$3149
Alpine Countries 2012
Be prepared for breathtaking views. This journey starts in Frankfurt and travels to Austria via medieval Rothenburg and Munich, where you will visit the Marienplatz. In Austria, you have sightseeing tours with Local Guides in Salzburg and Vienna. Then, drive over Semmering Pass into the popular mountain resorts of Carinthia and enjoy an overnight stay in pretty Villach. Scenic highlights include the Dolomites, Cortina d’Ampezzo in Italy, and the Brenner Pass to Innsbruck in the Austrian Tyrol. St. Moritz, Lake Como, and Lake Lugano are next. Proceed to Lake Maggiore, Stresa, and over the Simplon Pass back to Switzerland, where you’ll board a mountain train to Zermatt, at the foot of the world-famous Matterhorn, for your 2-night stay. Travel via the Rhône Valley, Lake Geneva, Berne, Interlaken, and Brunig Pass to Lucerne, where you’ll enjoy a relaxing 2-night stay in this picturesque town. Your vacation is topped off by visits to the Rhine Falls, the Black Forest, and Heidelberg, Germany.
Dates From:
04/08/2012 through 10/07/2012
Trip Length:
15 days
Supplier:
Globus family of brands
Itinerary:
| Day | Description | View All + |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 |
Arrive in Frankfurt, Germany . Time to rest or to explore the bustling metropolis on the River Main. At 6 pm, meet your Tour Director and traveling companions for a welcome dinner at your hotel. (D) |
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| Day 2 |
Frankfurt–Rothenburg–Munich . Focus on Germany’s Romantic Road leading to the Alps. Walk through medieval Rothenburg with its ramparts and towers, and continue to Munich. (B) |
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| Day 3 |
Munich . Sightseeing with a Local Guide in Germany’s “Secret Capital” includes the Olympic Stadium, 1,000-foot-high Television Tower, Nymphenburg Palace, MARIENPLATZ with the Old and the New Town Halls, and the gothic Frauenkirche. Afternoon at leisure. An optional excursion to Linderhof Castle and the Passion Play village of Oberammergau is available. (B,D) |
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| Day 4 |
Munich–Salzburg, Austria–Vienna . Through southern Bavaria to the Austrian border and on to Salzburg. Your walking tour with a Local Guide features the historic center of Mozart’s hometown, exquisite MIRABELL GARDENS, the Great Festival Hall, ST. PETER’S CHURCHYARD, and the monumental Domplatz. Evening arrival in Vienna, once the center of the mighty Habsburg Empire. Tonight, you may wish to try out local specialties and Viennese entertainment. (B) |
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| Day 5 |
Vienna . Start your guided sightseeing with a visit to magnificent SCHÖNBRUNN PALACE. Next, enjoy vistas of Prater Park with its giant Ferris wheel, and the United Nations City on the banks of the Danube River. Then, drive along Ring Boulevard, pass the State Opera House, the Jewish quarter, and stop at the Hofburg Palace, winter residence of the Austrian Imperial family. Marvel at the impressive courtyards, famous Heldenplatz, and awesome St. Stephen’s Cathedral. Afternoon at leisure. Optional excursions are available. (B) |
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| Day 6 |
Vienna–Villach . Drive south across scenic Semmering Pass and through peaceful crossroad towns in Styria to the popular resorts of Carinthia. Overnight in Villach. (B,D) |
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| Day 7 |
Villach–Italian Dolomites–Innsbruck, Austria . Drive via Iselsberg Pass to the Italian border and to Cortina d’Ampezzo, the Olympic skiing resort in the Dolomites. Then, via Tre Croci Pass and Lake Misurina to Brunico and across Brenner Pass to Innsbruck in the Tyrolean Alps. Stroll through its medieval lanes to Emperor Maximilian’s GOLDEN ROOF. Why not join an optional Tyrolean song-and-dance show? (B,D) |
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| Day 8 |
Innsbruck–St. Moritz, Switzerland . Into the Swiss Engadine. See deep-blue lakes, airy larch forests, mountain peaks exceeding 12,000 feet, and quaint villages with massive white stone houses in the characteristic Grisons style. Afternoon free in ritzy St. Moritz. (B,D) |
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| Day 9 |
St. Moritz–Lugano . Descend towards the Italian Lake Como and continue on to the southern tip of Switzerland to the resort town of Lugano, with time for an espresso on Piazza Riforma and a refreshing walk in the shade of Parco Ciani’s magnificent old trees. (B) |
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| Day 10 |
Lugano–Lake Maggiore, Italy–Zermatt, Switzerland . From Lake Lugano to Lake Maggiore for a break in elegant Stresa. An optional boat ride to the enchanting Isola Bella can be arranged. On over lofty Simplon Pass into the Swiss Valais, an area renowned for its great mountain resorts. In Täsch, board a MOUNTAIN TRAIN to climb the last few miles up to Zermatt, a picturesque cluster of rustic chalets beneath the Matterhorn. (B,D) |
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| Day 11 |
At Leisure in Zermatt . A day to relax or you may wish to ride Europe’s highest rack-railway to 10,272-foot Gornergrat. (B) |
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| Day 12 |
Zermatt–Berne–Interlaken–Lucerne . Through the vineyards and apricot groves of the lower Rhône Valley to Lake Geneva and via the dairy country of Gruyère to the Swiss capital, Berne. See the monumental Federal Palace during your orientation and stop at the BEAR PARK before continuing via Interlaken, a Bernese Oberland resort beneath the towering Jungfrau, and across Brünig Pass to Lucerne. Tonight, you may wish to sign up for a folklore party with yodeling and alphorn blowing. (B) |
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| Day 13 |
Lucerne . On your walking tour, admire Thorwaldsen’s LION MONUMENT and ornate patrician houses of the walled Old Town, then cross the famous CHAPEL BRIDGE to the Jesuit church. Afterwards, shop for Swiss watches and choose from our optional activities: climb a mountain by cable car or take a cruise on the fjord-like lake. (B,D) |
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| Day 14 |
Lucerne–Heidelberg, Germany–Frankfurt . On the way back to Germany, visit the thundering RHINE FALLS at Schaffhausen. Enter the pine-clad hills of the Black Forest, and enjoy a WOODCARVING DEMONSTRATION on your way to Heidelberg, well known for its red-walled castle. Tonight, enjoy a farewell dinner to celebrate the success of your vacation. (B,D) |
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| Day 15 |
Frankfurt . Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning. (B) |
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Highlights:
Frankfurt
Welcome and farewell dinners
Rothenburg
Walking tour of the medieval city
Munich
Guided sightseeing, Marienplatz
Salzburg
Guided walking tour, visit Mirabell Gardens and St. Peter’s Churchyard
Vienna
Guided sightseeing, visit Schönbrunn Palace
Cortina D'Ampezzo
Visit the Olympic Skiing resort
Innsbruck
Walk through the Old Town to the Golden Roof
Lake Maggiore
Stop in the town of Stresa
Täsch-Zermatt-Täsch
By mountain train
Berne
Orientation, stop at the Bear Park
Interlaken
Visit the Bernese Oberland resort
Lucerne
Walking tour including the Lion Monument and the Chapel Bridge
Schaffhausen
Visit the Rhine Falls
Black Forest
Woodcarving demonstration
Heidelberg
Take pictures of the castle
Headsets throughout the tourNotes:
PRICE DETAILS: Dates and prices do not include international air travel. When planning your trip, allow one extra day before tour date for travel between the USA and Europe.
Prices based on double room occupancy.
Single room supplement:
$608
Triple room reduction:
$68
Extra nights per person in Frankfurt:
in single room $150, in twin room $112, in triple room $106
What's Included:
MEALS: Full buffet breakfast daily (B); 8 three-course dinners (D), including welcome and farewell dinners in Frankfurt
HOTELS: Full buffet breakfast daily (B); 8 three-course dinners (D), including welcome and farewell dinners in Frankfurt
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