9D8N BEST OF AUSTRIA AND SWITZERLAND
This Best of Austria and Switzerland tour covers the highlights of two of Europe's most scenic countries. Experience the charms of Vienna and Zurich along with the classic mountainside towns of Innsbruck, Lucerne and Interlaken. This 9 day Switzerland and Austria itinerary has been planned perfectly for covering all the popular attractions of some of the most beautiful cities of both the countries.
Please note that the following itinerary is an example, as all of our journeys are custom-made.
Exceptional Experiences:
- Visit the most beautiful boulevard in the world, home not only to many of Vienna's best-known sights, such as the Imperial Palace, the Kunsthistorisches Museum and the Natural History Museum, the Vienna State Opera and Parliament.
- Watch a concert in any of the famous concert halls in Vienna, home to some of the most famous concert halls in the world, with world-leading classical and operatic music performances held in sumptuous architectural settings.
- Visit the highest vantage point in Central Switzerland-top of Mt Titlis and board the cable car for a 45-minute ride that takes you from the green valley below into high alpine glaciers. A spectacular view of the perpetual snow and ice as you ride up to the 10,000-foot (3,000-m) summit overlooking the Swiss Alps.
- Enjoy a magnificent ride in the world’s first-ever revolving ROTAIR gondola, which offers a 360-degree panoramic view into the Alps.
- Take a scenic train ride to Interlaken and witness a panoramic view of breath-taking scenery, a never-ending spectacle of three mountain passes, the famous 4000-metre Alpine peaks, 8 lakes and unforgettable excursions.
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Itinerary:
DAY 1 SINGAPORE – VIENNA (No meals)
Depart from Singapore Changi Airport for your flight to the romantic capital of Austria, Vienna. Upon arrival, meet your professional tour guides and transfer to hotel to rest.
Spend your evening at leisure.
DAY 2 VIENNA (Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner)
After breakfast, meet your guide at the hotel lobby and start the city tour to the glorious Vienna Ringstrasse. The most beautiful boulevard in the world is home not only to many of Vienna's best-known sights, such as the Imperial Palace, the Kunsthistorisches Museum and the Natural History Museum, the Vienna State Opera and Parliament. Magnificent palaces, extensive parks and important monuments also line the "display window" of the former Danube monarchy.
If you’re feeling adventurous, you may opt to tour the city on a bike. Exploring Vienna by bike brings a breath of fresh air to the usual daily program. Enjoy the benefits of a bike tour through the city and see Vienna from a new perspective.
End the day with a The Cultural World Heritage Site – Schonbrunn Palace, discover the summer residence of the Habsburgs on a virtual tour of the palace. After which, head for dinner nearby.
Vienna is home to some of the most famous concert halls in the world, with world-leading classical and operatic music performances held in sumptuous architectural settings. After dinner, you may choose an optional concert at any of the famous concert halls for your evening’s enjoyment.
Accommodation: 5* The Ritz-Carlton, Vienna or similar
DAY 3 VIENNA - SALZBURG (Breakfast/Lunch)
After breakfast, meet your guide at hotel lobby head to Salzburg, the historic centre of Mozart's hometown. Admire the exquisite Mirabell Palace and Mirabell Gardens, where the song "Do-Re-Mi" was filmed, the famous Horse Trough, the great Festival hall, St. Peters Churchyard and the monumental Domplatz.
Them, visit Mozart Square and the birthplace of Mozart on the historic Getreidegasse street. After lunch, travel to the shores of Lake Mondsee to see the famous church Basilica St Michael the wedding scene in the movie "Sound of Music”.
Enjoy your evening at leisure in Salzburg.
Accommodation: 5* Hotel Goldener Hirsch, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Salzburg or similar
DAY 4 SALZBURG – INNSBRUCK - LUCERNE (Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner)
After breakfast, meet your guide at the hotel lobby and travel to Innsbruck known for its Imperial and modern architecture. It is also the fifth-largest city in Austria. The city is a colourful, picturesque city nestled in the Austrian Alps. Innsbruck sits in a valley and is surrounded by enormous, snow-capped mountains. Don’t forget to drop by The Goldenes Dachl in Innsbruck, a landmark structure in the Old Town. It is considered the city's most famous symbol.
After that, make your way to Vaduz, the capital of the tiny Principality of Liechtenstein, where you'll have free time for lunch and shopping. Liechtenstein is famous for its handmade ceramics and pottery, as well as items made from local Balzner marble. There are also Liechtensteiner wines available, many which have been picked from local vineyards.
One of the most unique souvenirs you can take home is their postage stamps. Almost all the souvenir stores in the capital sell current and historical postage stamps, which offer colourful and graphical illustrations of the country’s monarchy and major events of the last 100 years.
Then, continue the drive to Lucerne, which lies on the shores of Lake Lucerne and is one of the prettiest towns in Switzerland. Head to your accommodation and rest for the night.
Accommodation: 5* Waldhotel Health & Medical Excellence or similar
DAY 5 LUCERNE (Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner)
After breakfast, meet your guide at the hotel lobby.
Today, you will explore the city of Lucerne. Lucerne is the gateway to central Switzerland, sited on Lake Lucerne, is embedded within an impressive mountainous panorama.
Stop by the flower-lined, 14th-century wooden Chapel Bridge (Kapellbrücke) runs diagonally across the river, past the octagonal Water Tower (Wasserturm) to a string of hotels and cafés lining the north bank. Then, continue the 17th-century Hofkirche and its neighbouring Lion Memorial, which commemorates the Swiss guards who fell fighting for King Louis XVI during the French Revolution.
Spend an afternoon at the highest vantage point in Central Switzerland-top of Mt Titlis. Drive to the resort town of Engelberg, board the cable car for a 45-minute ride that takes you from the green valley below into high alpine glaciers. A spectacular view of the perpetual snow and ice as you ride up to the 10,000-foot (3,000-m) summit overlooking the Swiss Alps.
Enjoy a magnificent ride in the world’s first-ever revolving ROTAIR gondola, which offers a 360-degree panoramic view into the Alps. Visit the Ice Grotto, and experience the Ice Flyer - a chairlift ride over the glacier with views into crevasses and ice falls - and enjoy a snow slide on the Fun Lift.
After the descent to Engelberg, return to Lucerne and spend your evening at leisure.
Accommodation: 5* Waldhotel Health & Medical Excellence or similar
DAY 6 LUCERNE - INTERLAKEN (Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner)
After breakfast, meet your guide at the hotel lobby.
Today experience an unforgettable journey through Switzerland on the GoldenPass Line, and witness a panoramic view of breath-taking scenery, the never-ending spectacle of three mountain passes, the famous 4000-metre Alpine peaks, 8 lakes and unforgettable excursions.
Board the modern air-conditioned trains with large panoramic windows - Golden Pass line to Interlaken, a traditional resort town in the mountainous Bernese Oberland region of central Switzerland. Take a scenic ride on a cogwheel train through picturesque Swiss countryside to Jungfraujoch.
Then, visit the frozen sculptures of the Ice Palace and the iconic Sphinx Observatory for the best views of the snow-capped peaks, and Europe’s longest glacier—Aletsch Glacier.
Accommodation: 5* VICTORIA-JUNGFRAU Grand Hotel & Spa or similar
DAY 7 INTERLAKEN - ZERMATT (Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner)
After breakfast, meet your guide at the hotel lobby and tour to Zermatt, the famous resort town at the base of Matterhorn, one of the highest summits in the Alps and Europe.
Nicknamed the “Mountain of Mountains,” the Matterhorn is one of the highest peaks in Europe, reaching a mighty 14,692 feet (4,478 meters). Known for its jagged triangular shape, it’s one of Switzerland’s most famous peaks—not only for its views but also for its appearance in the logo for Toblerone, the iconic Swiss chocolate brand
Arrive in Zermatt and spend your afternoon at leisure, make your way to the local museum, where you will have an insight view to the life in Zermatt in the 19th century. Alternatively, you may choose to visit Gornergrat by Europe’s highest open-air cog railway (own expenses). You have a 360 degrees panorama to mount Matterhorn, the glacier Monte Rosa and the surrounding summits.
Accommodation: 5* Mont Cervin Palace Zermatt or similar
DAY 8 ZERMATT – MONTREUX – GENEVA (Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner)
After breakfast, meet your guide at the hotel lobby, depart Zermatt and travel to Montreux, a traditional resort town on Lake Geneva. Visit the Castle of Chillon, this mediaeval fortress is located on a beautiful small island. Learn about the history of the Savoy and the role the castle played in distant and recent history.
Then, journey on Lake Geneva by boat. Chugging across the lake is the impressive steamboat that honks its horn every time it is ready to depart. Glide along the glistering lake’s surface and visit the smaller towns and cities of Lake Geneva.
Return to the shore and head to your accommodation. Spend your evening at leisure.
Accommodation: 5* Mandarin Oriental, Geneva or similar
DAY 9 GENEVA –ZURICH (Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner)
After breakfast, meet your guide at the hotel lobby and depart Lucerne and travel north by private coach to Zurich, the beautiful, financial hub of Switzerland.
Upon arrival start tour of Zurich featuring impressive attractions. See the medieval Old Town, the Bahnhofstrasse, St Peter's Church and Lake Zurich.
Then, visit the Fraumunster with its five stained glass windows designed by Marc Chagall. Your tour will finish with a visit to the Lindt Chocolate Factory shop, the perfect place to buy last-minute souvenirs.
Tonight, you will enjoy a farewell dinner in the local restaurant.
Accommodation: 5* Park Hyatt Zurich or similar i
DAY 10 ZURICH - SINGAPORE (Breakfast)
Free at leisure. If time permits, you can do some last-minute shopping before you transfer to the Zurich International Airport for your flight home.
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Please note: This itinerary is designed to give you an idea of what to expect on the tour but is not set in stone. What we actually do on a given day is flexible and can be tailored based on the interests of the group.
This itinerary and its package inclusions might be changed later in time, subject to availability.