Exploring the Alpine Countries

Exploring the Alpine Countries: Austria, Germany, Switzerland & France

Discover storybook castles and glittering palaces amidst stunning Alpine vistas as you explore Austria, Germany and Switzerland. Begin in Vienna with a visit to Schoenbrunn Palace. Enjoy a Mozart dinner concert at centuries-old St. Peter’s Restaurant in Salzburg, the "City of Music." Travel through the Black Forest, visiting Oberammergau, famous for the Passion Play and expert woodcarvers. Enjoy picture stops at Bavaria’s famous castle, Neuschwanstein, and the Chateau de Chillon on Lake Geneva. Enjoy two nights in the alpine village of Zermatt, Switzerland, at the foot of the Matterhorn, and two nights in Lucerne, “the Swiss Paradise on the Lake.” From Lucerne, we travel by train to Paris, France where we will enjoy a 2 night stay in this spectacular city.

16 Days
May 30 - June 14, 2012

Your Tour Includes

Round trip air from Ottawa

Door to Door sedan service to/from Ottawa airport (within 100km radius)

Hotel transfers, air taxes and fuel surcharges (subject to increase until paid in full)

All accommodation and ground transportation for the duration of the tour

Train from Lucerne to Paris

City tours of Vienna, Salzburg, Munich, Bern, Zermatt, Lucerne & Paris

8 Dinners, including a Mozart Dinner Concert, dinner in the wine making village of Grinzing and the Moulin Rouge dinner & cabaret show in Paris

14 Breakfasts

All entrance fees listed in the itinerary

Porterage for one suitcase (per person)

Local tour guides

Escorted by Art & Dot Jamieson

Tour Pricing
Double (2 per room) - $5699 per person
Single (1 per room) - $6529 per person
Triple (3 per room) - $4229 per person
(All prices are in Canadian $)

Insurance
Deluxe Cancellation and Full Medical flat rate Insurance of $300 per person (regardless of age).

Booking Details
A deposit of $250 per person plus insurance (if purchasing) must be provided by January 3, 2012. A minimum of 30 participants are required by this date for tour to operate. bookings made after this date are subject to availability and change in price. Balances are due April 1, 2012.

Itinerary

DAY 1 - May 30, 2012
Overnight flight to Vienna, Austria
Half timber houses, magnificent architecture, yodelers and the world's finest classical music await you. You'll explore Europe's most picturesque countries: Austria, Germany (Bavaria), Switzerland and France. Our overnight flight will bring us to Vienna, Austria.

DAY 2 - May 31, 2012
Arrive Vienna, Austria
Upon arrivial in Vienna, enjoy the remainder of your day at leisure.

DAY 3 - June 1, 2012
Vienna, Austria
Your tour begins in Vienna. Tonight, meet your fellow travellers at a special welcome dinner, complete with local entertainers, in the quaint wine making village of Grinzing. Today, dinner will be included.

DAY 4 - June 2, 2012
Vienna
Get to know Vienna this morning during a special tour that showcases its architectural marvels. You will visit the incredible Schoenbrunn Palace and see the impressive St. Stephan's Cathedral. This afternoon, enjoy free time to explore - stroll the streets or even visit a museum. Today, breakfast will be included.

DAY 5 - June 3, 2012
Vienna - Salzburg
After a short lesson on the local language, enjoy a lovely cruise along the Danube, one of the most picturesque waterways in Europe. Later, visit the Benedictine Melk Abbey before continuing to the "City of Music" in Salzburg. Tonight, enjoy a Mozart Dinner Concert at the centuries-old St. Peter's Restaurant. Today, breakfast and dinner will be included.

DAY 6 - June 4, 2012
Salzburg
Discover the splendour of Salzburg with a leisurely-paced walking tour of the Old Town. Some of the amazing sights you will see include the Cathedral, Mozart's birthplace and Mirabell Gardens. Today, breakfast will be included.

DAY 7 - June 5, 2012
Salzburg - Munich, Germany - Oberammergau
Today you travel to Germany. In Munich, you'll feel the energy of this lively and fascinating city during a tour that highlights Olympic Park, the world-famous Glockenspiel and Marienplatz, a beautiful square surrounded by shops, restaurants and cafes. Later in the day, you will arrive at your home for the nest two nights - the quaint village of Oberammergau - renowned for wood carvings and the Passion Play. Today, breakfast and dinner will be included.

DAY 8 - June 6, 2012
Oberammergau - Innsbruck, Austria - Oberammergau
Today, you will enjoy the scenery of the spectacular Bavarian alps enroute to enchanting Innsbruck. Upon arrival, walk through the charming pedestrian streets and see landmarks such as The Golden Roof on a locally guided tour. You will find it easy to understand why this city, during the 14th century, was the centre of European culture and politics as you wind through the narrow cobblestone streets. Today, breakfast and dinner will be included.

DAY 9 - June 7, 2012
Oberammergau - Black Forest
Today, fairy tales come to life with a picture stop at Bavaria's most famous castle, Neuschwanstein. Next, you are off to the heart of the stunning Black forest. Don't forget to shop for authentic cuckoo clocks, Hummels and wood carvings!. Today, breakfast and dinner will be included.

DAY 10 - June 8, 2012
Black Forest - Bern, Switzerland - Zermatt
Welcome to Switzerland! During your first stop you will take a panoramic tour of Bern where Albert Einstein worked out the details of his theory of relativity. Later, visit one of the most photographed castles in the world, the Chateau de Chillon, located on serene Lake Geneva. Your day ends in the relaxing village of Zermatt in the Swiss Alps. Take a stroll and breathe in the fresh Alpine air. Today, breakfast and dinner will be included.

DAY 11 - June 9, 2012
Zermatt
After an orientation tour of this mountain resort village, the remainder of your day is at leisure. Get an up-close look at the famed Matterhorn, enjoy lunch at a local cafe, or just relax and explore at your own pace. Today, breakfast will be included.

DAY 12 - June 10, 2012
Zermatt - Grimsel Pass - Lucerne
Views of glaciers, crystal clear rivers and snow-capped mountains will invigorate you as you travel through the spectacular scenery of the Grimsel Pass. Your final destination is the "Swiss Paradise on the Lake", the city of Lucerne. Today, breakfast will be included.

DAY 13 - June 11, 2012
Lucerne
This morning, embark on a scenic walking tour of this picturesque town, including a stroll through the romantic old town. Enjoy the remainder of the day at leisure to explore the best Lucerne has to offer. Today, breakfast and dinner is included.

DAY 14 - June 12, 2012
Train to Paris, France
After a leisurely breakfast, we will embark on a train journey to Paris, France. In the afternoon, we will enjoy a city tour of Paris highlights. A spectacular evening awaits at the Moulin Rouge dinner and cabaret. Today, breakfast and dinner will be included.

DAY 15 - June 13, 2012
Train to Paris, France
Today is yours to explore the world's most popular city at your leisure. Stroll narrow cobblestone streets and discover hidden cafés serving sumptuous crème brûlée and delicate pastries. Tour the Eiffel Tower or spend time with the great masters at the Louvre. Today, breakfast is included.

DAY 16 - June 14, 2012
Paris - Tour Ends
Your tour ends today in Paris. You will be shuttled back to the airport for your return flight home. Today, breakfast is included.