldest winery (c. 1068 ce). Continuing north, we cross into the Principality of Liechtenstein where we stop for lunch on our own in the capital of Vaduz, then continue on to the mountain village of Seefeld, Austria. B,D

Seefeld/Innsbruck

This morning we coach to nearby Innsbruck, host of the 1964 and 1976 Winter Olympics. A walking tour highlights the postcard-worthy sights, including the many pedestrian squares surrounded by pastel-colored façades. Then we take a cable car to a lookout in the Nordkette, the “mountain at the heart of Innsbruck,” where we enjoy panoramic views of the city and the surrounding Alps. We have time on our own in Innsbruck before returning to Seefeld. B,D

Seefeld/Tyrol/Salzburg

Today we travel through Tyrol where we stop to visit the Museum of Tyrolean Farms, an interactive outdoor exhibit. Then we continue on to Salzburg, Austria’s riverside jewel and city of Mozart and The Sound of Music. Following dinner at our hotel, we attend a Baroque chamber music concert in the Marble Room of famed Mirabell Palace. B,D

Salzburg

Our walking tour this morning features the 17th-century Mirabell Gardens; the Baroque Old Town, now a UNESCO World Heritage Site; and visits to Salzburg Cathedral and medieval
Hohensalzburg Fortress, one of Europe’s largest and best-preserved castles. Then the remainder of the day is at leisure for independent exploration and dinner on our own. B

Salzburg/ Eagle’s Nest/ Berchtesgaden

We travel today to the Bavarian resort town of Berchtesgaden, site of the clifftop Kehlsteinhaus (Eagle’s Nest), the Nazi Party’s alpine retreat. Arriving by the original 1930s brass elevator, we tour the chalet given to Hitler on his 50th birthday and captured by the Allies in the closing days of WWII. In the event Eagle’s Nest is closed because of unseasonal weather, we’ll visit the nearby Berchtesgaden Salt Mine, which has operated continuously for more than 500 years. After lunch together, we take a walking tour of Berchtesgaden before returning to Salzburg. This afternoon is at leisure before we celebrate our splendid journey at a farewell dinner. B,L,D

Depart for U.S.

We transfer today to the Munich airport for our return flight to the U.S. B