Duration: 13 Days
The breathtaking Alps span the borders of several European countries, and this holiday gives you the opportunity to see the best of the alpine region. This scenic Alpine tour includes overnights in Munich, the Innsbruck area, Cortina d’Ampezzo, Bolzano, St. Moritz, Lake Como, Turin, Täsch, the Lucerne area, and Zurich. Every day you’ll marvel at stunning scenery: lush dairy pastures, picturesque quaint villages, imposing peaks and enchanting forests. Visit Novacella Abbey in South Tyrol and Cortina d’Ampezzo, home of the 1956 Olympics in the spectacular Italian Dolomites, called the Italian "Rocky Mountains." Take in views of Italy’s Lake Carezza, a small, emerald-green mountain lake, and see the spectacular Austrian and Italian Tyrolean Alps.
Discover Switzerland’s Engadine National Park, considered by some to be the world’s most beautiful mountain area with deep-blue lakes and mountain peaks exceeding 12,000 feet; experience beautiful Lake Como, one of Europe’s deepest lakes; car-free Zermatt, a picturesque cluster of rustic chalets beneath the Matterhorn, and much more. But it is not all about alpine scenery; you will also get to know Turin, an Italian city set at the foot of the Alps, and on the included city tour, you’ll discover all the secret treasures this former Italian capital has to offer. In Bavaria, you will visit charming Linderhof Castle, the smallest but maybe the most elegant of King Ludwig’s three fairy-tale castles.
One of the highlights of this Alps tour is a memorable trip aboard the Glacier Express. From your train windows, marvel at the thundering waterfalls, impressive snow-capped peaks, glacial ice fields, forests, lush meadows, and picture-perfect villages. Passing over hundreds of bridges and through dozens of tunnels, this is Switzerland’s most famous mountain railway along with the journey aboard the Bernina Express from St Moritz to Tirano, Italy. Travelling on the highest railway across the Alps, witness glistening glaciers, stunning mountain streams, and alpine scenery. You will have many opportunities to practice your photographic skills on this amazing Alpine tour designed for savvy travel lovers! It’s a dream holiday!
Traveller Notes
Adventure is knocking with everything you need for perfectly affordable touring. Cosmos includes hand-selected accommodations, guided sightseeing, and seamless transportation between destinations—with value-minded travel lovers in mind. Explore with expert Cosmos Tour Directors and Local Guides, complimentary headsets, and private, first-class, air-conditioned motorcoach with free Wi-Fi as well as the Bernina Express and the Glacier Express epic train rides. Enhance your free time to explore like a local with your CosmosGO mobile app!
Please note: Itinerary is based on 2024, and is subject to change. Full details will be confirmed in 2024.
Check into your hotel. The rest of the day is free to explore this delightful Bavarian capital. This evening, meet up with your Tour Director and travel companions.
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 centre and historic Golden Roof. Today's Distance: 124 mi/ 200 km (B,D)
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)
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" from the Bronze Age. Today's Distance: 81 mi/ 130 km (B)
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 glamourous St. Moritz, the oldest and most famous winter resort in the world. Today's Distance: 99 mi/ 160 km (B,D)
A whole day to do as you please in this stylish Swiss spa resort, known for its stunning mountain scenery, hiking opportunities, and superb shopping. (B)
Today, experience a memorable trip aboard the Bernina Express. 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: 130 mi/ 210 km (B)
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. This evening, consider an optional dinner. Today's Distance: 168 mi/ 270 km (B)
A pleasant drive through the Aosta Valley, known as the smallest region in Italy and a popular winter sports area. Enter Switzerland via ancient Martigny and Sion, through one of the main Swiss wine-making regions, then head to charming Tasch in the Zermatt area. Today's Distance: 193 mi/ 310 km (B,D)
Take a short train ride to Zermatt, and 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, cafes, and bars. Enjoy an optional ride on Europe's highest rack railway to 10,272-foot Gornergrat for breathtaking views of the Alps. (B)
Today, another highlight of your tour: the world-renowned Glacier Express. 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. Ride the legendary Glacier Express, then rejoin your motorcoach for the descent into the dramatically different landscape of the lovely Lucerne area. Today's Distance: 137 mi/ 220 km (B)
Local-Fare> Cross Brunig Pass and continue to Interlaken. Along the way, take photos of the Jungfrau massif with its three legendary peaks: Jungfrau, Monch, 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)
Your holiday ends with breakfast this morning. (B)
