10 Day Alpine Experience

DAY 1, MONDAY—DEPART USA

Early evening flight to Europe during which we will sit back and relax and enjoy a delightful meal aboard our flight

DAY 2, TUESDAY—ARRIVE MUNICH, KITZBUHEL AUSTRIA, ALPINE TYROLEAN VILLAGE

After breakfast aloft we land in Europe and connect on to our short flight to Munich, arriving in the late morning. We go through passport control, pick up our luggage, and walk through customs. We are met outside by our friendly European Team of guide and motorcoach driver. Not far from Munich Airport, we catch our first glimpse of the majestic Alps in the distance. A short, scenic 1-1/2 hour drive brings us into the imposing mountains of the Kitzbuhel Alps. Our home base for the next week is Kitzbuhel, the famous, charming Alpine Village in Tyrol, Austria. Dinner and overnight at our hotel. Breakfast and dinner are included each day of our "Alpine Experience."

DAY 3, WEDNESDAY—VILLAGE, LUDWIG’S HERRENCHIEMSEE CASTLE

Today we enjoy a full day excursion to Chiemsee. We journey via the romantic village Reit im Winkl to Chiemsee, known as the "Bavarian Sea" because it's the largest lake in Bavaria. Set on Herren Island We will take a short boat ride to Herren Island for our guided visit to the Castle Herrenchiemsee, a replica of Versailles. Herrenchiemsee is a sumptuous and wildly extravagant palace with an unbelievably rich interior built by "Mad" King Ludwig of Bavaria. We return back to our hotel in Kitzb¸hel for dinner and overnight.

DAY 4, THURSDAY—VILLAGE, SALZBURG

This morning we travel to the entrancing "Sound of Music" city of Salzburg, known for its outstanding music festivals. A walking tour includes the Cathedral, Getreidegasse shopping street with its impressive number of historical buildings within a short walking distance of each other, Mozart's birthplace, the Abbey founded in 690 and the Hohensalzburg, Europe's finest medieval fortress. Dinner and overnight in Kitzb¸hel.

DAY 5, FRIDAY—VILLAGE, KRIMML WATERFALLS

Today we travel via Paþ Thurn and the Pinzgau to the Krimml waterfalls, which have long been a source of wonder to Austria’s visitors. They are the highest waterfalls in Europe, plunging from a height of 1320 feet in three giant stages. The waterfalls are the only natural monument in Austria to have received a diploma of recognition for its outstanding natural beauty and contribution to conservation. Time spent at Krimml will definitely be well remembered. Dinner and overnight in Kitzb¸hel.

DAY 6, SATURDAY—VILLAGE, BERCHTESGADEN - SALT MINES & KONIGSSEE

After breakfast we depart for Germany and on to Berchtesgaden - where we will have the opportunity of visiting the Salt Mines. For those who do not want to visit this attraction the motorcoach will continue on to Lake K–nigssee, where we will enjoy a relaxing boat ride. We return back to our hotel in Kitzb¸hel for dinner and overnight.

DAY 7, SUNDAY—VILLAGE, INNSBRUCK, NEUSCHWANSTEIN

This morning we leave Kitzb¸hel and drive via Innsbruck for a brief sightseeing visit along the famous Maria Theresia Strasse to Emperor Maximillian's fabled "Gold Roof" palace and impressive Cathedral Our drive continues, crossing the German border near F¸ssen. Just a few miles from the border we begin viewing the Castle Neuschwanstein, the basis for Walt Disney's famous fairytale castle. This palace, designed like a medieval castle, is probably the most famous of the royal palaces built under King Ludwig I. We return to Kitzb¸hel via Oberammergau, famous for its Passion Play and wood carvings; Ettal with its impressive monastery; and Garmisch Partenkirchen. Dinner and overnight in Kitzb¸hel.

DAY 8, MONDAY—VILLAGE, EXCURSION TO VENICE (Optional $125 per person)

Today is at leisure in the village OR take advantage of the long, but utterly marvelous Optional Full Day Excursion to magical Venice ($125 per person). This is our chance to visit this most enchanting of Italian cities. Venice, known as the "Pearl of the Adriatic Sea" is the only city in the world to be built on water. Our scenic excursion takes us through the Italian Alps via Lienz and Cortina d'Ampezzo to Venice; our arrival will be at approximate midday. Our local guide will acquaint us with the major sights in this wonderful city. Our sightseeing includes: St. Mark's Cathedral and Square, the Bridge of Sighs, and the Rialto Bridge. There is free time to ride in a gondola, watch Venetian glass or lace being made, or enjoy strolling around and doing some window-shopping. Departure from Venice will be at about 5.30 p.m. Our return trip takes us via Verona and the Brenner Pass, across the Austrian border, arriving back to our village around midnight.

DAY 9, TUESDAY—VILLAGE, LAKE ACHEN, RATTENBERG

Today we enjoy a full day excursion to Lake Achen. Our motorcoach will take us along the Inn Valley to Lake Achen. A lunch stop will be made in the pretty lakeside village of Pertisau. In the afternoon we visit the medieval town of Rattenberg. This is the oldest town in Austria and dates back to 1393. Rattenberg is the centre of the Tyrolean crystal glass industry, and here we will be able to see the glass engravers at work. Dinner and overnight in Kitzb¸hel.

DAY 10, WEDNESDAY—KITZBUHEL, MUNICH AIRPORT, USA

Morning transfer from Kitzbuhel to Munich Airport for our return flights back to the USA, the end of a paradisiacal Alpine Experience.