Wonders of Switzerland & Austria

Welcome to Vienna, a city that oozes charm with magnificent Baroque buildings, ample green spaces from parks to vineyards, a vibrant coffee-house culture and masterpiece-filled galleries and museums. You will spend the next two nights in a luxurious hotel in Austria’s grand capital. Known as the City of Music, Vienna fostered the musical geniuses Mozart and Beethoven, and Sigmund Freud also lived and worked here in the late 19th century. The city boasts the world’s most beautiful boulevard, The Ringstrasse, a legacy of the Habsburg monarchy.  Relax in your luxurious hotel for the evening or head out to explore the city at leisure.

This morning, embark on a guided tour to see the city’s highlights, such as the opulent Opera House, City Hall, the Hellenic-style Parliament Building, the sprawling landscaped gardens of Stadtpark, and Karlskirche (Church of St. Charles).  Enrich This evening’s Scenic Enrich: Tonight will be an unforgettable evening of classical music. Visit the grand Kursalon Renaissance Palace, where you’ll be treated to an exclusive classical concert, followed by dinner. 

Continue your exploration of Austria and visit the city of Steyr. Your Tour director will give you an orientation tour of this historic city before allowing you free time to explore at your leisure. This afternoon, continue through Austria to Salzburg the location for your two-night stay.

Surrounded by alpine peaks and on the banks of the Salzach River, Salzburg is best known as the home of Mozart and The Sound of Music. This storybook city has a thriving art scene, music and concert halls filled with classical music, a Baroque old town where you’ll find Mozart’s birthplace, and Hohensalzburg, Central Europe’s largest intact fortress, which sits high above the rooftops with panoramic views of the city. During a guided tour, explore this incredible city and learn about some of the citys most famous residents including Mozart and the Von Trapp family, the inspiration for the classic movie, ‘The Sound of Music’. 

Today we traverse the alpine valleys and rugged hills enroute of Salzkammergut that served as the landscapes of the famous movie, The Sound of Music, whilst heading to the historical Schwangau region. Here mountains, lakes, castles and village with half-timbered house coexist making this area one of the dreamiest regions of Europe.

Today you will be able to feel part of a fairy tale. After a short drive you’ll arrive at the majestic Neuschwanstein Castle that inspired the iconic Disney castle and have the chance to explore the opulent room of this castle before returning to their hotel to relax.

Depart the pretty Alpine region of Schwangau, on route visiting the quiet town of Chur when you will board the Glacier Express to Zermatt. Nestled at the foot of the world’s most famous mountain, the 4,478-metre Matterhorn, the village of Zermatt looks as though it has been plucked from the pages of a fairytale. When the landscape is blanketed in thick white snow, visitors flock here for exhilarating winter sports, and in summer they come to hike more than 100 trails that weave around its valleys, lakes and ridges.

Overlooked by the imposing and iconic Matterhorn, Zermatt is an idyllic carefree, car free village set amongst the most glorious natural beauty.   Freechoice: Excursion to Gornergrat: Today perhaps ascend the Swiss Alps by rail to Gornergrat. For 125 years, this cog railway has been taking passengers to 3,100 metres above sea level, with mountains and glaciers as far as the eye can see, and the magnificent Matterhorn present at every moment, a craggy triangular peak standing sentinel in the Alps. Alpine Cheese discovery: Learn about local cheese production at a local producer. Discover how the local Alpine conditions and herbs contribute to the flavours of cheese produced onsite. This afternoon is at leisure to explore Zermatt on your own. Wander along the Bahnhofstrasse, its main street, where you’ll find everything from souvenirs to jewellery to traditional food mongers selling baked goods, cheese and chocolate.

Today you will traverse the Alps to the iconic resort town of Montreux. Located on the Shore of Lake Geneva, this pretty lakeside town is a home away of home of many artists. Enrich You will be taken to a chalet-style Swiss restaurant in the mountains overlooking Montreux where you will be treated to a delicious meal accompanied by traditional live music. Members of the Alphorn Academy of Switzerland will introduce you to the cultural importance of the Alphorn, a long wooden horn that was traditional used by shepherds to call cows in from the pastures. 

Freechoice: Personalise your journey by your choice Scenic Freechoice excursions: Vineyards and Vistas: Montreux is surrounded by rolling vineyards, and this morning you will have the chance to visit one of the regions best-known wineries. Visit the cellar door and enjoy a tasting of fine wines in idyllic surrounds. Chaplins World: Learn about one of the 20th centurys most celebrated artists during a visit to the Chaplins World Museum. This afternoon is at leisure to explore Montreux, perhaps relax on the lakeshore or follow the steps of various artists that once called Montreux home.

Journey to Interlaken on the Golden Pass Railway where you will admire beautiful Swiss lakes surrounded by the mountains. Nestled between Lake Thun and Lake Brienz in Switzerland, and overshadowed by the towering peaks of Eiger, Mönch, and Jungfrau is a picturesque town famed for its stunning alpine scenery.

Freechoice: This morning, choose from 2 Scenic Freechoice excursions as you uncover the tranquilly of Interlaken. Cruise on Lake Brienz: Discover the beauty of the spectacular alpine lake that offers breathtaking views of mountain scenery, picturesque villages and graceful castles. The top of Europe: Discover Jungfraujoch, which is one of Switzerlands most popular excursions. Take the famed cogwheel train to the top of Europe, the peak of the Jungfrau. Enjoy fabulous views of the towns and valleys below.

Transfer via panoramic train passing various blue lakes and stunning scenery to the beautiful city of Lucerne where you will have ample time to admire the picturesque natural beauty of the location. Here your Tour Director will take you on an orientation tour of the city where you will see the Jesuit Church, cross the quaint wooden Chapel Bridge and visit the Lion Monument, the detailed sculpture commemorating the Swiss guards who were massacred during the French Revolution. After some free time for lunch under own arrangements you will transfer to our final stop, Zurich, the heart of Switzerland. Framed by alpine mountains at the confluence of Lake Zurich and the Limmat River, this scenic-rich city is known for the extraordinary quality of life it offers to its citizens. It’s also Switzerland’s largest city and its commercial and cultural centre.

This morning, take a walking tour. Wander through the Old Town’s winding streets, visit the medieval square of Niederdorf, walk across bridges over the peaceful Limmat River, and admire the 9th century Fraumunster Church with its renowned stained-glass windows created by legendary artist Marc Chagall.  

This morning you will farewell your fellow travellers as your journey ends. Take with you memories of an unforgettable journey.  This itinerary is a guide only and may be amended for operational reasons. As such, the journey may operate altered from that stated above. Please refer to our terms and conditions. Please note: Preview itinerary subject to change.