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ALPINE ADVENTURE &
GLACIER EXPRESS - 2010
12
days incl. air, or 11 days from Munich to Munich (CO-6060)Return to Italy
Vacations & Tours 
Return to
France, Spain, Portugal and Morocco Vacations & Tours Vacation
Overview
The stunning Alpine
mountain range stretches across the borders of several European
countries, and this vacation gives you the opportunity to see the best of
the region as well as one of Italy’s gems—fabulous Venice. Begin in
Bavaria’s capital, Munich, and see how the landscape changes from
flatland to gentle hills to magnificent mountains. Visit Linderhof
Castle, King Ludwig’s rococo palace set in a spectacular valley. Then,
cross the border into Austria and overnight in Innsbruck, host to the
1964 and 1976 Winter Olympics. From Tyrol, travel via Vorarlberg to
Vaduz, Liechtenstein’s capital, and continue to Lake Lucerne in Switzerland.
Lucerne, one of Switzerland’s finest cities, is nestled amid
Switzerland’s snow-capped mountains and offers impressive city walls, a
covered wooden bridge, ornate patrician houses lining cobblestone
streets, and the Lion Monument—a masterful stone sculpture in honor of
the heroic Swiss Guard of Louis XVI. Visit Stans and Berne, capital of
Switzerland. On to the main sights of Geneva and then a visit to famous
Chillon Castle on the lake. Depart for two overnights in the pure
mountain air of Zermatt, one of Switzerland’s best-known winter and
summer resorts, located at the foot of the mighty Matterhorn. Next, enjoy
the highlight of the tour: superb panoramic views on the Glacier Express
train ride to Andermatt. Marvel at the mountain forests, Alpine meadows,
rushing streams, and picture-postcards villages. Descend the St. Gotthard
pass to Lake Lugano and drive through the splendid Po Valley—experiencing
beauty that prepares you for exquisite Venice. Enjoy a boat ride to St.
Mark’s Square and time at leisure to marvel at this unique floating city.
Journey into the splendid scenery of the Dolomites, cross into Austria,
and head to Mozart’s Salzburg. Take a fascinating tour of Salzburg and
marvel at its magnificent Domplatz Cathedral, Festival Hall, and medieval
Getreidegasse, the cobbled street housing the building where Mozart was
born. Your tour ends back in Munich. This vacation featuring Switzerland
and the stunning Alpine mountain range will leave you with memories that
you’ll cherish forever.
Itinerary
Day
1 Thu. BOARD YOUR OVERNIGHT TRANSATLANTIC FLIGHT
Day
2 Fri. ARRIVAL IN MUNICH AREA, GERMANY
Check
into your hotel. Tonight, meet your Tour Director and fellow travelers.
Day
3 Sat. MUNICH AREA-INNSBRUCK, AUSTRIAA church on an Austrian mountaintop
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 famous Golden Roof. (B,D)
Day
4 Sun. INNSBRUCK-LIECHTENSTEIN, LAKE LUCERNE, SWITZERLAND
More
glorious Alpine scenery as you motor westwards through the Tyrol to the
Arlberg Tunnel and down into the Voralberg to reach Vaduz, the capital of
the tiny but wealthy Principality of Liechtenstein. Now into Switzerland
to the shores of lovely Lake Lucerne, one of Switzerland’s finest cities,
nestled amid its snow-capped Alps, surrounded by its lake, and
embellished by the clear mountain waters of the River Reuss. Your visit
takes in the impressive city walls, a covered wooden bridge, ornate
patrician houses lining cobblestone streets, and the Lion Monument- a
masterful stone sculpture in honor of the heroic Swiss Guard of Louis
XVI. Overnight in the Lucerne area. (B)
Day
5 Mon. LAKE LUCERNE-STANS-BERNE-LAUSANNE AREA
A
day packed with a variety of scenery and places to visit. First to Stans.
Take advantage of the optional excursion by funicular and cable car to
the 6,227-foot summit of the Stanserhorn. Later, motor along the shores
of Lake Thun, then on to Switzerland’s beautiful capital, Berne, a
charming town with arcaded shops, carved fountains, and towers. The visit
features the Bear Pit and the monumental Federal Palace. On to the
Lausanne area for an overnight. (B)
Day
6 Tue. LAUSANNE AREA-CHILLON CASGLE-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 Täsch for the train ride to Zermatt. (B,D)
Day
7 Wed. ZERMATT
A
whole day to enjoy one of Switzerland’s best-known winter and summer
resorts. There’s a variety of shops, cafés, 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)
Day
8 Thu. ZERMATT-GLACIER EXPRESS-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,D)
Day
9 Fri. LUGANO-VENICE AREA, ITALY
Through
the flat farmlands of the Po Valley for an afternoon arrival in Venice.
It’s really more like a marvelous 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)
Day
10 Sat. VENICE AREA-DOLOMETES-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,D)
Day
11 Sun. 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 center 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. This evening, join the optional
Bavarian evening. (B)
Day
12 Mon. YOUR HOMEBOUND FLIGHT ARRIVES THE SAME DAY
(B)
AIRPORT
TRANSFERS
Airport transfers
may be included when you make your international flights arrangements.
Dates
and Prices
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Departure
Details
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Departure
Date
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Tour
Start Date
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Return
Date
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Land/Cruise
Price Only
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Status
|
|
Popular
Departure
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4/30/2010
|
5/1/2010
|
5/11/2010
|
$1,479.00
|
Available
|
|
Popular
Departure
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5/14/2010
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5/15/2010
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5/25/2010
|
$1,515.00
|
Available
|
|
5/21/2010
|
5/22/2010
|
6/1/2010
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$1,515.00
|
Available
|
|
Popular
Departure
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6/4/2010
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6/5/2010
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6/15/2010
|
$1,515.00
|
Available
|
|
Popular
Departure
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6/11/2010
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6/12/2010
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6/22/2010
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$1,515.00
|
Available
|
|
6/18/2010
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6/19/2010
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6/29/2010
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$1,599.00
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Available
|
|
7/2/2010
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7/3/2010
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7/13/2010
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$1,599.00
|
Available
|
|
7/16/2010
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7/17/2010
|
7/27/2010
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$1,599.00
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Sold Out
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|
7/30/2010
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7/31/2010
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8/10/2010
|
$1,599.00
|
Available
|
|
Popular
Departure
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8/13/2010
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8/14/2010
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8/24/2010
|
$1,599.00
|
Available
|
|
8/27/2010
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8/28/2010
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9/7/2010
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$1,599.00
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Available
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9/10/2010
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9/11/2010
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9/21/2010
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$1,599.00
|
Available
|
|
9/24/2010
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9/25/2010
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10/5/2010
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$1,479.00
|
Available
|
Popular
Departure - due to itinerary and time of year, this departure
historically sells out quickly. Early booking is encouraged.
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