ALPINE ADVENTURE AND GLACIER EXPRESS

Munich, Innsbruck, Lake Lucerne, Lausanne, Zermatt, Lugano, Venice, Salzburg

ITINERARY:

1 MUNICH AREA, GERMANY.
Check into your hotel. Tonight, meet your Tour Director and fellow travellers.

2 MUNICH AREA - INNSBRUCK, 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 fascinating town centre and famous Golden Roof. (B,D)

3 INNSBRUCK - LIECHTENSTEIN - STANS, SWITZERLAND - LAKE LUCERNE.
More glorious Alpine scenery as you motor westwards through the Tyrol to the Arlberg Tunnel and down into the Vorarlberg to reach Vaduz, the capital of the tiny but wealthy Principality of Liechtenstein. Now into Switzerland. Arrive in Stans and take advantage of the optional excursion by funicular and cable car to the 1,898 metre (6,227 foot) summit of Mount Stanserhorn. Then to the shores of lovely Lake Lucerne, for overnight. (B)

4 LAKE LUCERNE - BERNE - LAUSANNE AREA.
This morning visit one of Switzerland's finest cities, nestled amid its snowcapped Alps, surrounded by its lake, and embellished by the clear mountain waters of the River Reuss. See the impressive city walls, a covered wooden bridge, ornate patrician houses lining cobblestone streets, and the Lion Monument - a masterful stone sculpture in honour of the heroic Swiss Guard of Louis XVI. An optional lake cruise is also available. Then along the shores of Lake Thun to the beautiful capital, Berne with its arcaded shops, carved fountains, and towers. The visit features the Bear Park and the monumental Federal Palace. On to the Lausanne area for an overnight. (B)

5 LAUSANNE AREA - CHILLON CASTLE - ZERMATT.
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 Tasch for the train ride to Zermatt. (B,D)

6 ZERMATT AREA.
A whole day to enjoy one of Switzerland's best-known winter and summer resorts. There's a variety of shops, cafes, 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)

7 ZERMATT AREA - GLACIER EXPRESS TRAIN TO 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)

8 LUGANO - VENICE AREA, ITALY.
Through the flat farmlands of the Po Valley for an afternoon arrival in Venice. It's really more like a marvellous 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)

9 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)

10 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 centre 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. (B)

11 MUNICH AREA.
Your holiday ends with breakfast this morning. (B)