Chapter 1: Salzburg: The Hills are Alive!
DAY 1: Welcome to Salzburg
Welcome to the start of your Austria & Switzerland adventure! This morning, you will arrive the storybook that is Salzburg — our home for the next three days and nights. Get ready to stroll cobbled lanes, hear echoes of Mozart, and soak in the alpine beauty that sets the stage for an unforgettable Journey.
Discovery Walk
This afternoon, meet your Journey Tour Captain and fellow travelers as we set off on a charming Discovery Walk through the heart of Salzburg.
Welcome Dinner
Tonight we entertain your palette with cuisine and wines from Austria. Your Tour Captain officially welcomes you to Salzburg with this amazing dinner.
Where We Stay in Salzburg, 3 Nights with breakfast
Our Deluxe Hotels Collection
Hotel Sacher Salzburg or Similar
Our hotels include 4- to 5-star properties with rooms in select categories above Standard. Upgrades to larger or view rooms may be available — ask your Trip Specialist. Final hotel assignments are made around 60 days prior.
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DAY 2: EXPLORING SALZBURG
Breakfast included daily
Today's Adventure: Salzburg and Mozart's Birthplace
The "Salt Fortress," as the city's name is literally translated, is Austria's fourth largest but both the old and the new city are perfectly sized for exploration. The "Old Town" features baroque architecture and is one of the best preserved city centers north of the Alps. A World Heritage Site since 1997, Salzburg boasts a number of notable sights and perspectives which we will explore.
Our walking tour includes the world famous gardens of Mirabell, the house where Mozart was raised and the house of his birth along the street Getreidegasse. We enjoy a visit to the Salzburg Dome Cathedral and St. Peter's Monastery.
Our sightseeing includes:
- Gardens of Mirabell
- Mozart's Birthplace House & Residence
- Getreidegass Strausa
- Salzburg Dome Cathedral
- St. Peter's Monastery
We make our way to the impressive Hohensalzburg Fortress that sits atop the city, and time for an optional visit to the Rocky Riding School (Felsenreitschule). This is the theater with a retractable roof and was the stage the Von Trapp Family Singers performed on prior to the escaping the Nazis in The Sound of Music.
Later tonight, join the Tour Captain for an optional dinner or enjoy exploring at your leisure.
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DAY 3: SALZBURG AT LEISURE
Enjoy a day at leisure and possibly some of our optional touring ideas.
Optional Sightseeing: Fräulein Maria’s Bicycle Tour
Available April–October | Duration: ~3.5 Hours: $69/person
Pedal into the storybook world of The Sound of Music with this delightful small-group bicycle tour through Salzburg and the surrounding countryside. This leisurely ride (approx. 8 miles / 13 km) winds past some of the most iconic film locations — including Nonnberg Abbey, Mozartsteg Bridge, Mirabell Gardens, the gazebo at Hellbrunn, and the tranquil Leopoldskron Pond.
Along the way, enjoy behind-the-scenes stories, joyful singalongs, and a scenic stop for a picnic-style break. The pace is easy to moderate, with a brief walk up one gentle hill — no experience necessary, just a sense of fun and adventure!
This highly rated experience offers a unique perspective of Salzburg, reaching charming corners that traditional bus tours can’t access. Whether in sunshine or a soft Salzburg drizzle, travelers consistently rate this tour as a highlight.
Inquire with your Journey Trip Specialist to add this charming optional experience to your adventure.
Optional Sightseeing: Mozart Dinner Concert
Evenings year‑round | Duration: ~3 hours | Candlelit Baroque Hall Experience: $169/person
Step back to 1790 in Salzburg’s historic St. Peter’s Stiftskulinarium—one of Europe’s oldest restaurants—where the music of Mozart comes alive in an unforgettable, candlelit setting. Enjoy a three-course dinner inspired by original 18th‑century recipes (served between concert sets), while chamber soloists and opera singers—dressed in period costume—perform classics like The Magic Flute, Don Giovanni, Figaro, and Eine Kleine Nachtmusik.
For those who love to shop, a stroll down Getreidegasse, Salzburg's famous shopping street, offers a delightful experience of browsing unique shops and boutiques.
Later tonight, join the Tour Captain for an optional dinner or enjoy exploring at your leisure.
DAY 4: TO LUCERNE
Today we travel to Interlaken by high-speed Eurostar/Eurorail, then continue in comfort by luxury van or micro-coach to Lucerne—our home for the next three nights.
Discovery Walk
Meet your Journey Tour Captain and fellow travelers as we set off on a charming Discovery Walk through the heart of Lucerne on the way to our welcome dinner.
Welcome Dinner
Tonight we entertain your palette with cuisine and wines from Austria. Your Tour Captain welcomes you to Lucerne with this amazing dinner.
Where We Stay in Lucerne, 3 Nights with breakfast
Our Deluxe Hotels Collection:
Hotel National or Similar
Our hotels include 4- to 5-star properties with rooms in select categories above Standard. Upgrades to larger or view rooms may be available — ask your Trip Specialist. Final hotel assignments are made around 60 days prior.
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DAY 5: EXPLORING LUCERNE
Today's Adventure: Lucerne's Secrets & Treasures
This morning, we set out on a delightful walking tour of storybook Lucerne. Stroll across the iconic Chapel Bridge, gaze up at the medieval Water Tower, and take in panoramic views of Lake Lucerne framed by snow-capped peaks. Wander through the charming Old Town, where colorful frescoed buildings and hidden cobblestone lanes reveal centuries of history, local legends, and Swiss flair at every turn.
Enjoy the balance of your day at leisure. Tonight, the Tour Captain will invite you for an optional dinner or explore at your leisure.
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DAY 6: DAY AT LEISURE | OPT TO EXPLORE THE ALPS
Enjoy a complete day at leisure exploring Lucerne, or for those who are more adventurous, consider our option to Interlaken and Grindelwald.
Today's Optional Adventure: Interlaken and Grindelwald
This morning may we suggest you head deeper into the Alps (higher!) with our optional experience to Grindelwald. We will use the famous Interlaken Line for our train Journey to Interlaken and onward to Grindelwald, the heart of the mountainous Jungfrau Region.
Once in the postcard perfect Grindelwald, we will use the gondola to float up to a area high above the village known as First. With the wonderful panoramic Bergrestaurant as our base, we can take in the amazing views here at the top of Europe.
Majestic Beauty. On the return Gondola enjoy the sights — you can also choose to stop half way down and try a ride on a Trottibike back to the village (all downhill) in warmer months. The Trottibike inherited the best features of the scooter and the bicycle. You stand upright on a wide footboard and roll along pleasantly even on bumpy surfaces, thanks to the suspension fork and large tire with tread. Need some speed? The Trottibike awaits you. After all, it has great brakes, so you can stop at any time from Bort to Grindelwald to view the meadows and farmhouses.
Enjoy the balance of your day at leisure.
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DAY 7: ZERMATT & THE MATTERHORN
Today's Adventure: Zermatt
Today is filled with spectacular scenery as we make our way high into the mountains to the car-free village of Zermatt, our home for the next two evenings. We wind our way through the Alps today in route to the world famous Zermatt. Zermatt lies at the foot of the world's most famous mountains, the Matterhorn.
The town is a car-free zone and has preserved its original character over the years. The region called Matterhorn glacier paradise is Europe's largest and highest summer skiing region. Numerous national ski teams train here during the summer months. The region is legendary amongst mountaineers: the Haute Route, a challenging international route that takes several days to complete, leads from Mont Blanc to Zermatt. Over 248 miles of hiking trails lead through and out of the Matter Valley, including the mule traders' trails, which date back to the 13th century.
Discovery Walk
After making our way to our hotel, we will check in and freshen up, and then meet the Journey Tour Captain for a Discovery Walk through Zermatt.
Aftewards, enjoy time at leisure until our dinner this evening.
Welcome Dinner
Tonight enjoy a dinner in Zermatt with your Tour Captain.
Where We Stay in Zermatt, 2 Nights with breakfast
Our Deluxe Hotels Collection
Schlosshotel Zermatt or Similar
Our Deluxe hotels feature 4 Star to 5 Star properties featuring select room categories just above the Standard or similar category room — inquire with your Trip Specialist if you'd like to upgrade to a larger room and/or upper category room with a specific view (where available). Hotel room assignments are made at around 60 days prior to the adventure.
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DAY 8: ZERMATT
Enjoy a day at leisure with an optional cogwheel train to Gornergrat (elevation is 10,225 ft.) for fantastic views of the Matterhorn. Or just explore the village and enjoy the ambiance of one of the most beautiful villages in the Alps.
Journey is Different: Join the Journey Tour Captain tonight for an optional dinner or explore at your leisure.
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DAY 9: TO LAUSANNE
We make our way to Lake Geneva and our home of Lausanne via the beautful drive. We arrive mid-day, then check in, drop our bags off and enjoy a Discovery Walk.
Discovery Walk
After checking in and freshening up, meet the Journey Tour Captain for a Discovery Walk of Lausanne.
Welcome to Lausanne Dinner
Tonight enjoy a dinner in Lausanne with your Journey Tour Captain.
Where We Stay in Lausanne, 2 Nights with breakfast
Our Deluxe Hotels Collection:
Hotel Beau Rivage Palace, Royal Hotel Savoy, Lausanne Palace or Similar
Our hotels feature 4 Star to 5 Star properties featuring select room categories just above the Standard or similar category room — inquire with your Trip Specialist if you'd like to upgrade to a larger room and/or upper category room with a specific view (where available). Hotel room assignments are made at around 60 days prior to the adventure.
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DAY 10: LAUSANNE
Today's Adventure: Lausanne
Enjoy a captivating walking tour of Lausanne with your Tour Captain, as we explore the elegant lakeside promenade, charming Old Town, and the majestic Gothic cathedral—uncovering the city’s rich history, vibrant culture, and stunning views over Lake Geneva.
Sightseeing includes:
- Place de la Palud with a visit of thetown hall, Hôtel de Ville
- The cathedral is recognized as one of the most beautiful in Europe
- At the historical museum, it is possible to admire a big model of Lausanne in 1638
- You may enjoy an optional visit to the ancient city, the castle St-Maire and the "escaliers du Marché" (market's staircases), as well as the church St-François which has served 700 years an oasis of serenity. The pedestrian streets and will also help you get to know the atmosphere of Lausanne.
After our experience, the balance of the day is at leisure until our event tonight.
Our Special Journey Finalé
Meet tonight for our special Aperif to celebrate our time together. Our days have been filled with new sights, tastes and discoveries - tonight enjoy reflecting on the incredible journey we've had together. It has been a Journey of Adventure and Discovery, along with making new friends!
Until our next adventure — Adieu!
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DAY 11: DEPARTURE DAY: Goodbye to Switzerland
We say Wiadaluaga (Swiss for Goodbye) today and transfer to the airport or perhaps you extend your stay. May we suggest the Italian Lakes?
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