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GRAND TOUR OF AUSTRIA -
2010
9 days incl. air,
or 8 days from Munich to Munich (CO-6100)Return to Italy
Vacations & Tours
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France, Spain, Portugal and Morocco Vacations & Tours
Vacation
Overview
This vacation is a
wonderful way to experience the best Austria has to offer. The tour
starts in the Bavarian capital, Munich, with an orientation tour and
stops to admire Marienplatz Square, Old and New Town Halls, and the
twin-towered gothic Frauenkirche. After a stop at Lake Chiemsee,
Bavaria’s largest lake, it’s on to Austria and Mozart’s Salzburg. Take a
fascinating tour of Salzburg and marvel at its magnificent Domplatz
Cathedral, Residenzplatz, Festival Hall, and medieval Getreidegasse, the
cobbled street housing the building where Mozart was born. Continue to
the 1,000-year-old abbey of Melk before enjoying a scenic drive passing
vineyards and castles along the banks of the Danube. Spend two nights in
wonderful Vienna, Austria’s capital, with a city sightseeing tour and
time to indulge in that Sachertorte, listen to a waltz, or visit the
splendors of the Habsburg palaces, such as Schönbrunn Palace, home to
Emperor Franz Joseph and Empress Maria Theresa. Marvel at the alpine
scenery in Styria before arriving in Graz, Austria’s second-largest city
and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Then on to the Tyrolean capital,
Innsbruck, via spectacular and unspoiled scenery of the Hohe Tauern
National Park and Grossglockner, the highest pass in Austria with
thrilling views of Grossglockner Mountain, lush dairy pastures, and
picturesque villages. Your Austria trip ends back in Munich in time for a
beer and then it’s Auf Wiedersehen! What an unforgettable vacation exploring
the splendors of Austria’s cities, history, and scenery!
Itinerary
Day
1Sat. BOARD YOUR OVERNIGHT TRANSATLANTIC FLIGHT
Day
2Sun. ARRIVAL IN MUNICH, GERMANY
Check
into your hotel. The rest of the day is free for you to see some of
Munich. Tonight, meet your Tour Director and fellow travelers.
Day
3Mon. MUNICH-LAKE CHIEMSEE-SALZBURG Salzburg
Sometimes
dubbed Germany’s “Secret Capital,” Munich is a captivating mix of
traditional Bavarian charm and modern chic, a city simply bursting with Gemütlichkeit—a
jovial atmosphere typified by its famous beer halls and breweries. Today,
enjoy an included orientation drive of this magnificent city with stops
to admire its splendid Marienplatz Square, Old and New Town Halls, and
the twin-towered gothic Frauenkirche. This afternoon, journey to
beautiful Lake Chiemsee, Bavaria’s largest lake, before continuing to
Mozart’s charming birthplace of Salzburg. (B,D)
Day
4Tue. SALZBURG-MELK-VIENNAThe Vienna
City Hall
Immortalized
as the film location of The Sound of Music, Salzburg is a feast
for the eyes with its charming streets, palaces, and churches set beneath
an imposing 11th-century castle. Take a fascinating tour of the city this
morning, ambling through its historic center to marvel at its magnificent
Domplatz Cathedral, Residenzplatz, Festival Hall, and medieval
Getreidegasse, the cobbled street housing the building where Mozart was
born, which is now a museum. Perhaps even sample one of Salzburg’s famous
Mozartkugel chocolates. This afternoon, on the way to Vienna, stop
at the 1,000-year-old Melk Abbey, where there’s time to soak up the
splendors of this building standing high on a hill above the Danube. From
here, follow the banks of the Danube through the stunning Wachau Valley,
passing rich vineyards, fairytale castles, and villages such as
Dürnstein, where England’s King Richard the Lionheart was imprisoned.
Arrive in Vienna, Austria’s glittering capital, in the late afternoon for
a 2-night stay. (B)
Day
5Wed. VIENNA
Once
the seat of the mighty Habsburg Empire and home to Strauss, Brahms,
Beethoven, Haydn, and Mozart, Vienna blends ornate baroque architecture
with an irresistible musical heritage—you can almost hear the strains of
classical music as you stroll its streets. There’s much to enthrall you
today: admire the fabulous State Opera House, Hofburg Palace, and
Parliament House amidst other monuments before visiting the superb
12th-century St. Stephen’s Catherdral. Later, why not try some of
Vienna’s heavenly Sachertorte at a traditional coffee house or
enjoy a horse-drawn Fiaker carriage ride? This afternoon, don’t
miss the optional excursion to the exquisite Schönbrunn Palace.
Surrounded by glorious gardens and once home to Emperor Franz Joseph and
Empress Maria Theresa, this breathtaking palace is best known for its
Hall of Mirrors, where Mozart once played, and the spectacular ceiling
frescoes of its Great Gallery. Tonight, experience an optional
world-class classical concert at the Hofburg Palace. (B)
Day
6Thu. VIENNA-SEMMERING PASS-GRAZ
Sit
back and soak up the stunning mountain scenery of the Styrian Alps this
morning as you cross famed Semmering Pass towards Graz, Austria’s
second-largest city. This afternoon, why not join the optional guided
tour to savor the many charms of this historic city, a UNESCO World
Heritage Site and home to six universities. Admire its quaint, narrow
cobbled streets and alleyways, impressive castle, and medieval main
square, the Hauptplatz, with its famous painted Gemaltes Haus covered
with frescoes of Roman gods. (B,D)
Day
7Fri. GRAZ-GROSSGLOCKNER PASS-KITZBÜHEL-INNSBRUCK Innsbruck
This
morning, more scenic wonders await with your journey through pretty
Klagenfurt and around Lake Worth to the Grossglockner Pass. This
breathtaking pass is the highest in Austria and one of the most
spectacular in Europe, with thrilling views of 12,460-foot Grossglockner
Mountain, lush dairy pastures, and picturesque villages. Once through the
pass, continue on to the lakeside resort of Zell am See in the heart of
wonderful Hohe Tauern National Park. From there, on to the picture-book
medieval town of Kitzbühel with its classic Tyrolean chalets and
beautiful cobbled center dating back to the 9th century. Later, travel to
Innsbruck, the capital of Austria’s wondrous Tyrol, for an overnight
stay. (B,D)
Day
8Sat. INNSBRUCK-MUNICH
Surrounded
by towering peaks, Innsbruck is undoubtedly one of Austria’s prettiest
cities, and there’s plenty of time this morning to explore its charms and
delightful streets. Admire the resplendent Golden Roof, a 15th-century
gold and copper-roofed balcony built to provide Emperor Maximilian I with
a royal box for viewing tournaments in the square below, and marvel at
the handsome Hofburg Palace. Before leaving for Munich, take the
opportunity for some last-minute shopping—maybe snap up some legendary
Swarovski crystal! Tonight there’s a chance to join the optional evening
outing to an authentic Bavarian Folklore show. (B)
Day
9Sun. YOUR HOMEBOUND FLIGHT ARRIVES THE SAME DAY
(B)
Note:
Security cruise regulations require clients’ family and first name,
D.O.B., gender, and nationality at time of booking.
AIRPORT
TRANSFERS
Airport transfers
may be included when you make your international flights arrangements.
Dates
and Prices
|
Departure
Details
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Departure
Date
|
Tour
Start Date
|
Return
Date
|
Land/Cruise
Price Only
|
Status
|
|
Popular Departure
|
5/8/2010
|
5/9/2010
|
5/16/2010
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$1,109.00
|
Available
|
|
5/22/2010
|
5/23/2010
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5/30/2010
|
$1,109.00
|
Available
|
|
Popular Departure
|
6/5/2010
|
6/6/2010
|
6/13/2010
|
$1,109.00
|
Available
|
|
6/12/2010
|
6/13/2010
|
6/20/2010
|
$1,109.00
|
Available
|
|
Popular Departure
|
6/19/2010
|
6/20/2010
|
6/27/2010
|
$1,109.00
|
Available
|
|
6/26/2010
|
6/27/2010
|
7/4/2010
|
$1,109.00
|
Available
|
|
7/17/2010
|
7/18/2010
|
7/25/2010
|
$1,109.00
|
Available
|
|
7/24/2010
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7/25/2010
|
8/1/2010
|
$1,135.00
|
Available
|
|
Popular Departure
|
7/31/2010
|
8/1/2010
|
8/8/2010
|
$1,135.00
|
Available
|
|
8/7/2010
|
8/8/2010
|
8/15/2010
|
$1,135.00
|
Available
|
|
9/4/2010
|
9/5/2010
|
9/12/2010
|
$1,135.00
|
Available
|
|
Popular Departure
|
9/11/2010
|
9/12/2010
|
9/19/2010
|
$1,135.00
|
Available
|
Popular Departure - due to itinerary and
time of year, this departure historically sells out quickly. Early
booking is encouraged.
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