Tripology

Commercial Flight

Board your overnight transatlantic flight.

Upon arrival, you will be met at the Zurich airport and trans­ferred to your hotel.

Sightseeing

Later this afternoon, enjoy an orientation tour of Switzerland's financial capital including the grand Cathedral and Bahnhofstrasse with its many elegant stores.

Food and Dining

This evening, meet for a Welcome Drink with your Tour Director and traveling companions.

Hotel

Stay at Courtyard by Marriott Nord (F).

Sightseeing

Drive via Germany’s largest lake, Constance, enter Bavaria and take the “autobahn” to the lively capital of Munich. Here an orientation tour high­lights the Marienplatz with its famous Glockenspiel, and the celebrated Hof­brau­haus.

Shopping

There is time to explore the bustling food market before continuing south through the snow-capped Alps to Innsbruck, the capital of the Tyrol. (B,D)

Hotel

Stay at Innsbruck (F).

Sightseeing

This morn­ing’s orientation tour features the Golden Roof and Hofburg Palace as well as the Wilten Basilica.

Food and Dining

This after­noon, perhaps join an optional outing to see one of Mad Ludwig’s fairy tale castles or simply enjoy the pastry and coffee shops in Old Town. (B)

Bus

Make an early start this morning for the musical city of Salzburg.

Sightseeing

Drive along the scenic route past the Wilder Kaiser Mountains and through a small section of Germany to the enchanting city of Salz­burg. A guided walking tour includes sites from The Sound of Music, the gardens of Mirabell Palace and Mozart's birth­place before ending at Mozart Square.

Historical and Educational Tours

There is plenty of time at leisure to perhaps take the funicular to the Castle Fortress or to just wander the historic streets.

Food and Dining

Return to Innsbruck where dinner tonight is Tyrolean cuisine at a local restaurant. (B,D)

Sightseeing

This morning, head over Brenner Pass into Italy and the beautiful landscape of the Dolomite Mountains. Next descend to the Veneto Plain to pretty Lake Garda. Drive along its scenic shores with a stop in Sirmione to see the ancient castle.

Bus

Then on through the Bardolino Vineyards to Verona, the romantic city of star-crossed lovers. (B)

Hotel

Stay at Leopardi (F).

Bus

Journey to the Adriatic Coast to the floating city of Venice.

River or Barge Cruise

Cruise along the Giudecca Canal by private launch, seeing the Palladian Church of Christ the Redeemer, the island of St. George, the Doge's Palace and the Byzantine Basilica of St. Mark's. Stop by the Bridge of Sighs on the way to St. Mark's Square.

Arts, Crafts and Antiques

End your tour at a glassblowing workshop to watch a demonstration of this ancient craft.

Food and Dining

Then there is free time for inde­pendent exploration. You might want to take an optional outing to Burano Island for a fresh seafood lunch. (B,D)

Historical and Educational Tours

Discover one of Europe's secret jewels on a walking tour of Verona. Visit the 2,000-year-old Arena, built by the Romans and still in use today for opera performances.

Sightseeing

Also see Piazza Bra, Piazza delle Erbe, the tomb of the renowned Scaliger family and Juliet's balcony.

Shopping

Then there is time to shop on Via Mazzini with its boutiques and wine bars. (B)

Bus

This morning drive past Brescia, Bergamo, Milan and Lake Como to Lugano in Switzerland.

Sightseeing

There is time to explore the old squares and pedestrian streets, and perhaps take a ride on a pedalo.

Sightseeing

Later this afternoon, head to Lucerne through the towering Gotthard Mountains. (B,D)

Hotel

Stay at Schiller (F).

Sightseeing

An orien­ta­tion tour around this medieval city highlights the Lion Monument, built in memory of Louis XVI’s Swiss Guard, and Chapel Bridge.

Sightseeing

Afterward there is plenty of time for independent activities. Perhaps take an optional excursion to into the nearby mountains for a cable car ride.

Shopping

You will find great shopping in Old Lucerne, where watches, cuckoo clocks and delicious Swiss chocolate can be found.

Food and Dining

Tonight, savor a Farewell Dinner with newfound friends. (B,D)

Morning transfer to Zurich Airport in time for homebound flights leaving no earlier than 10 a.m. (B)