Tour Duration: 15 days Tour Code: ZF2012 Tour Type: Prices From: A$3049 [Tour Dates]
Tour Itinerary
Day
Description
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 travelling companions for a welcome dinner at your hotel. (D)
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,)
3
MUNICH. Sightseeing with a Local Guide in Germany's "Secret Capital" includes the Olympic Stadium, 305-metres (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)
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 centre 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 centre of the mighty Habsburg Empire. Tonight, you may wish to try out local specialties and Viennese entertainment. (B)
5
VIENNA. Start your guided sightseeing with a visit to magnificent SCHONBRUNN 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)
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)
7
VILLACH-ITALIAN DOLOMITES-INNSBRUCK, AUSTRIA. Drive via the 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)
8
INNSBRUCK-ST. MORITZ, SWITZERLAND. Into the Swiss Engadine. See deep-blue lakes, airy larch forests, mountain peaks exceeding 3,658 metres (12,000 feet), and quaint villages with massive white stone houses in the characteristic Grisons style. Afternoon free in ritzy St. Moritz. (B,D)
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)
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 the lofty Simplon Pass into the Swiss Valais, an area renowned for its great mountain resorts. In Tasch, board a MOUNTAIN TRAIN to climb the last few kilometres up to Zermatt, a picturesque cluster of rustic chalets beneath the Matterhorn. (B,D)
11
AT LEISURE IN ZERMATT. A day to relax or you may wish to ride Europe's highest rack-railway to 3,131-metres (10,272-foot) Gornergrat. (B)
12
ZERMATT-BERNE-INTERLAKEN-LUCERNE. Through the vineyards and apricot groves of the lower Rhone Valley to Lake Geneva and via the dairy country of Gruyere 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 Brunig Pass to Lucerne. Tonight you may wish to sign up for a folklore party with yodelling and alphorn blowing.(B)
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)
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)
15
FRANKFURT. Your holiday ends with breakfast this morning. (B)
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.
TASCH-ZERMATT-TASCH: 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.
MEALS: Full buffet breakfast (B); 8 three-course dinners (D), including welcome and farewell dinners in Frankfurt.
Inside visits and special features are shown in UPPERCASE in the tour description, including admission charges where applicable.
Meals Breakfast - 14 Lunch - 0 Dinner - 8
Optional Excursions
To help plan your leisure time, as well as your pre-tour budgeting, here is a list of optional excursions that may be offered on this tour.
Availability is subject to sufficient participation, weather conditions, seasonal suitability, group interests, and general feasibility for your tour. Please note prices may be based on the previous year and are subject to change. Full terms and conditions are contained in the important travel documents.
Cost
Description
27
EUR
Name:FAMOUS HOFBRAUHAUS Location:MUNICH Details:Enjoy a stein of beer in the Festival Hall of the HOFBRAUHAUS, where Bavarian musicians never fail to put everyone in a genuine "Oktoberfest" mood.
56
EUR
Name:DINNER AND BAVARIAN MUSIC Location:MUNICH Details:Named for the monks of the Benedictine order who founded the city, Munich boasts many traditional restaurants. This evening try Bavarian fare - three-courses with drinks - and listen to live music at a typical German restaurant.
44
EUR
Name:EXCURSION TO LINDERHOF CASTLE AND OBERAMMERGAU Location:MUNICH Details:Drive into the most scenic region of Bavaria to King Ludwig's LINDERHOF CASTLE, famous for its Italian-style terraced GARDENS, graced by a string of pools and cascades. Then proceed to Oberammergau, the Passion Play Village.
53
EUR
Name:HEURIGEN DINNER Location:VIENNA Details:Enjoy dinner with music and wine at one of the Heurigen (wine taverns) in Vienna Woods. Try wine from the current harvest year and traditional fare such as wienerschnitzel and apfelstrudel.
61
EUR
Name:BEST OF MOZART AND STRAUSS Location:VIENNA Details:Attend a concert in one of the most beautiful concert halls in Vienna. The costumed Orchestra performs well-known arias composed by Mozart as well as famous pieces like "The Blue Danube Waltz" and "The Radetzky March" by Strauss.
47
EUR
Name:EXCURSION TO BRATISLAVA Location:VIENNA Details:Drive to Bratislava, the capital of Slovakia. Enjoy a beautiful panoramic view from the Castle, walk through the streets of the Old Town and visit gothic ST. MARTIN'S CATHEDRAL or the PRIMATE'S PALACE. Time at leisure to shop on the main square.
55
EUR
Name:CLASSICAL AUSTRIAN DINNER Location:VIENNA Details:Enjoy a four-course Austrian dinner with drinks at a typical local restaurant.
52
EUR
Name:WALTZ AND OPERETTA CONCERT Location:VIENNA Details:An opera house orchestra and soloists perform famous works by Johann Strauss, Lehar, Mozart, and more in one of the city's elegant concert halls.
39
EUR
Name:TYROLEAN FOLKLORE EVENING Location:INNSBRUCK Details:The most traditional Alpine folklore show in town! Enjoy this entertaining evening with music and dancers. Drinks included.
44
EUR
Name:PONTRESINA AND THE ROSEG GLACIER Location:ST. MORITZ Details:After a short drive to Pontresina, enter the Roseg Valley, famous for its luxuriant Alpine vegetation and wildlife. Your horse-drawn carriage takes about one hour to ascend to the restaurant at 2000 metres (6,562 feet), with a spectacular view of the glacier.
42
EUR
Name:BREATHTAKING SWISS PANORAMAS Location:ST. MORITZ Details:Enjoy a fantastic ride on one of Europe's most famous trains, offering a spectacular panorama of valleys, glaciers, alpine peaks, and waterfalls.
68
EUR
Name:LUGANO LAKE CRUISE AND DINNER Location:LUGANO Details:Embark your private boat for a relaxing cruise on breathtaking Lake Lugano. See the quaint former fishing village of Gandria, and learn about the local traditions and dishes in a typical Swiss grotto surrounded by the nature. Also cruise past Campione d'Italia, an Italian enclave on Swiss territory, and the charming church of Madonna dei Ghirli.
39
EUR
Name:EXCURSION TO ISOLA BELLA Location:STRESA Details:One of the last privately owned islands open to visitors. Enjoy a boat ride and a tour of the BORROMEO PALACE, then time for the beautiful gardens and terraces.
53
EUR
Name:DINNER ON THE MOUNTAIN Location:ZERMATT Details:Enjoy very typical Swiss specialties in charming Zermatt, a mountaineer's sanctuary in the heart of the Alps.
72
EUR
Name:KLEIN MATTERHORN Location:ZERMATT Details:Take a cable car ride to the top of 3,882 metre (12,739-foot) high Klein Matterhorn, the highest sightseeing point in Europe. Enjoy the breathtaking mountain landscape of glaciers and permanent snow.
33
EUR
Name:TRUEMMELBACH WATERFALLS Location:INTERLAKEN Details:Enjoy a countryside trip into the Alps to Trummelbach to see the only GLACIER WATERFALLS in Europe, within the mountain and still accessible.
72
EUR
Name:SWISS FOLKLORE PARTY AND DINNER Location:LUCERNE Details:Contrary to belief, not all Swiss can yodel or blow the alp horn, but those you will meet at your after-dinner folklore party are real experts. They entertain you with merry melodies on the accordion and traditional dances, while you sample cheese fondue and a drink of your choice.
31
EUR
Name:ONE HOUR CRUISE ON LAKE LUCERNE Location:LUCERNE Details:Board your private motorboat for an enchanting and relaxing one-hour cruise on glassy Lake Lucerne also known as the Vierwaldstattersee or "Lake of the Four Forest Cantons". Marvel at the spectacular mountain scenery and admire fjords, bays and rolling meadows.
58
EUR
Name:MOUNT PILATUS Location:LUCERNE Details:A spectacular panoramic view over Central Switzerland from 2133.6 metres (7,000 feet) up, via the world's steepest cogwheel railway (inclination 48 degrees) as well as the silent aerial tramway and panoramic gondolas.
Optional Excursions
