Austria will enchant you with Baroque architecture, opulent palaces, and famous concertos while Switzerland will captivate you with villages of half-timbered homes, beautiful hidden vineyards, and dramatic mountain peaks. Your custom tailored tour offers you only the best and takes you along the Danube River and into the illustrious Alps. The strong walls of a medieval castle reflect in the cobalt waters of the lake as frescoes in a historic abbey resemble murals to decorate a king’s quarters....
Customizable Itinerary
Day 1
Vienna – The Contemporary Capital of Austria
Vienna is a vibrant city that embodies the best of Austria’s illustrious past and looks optimistically towards the country’s future. Cozy coffee houses have provided space for philosophers and artists to share their ideas over a strong cup of freshly brewed coffee since the 18th-century. The city offers a home to an elegant ballet as well as the Lipizzaner stallions, angelic tones of premier orchestras and the opulent walls of a historic palace. Postmodernist architectural design edge contemporary styles and fuse the city together with a Baroque past.
Your private transfer will meet you at the Vienna airport upon your arrival and escort you into the heart of the city. The State Opera House stages more than 300 performances a year and has fuelled a dramatic passion for the arts since the 1600s when the first Viennese Court Opera performed. The current structure was built in the 19th-century with embellished French Renaissance style, highlighted by a grand staircase leading to the first floor. The paintings along the foyer depict famous scenes from captivating operas, connoting the allure of music, power, and Austria’s capital.
What's Included:
Day 2
Vienna – Day Tour to See History and Elegance
Day 3
Salzburg – Enjoy a Cruise along the Danube
Day 4
Salzburg – Discover the Splendors of the City
Day 5
St. Moritz – Visit Charming City of Innsbruck
Day 6
St. Moritz – Enjoy the Village at Your Pace
Day 7
Zermatt – Ride the Glacier Express Scenic Train
Day 8
Zermatt – Revel in the Alpine Beauty at your Leisure
Day 9
Bern – On the Banks of the Aare River
Day 10
Bern – Tour the Lavaux Wine Region
Day 11
Lucerne – Scenic Tour of Interlake at Jungfrau Massif
Day 12
Lucerne – Cruise on Lake Lucerne
Day 13
Lucerne – Delight in the Beauty of Lucerne
Day 14
Lucerne – Depart for Home
Trip Highlights
- Enjoy sampling a luxurious Danube cruise west to Salzburg to visit the opulent Melk Church as it towers above the riverbank
- Discover the grandeur and grace of the Hapsburg Palace that borders the remarkable city of Vienna
- Stroll through a stunning Glacier Palace in view of the Matterhorn peak at an altitude near 12,750 feet
- Experience the gilded copper tiles of the Golden Roof and magnificent black marble tomb of Maximilian I in Innsbruck
- Wander the medieval grounds of Chateau de Chillon to follow in the footsteps of the dukes and counts of Savoy
- View the new, open grounds of Bearpark, home to a family of bears for which the city capital of Bern was named
- Travel along a historical cogwheel train to the Schynige plateau for an unparalleled view of the jagged peaks of the Jungfrau massif
- Sip delicious wine from the traditional vineyards of the Lavaux wine region that overlook the banks of Lake Geneva
- Visit the unique World War II era Nazi retreat and bunker at the infamous Eagle’s Nest
- Relish a scenic train ride through the countryside on the Glacier Express Train to visit the charming villages en route to the Matterhorn base
Detailed Description
Opulence and splendor emanate from the architecture and scenery during your 12-day tour of Austria and Switzerland. Whether you’re a fan of castles and palaces or take pleasure in hiking across undulating meadows, you will enjoy visiting elegant cathedrals and delight in the scenic train rides. The countryside will be your playground, and the cities and villages will be your classroom on this immersive tour of the history, culture, and landscape across Austria and Switzerland. Your flight lands at Vienna Airport and your private transfer will escort you into the heart of the city. Spend the next day with a dive into the wonders of Austria’s capital with a tour of the beautiful structures of the historical center followed by the luxurious grounds of the Hapsburg Palace.
Step aboard a boat on the Danube River before a visit to the historical Mel Abbey and the sensational Salzkammergut Lakeland en route to Salzburg. Traverse the charming streets of Salzburg at your preferred pace to take in the Baroque architecture and musical history around the city. Take an excursion to the Bavarian Alps to see the infamous Eagle’s Nest before you traverse the Tyrolean Alps to Innsbruck. Relish the graceful artistry of the city and its medieval lanes before continuing over the Swiss border to the lakeside town of St. Moritz.
Venture to the charming old town of Chur to catch the Glacier Express Train to the Matterhorn base. Once you reach the village of Zermatt, relax with an impressive view of the massif. The next day is yours to discover the majesty of the region around Zermatt, as you hike along the countless trails and venture into the heights of the summits on scenic gondola rides, with entry into an ice cave at the Matterhorn Glacier Paradise. Travel on to Lake Geneva and stroll along the ramparts of Chateau de Chillon before you reach the capital city of Bern.
Journey on for a refreshing introduction to Swiss tradition in the Lavaux wine region as it overlooks Lake Geneva. Travel to the medieval alpine town of Interlaken to witness the drama of the Jungfrau Massif en route to the charming city of Lucerne. Your guide will lead you on an all-encompassing tour of Lucerne, with time to cruise along the fjord-like lake on a scenic cruise. Conclude your travels as your private transfer will meet you at your hotel in Lucerne and escort you to the Zurich airport for your flight home.
Starting Price
$8,000 per person (excluding international flights)
Your Zicasso trip is fully customizable, and this sample itinerary is a starting place for your travel plans. Actual costs are dynamic, and your selection of accommodations and activities, your season of travel, and other such variables will bring this budget guideline up or down. Throughout your planning experience with your Zicasso specialist, your itinerary is designed around your budget. You can book your trip when you are satisfied with every detail. Planning your trip with a Zicasso travel specialist is a free service.
What's Included
- Accommodations
- In-country transportation
- Some or all activities and tours
- Expert trip planning
- 24x7 support during your trip
Your final trip cost will vary based on your selected accommodations, activities, meals, and other trip elements that you opt to include.
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