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Heart of Europe16 day tour - September 8, 2012Switzerland to Prague - SOLD OUT!
Tour Leader Carol & Jim Tyndall The Alps, the most beautiful mountains in the world! With this special Heart of Europe Tour, you will travel through the stunning Switzerland Alps, the German Alps and the Austrian Alps. The Alps are like a diamond; Marvelous, Multifaceted, Mystical, Mysterious, Magnificent and Mesmerizing. We have added the best cities and villages in Europe – Prague, Vienna, Salzburg, Innsbruck, Zurich, Luzern Lugano, Zermatt at the base of the Matterhorn), Grindlewald (at the base of the Eiger), and Oberammergau (home of the Passion Play and Mad Ludwig’s Castle). Every day you will be experience the best the world has to offer in staggering beauty. Your special tour includes ancient villages, castles, boat rides, train rides, clog trains and gondola rides. The Alps have the largest “variety”: of landscapes. No other place on earth can you find sceneries so totally different ever twenty or thirty miles. We added to the beauty of the Alps Salzburg, Innsbruck, a cruise on the Danube, Melk and the best city in Europe – Prague. Come see for your self – this really is a vacation of a lifetime.
Your special Heart of Europe Tour includes
Package Price Includes
Pricing Information
Our Package Discount Price $2,895*
Call for Our Discounted Airfare
*Per person cash discount price. Does not include airfare, fuel
surcharges, shore excursions, cruise taxes, tips, taxes and fees.
Day by Day Itinerary
Day 1: Saturday 8 September: Fly
Depart from Home with connecting flights to Zürich/Switzerland, the Alpine Gateway.
Day 2: Sunday 9 September: Zurich - Luzern
You arrive this morning into Zurich. After clearing customs we head to Zurich for an orientation drive with a few stops including the old town. We then continue to Luzern for our city sightseeing tour that includes the wooden Chapel Bridge and the Lion’s Memorial. You will learn why the lion was carved into the rock – Mark Twain dubbed it the saddest piece of stone on earth. We will enjoy a cozy stroll through the old town of Luzern before taking the panoramic road along the “Lake of the Four Cantons” to our lovely hotel located on the waterfront. All rooms have magnificent views of the Lake Lucerne and mountains.
Day 3: Monday 10 September: Luzern – Grindelwald
Many highlights today !! Lake Lucerne is the most enchanting lake in Switzerland and we want to sail in style on the most beautiful part of it with a centenary old Side Paddle Steamer. A real treat which has to be done in 1st Class. After landing meet William Tell himself and listen to his story, you remember, the one with the apple. In the afternoon we cross the first high pass, the impressive Susten. In Meiringen we see the impressive waterfall where SherlockHolmes “died”, (well...., almost). Then,along the shores of Lake Brienz we proceed to Interlaken and a short stop. We will then climb to the village of the glaciers, Grindelwald, where we will stay for two nights.
Day 4: Tuesday 11 September; Grindelwald
Today is a highlight LOOKY-LOOKY day !! Our first stop is in Lauterbrunnen, where you will see jaw dropping rock formations and waterfalls. A little bit further, in this same valley, you visit the Trümmelbachfälle, a series of ten waterfalls “inside” the mountain !! It is one of the wonders of the world and even after seeing them, you will still NOT believe it....! Bring warm clothing and a rain jacket, it is cold and wet. Just after this, comes the next highlight. We take the cog-wheel train to Wengen and we stroll in this charming mountain resort. In January the longest downhill race, the “Lauberhorn” takes place on these slopes. We then travel by cable-car up to the Männlichen, a splendid vantage point, and from here, we will take a leisurely one hour stroll (quite flattish trail). The views will remain in your memory in the drawer of the “unforgettables”. While you walk, you always look at the majestic wide-screen panorama of the Jungfrau Group ! It's a fabulous day and you can pace it as you please. Overnight Grindelwald.
Day 5: Wednesday 12 September: Grindelwald – Bern – Zermatt
This morning you will drive along lake Thun with a stop in Spiez to view its medieval castle. Then head for Bern, the Swiss Capital and an UNESCO World Heritage site. You will see the astronomical clock, the Tympanum of the Münster (Cathedral), the lovely alleys with their homogeneous architecture, the richly decorated fountains and the bear pit. We then head to Gruyères, the capital of Swiss Cheese and one of those fairy-tale villages well known all over the world. Next you take the vineyeards route, a UNESCO-Natual Site along the majestic Lake Léman; then cross Vevey and Montreux, two lively resorts on the Swiss Riviera. We will stop and visit Castle Chillon, one of the very important medieval fortifications in Switzerland. Late this afternoon you will arrive up the Rhone Valley and head for the very high alpine resort of Zermatt. We will spend two nights in Zermatt a village at the base of the Matterhorn.
Day 6: Thursday 13 September: Zermatt Saturday
Those who want to experience the Sunrise (the moment of high energy) at the foot of the Matterhorn, will have to start their hiking tour before 5 am, For the rest of the group the day starts after breakfast with a leisurely stroll through this grand resort; you will see the large church and visit the separate mountain climbers cemetery; here you see the graves of those who perished while practicing their favorite sport. Stop at the memorial to those who claimed the Matterhorn for the first time and learn how they did it. Also see the old village with its cozy wooden houses. Now comes the absolute spectacular panoramic highlight of your tour. We take the cog-wheel mountain train which brings us high up to the Gornergrat at almost 10,000 feet ! Here you see the highest mountains of your trip, including the majestic Matterhorn. You can return by cog-wheel train or take the easy hike of about one hour back. The rest of the day you can relax and shop the fantastic resort of Zermatt. Overnight Zermatt.
Day 7: Friday 14 September: Zermatt - Lugano
Today is another panorama day and along the way you do several stops at charming villages. You will drive over two very impressive passes, the Furka, where you stop at the Rhône glacier, and the Gotthard, where you see the devil’s bridge and the Suvarov Memorial. Then travel into the Italian-speaking part of Switzerland (Ticino)to places with truly Mediterranean atmospheres. We will stop at the church of Santa Maria degli Angeli and admire the frescoes by Bernardino Luini; he was Leonardo da Vinci’s best pupil. Late afternoon we take the funicular to Monte Bré and enjoy a spectacular view; you will understand why Lugano is called the small Rio de Janeiro, only that here it is much nicer..., in every way ! We overnight in Lugano.
Day 8: Saturday 15 September: Lugarno – Oberammergau
We will start the day with a drive along the lovely subalpine lakes of Lugano and Como; these landscapes inspired a number of poets and passionate love-stories. You will see many legendary “villas” from your chartered boat. Another great and exciting highlight of your tour will be the BERNINA-EXPRESS..., the slowest Express train in the world, but what a spectacular ride it is !! It takes two hours to travel just 16 miles. You leave from palm trees and end up among awesome glaciers !! We then drive via the panoramic Ferpass to our destination: Oberammergau
Day 9: Sunday 16 September: Oberammergau
A relaxing day! We drive to the splendid Wies-Church, a baroque-rococo jewel so stupendous, that it was put on the cultural list of the UNESCO World Heritage Sites. When we continue, you can soon gaze at another folly of King Ludwig II, Neuschwanstein Castle. With local minibuses, we will ascend the mountain and have a short walk to a spot where we have a splendid view of “Cinderella’s castle”, We will then visit this “romantic dream”, built to revive the German Epic Sagas. We will return early afternoon to Oberammergau where you will have time to explore and shop.
Day 10: Monday 17 September: Oberammergau – Innsbruck – Eagle’s Nest – Salzburg
This morning early we will head down the German Alps to Innsbruck. We will visit the Tomb of Emperor Maximilian I and then continue on the panoramic route to Berchtesgaden and on to Obersalzberg (Hitler’s Eagle’s Nest). Tonight we will overnight in Salzburg.
Day 11: Tuesday 18 September: Salzburg
Salzburg is the SOUND OF MUSIC at e very corner. We will spend the morning touring Salzburg, riding the funicular up to the fortress, castle Hohensalzburg. In the afternoon you will have time to relax and shop in the old town. Overnight in Salzburg.
Day 12: Wednesday 19 September: Salzburg – Danube Cruise – Melk - Vienna
On our way to Vienna, we will drive to Melk and visit the old Abbey. Then board a boat to sail on the Danube through the Danube Canyon from Mel to Durnstein. After our village stroll, we will continue to Vienna. We overnight in Vienna at a wonderful hotel near the Schonbrunn Palace.
Day 13: Thursday 20 September: Vienna
We are close enough to the famous Schonbrunn Palace we will walk the short distance for our tour of the Palace. We will then spend the rest of the day touring Vienna, the old town, St. Stephen’s Cathedral and give you free time to explore and shop on your own. Overnight Vienna
Day 14: Friday 21 September: Vienna – Telc – Prague
This morning we cross into the Czech Republic. We will take a break to explore the charming village of Telc (a UNESCO World Heritage site) on our way to Prague. Upon arriving into Prague we will visit the Jewish Quarters and the Old Town, before heading to our hotel
Day 15: Saturday September 22: Prague
Today will be a highlight day as we visit our favorite city in Europe – Prague. We will explore the Castle area, take a cruise on the Moldau River, explore the old town and give you time to explore the ancient streets at your own pace. Late this afternoon we will return to our hotel.
Day 16: Sunday September 23: Fly Home
Transfer to the Airport and flights back to the USA and home.
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