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ITINERARY Insight Vacations - Country Roads of Switzerland, Bavaria and Austria
Tour Pace
An evenly paced tour with two night stays in both Vienna and Lucerne. The driving days are all of a reasonable length and the majority are scenic drives with frequent stops for both refreshment and for the spectacular photo opportunities!
Day 1 - ZURICH AT LEISURE
Welcome to Switzerland! On arrival at Zurich Airport, your airport shuttle service leaves for the tour hotel at 09:30, 11:00 & 12:30. This afternoon your orientation tour of the city includes the Fraumünster, with its stained glass windows, as well as the elegant Bahnhofstrasse. Tonight, get together with your Tour Director and fellow travellers for a Welcome Drink. Hotel Zurich-Airport.
Day 2 - ZURICH - LINDAU - MUNICH
First stop is at the thundering Rhine Falls before crossing the German border and following the shores of Lake Constance to the fortified island town of Lindau. Walk through the narrow streets to admire the old inns and half-timbered houses. Move on to fun-loving Munich to see the Olympic stadium, University, Frauenkirche and Victory Arch. Visit the Marienplatz where crowds gather at the Town Hall to watch the Glockenspiel. After night falls, why not enjoy a lively evening of dinner, entertainment and foaming beer at one of Munich's world-famous 'Bier Kellers'?
Hotel: Westin Grand Arabellapark (BB)
Day 3 - MUNICH - OBERAMMERGAU - INNSBRUCK
Travel into the Bavarian Alps for a guided visit of King Ludwig's Neuschwanstein Castle, bristling with turrets and pinnacles. Admire the exuberantly decorated Throne Room and Lohengrin Grotto, before continuing through rolling Bavarian hills to Oberammergau, where the villagers present a play dedicated to the Passion of Jesus every ten years. Cross the border into Austria and arrive at the mountain ringed capital of the Tyrol, Innsbruck.
Hotel: Hilton. (BB,D)
Day 4 - INNSBRUCK at leisure
On this morning's orientation tour, admire the Rococo interior of the Wilten Basilica before seeing the Golden Roof and Imperial Palace in the Old Town. Later, consider taking a horse-drawn carriage ride in a nearby mountain village. (BB,D)
Day 5 - INNSBRUCK - SALZBURG - VIENNA
Depart for the beautiful baroque city of Salzburg, the venue for one of the world's most important music festivals. With a local guide, visit the Mirabell Gardens and the great cathedral, and see Mozart's birthplace. Drive past picturesque Mondsee Lake and along the Danube Valley, seeing the impressive Melk Abbey en route to Vienna, where you will stay for two nights. Later, enjoy Viennese specialties from a selection of restaurants.
Hotel: Hilton Vienna. (BB,DA)
Day 6 - VIENNA SIGHTSEEING
Join a local guide for a tour of the glorious Schonbrunn Palace. The furniture, fixtures and fittings impressively reflect the royal lifestyle and are of major significance in terms of cultural history. See the elegant formal gardens before going on to view the St Charles' Church, imperial Hofburg Palace, the Parliament and State Opera House. Cafes are an institution in Vienna; round off your tour with an explanation of the history and important role they play in local culture. Your guide will point out the most famous ones - will you be tempted? (BB)
Day 7 - VIENNA - ST VEIT
Take a delightful drive through 'undiscovered' Austria - the pine forests and sleepy towns of Styria and Carinthia. Climb the dramatic Semmering Pass and stop in Kindberg with its colourful maypole. Continue alongside streams and through farmlands to Friesach, still encircled by its moat. Stay tonight in St Veit an der Glan, 'city of flowers' and former seat of the Dukes of Carinthia. Your hotel is only minutes from the old town square with its graceful Town Hall, Plague Column, shops and cafes.
Hotel: Blumenhotel. (BB,D)
Day 8 - ST VEIT - CORTINA - BOLZANO
Pass the celebrated spa town of Villach then witness spectacular scenery as you cross the Italian border, taking in the distinctive formations of the Dolomites, where rugged peaks take the form of towers, belfries or domes. Travel via the ski resort of Cortina d'Ampezzo, host of the 1956 Winter Olympics and, as the mountain colours change to soft pinks, reach Bolzano, capital of the Alto Adige region.
Hotel: Hotel Alpi (BB,D)
Day 9 - BOLZANO - ST MORITZ
Drive through the Swiss National Park, and along the beautiful Engadine Valley, considered by some to be the most beautiful area in the world, with its deep blue lakes, larch forests and mountain peaks exceeding 12,000 ft. Now to the fashionable ski resort of St Moritz. There's time to take in the clean mountain air as you stroll through the village or take a ride on the famous Bernina Express.
Hotel: Hotel Monopol (BB,D)
Day 10 - ST MORITZ - vaduz - LUCERNE
Today follow part of the same route as the Glacier Express. Sit spellbound as white stone houses, lush meadows and snow-capped mountains slip past. Your journey takes you into the Principality of Liechtenstein to pause in Vaduz below the capital's 700-year-old castle. Then it's on to Lucerne to embark on a spectacular highlight ascent of Mount Pilatus by cog-wheel train and cable-car. From the summit, enjoy some of the best views of the Swiss Alps.
Hotel: Astoria (BB,D)
Day 11 - LUCERNE SIGHTSEEING
See the sorrowful sculpture of the dying lion, hewn out of a limestone cliff to commemorate those Swiss Guards who died at the Battle of the Tuileries. Then a stroll across the Chapel Bridge to the Jesuit Church, before using your free time to shop. (BB)
Day 12 - LUCERNE - ZURICH AIRPORT
Your tour comes to an end after breakfast. Your departure transfer will arrive at Zurich Airport at 08:00. Please do not schedule any flights before 10:00am. (BB)
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