European Odyssey - Itinerary
Meander through Germany, Austria, Italy, and Switzerland on this enchanting European Odyssey. Begin in Munich, once regarded as the “German Rome,” and see the choice collections in its museums. The Marienplatz, Munich’s city center, marks the intersection of ancient trade routes. Travel to nearby picturesque Garmisch and King Ludwig’s fairy tale Neuschwanstein Castle. Drive through Oberammergau, where the famed Passion Play will be performed for the 41st time in 2010. See the “Golden Roof” in Innsbruck, along with the Triumphal Arch built by Maria Theresa.
Continue to Italy and glide along the canals on a gondola. Pause in Milan to see La Scala Theatre and the imposing Cathedral. At Stresa, enjoy a lovely lake cruise among the Borromean Islands, and then cross the border into Switzerland to visit the glacier from which the Rhone River begins. The mighty Jungfrau Mountain commands your attention as it looms over the delightful town of Interlaken. Wander through Bern’s long, covered shopping arcade, and ride in a rotating cable car to the top of Mt. Titlis at Engelberg. Complete your odyssey in Zurich, important to the Reformation as a refuge for many English Protestants banished during the reign of Queen Mary, and today one of the world’s most important financial capitals.
The sequence of touring and days may be altered to adjust to religious holidays, special closings of sites, air schedule changes, etc. Hotels listed subject to availability. Meal inclusions may vary by departure.
DAY 1, WASHINGTON/MUNICH
Departure from Washington as we begin our journey to Munich. Dinner and breakfast are served on board. (meals aloft)
DAY 2, MUNICH/GARMISCH
We arrive in Munich, once regarded as the "German Rome." Munich's early rulers wanted it to become one of the leading cultural centers in Europe, and today's museums reinforce this desire, housing some of the finest collections in Germany. The traditional center of the old city is the Marienplatz, which marks the intersection of ancient trade routes. We enjoy a half day sightseeing tour en route to the Alpenhotel Waxenstein in Garmisch, Germany's top alpine resort. Even today you occasionally see country folk in traditional costumes, and you may be held up in traffic while the cattle are led from their mountain grazing grounds down through the streets of town. (B,D)
DAY 3, NEUSCHWANSTEIN/WIES/OBERAMMERGAU/GARMISCH
This morning we visit King Ludwig's Neuschwanstein Castle and tour some of the rooms and halls. It is the castle often used in calendars and travel magazines, and the one that Walt Disney used as his model for his Disneyland castle. Next is the Wieskirche, noted for its fine example of Rococo art. We proceed to Oberammergau, where the famed Passion Play will be performed for the 41st time in 2010. Following our time here, we return to Garmisch for dinner and overnight. (B,D)
DAY 4, INNSBRUCK/VERONA/VENICE
We travel to Innsbruck and see the "Golden Roof", the Court Church, the Triumphal Arch built by Maria Theresa and St. Anne's Column. Then we cross the border of Austria and drive through the Italian Dolomites to Verona, famous as the setting of the story of "Romeo and Juliet." After a walking tour here, we continue east to Venice and check in at our hotel, the Ca' di Valle, in nearby Cavallino for dinner and overnight. (B,D)
DAY 5, VENICE
This morning we enjoy a guided tour of this great city, including visits to the Doge's Palace and St. Mark's Cathedral. This afternoon is at leisure, and you will have use of a vaporetto pass to allow you to explore via the water bus system. You may wish to visit the famous glass-makers of Murano, or perhaps you will want to take a ride on a gondola. (B,D)
DAY 6, SIRMIONE/MILAN/VARESE
This morning we depart for Sirmione, a picturesque peninsula jutting northward from the southern shore of Lake Garda that is known for its sulphur springs and restored 13th century castle. After a walking tour here, we continue to Milan, one of the most populous towns in Italy and a great center of industry. Here we view impressive architecture such as La Scala Theatre, one of the leading Opera Houses in Europe. We enjoy a city tour including visits to the Cathedral, a large marble Gothic edifice with its turrets and many statues, and the Galleria and its shops and cafes. Following our time in Milan, we proceed to Varese for dinner and overnight at the Palace Hotel. (B,D)
DAY 7, STRESA/GLETSCH/INTERLAKEN
This morning we travel to Stresa for a cruise on the lake and a visit to Isola Bella, one of the Borromean Islands, where we have time to explore the palace and gardens. From Stresa, we continue up into the Alps, crossing the border into Switzerland, and stop at Gletsch for a walk up to the "snout" of the Rhone glacier from which the Rhone River begins. Those who wish to do so may walk inside the glacier as well. We travel on to Interlaken, delightfully situated between the lakes of Thun and Brienz with wonderful views of the mighty Jungfrau Mountain which dominates the village. Our destination is the Chalet Oberland for dinner and overnight. (B,D)
DAY 8, KANDERSTEG/TASCH/ZERMATT/GOPPENSTEIN/INTERLAKEN
Today is full of memorable experiences. We depart for Kandersteg, where we remain on our coach as it drives onto a special train and then travels through a tunnel under the mountains to Goppenstein. Upon arrival, we drive up the valley to Tasch for a short train ride to Zermatt. Here we enjoy a walking tour and, weather permitting, stop to view the Matterhorn. We take the train back to Tasch and board our motorcoach for the reverse trip through the tunnel from Goppenstein back to Kandersteg. We return to Interlaken for dinner and overnight. (B,D)
DAY 9, TRUMMELBACH/BRIENZ/BERN/INTERLAKEN
We begin today at Trummelbach Falls, where cascading water weaves in and out of caves and rock cliffs on its way down past the charming town of Lauterbrunnen. We continue to Brienz and visit the Bellenberg open air museum, which has a large collection of old traditional buildings from all over Switzerland. The museum is brought to life by many people in period costume who demonstrate the old skills and trades. From Brienz we travel to Bern for a walking tour of this fascinating city. It boasts an impressive 15th century Gothic cathedral, the Münster, and a 15th century town hall. And thanks to six kilometers of arcades, the old town boasts one of the longest covered shopping promenades in Europe. We return to Interlaken this evening for dinner and overnight. (B,D)
DAY 10, LUCERNE/ENGELBERG/INTERLAKEN
We travel to Lucerne, the all-time favorite of Americans, which is beautifully situated on Lake Lucerne with splendid views of Mount Pilatus and Mount Rigi. During our walking tour, we will see the Chapel Bridge, the Spreuer Bridge, the Lion Monument, and the Old Towne with its many interesting painted buildings. This afternoon we proceed to Engelberg and enjoy a trip to the top of Mt. Titlis in a rotating cable car, enjoying the 360-degree view as we ascend and descend. We return to Interlaken for dinner and overnight. (B,D)
DAY 11, INTERLAKEN/ZURICH
We depart Interlaken this morning and travel to Zurich, Switzerland's largest city and one of the world's most important financial capitals. Zurich was the city of Zwingli, the most influential figure in the Swiss Reformation. It served as the refuge for many English Protestants banished during the reign of Queen Mary. Here it is believed Miles Coverdale's first entire translation of the Bible and Apocrypha was published in 1535. We will see the Gross-Muenster Cathedral (Zwingli's Church), Zwingli's home and study, the home of Conrad Grebel, and Zollikon - where the first public baptisms among the Anabaptists took place. This evening we transfer to a hotel near the airport for overnight. (B,D)
DAY 12, ZURICH/USA
This morning we transfer to the airport for our return flight to the States and on to Washington. (B, meals aloft)
