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14 Day

Grand Alpine Adventure Tour

Zurich to Vienna (SSAL.1)

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Tour Itinerary:

Day 1: Zurich

Welcome to Zurich. Your Scenic Tours Representative will meet you at the airport and transfer* you to your centrally located hotel. Time to relax before meeting up this evening with your fellow travellers and Tour Director over a welcome drink.

Overnight Stay: Zurich

Day 2: Zurich – Montreux (FB,D)

An Included guided walking tour of Zurich reveals a contrast between the luxury designer shops and modern buildings on the Bahnhofstrasse and the imposing Romanesque Cathedral which dominates the old town with its twin towers. We leave the financial hub of Switzerland to visit its capital city, Bern. The old city is snugly positioned on a bend of the river Aare and features some beautiful squares and fine examples of decorated facades amongst its cobblestone streets. Our final scenic drive takes us to our destination for tonight, Montreux, which features breathtaking views over Lake Geneva towards the French Alps.

Overnight Special Stay: Montreux

Day 3: Montreux – Zermatt (FB,D)

We start today soaking in the views of terraced vineyards and towering mountain peaks onboard our leisurely cruise across Lake Geneva. We make the short journey along the lake for a visit to Chillon where we enjoy an Included guided tour of the castle and its chilling dungeon. The Castle, nearly 1,000 years old, was home to the Counts of Savoy and made popular by Lord Byron’s poem, the Prisoner of Chillon. We journey along the Rhône valley passing the town of Sion and acres of vineyards before heading into the mountains as we climb the winding road to the village of Täsch. Here we board our cog-wheel train for our final ascent to the traffic-free ski resort of Zermatt, situated in the shadows of the famous Matterhorn, nearly two kilometres above sea level.

Two Night Stay: Zermatt

Day 4: Zermatt (FB)

Zermatt is located at the north end of a hanging valley with breathtaking views of the surrounding peaks. Choose one of the Included SCENIC FREE CHOICE options: (1) a train ride to Gornergrat which offers spectacular views of the Matterhorn and 29 other Alpine peaks in three countries; or (2) A guided hike through the picturesque mountain scenery.

Day 5: Zermatt – St. Moritz (FB,D)

This morning we farewell Zermatt and continue along the scenic Simplon Pass into Italy. We reach Lake Maggiore to savour the spectacular views of its tranquil waters and the Borromean Islands from gorgeous Stresa. There is time to wander the lakeside resort amongst stunning villas and colourful gardens. Crossing the Engadine plateau with its numerous lakes, we arrive in St. Moritz. Initially known for its curative mineral springs, St. Moritz is now a chic and exclusive international resort.

Overnight Stay: St. Moritz

Day 6: St. Moritz – Lucerne (FB,HD)

After breakfast we board the Glacier Express for possibly the world’s most breathtaking mountain rail journey. We journey past towering peaks with green valleys far below through the Albula Pass and over the impressive Landwasser viaduct to Andermatt where we join our coach and driver. As we continue on our journey we stop to see how the rural Swiss live with a real life farm visit. Gain a personal cultural experience as we chat with the locals while tempting your taste buds with a cheese tasting and home made apple juice. Then it’s only a short drive along the banks of Lake Lucerne to the picturesque city of the same name, located within sight of the towering peaks of Mount Rigi and Mount Pilatus. Tonight we enjoy a traditional folklore show as we savour a highlight meal of traditional Swiss fondue.

Two Night Stay: Lucerne

Day 7: Lucerne (FB)

With our local guide we stroll to the famous Lion Monument, a haunting memorial to the gallant Swiss Guard, who was defeated while defending the Tuilieries Palace in Paris during the French Revolution in 1792. Then we enjoy a walking tour of the old town and cross the medieval Chapel Bridge to the ornate Jesuit Church. Enjoy a guided cruise on Lucerne’s gorgeous lake en-route to the quaint village of Vitznau. Here we join the oldest cogwheel train in Switzerland for a breathtaking ascent of Mount Rigi, known as ‘the Queen of the Mountains’. Savour the incredible scenery from the summit where you have a breathtaking panoramic view of the Alps.

Day 8: Lucerne – Innsbruck (FB,D)

Our first destination today is Vaduz, capital of the tiny tax haven of Liechtenstein, bordered entirely by Switzerland and Austria and just 160 square kilometres in size. SCENIC ENRICH Visit the charming town of Seefeld and enjoy a horse-drawn carriage ride including a stop at a local inn to sample the local apple strudel. We make the short trip to Innsbruck, capital of the Austrian Tyrol. This delightful town on the Inn River is sandwiched between towering mountain ranges to the north and south and prospered due to its strategic position at the head of the Brenner Pass to Italy. We visit the impressive baroque Wilten Basilica, the recently built ski-jump and of course the old town including the famous Golden Roof, built to cover the Emperor in 1500.

Overnight Stay: Innsbruck

Day 9: Innsbruck – Munich (FB,HD)

SCENIC ENRICH This morning visit Swarovski World, a museum built marking the 100 year anniversary of the company, where you will be amazed by the Crystal sculptures. Astonishing scenery awaits as we drive through towering peaks into Bavarian Germany, arriving in Schwangau to see the majestic spires of Neuschwanstein Castle piercing through woods on the nearby mountainside. We board our horse and carriage and are driven up to the Castle entrance, where we enjoy an Included guided tour of the ornately carved and decorated apartments of ‘Mad’ King Ludwig. Descending the mountain, there is time to enjoy Schwangau before we pass beautifully painted chalets and alpine pastures en-route to the village of Oberammergau, site of the Passion Play which has taken place every 10 years since 1634. We continue along the famous Romantic road before reaching the Bavarian capital, Munich.

Two Night Stay: Munich

Day 10: Munich (FB)

On our Included guided walking tour we visit the heart of old Munich, the Marienplatz, a large open square with the Marien column in the centre, where we see the famous Glockenspiel on the Town Hall play. Radiating from the Marienplatz are gorgeous examples of Romanesque and Baroque churches including the Peterskirche and Frauenkirche. At the nearby victuals market, which has been operating for 100 years, local delicacies and souvenirs are available. Choose one of the Included SCENIC FREE CHOICE options: (1) BMW world showcasing its wide collections of cars and designs; or (2) head to nearby Dachau concentration camp for chilling reminders of the events of World War II.

Day 11: Munich – Salzburg (FB,HD)

On our morning drive we visit Hitler’s favourite summer resort, perched atop a mountain in the Berchtesgaden National Park. The scenery from the terrace of his Eagles Nest is simply stunning. We continue our journey to Salzburg, famous for its onion shaped domes and charming courtyards all dwarfed by the imposing fortress. The history and sights of this baroque city are revealed during an Included guided walking tour of the atmospheric old town which will include the mighty cathedral, see Mozart’s birthplace and many of the locations used during the filming of ‘The Sound of Music’, such as the Mirabell Palace and gardens. Tonight we celebrate a Highlight Dinner at the famous Stiftkeller St Peter. Established by Benedictine Monks in AD 803, it is the oldest restaurant in Austria and has had guests such as Charlemagne and Christopher Columbus dine here throughout history.

Overnight Stay: Salzburg

Day 12: Salzburg – Vienna (FB,D)

Today we venture into the Salzkammergut to tour the region made famous by ‘The Sound of Music’, with its high lush meadows, snow covered mountains and crystal-clear lakes. We stop in the town of Mondsee on the similarly named lake to take pictures of the church where Maria was married to Captain Von Trapp in the film.

Two Night Stay: Vienna

Day 13: Vienna (FB,HD)

With a local guide we visit the city’s outstanding monuments to Imperial glory. We take a drive along the Ringstrasse to absorb such sights as the Votive Church, the City Hall, the Stadtpark with its famous statue of Johann Strauss, the Opera House and the elegant, baroque church of St. Charles Borromeo. Then we visit the Silver Collection in the Hofburg museum to be spellbound by the opulence and splendour of imperial life as we observe silverware once owned by the Habsburg dynasty. Later we visit one of the world’s most beautiful Palaces – the entrancing Schönbrunn Palace – favourite residence of the Empress Maria Theresa. SCENIC ENRICH Tonight, enjoy a fitting conclusion to our tour; a concert of Classical music at the Kursalon, a beautiful Italian Renaissance Palace, followed by dinner.

Day 14: Vienna (FB)

This morning after breakfast you are transferred* to Vienna airport for your onward or homebound flight.

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Departure Dates: