Alpine Adventure & Glacier Express
11 DAYS FROM £1169
A truly delightful holiday with spectacular included excursions and a unique train journey through the unspoilt Alps.
All this included
Linderhof Castle Visit (entrance included)
Innsbruck Golden Roof
Vaduz Visit
Lucerne Visit
Berne Visit
Lausanne Visit
Chillon Castle Visit (entrance included)
Zermatt Visit
Glacier Express Alpine train
Venice Canal boat ride and glass-blowing demonstration
Dolomites Visit Cortina
Salzburg City sightseeing
Flights: UK - Munich - UK
Accommodation on tour in twin room with private facilities
Meals on tour 10 breakfasts (B) and 3 dinners (D)
Porterage at hotels during tour (for one suitcase per person)
Professional tour director on tour
Transfers between overseas airport and hotels
All local and airport taxes/service charges
Single share option no supplement to pay
Holiday Itinerary
DAY 1: UK - Munich.
Fly to Munich where you will be met by our representative and transferred to your hotel for one night.
DAY 2: Munich area - Innsbruck.
This morning, journey deep into a forested valley of the Ammergau Alps for a visit to Linderhof Castle - one of the fairy tale-like former residences of the Habsburg family. Built by Ludwig II, Linderhof was inspired by the Palace of Versailles in Paris and houses a sumptuous interior of gilded furnishings, rich fabrics and awesome chandeliers. Later, cross the border into Austria and head to Innsbruck, one of Austria's prettiest cities, for an overnight stay and a chance to view the city's gleaming 'Golden Roof', a 15th century roofed balcony used as a royal box for viewing tournaments in the main square below. (B, D)
DAY 3: Innsbruck - Vaduz - Stans - Lake Lucerne.
Admire glorious alpine landscapes as you journey through the Tyrol to the Arlberg Tunnel and down into the Vorarlberg region before crossing the border to Vaduz, the capital of the tiny but wealthy principality of Liechtenstein. Later, journey into Switzerland and arrive in Stans to take advantage of the optional excursion by funicular and cable car to the 6,227-foot summit of Mount Stanserhorn. Then to the shores of lovely Lake Lucerne, for overnight. (B)
DAY 4: Lake Lucerne - Berne - Lausanne area.
This morning visit one of Switzerland's finest cities, nestled amid 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. An optional lake cruise excursion is also available. Then drive 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 one night. (B)
DAY 5: Lausanne area - Chillon Castle - Täsch.
This morning enjoy time in Lausanne before visiting Chillon Castle, residence of the Counts of Savoy in the 12th-century. Enjoy more spectacular alpine scenery on the way to the traditional Swiss village of Täsch. (B, D)
DAY 6: Täsch - Zermatt - Täsch.
Start the day with a short alpine train ride from Täsch to the picturesque mountain resort of Zermatt. Zermatt has a variety of shops, cafés and bars for you to enjoy at your leisure or perhaps join the optional excursion to Gornergrat, Europe's highest rack-railway at 10,272 feet. (B)
DAY 7: Täsch - Glacier Express to Andermatt - Lugano.
Today's alpine train journey to Andermatt is sure to be a highlight of your tour. Experience an unforgettable journey through the unspoilt beauty of the Alps aboard the renowned Glacier Express Train. In Andermatt, rejoin your coach and drive to the shores of Lake Lugano, for one night. (B)
DAY 8: Lugano - Venice area.
This morning travel to Venice, a city of unparalleled beauty. This afternoon you will take a picturesque boat ride along the Giudecca Canal to Piazza San Marco and visit a typical Venetian glass-blowing workshop. (B, D)
DAY 9: Venice area - Dolomites - Salzburg.
Today leave the flat and fertile plains of the River Po Valley and journey amidst the splendid scenery of the Dolomites, to the famous winter resort of Cortina. In the afternoon, cross into Austria and drive up Grossglockner's high alpine road to admire the surrounding scenery. Later, continue to Salzburg for one night. (B)
DAY 10: Salzburg - Munich.
Don't miss the included city sightseeing excursion with a local guide. You'll be taken to many of the city's highlights such as the Domplatz, the Horse Trough, Festival Hall, and of course the charming Getreidegasse where Mozart was born. This afternoon continue to Munich. (B)
DAY 11: Munich - UK.
Transfer to the airport for your flight to the UK. (B)
Maximum elevation on this tour is 12,457 ft.
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Your Train
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Glacier Express
The Glacier Express, which runs from Zermatt to St Moritz in Switzerland, is one of the greatest train journeys in the world. It is not an 'express' in the sense of being a high-speed train but because the train travels over several different railroad lines; reputedly it is the slowest 'express' in the world. The entire line is metre gauge and large portions of it use a rack and pinion system.
Accommodation on Tour
Munich area: Tryp (4*); Innsbruck: Dollinger (3*) or Rumerhof at Rum (4*); Lake Lucerne: Hirschen at Fluelen (3*); Lausanne area: Novotel Bussigny (4*); Zermatt area: Matterhorn Resort at Tasch (3*); Lugano: Acquarello (3*); Venice area: Albatros at Mestre (4*); Salzburg area: Ramada (4*); Munich: Rivoli (3*).
2010 Oberammergau Passion Play
Why not combine this tour with an evening at the world famous Passion Play. The itinerary will be as follows:
Days 1-9: As shown in main itinerary.
Day 10: Salzburg - Oberammergau area. Morning at leisure before departing for the Oberammergau area. (B,D)
Day 11: Oberammergau. Enjoy a memorable performance of the Passion Play. (B,L,D)
Day 12: Oberammergau area - Munich area. Leave Upper Bavaria and travel to the Munich area. Afternoon at leisure. (B)
Day 13: Transfer to Munich airport for your flight to the UK. (B)
Note: This tour will depart the UK on a Sat.
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