Special Interest Packages
Alpine Adventure Tour 2010
Hosted by Bernie SchmidtSeptember 24 – October 5, 2009
Full Itinerary
B=Breakfast included D=Dinner included
Thursday July 15: Departure from Chicago
Depart from Chicago O’Hare airport to Frankfurt, Germany. On your overnight flight a dinner and a light breakfast will be served.
Friday July 16: Arrive Frankfurt - St. Goar - Rhine Cruise - Rüdesheim
Arrive in Frankfurt and board your motor coach for an excursion through the Rhine Valley to the village of St. Goar. Above St. Goar you visit the ruins of the once mighty Rheinfels Castle. From the vantage point of its watch tower, the view of the Rhine River and surrounding countryside is spectacular. After exploring St. Goar you board a Rhine River ship for an unforgettable cruise through the Rhine River Valley, which has been the inspiration of many world famous songs, stories and paintings. You will be thrilled to see romantic castles, villages and vineyards amid the hillsides along the Rhine. Disembarking in Rüdesheim, famous for its wine cellars and colorful vineyards, you walk the famous Drosselgasse to your hotel. In the evening you are free to enjoy music, dancing, Rüdesheim coffee or Rüdesheimer Riesling in one of the numerous inns of the Drosselgasse. (D)
Saturday July 17: Rudesheim - Rothenburg o.d.T. (ober der Tauber River)
The drive today will take you past some of Germany’s most picturesque country, proceeding through the dreamy German landscape to the medieval town of Rothenburg. This is the best preserved of Germany’s quaint villages that are located along the famous Romantic Road. Upon your arrival in Rothenburg there is an orientation walk that includes the Market Place, Town Hall, magnificent patrician houses, castle gate and gardens. Free time suggestions include visiting the Crime Museum, walking along the city’s protective walls, climbing the city hall stairs for an eagle’s eye view of village, or shop in the Market Square. An evening walk with the town’s Nightwatchman is an option that awaits you. (B,D)
Sunday July 18: Rothenburg - Munich - Hofbrauhaus – Salzburg Area
Austria’s beautiful Salzburg is the final destination for today. You will stop in Munich for an orientation walk to the heart of Munich’s lively Pedestrian Zone. In the Marienplatz (Mary’s Square), the Glockenspiel plays its wonderful tune at 11:00 am and again at noon. On your visit to the Hofbrauhaus you will observe people from all over the world enjoying the friendly atmosphere of Bavaria. Following free time to explore the Hofbrauhaus, the tour continues toward Salzburg. You will enjoy dinner in your quaint Tyrolean hotel. o/n Salzburg Area (B,D)
Monday July 19: Salzburg - Hallein Salt Mine - Innsbruck
A visit to a Hallein Salt mine begins the day. After dressing in white miner’s overalls, riding the miner’s train, and sliding down wooden chutes into the mine, you explore the underground world of salt. You will cross from Austria to Germany and back again inside the salt mine. A short bus ride brings you to Salzburg. Salzburg has an indefinable charm that makes it one of the most beautiful cities of Europe. During the Salzburg orientation walk you will pass through picturesque streets with wrought iron signs hanging overhead that define the profession housed within each building. These sights create memories that linger for years. Salzburg has the prestige of being Mozart’s birthplace and the site for The Sound of Music. In the later afternoon you arrive in the town of Innsbruck. (B,D)
Tuesday July 20: Innsbruck - Neuschwanstein - Wies Church - Innsbruck
Today you travel scenic roads into Bavaria for a visit of the Neuschwanstein Castle. Mad King Ludwig II built his castle atop a hill with a spectacular mountain background. This castle served as the model for Walt Disney’s Cinderella’s Castle. Your tour continues with a visit to the famous pilgrim Wieskirche "Church in the Meadow". Return to Innsbruck for a Tirolean dinner and Folk Show of traditional Alpine music. (B,D)
Wednesday July 21: Innsbruck - Vaduz – Malbun
Departing Austria, it is on to Vaduz, the capital city of the tiny country of Liechtenstein. Located between Austria and Switzerland, the Principality of Liechtenstein is world famous for its colorful postage stamps. Liechtenstein’s western border faces the gently flowing Rhine River while the Alpine mountains frame it to the east. Liechtenstein has only one main thoroughfare that runs along the edge of the Rhine River. The picturesque castle of the Prince is located precipitously above Vaduz. Scattered over the hilly area are vineyards and small villages. A scenic Alpine mountain ride brings you to the village of Malbun perched high in the Alps. The melodic sound of cow bells echoing in the mountains creates a romantic Alpine serenade. (B,D)
Thursday July 22: Malbun - Täsch - Zermatt
Today you experience the most photographed mountain in the world, the Matterhorn. On the way to Zermatt you traverse the Swiss Alps and view the breathtaking panorama of villages, cows, meadows, forests and mountains. In Täsch you leave the coach behind and board the Mountain Train to Europe’s most charming traffi c-free mountain village of Zermatt. During the orientation walk you will visit the Matterhorn Climbers’ Cemetery and the Church Square. (B,D)
Friday July 23: Zermatt – Täsch - Interlaken
Your morning is free to enjoy Zermatt at your leisure. Suggestions include: an optional mountain excursion for stunning views of the Matterhorn, explore the village, or take a walk to see its picturesque traditional rustic wooden chalets and window flower boxes. You board the train to Täsch where the motor coach is waiting and continue to travel amid the Swiss Alps over the Grimsell Pass to the city of Interlaken. This city rests in green lowlands between the Brienzersee and Thunersee. (B,D)
Saturday July 24: Interlaken - Lake Brienz - Lucerne - Interlaken
Some of Europe’s noblest mountain peaks, the Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau await your viewing. During the boat trip on Lake Brienz you marvel at the splendor of the Berner Oberland region. Snowy mountain crowns, forested foothills and craggy hillsides highlight the beauty of Interlaken’s location. A visit to Lucerne is a photographer’s dream come true. Your orientation includes the Chapel Bridge, Water Tower, and quaint squares secluded within the Old Town. Return to Interlaken for overnight. (B,D)
Sunday July 25: Interlaken – Broc - Gruyeres - Interlaken
Your last full day is one that will remain with you for a long time. Today you travel through Switzerland’s French speaking countryside. You will visit the Swiss chocolate factory in Broc to sample its sweet products. Gruyeres is a beautiful small village that is built on a hill overlooking the rich dairy farm lands of Switzerland. Gruyeres is the home of the local cheese by the same name that is produced in nearby cheese production centers. The view from the Castle of Gruyeres’ panorama walk is stunning. Return to Interlaken foryour final night of the Alpine Adventure. After dinner perhaps try your luck in the Casino. (B,D)
Monday July 26: Depart Zurich, Switzerland for your flight back to Chicago O’Hare airport
General Alpine Adventure Tour InformationAlpine Tour Package price and inclusionsDownload Alpine Tour Adventure brochure
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