Special Interest Packages

Group Tour Specialities

SPOTLIGHT JOURNEY

Special Interest Packages

Alpine Adventure Tour 2009

Hosted by Bernie Schmidt
September 24 – October 5, 2009

Full Itinerary
B=Breakfast included  D=Dinner included

September 24: Departure from Chicago
Depart from Chicago O’Hare airport to Frankfurt, Germany. On your overnight flight there will be dinner, and a light breakfast.

September 25: 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 grapevines, 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)

September 26: Heidelberg - Neckar River - Rothenburg
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.

Along the way you visit the university town of Heidelberg located on the Neckar River. This university, founded in 1386, is Germany’s oldest. Heidelberg is also famous for the play The Student Prince. The high point of your visit to Heidelberg is a tour of the castle ruins, the great wine vat, and the castle gardens. Upon your arrival in Rothenburg there is a walking tour that includes the Market Place, Town Hall, magnificent patrician houses, castle gate and gardens. An evening walk with the town’s Nightwatchman is an option that awaits you.   (B,D)

September 27: Munich - Octoberfest Visit - Hofbrauhaus - Salzburg
Austria’s beautiful Salzburg is the final destination for today.  Enroute you will stop in Munich for an orientation walk in the heart of Munich, the lively Pedestrian Zone.

The highlight of today’s trip is a visit to the world famous Octoberfest grounds in Munich. Octoberfest will be in full swing during your visit. You will have some free time to explore this huge open-field festival grounds. 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 atmosphere of  Octoberfest.

Following free time to explore the Marienplatz, the tour continues to Salzburg. After checking into the hotel you enjoy dinner in the hotel.  o/n Salzburg Area (B, D)

September 28: Salzburg - Hallein Salt Mine - Innsbruck
A visit to a Hallein Salt mine begins the day.  After dressing in white miner’s overalls, riding the wooden miner’s train, and sliding down wooden chutes into the mine, you explore the underground world of salt. A short bus ride brings you to Salzburg.  Salzburg has an indefinable charm that makes it one of the most beautiful cities of Europe.  A soft light bathes the shapes of its towers and churches in a wonderful setting.  During the Salzburg orientation walk you see picturesque streets with their wrought iron signs and buildings inspired by bishops with a passion for construction.  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. The day concludes in Innsbruck, famous for the 1964 and 1976 Winter Olympics.   (B,D)

September 29: Neuschwanstein - Wies Church - Oberammergau - 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 church in Wies.  On the return trip to Innsbruck you see Oberammergau’s famous frescoes and the scenic hills of Garmisch Partenkirchen. A Tirolean dinner and Folk Show of traditional alpine music ends your day.  (B,D)     

September 30: Innsbruck - Malbun, Liechtenstein
Departing Austria, it is on to Vaduz, the capital of the Principality of Liechtenstein. This tiny country 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 hotel perched on the mountains.  (B,D)

October 1: 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 traffic-free mountain village of Zermatt.   (B,D)

October 2: Zermatt - Täsch - Interlaken
Your morning is free to explore the village, take a walk to see picturesque traditional Swiss rustic wooden chalets and window flower boxes or an optional mountain excursion for stunning views of the Matterhorn. You board the train to Täsch where the coach is waiting and continue to travel amid the Swiss Alps taking you to the city of Interlaken. This city lies in green lowlands between the mirror perfect Briensersee and Thunersee.   (B,D)

October 3: Lake Brienz - Lucern - 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 Lucern is a photographer’s dream come true. Return to Interlaken for overnight.   (B,D)

Book your reservation today! Call your Value Holidays travel agent at 1-800-558-6850 or email us at sales@valhol.com

Check out some of Value Holidays other great special interest tours being offered NOW!