A division of the Atlas Travel Network
Cosmos Tours Authorized Representative
1-800-942-3301
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The stunning Alpine mountain range stretches across the borders of several European countries, and this vacation gives you the opportunity to see the best of the region as well as one of Italy’s gems—fabulous Venice. Begin in Bavaria’s capital, Munich, and see how the landscape changes from flatland to gentle hills to magnificent mountains. Visit Linderhof Castle, a rococo Habsburg palace set in a spectacular valley. Then, cross the border into Austria and overnight in Innsbruck. From Tyrol, travel via Voralberg to Vaduz, Liechtenstein’s capital, and continue to Lake Lucerne in Switzerland. Visit medieval Lucerne, Stans, and Berne, capital of Switzerland. On to the main sights of Geneva and a visit to famous Chillon Castle. Depart for two overnights in the pure mountain air of Zermatt. Next, enjoy superb panoramic views on the Glacier Express train ride to Andermatt. Descend the St. Gotthard to Lake Lugano and drive through the splendid Po Valley, beauty that prepares you for exquisite Venice. Enjoy a boat ride to St. Mark’s Square and time at leisure to marvel at this unique floating city. From the breathtaking peaks of the Dolomites, journey to Mozart’s Salzburg and then return to Munich. |
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City Highlights Visits to Linderhof Castle*, Innsbruck, Liechtenstein, Lucerne, Stans, Berne, Geneva, Zermatt, Lugano, Cortina, Venice*entrance fees included Meals 10 buffet breakfasts (B), 6 dinners (D) Hotels: Listed below or equivalent. Rooms with private bath or shower, hotel taxes, porterage, tips, and service chargesMUNICH AREA NH Airport (F) at Schweig, INNSBRUCK Dollinger (ST), LAKE LUCERNE Seehof (ST) at Flüelen or Hirschen (ST) at Flüelen, GENEVA AREA City (ST) at Lausanne, ZERMATT Tschugge (F), LUGANO Acquarello (ST), VENICE AREA Holiday Inn (F) at Quarto d''Altino, SALZBURG AREA Schmidbauer (ST) at Schweighofen, MUNICH AREA Rivoli (ST)
Day 1:
Thu. BOARD YOUR OVERNIGHT TRANSATLANTIC FLIGHT. Day 2: Fri. ARRIVAL IN MUNICH AREA, GERMANY. Check into your hotel. Tonight, meet your Tour Director and fellow travelers. Day 3: AUSTRIA. Quite a fascinating itinerary today. Drive south for a stop to visit Linderhof Castle, set deep in a valley in the forest of the Ammergau Alps. A unique setting of a rococo palace surrounded by gardens and terraces in Italian Renaissance style and located in a park landscaped in the English fashion! Journey into Austria and, by way of the scenic Inn Valley, reach Innsbruck to admire its famous Golden Roof. (B,D) Day 4: Sun. INNSBRUCK-LIECHTENSTEIN, LAKE LUCERNE, SWITZERLAND. More glorious Alpine scenery as you motor westwards through the Tyrol to the Arlberg Tunnel and down into the Voralberg to reach Vaduz, the capital of the tiny but wealthy Principality of Liechtenstein. Now into Switzerland to the shores of lovely Lake Lucerne. One of Switzerland’s finest cities, nestled amid its snow-capped Alps, surrounded by its lake, and embellished by the clear mountain waters of the River Reuss. Your sightseeing takes in the impressive city walls, a covered wooden bridge, ornate patrician houses lining cobblestone streets, and the Lion Monument—a masterful stone sculpture in honor of the heroic Swiss Guard of Louis XVI. Overnight in the Lucerne area. (B) Day 5: Mon. LAKE LUCERNE-STANS-BERNE-GENEVA AREA. A day packed with a variety of scenery and places to visit. First to Stans. Take advantage of the optional excursion by funicular and cable car to the 6,227-foot summit of the Stanserhorn. Later, motor along the shores of Lake Thun, then on to Switzerland’s beautiful capital, Berne, a charming town with arcaded shops, carved fountains, and towers. The visit features the Bear Pit and the monumental Federal Palace. On to the Geneva area for an overnight. (B,D) Day 6: Tue. GENEVA AREA-CHILLON CASTLE-ZERMATT. First today the included Geneva visit takes in the famous lake fountain, the palace of nations, and the Reformation Monument. The next stop is to visit Chillon Castle of Byron fame, located on a rocky islet within sight of Montreux and the Dents du Midi. More Alpine scenery on the way to the typical Swiss village of Täsch for the train ride to Zermatt. (B,D) Day 7: Wed. ZERMATT. A whole day to enjoy one of Switzerland’s best-known winter and summer resorts. There’s a variety of shops, cafés, and bars, and the narrow streets are traffic-free. Later, enjoy the optional ride on Europe’s highest rack railway to 10,272-foot Gornergrat for breathtaking views of the Alps. (B) Day 8: Thu. ZERMATT-GLACIER EXPRESS-ANDERMATT-LUGANO. Today you’ll experience the highlight of this tour, the Glacier Express. This is Switzerland’s most famous mountain railway, which journeys over hundreds of bridges and through dozens of tunnels to give unique panoramic views of the Swiss Alps and surrounding valleys, mountain forests, Alpine meadows, rushing streams, and picture-postcard villages. Board the Glacier Express in Zermatt and leave it in Andermatt in the St. Gotthard massif, 4,711 feet above sea level. Rejoin your coach for the descent of the St. Gotthard into the quite different landscape of the Canton Ticino for an afternoon arrival in Lugano. (B,D) Day 9: Fri. LUGANO-VENICE AREA, ITALY. Through the flat farmlands of the Po Valley for an afternoon arrival in Venice. It’s really more like a marvelous film set than a real live city, with its criss-crossing canals, gondolas and water buses, arched bridges, palaces, and quiet little piazzas. Reach St. Mark''s Square by boat along one of the main canals. Time at leisure and a chance to watch Venetian glassblowers fashion their delicate objects as they did centuries ago. Don’t miss the optional gondola trip, gliding along the picturesque canals with a local troubadour to serenade you. (B,D) Day 10: Sat. VENICE AREA-DOLOMITES-SALZBURG AREA, AUSTRIA. Today leave the flat and fertile plains of Venetia and journey into the splendid scenery of the Dolomites, making a stop in the famous winter resort of Cortina. In the afternoon, cross into Austria and ascend the road over the Grossglockner; a stop to admire the surrounding Alpine scenery will be made during this part of the journey. Next, to Salzburg for an overnight. (B,D) Day 11: Sun. SALZBURG AREA-MUNICH AREA, GERMANY. Don’t miss out on the included city sightseeing excursion with a Local Guide. You’ll be taken through the historic center of Mozart’s hometown to see its many highlights including the Domplatz, the Horse Trough, Festival Hall, and, of course, the charming Getreidegasse where Mozart was born. This afternoon motor directly to Munich. This evening join the optional Bavarian evening. (B) Day 12: Mon. YOUR HOMEBOUND FLIGHT ARRIVES THE SAME DAY. (B)
Visits to Linderhof Castle*, Innsbruck, Liechtenstein, Lucerne, Stans, Berne, Geneva, Zermatt, Lugano, Cortina, Venice*entrance fees included
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Note: All prices are per person, double occupancy, subject to availability. These pages are not endorsed or supported by the tour operator in any way. All information presented is based on promotional material provided by the tour operator. All prices, itineraries, accommodations and dates are subject to change without notice and at any time by the tour operators. Availability is limited and must be reconfirmed at time of booking. The prices on this website are not guaranteed. We are not responsible for errors, omissions, or changes in pricing. Please call us toll free at 1-800-942-3301 to confirm availability and pricing.
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