Alpine Splendor: Switzerland and Austria

We arrive in Zurich and transfer to our hotel on the shores of Lake Lucerne. After checking in, we meet for a briefing about the journey ahead, followed by dinner at our hotel. D

This morning we encounter historic and alluring Lucerne, surrounded by mountains and sitting on its namesake lake. We visit the medieval Old Town; and cross treasured Kapellbrücke (Chapel ridge), the oldest covered bridge in Europe. Later we ride the world’s steepest cogwheel train to the summit of nearby Mt. Pilatus for stunning views across the surrounding countryside. B

Today’s scenic overload begins with a ferry ride on Lake Lucerne, where we pass Rütli meadow, legendary “birthplace of Switzerland.” Disembarking at Flüelen, we coach to Andermatt to board the celebrated Glacier Express train, renowned for its panoramic views as it sweeps through striking valleys, past mountain hamlets, and follows the course of the fabled Rhône. Our adventure on this famed route ends in Zermatt, in the shadow of the Matterhorn. Tonight, we enjoy dinner together at a local restaurant. B,D

Sitting in a low-slung notch, Zermatt is surrounded on all sides by towering slopes. We get a unique view of the spectacular scenery this morning as we ride the Gornergratbahn, one of the highest railways in Europe, to the summit of the Gornergrat. Atop this rocky ridge, a dramatic tapestry unfolds all around us: 29 Alpine peaks, each over 13,000 feet, including the majestic Matterhorn standing alone at nearly 15,000 feet. After admiring the jaw-dropping scenery, we begin our descent by train to Zermatt, where the remainder of the day is free to explore this very walkable village as we wish. B

We travel by coach today through more superb Swiss scenery, and cross into northern Italy via the legendary Simplon Pass through the Alps. Late morning, we arrive in Stresa, Italy, along the shores of lovely Lake Maggiore, where we have time to explore and enjoy lunch on our own. Then a scenic drive through the famed Italian lake district returns us to Switzerland and our hotel in lakeside Lugano. B,D

Today’s tour of Ticino, Switzerland’s southernmost canton, begins in Ascona on the shores of Lake Maggiore. We enjoy a walking tour of this charming town known for its pastel lakefront façades and an early 20th-century artists’ colony which attracted such artists and thinkers as Herman Hesse, Carl Jung, and Paul Klee. Next, we visit a nearby winery in the Ascona Delta, where we stroll through the vineyard, tour the wine cellars, and sample the wines on offer here. Before returning to Lugano, we enjoy regional fare as we lunch alfresco at a local grotto restaurant built around mountain caves.   B,L

After a free morning to explore Lugano independently, we board a motorboat for a private half-day cruise around Lake Lugano. We put ashore at Morcote, a town barely a mile square whose cobbled streets, terraced gardens, and Mediterranean charm led Swiss citizens in 2016 to name it the nation’s loveliest village. After lunch together and time to explore, we continue on our cruise with a stop in Gandria, whose stucco façades seem to cling precariously to the side of Monte Brè. B,L

Leaving the Lake District today, we’re bound for Austria by way of the tiny sovereign nation of Liechtenstein. We stop first in medieval Bellinzona, with its three feudal castles, all UNESCO sites. Here we visit Castelgrande, the iconic central castle where we explore the ramparts and expansive grounds. We then continue north to Liechtenstein, reaching the country’s capital of Vaduz, where we have free time to explore and have lunch on our own. We travel on to Austria, reaching our hotel in the mountain village of Seefeld early this evening. We dine together at our hotel tonight. B,D

This morning we coach to nearby Innsbruck, host of the 1964 and 1976 Winter Olympics. A walk-ing tour highlights the postcard-worthy sights, including the many pedestrian squares surrounded by pastel-colored façades. Then we take a cable car to a lookout in the Nordkette, the “mountain at the heart of Innsbruck,” where we enjoy panoramic views of the city and the surrounding Alps. We have time on our own in Innsbruck before returning to Seefeld. B,D

Today we travel through Tyrol, a crossroads of Western Europe, en route to Salzburg. We stop to visit the Museum of Tyrolean Farms, an interactive outdoor exhibit featuring dozens of preserved farmhouses dating from the 15th century onwards. Then we continue on to Salzburg, Austria’s riverside jewel and city of Mozart and The Sound of Music. Following dinner together, we attend a classical music concert in the Marble Room of famed Mirabell Palace. B,D

Our walking tour this morning features the geometrically-styled Mirabell Gardens, dating to the 17th century; the aroque Old Town, now a UNESCO site; and visits to Salzburg Cathedral and medieval Hohensalzburg Fortress, one of Europe’s largest and best-preserved castles. Then the remainder of the day is at leisure for independent exploration and dinner on our own. B

We travel today to the Bavarian resort town of Berchtesgaden, site of the clifftop Kehlsteinhaus (Eagle’s Nest), the Nazi Party’s alpine retreat. Arriving by the original 1930s brass elevator, we tour the chalet where Hitler paid multiple visits before it was captured by the Allies in the closing days of WWII. In the event Eagle’s Nest is closed because of unseasonal weather, we’ll visit the nearby Berchtesgaden Salt Mine, which has operated continuously for more than 500 years. After lunch together, we return to Salzburg, where the rest of the afternoon is at leisure before we celebrate our splendid journey at a farewell dinner. B,L,D

We transfer today to the Munich airport for our return flight to the U.S. B

Please note: This trip involves considerable walking on uneven terrain in a natural environment. You should be in good physical condition to enjoy the tour to the fullest. Elevations at hotel locations are not severe, ranging from 1,400 ft. to 5,200 ft. The altitude on some excursions – Gornergrat (10,300 ft.) and other Alpine venues (6,000–7,500 ft.) – could pose problems for guests with certain health conditions. You should consult your personal physician if you have concerns.

B = Breakfast included L = Lunch included D = Dinner included