Austria: The Hills are Alive!
Welcome to Salzburg, Austria
DAY 1: DISCOVERY WALK
One of our most asked about itineraries begins at the Discovery Walk later today in Salzburg.
Discovery Walk
This afternoon meet the Journey Tour Captain and your fellow travelers for our Discovery Walk through Salzburg.
Welcome to Salzburg Dinner
Tonight we entertain your palette with cuisine and wines from Austria. Your Journey Tour Captain welcomes you to Salzburg.
About the Cuisine on our Journey: Family-owned restaurants farm to table
Journey’s approach to dining is unique in the travel world. We include Premium Beverages (wine, soda and cocktails) and you choose your dinner from the menu. The Austrian and Swiss chefs and families are proud of their delicious dishes which hail from each of the regions in which Journey travels. And in Salzburg, you will enjoy a variety of dishes with great names like the beloved Schnitzel – a big, battered, flattened, and fried slab of tender veal served with a lemon wedge and potatoes with parsley, or Strude, which can be cream, custard, ice cream all filled in a variety of pastries (think cherry strudel, plum strudel, etc.), along with Sachertorte (just wait for this one!). While on travels through Austria and Switzerland we will enjoy locally grown produce all served with passion and pride.
Accommodations in Salzburg, 2 Nights with breakfast
Deluxe: Radisson Blu Hotel Altstadt, Salzburg
Consider upgrading to our luxury hotel: Hotel Sacher Salzburg
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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.
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DAY 3: TO VIENNA
We make our way to Vienna, the City of Music and Dreams, via the scenic road that will allow us to enjoy some of the villages like Hallstatt, St. Wolfgang, St. Gilgen or Mondsee. These are beautiful and historic lakeside villages on our way to Vienna.
Discovery Walk
After checking in and freshening up, meet the Journey Tour Captain for a Discovery Walk of Vienna.
Welcome to Vienna Dinner
Tonight enjoy a dinner in Vienna with your Journey Tour Captain.
Accommodations in Vienna, 2 Nights with breakfast
Deluxe: Grand Hotel Wien
Consider upgrading to our luxury hotel: Hotel Bristol
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DAY 4: EXPLORING VIENNA
Today's Adventure: Viennese Charm
We begin our walking tour of Vienna that features learning about the incredible history of the Austro-Hungarian Empire while we are immersed into all things Viennese. Vienna, which has long been an important cultural and artistic center, has attracted musicians like Haydn, Mozart and Strauss. Great art collections from the old Flemish masters to Klimt and the Expressionists are all found here. The Hamburgs were the dominant force in Vienna and their relationship with the masters of music and the development through history intrigues. We will also see Vienna State Opera House, and St. Stephan’s Cathedral in the heart of the old city.
After the adventure, enjoy the balance of the day at your leisure.
Consider a cooking class in Vienna: Make the very best Schnitzel you've ever tasted with this Austrian cooking class. Vegetarians also welcome as we can adapt the menu! $249 per person and lasts about 3 hours.
Journey is Different: Join the Journey Tour Captain tonight for an optional dinner or explore at your leisure.
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DAY 5: TO INTERLAKEN
We make our way to Interlaken today.
To the Mountains
A morning journey awaits with our sights set on Interlaken. We journey by air or rail (itineraries vary based on available air and rail schedules). Some itineraries may take in Lucerne.
After our experience we have some time for optional lunch before continuing to the heart of the Alps, Interlaken.
INTERLAKEN: HEART OF THE ALPS
Discovery Walk
After making our way to Interlaken, we will check in and freshen up, and then meet the Journey Tour Captain for a Discovery Walk. Couched between Lake Thun and Lake Brienz in the Bernese Highlands is the fabled resort of Interlaken. With a whole network of trains, funiculars, boats, cable-cars at your disposal, Interlaken can be your springboard for journeys into the formidable Bernese Alps, ruled by three immense peaks: Jungfrau, Eiger and Mönch.
Aftewards, enjoy time at leisure until our dinner this evening.
Welcome to Interlaken Dinner
Tonight enjoy a dinner in Interlaken with your Journey Tour Captain.
Accommodations in Interlaken, 2 Nights with breakfast
Deluxe: Hotel Interlaken or Similar
Consider upgrading to our luxury hotel: Victoria Jungfrau Grand Hotel
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DAY 6: EXPLORING THE ALPS
Today's Adventure: Grindelwald
This morning after a hearty Swiss breakfast we head into the Alps. We will use the famous Interlaken Line for our train journey 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.
On the return Gondola you can 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.
Journey is Different: Join the Journey Tour Captain tonight for an optional dinner or explore at your 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 to Zermatt Dinner
Tonight enjoy a dinner in Zermatt with your Journey Tour Captain.
Accommodations in Zermatt, 2 Nights with breakfast
Deluxe: Schlosshotel Zermatt
Consider upgrading to our luxury hotel: Cervo Mountain Resort
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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.
Accommodations in Lausanne, 2 Nights with breakfast
Deluxe: Royal Savoy Lausanne or Similar
Consider upgrading to our luxury hotel: Hotel Beau Rivage Palace
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DAY 10: LAUSANNE
Today's Adventure: Lausanne
Enjoy our walking tour of Lausanne with your Journey Tour Captain.
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 aperitive 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 Journey — Adieu!
Journey is Different: Join the Journey Tour Captain tonight for an optional dinner or explore at your leisure.
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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.
SEE ITINERARY
