Itinerary Details
Alpine Adventure, Bernina & Glacier Express
Day 1 ARRIVE IN MUNICH, GERMANY Check into your hotel. The rest of the day is free to explore this delightful Bavarian capital with the help of the CosmosGo app. This evening, meet up with your Tour Director and travel companions.
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Day 2 MUNICH–LINDERHOF CASTLE–INNSBRUCK AREA, AUSTRIA A fascinating itinerary today. First, see Munich’s most famous square Marienplatz, then head south to visit Linderhof Castle—the smallest of the three Bavarian fairytale palaces commissioned by King Ludwig II and inspired by Louis XIV’s Versailles. The rococo-style Linderhof is surrounded by splendid Italian Renaissance gardens. Continue into Austria through the scenic Inn Valley to Innsbruck to admire its fascinating town center and historic Golden Roof.
Today’s Distance: 124 mi/ 200 km (B,D)
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Day 3 INNSBRUCK AREA–NOVACELLA, ITALY–BRUNICO–CORTINA D’AMPEZZO As you cross from the Austrian to the Italian Tyrol, witness glorious alpine landscapes as you head to visit Novacella Abbey, a Baroque masterpiece still inhabited by Augustinian monks. Also stop in Brunico, a picturesque town combining international flair with Alpine traditions. Feast on breathtaking views as you travel through the splendid Dolomites, UNESCO World Heritage Site, to the celebrated winter resort of Cortina d’Ampezzo.
Today’s Distance: 112 mi/ 180 km (B)
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Day 4 CORTINA D’AMPEZZO–LAKE CAREZZA–BOLZANO This morning, travel through the spectacular Dolomites, then over Falzarego and Pordoi Passes. Stop at enchanting Lake Carezza to admire its brilliant rainbow hues. Search for the beautiful mermaid who, according to legend, hid here from the romantic pursuits of a powerful wizard. On to Bolzano, home to the famous “Ice Man Ötzi” from the Bronze Age.
Today’s Distance: 81 mi/ 130 km (B)
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Day 5 BOLZANO–GLORENZA–ST. MORITZ, SWITZERLAND Enjoy the visit to Glorenza, the smallest fortified city in Tyrol and ideally situated where Switzerland, Austria, and Italy meet. Via Tubre Pass, descend into Engadine National Park’s 66 square miles of unspoiled nature with deep blue lakes, airy larch forests that turn golden in the fall, 12,000-foot-high peaks, and quaint villages with characteristic Grisons-style homes. Continue to glamorous St. Moritz, the oldest and most famous winter resort in the world.
Today’s Distance: 99 mi/ 160 km (B,D)
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Day 6 AT LEISURE IN ST. MORITZ A whole day to do as you please in this stylish Swiss spa resort. Enjoy the stunning mountain scenery, hiking opportunities, and superb shopping. (B)
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Day 7 ST. MORITZ–BERNINA EXPRESS TO TIRANO, ITALY–LAKE COMO Today, experience a memorable trip aboard the Bernina Express Train. Crossing the Alps to Tirano in Italy, this spectacular rail journey takes you to altitudes greater than 7,000 feet. Later, rejoin your motorcoach and head to the shores of Lake Como, Italy’s third-largest lake and one of the deepest in Europe.
Today’s Distance by coach: 130 mi/ 210 km (B)
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Day 8 LAKE COMO–TURIN Travel through the Po Valley to Turin, birthplace of Fiat automobiles and home to the legendary Holy Shroud. Upon arrival, visit all the major sites with a Local Guide.
Today’s Distance: 168 mi/ 270 km (B)
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Day 9 TURIN–AOSTA–MARTIGNY, SWITZERLAND–SION–ZERMATT AREA A pleasant drive through the Aosta Valley, known as the smallest region in Italy and a popular winter sports area. Stop to visit Aosta, where an optional guided tour reveals this hidden gem of Italy complete with Roman monuments and beautiful churches with a trio of traditions in French, Italian, and Swiss cultures. Enter Switzerland via ancient Martigny and Sion, through one of the Swiss wine-making regions, then head to charming Zermatt area.
Today’s Distance: 193 mi/ 310 km (B,D)
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Day 10 ZERMATT AREA Spend the entire day in this well-known mountain resort, situated in the shadow of the legendary Matterhorn. Stroll along the narrow, traffic-free streets lined with a variety of shops, cafés, and bars. Take your day higher with a breath of fresh air on an optional open-air cog-railway ride on the Gornergrat Bahn, lifting you and your spirits up to 10,132 ft for stunning views of the Matterhorn. (B)
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Day 11 GLACIER EXPRESS TRAIN TO LUCERNE AREA Today, another highlight of your tour: the world-renowned Glacier Express Train. Board Switzerland’s most famous mountain railway, which passes over hundreds of bridges and through dozens of tunnels to give unique panoramic views of the Swiss Alps and surrounding valleys, forests, alpine meadows, rushing streams, and picture-perfect villages. Rejoin your motorcoach for the descent into the dramatically different landscape of the lovely Lucerne area. Spend some time visiting Lucerne, or get carried away on an optional funicular ride, and aboard the world’s first double-decker, open-top aerial cable car to the summit of Stanserhorn.
Today’s Distance by coach: 137 mi/ 220 km (B)
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Day 12 LUCERNE AREA–INTERLAKEN–BERNE–ZURICHCross Brünig Pass and continue to Interlaken. Along the way, take photos of the Jungfrau massif with its three legendary peaks: Jungfrau, Mönch, and Eiger. Travel through some of the country’s best farmland to the Swiss capital, Berne, where sightseeing includes the bear park and the Federal Palace. Then, continue to Zurich.
Today’s Distance: 162 mi/ 260 km (B)
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Day 13 ZURICH Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning. (B)
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