PLEASE NOTE: Porterage is not available in some of the hotels
on this tour. You must be able to carry your luggage to and
from these hotel to the motorcoach.
Tour arranged by: Operation Europe & Christian Tours
Day 1
TRANSATLANTIC FLIGHT TO ZURICH:
Today we fly across
the North Atlantic Ocean to begin our explorations in
Switzerland. Germany, Austria and Switzerland make up this
DACH region, which is nestled in the Alps made so famous
by The Sound of Music and actress Julie Andrews.
Day 2
ZURICH • LION MONUMENT • WALKING TOUR OF
LUCERNE • WELCOME DINNER:
When we arrive in Zurich,
we board our motorcoach and meet our tour manager to
travel a short distance to Lucerne. Known for its medieval
architecture, Lucerne sits amid snowcapped mountains on
Lake Lucerne. We stop in Lucerne at the Lion Monument,
a carving commemorating the French guards who were
massacred in the French Revolution. On our walking tour,
we see its colorful Alstadt (Old Town), Museggmauer, a 14th
century rampart, and the covered Kapellbrucke (Chapel
Bridge). A delightful dinner is included this evening. (D)
Day 3
TRUMMELBACH WATERFALL WALK • LAUTERBRUNNEN
COG-WHEEL TRAIN • KLEINE SCHEIDEGG •
JUNGFRAUJOCH • INTERLAKEN:
Wear your comfy walking
shoes for our waterfall walk in Trummelbach. This unique
excursion takes us behind and around and almost through the
falls. Next we take a very short ride to Lauterbrunnen, climb
aboard the cog-wheel train for ride up the steep valley side
to Klein Scheidegg where we change trains for our ride to
the mountaintop and have an included lunch. We arrive at
Jungfraujoch - Top of Europe. At 3454 meters above sea level,
this is a different world. While here, you can step out on the
longest glacier in the Alps, tour the Ice Palace, and shop at the
highest Lendt shop in the world. On our return, we descend
to Grindelwald, a skiing hub in winter and base camp for
mountain climbers in summer. This village is so picturesque,
it will remind you of a movie set. It’s been a beautiful and
exciting day. It’s time to relax in our hotel this evening. (B, L)
Day 4
CROSS INTO GERMANY • WALKING TOUR OF
LINDAU • NEUSCHWANSTEIN CASTLE • FUSSEN:
We
depart Switzerland this morning and begin a busy day as we
cross into Bavaria, Germany. We visit the lakeside town of
Lindau to enjoy a walking tour of this village viewing the 13th
century lighthouse and the Bavarian lion statue, we will also
have time for lunch and photos. This afternoon we visit
Neuschwanstein Castle, or New Swan Stone. With its white
limestone façade and deep blue turrets, its rumored to have
been the inspiration for Disney’s famous castle. Also called
the “castle of the fairy tale king”, this Castle was built for
eccentric, reclusive King Ludwig II, yet is now the most visited
castle in the world. Later today we arrive at the romantic old
town of Fussen for our overnight stop. Later tonight you’ll
want walk around this Bavarian town rich with history and
beautiful architecture. (B)
Day 5
WIESKIRCHE • OBERAMMERGAU • INNSBRUCK
AUSTRIA:
We arrive in the beautiful Alpine valley township
of Steingaden, home to the Pilgrimage Church of Wies, or
Wieskirche. With its oval Rococo interior, the prominence of
Wieskirche came through a spiritual wonder when a farmer
and his wife said they saw tears in the eyes of the Savior
during the evening prayer time. Our next stop in the German
town of Oberammergau, known for its once-in-a-decade
performance of The Passion Play. The village is also known
for its long tradition of woodcarving, which you will see as
you explore the shops in town. We continue to Innsbruck
Austria, our overnight destination. Easily
recognizable as home to many winter
sports competitions, Innsbruck has a long
history of drawing people from all over the
globe. We meet our guide for a walking
tour to see the main sights including the
Golden Roof in Old Town Innsbruck. (B)
Day 6
SWAROVSKI CRYSTAL WORLD •
HITLER’S EAGLES NEST • DINNER:
Our day begins with lots of gorgeous,
shiny things in the little market town of
Wattens where we visit Swarovski Crystal
World. This is not just a shop but a unique
and magical experience created by international
artists, designers and architects
to demonstrate the wonder of crystals.
Traveling back in the Alps, we travel to the
summit of the Kehlstein, a rocky outcrop
that holds Kehlsteinhaus, better known as
Hitler’s Eagles Nest. A Nazi-constructed
building used exclusively by the Nazi party
for government and social gatherings
and now a somber site providing a look back in time. We travel
to Salzburg, where we check into our hotel. This evening
you’ll be treated to a fine dinner in a local restaurant. (B, D)
Day 7
TOUR OF SALZBURG • SOUND OF MUSIC SIGHTS •
LOCAL ALPINE LUNCH • LAKE CRUISE • SOUND OF
MUSIC TRAIL • THE WEDDING AT MONDSEE:
One of the
most popular movies of all time, The Sound of Music, sets the
stage for our sightseeing today. We begin with a tour of the
city of Salzburg and take in some familiar sights where the
film was made. Stop to view Hellbrunn Castle before our visit
to Mirabelle Gardens. A visit to a local Alpine restaurant for
our lunch is a highlight. Relax and enjoy our cruise on Lake
Mondsee one of the loveliest lakes in the Salzkammergut. We
walk the Sound of Music Trail to the small market town of
Werfen and make a stop at Mondsee to see the church used in
the wedding of Captain Von Trapp and Maria. Wear your good
walking shoes for this fun-filled day of movie memories. (B, L)
Day 8
PASSAU • CESKY KRUMLOV:
An early cross into Germany
brings us to the City of Three Rivers, Passau, where the
Danube is joined by the Inn and Ilz Rivers. We’ll have time
to explore this village and see the main sights. Traveling
smaller roads north, we cross into the country of Czechia.
Located in the South Bohemia region of the Czech Republic,
this city is a delight to walk around in, with its delightfully
cobble stone Old Town, rare Baroque theater, and colorful
12th century castle. Our guide will lead us on a tour of this
interesting and amazing fairy-tale town, which feels lost in
a time warp. It’s compact and very photogenic, you’ll want
to stop often to take photos. We overnight inside the city of
Cesky Krumlov. (B)
Day 9
CESKY KRUMLOV • PRAGUE • FAREWELL DINNER:
This
morning you’ll have free time to explore the city before
we head on to the capital city of Prague. Much of our tour
of the City of a Hundred Spires is walking and includes the
medieval Astronomical Clock, which gives an animated hourly
show, the pedestrian Charles Bridge, lined with Catholic saints,
and the public areas of the Prague Castle, enjoy its rich history
as you walk along cobble-stoned alleys, take photos of the
medieval squares. A Farewell Dinner with a folklore show is
planned in our honor and provides an exciting, and delicious,
ending to our trip. (B, D)
Day 10
PRAGUE • FLIGHT HOME:
Prague is such an amazing
city. Today we are off to the airport for our flight home,
with the amazing thoughts overflowing with precious memories
of these past days. (B)
