Northern Italy, Salzburg & Switzerland

DAY 1 – Depart USA

We depart the United States for Zurich.

DAY 2 – Lucerne Area, Switzerland

Upon arriving in Zurich, we meet our coach and driver and drive to Lucerne on the magnificent Vierwaldstättersee. We take time to cross the famous wooden Chapel Bridge, and stop to see the poignant Lion Monument, designed by the Danish sculptor Thorwaldsen, as a memorial to Swiss mercenaries who lost their lives defending the King of France. We then drive to the mountains outside of Lucerne to overnight. (D)

DAY 3 – Lucerne Area

After breakfast, we begin a wonderful day of sightseeing. We take a short drive over the Brunig Pass to the Bernese Oberland, the heart of the Swiss Alps. We now enjoy an excursion via cogwheel train from Lauterbrunnen, the “village of the waterfalls,” to the Kleine Scheidegg for a panoramic view of the Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau Mountains! After time for lunch we continue our train ride down the other side of the mountain to Grindelwald, the “village of the glaciers!” (B,D)

DAY 4 – Lugano

The beauty continues today, with beautiful mountains, villages and the lake district of Italy. We travel through the longest tunnel on mainland Europe, overnighting in Lugano, on Lake Lugano, surrounded by mountains. (B,D)

DAY 5 – Montecatini Terme, Italy

Departing Lugano, we now journey southward into the region of Tuscany, often described as the “heart of Italy.” Our home for the next two nights is Montecatini Terme. Situated between Florence and Pisa, the city is one of the world’s most famous health spas. Our sightseeing today includes the famous Leaning Tower of Pisa and a lunch break in Lucca–a Roman-style city surrounded by massive red brick walls. The rest of the day is free to relax and explore Montecatini. (B,D)

DAY 6 – Montecatini Terme

Today is spent in Florence with a local guide showing us the Duomo, the leather market, the bridges on the Arno and the Accademia which houses Michaelangelo’s David. We return to our hotel in Montecatini. (B,D)

DAY 7 – Venice/Mestre

Our destination today is fabulous Venice–La Serenissima, the “Serene One.” Built upon 117 islands, Venice is a mosaic of canals, plazas, fascinating markets, and chaos! After our drive to Venice, we travel by boat to Murano–a cluster of small islands connected by bridges and the center of the Italian glassmaking industry since 1291. We overnight in Mestre or Venice. (B,D)

DAY 8 – Venice/Mestre

We begin our day in Venice with an excursion to St. Mark’s Square, including a cruise along the serpentine Canale Grande. Here we see the Bell Tower and the impressive St. Mark’s Cathedral. There is time in the afternoon to explore and shop in the famous market area around the Rialto Bridge or to enjoy a coffee and some people-watching at St. Mark’s Square. (B,D)

DAY 9 – Salzburg area, Austria

Our drive through the Austrian mountains is striking and different from the Swiss Alps. We stop at a small town en route for lunch, and continue to Salzburg for the night. You may wish to attend a musical event this evening. (B)

DAY 10 – Salzburg area

We rise early this morning for breakfast before enjoying a locally-guided city tour of Salzburg, including the Salzburg Cathedral, St. Peter’s Church, the Mirabel Gardens, Mozart’s birth house, and sights from “The Sound of Music.” We then have the remainder of the day at leisure in the Getreidegasse, Salzburg’s beautiful pedestrian shopping area. You might wish to take the funicular to the Salzburg fortress, which looks down over the beautiful old city. (B,D)

DAY 11 – Oberammergau, Germany

After breakfast we drive through the Bavarian countryside to Linderhof Castle, one of the castles of King Ludwig II. Linderhof was the favorite of King Ludwig’s three castles, tucked into an intimate setting in the woods. There are four pounds of gold leaf in every room and a beautiful collection of vases. We take time for a guided tour of the castle. Time allowing, we also visit the beautiful rococo cloister in Ettal. We then drive to our hotel in Oberammergau. In the evening we can wander on the beautiful streets. (B,D)

DAY 12 – Oberammergau

The morning is free for exploring Oberammergau. After lunch we attend the Passion Play, the highlight of the tour. There is an intermission for dinner and then return to the theater for the rest of the production. (B,L,D)

DAY 13 – Munich

We drive to Munich today, where we have a short orientation tour of the city, including the Olympic grounds, the Glockenspiel, the grounds of Nymphenburg Castle, and the pedestrian zone. We visit the famous Hofbräuhaus in the evening where dinner will be on your own. (B)

DAY 14 – Return

We transfer to the Munich airport for our return flight to the United States.