Scenic Tours
1300 SCENIC (723 642)
Grand Alpine Adventure Tour & Jewels of Europe River Cruise
(26 days, Zurich - Amsterdam, 2012)
This 26 day Grand Alpine tour takes you from Zurich to Amsterdam and includes Lucerne, Munich and a Jewels of Europe river cruise on board a luxury Scenic ‘Space-Ship’.
Your 26 day tour begins in Zurich where you will enjoy a guided walking tour of the city witnessing the contrasting architecture from the modern buildings on the Bahnhofstrasse to the imposing Romanesque Cathedral, which dominates the Old Town with its twin towers. You will then travel to Montreux to witness the breathtaking views from your cruise over Lake Geneva heading towards the French Alps before boarding the cogwheel train and travelling to Zermatt, situated at the north end of a hanging valley with exceptional views of the surrounding peaks, including the famous Matterhorn.
Next you will board the Glacier Express for one of the world’s most stunning mountain rail journeys en route to Lucerne where you will indulge in traditional Swiss fondue. Your journey continues to Munich, including a walking tour to witness the Marienplatz, the large open square where the famous Glockenspiel on the Town Hall plays. You will then travel across to picturesque Salzburg in Austria before arriving in the Hungarian capital, Budapest to board your Scenic ‘Space-Ship’ cruise. Beginning this leg of your incredible tour in Budapest, you will explore the highlights of both Buda and Pest during your guided city tour.
In beautiful Vienna you will experience a once-in-a-lifetime private Viennese concert at the majestic Palais Liechtenstein, featuring the music of Strauss and Mozart and then head towards Germany, stopping in at Regensburg, Nuremberg, Bamberg and Würzburg. You will have ample time to experience the character and charm of these beautiful German cities as you cruise through Germany along the spectacular Rhine Gorge with its stunning castle and vine-covered slopes to the historic city of Cologne to explore the Old Town and enjoy a private medieval banquet in Marksburg Castle.
Finally you will make your way to Amsterdam, where you can explore its fascinating array of canals, take a guided bicycle tour or head down to Venlo for Floriade 2012, held only once a decade.
- 22% more space onboard
- Portobello’s fine dining – one of 3 dining venues
- Relax in our 3 viewing areas
- Experienced Cruise Director
- ALL meals including breakfast, lunch and dinner daily included on cruise
- Coffee, premium teas, espresso drinks and hot chocolate
- Beer, wine and soft drink with lunch and dinner
- Wonderful local entertainment
- Airport transfers
- Spacious full size balcony suites
- Complimentary bicycles
- Whisper Headset for all Guided tours
- Exclusive private butler service on all Danube Deck cabins
- ALL TIPPING and GRATUITIES INCLUDED
- Indulge on apple strudel and coffee at a local inn whilst enjoying a traditional horse-drawn carriage ride amongst the woods of Seefeld
- At the majestic Palais Liechtenstein, enjoy a private evening Viennese concert featuring the music of Strauss and Mozart
- Scenic Village Cultural Experience: Interact with the locals and experience daily life in a German village followed by home-grown entertainment and specialised cuisine exclusive to Scenic Tours
- An exclusive organ recital during a guided tour to Melk Benedictine Abbey
- Step back in time on a private tour and Medieval Banquet dinner at Marksburg Castle
- Take an audio guided tour of the sights to explore Budapest, Vienna, Regensburg, Bamberg, Cologne and Amsterdam at your leisure
- A train ride to Gornergrat; or a guided Hike in Zermatt
- Visit BMW World; or head to Dachau concentration camp in Munich
- In Budapest relax at the Thermal Bath & Spa; or explore the lime stone caves of Labyrinth; or a Liszt Classical music experience
- In Vienna tour Schönbrunn Palace; or see the key sights of Slovakia’s capital, Bratislava; or the Spanish Riding School for a guided tour or to watch the horses exercise
- Enjoy the sights of Passau; or excursion to Salzburg; or excursion to Cesky Krumlov
- Learn about Nuremberg’s past and present; or Relive history on a WWII dedicated tour; or a self-guided bike tour
- A walking tour of Würzburg including a private wine tasting; or journey down the Romantic Road to Rothenburg
- Enjoy a canal cruise in Amsterdam; or a guided bicycle tour; or take an excursion to Zaanse Schans and Edam; or visit Venlo to witness the 2012 Floriade spectacle
- 59 superb meals including 25 Full Breakfasts - hot and cold buffet selections (FB), 13 lunches - buffet and daily à la carte selections (L), 4 Highlight Dinners - three course table d’hôte (HD) and 17 Dinners - three to four course table d’hôte (D)
- The palatial opulence of Fairmont Le Montreux Palace is matched by the outstanding location on the shores of Lake Geneva
- Take a walking tour of Zurich including the Bahnhofstrasse and the Cathedral
- Take a train journey on the Glacier Express from St Moritz to Andermatt, crossing the Landwasser viaduct
- See the Lion Monument, Jesuit Church and cross the medieval Chapel bridge on your guided city tour of Lucerne
- Enjoy a scenic cruise across Lake Geneva
- Take a private guided tour of the Chillon castle and its dungeon
- Enjoy a traditional folklore show with a fondue dinner in Lucerne
- Enjoy a tour of Innsbruck, home of the 1964 Winter Olympics
- Travel by horse and carriage to Neuschwanstein Castle for a guided tour
- Take a guided walking tour of Munich and see the Town Hall with its famous Glockenspiel
- Enjoy a guided walking tour of Salzburg and see Mozart’s birthplace and many sights from the movie ‘The Sound of Music’
- Enjoy a guided tour of Vienna seeing the Parliament buildings, the Votive Church, the City Hall, Opera House and the Stadtpark
- Visit the former residence of the Habsburg dynasty, the beautiful Schönbrunn Palace
- Welcome Reception and Captain’s Dinner in Budapest on board cruise
- Guided sightseeing tour of Vienna including Ringstrasse
- Guided tour of Melk including entry to Melk Benedictine Abbey
- Guided sightseeing in one of Europe’s best preserved towns – Bamberg
- In Rüdesheim board the ‘Winzerexpress’ mini train to visit Siegfried’s Musical Museum
- Captain’s Farewell Dinner in Amsterdam
- Luxury 40 seat coach
- Small group touring experience
- Professional Tour Director
- Whisper Headsets for all walking tours
- All Tipping, Gratuities and Porterage Included
Day 1: Zurich
Welcome to Zurich. Your Scenic Tours Representative will meet you at the airport and transfer* you to your centrally located hotel. Time to relax before meeting up this evening with your fellow travellers and Tour Director over a welcome drink.
Overnight Stay: Zurich
Overnight Stay: Zurich
Day 2: Zurich - Montreux
(FB,D)
An Included guided walking tour of Zurich reveals a contrast between the luxury designer shops and modern buildings on the Bahnhofstrasse and the imposing Romanesque Cathedral which dominates the old town with its twin towers. We leave the financial hub of Switzerland to visit its capital city, Bern. The old city is snugly positioned on a bend of the river Aare and features some beautiful squares and fine examples of decorated facades amongst its cobblestone streets. Our final scenic drive takes us to our destination for tonight, Montreux, which features breathtaking views over Lake Geneva towards the French Alps.
Overnight Special Stay: Montreux
Overnight Special Stay: Montreux
Day 3: Montreux - Zermatt
(FB,D)
We start today soaking in the views of terraced vineyards and towering mountain peaks onboard our leisurely cruise across Lake Geneva. We make the short journey along the lake for a visit to Chillon where we enjoy an Included guided tour of the castle and its chilling dungeon. The Castle, nearly 1,000 years old, was home to the Counts of Savoy and made popular by Lord Byron’s poem, the Prisoner of Chillon. We journey along the Rhône valley passing the town of Sion and acres of vineyards before heading into the mountains as we climb the winding road to the village of Täsch. Here we board our cog-wheel train for our final ascent to the traffic-free ski resort of Zermatt, situated in the shadows of the famous Matterhorn, nearly two kilometres above sea level.
Two Night Stay: Zermatt
Day 4: Zermatt
(FB)
Zermatt is located at the north end of a hanging valley with breathtaking views of the surrounding peaks. Choose one of the Included SCENIC FREE CHOICE options: (1) a train ride to Gornergrat which offers spectacular views of the Matterhorn and 29 other Alpine peaks in three countries; or (2) A guided hike through the picturesque mountain scenery.
Day 5: Zermatt - St. Moritz
(FB,D)
This morning we farewell Zermatt and continue along the scenic Simplon Pass into Italy. We reach Lake Maggiore to savour the spectacular views of its tranquil waters and the Borromean Islands from gorgeous Stresa. There is time to wander the lakeside resort amongst stunning villas and colourful gardens. Crossing the Engadine plateau with its numerous lakes, we arrive in St. Moritz. Initially known for its curative mineral springs, St. Moritz is now a chic and exclusive international resort.
Overnight Stay: St. Moritz
Day 6: St. Moritz - Lucerne
(FB,HD)
After breakfast we board the Glacier Express for possibly the world’s most breathtaking mountain rail journey. We journey past towering peaks with green valleys far below through the Albula Pass and over the impressive Landwasser viaduct to Andermatt where we join our coach and driver. As we continue on our journey we stop to see how the rural Swiss live with a real life farm visit. Gain a personal cultural experience as we chat with the locals while tempting your taste buds with a cheese tasting and home made apple juice. Then it’s only a short drive along the banks of Lake Lucerne to the picturesque city of the same name, located within sight of the towering peaks of Mount Rigi and Mount Pilatus. Tonight we enjoy a traditional folklore show as we savour a highlight meal of traditional Swiss fondue.
Two Night Stay: Lucerne
Two Night Stay: Lucerne
Day 7: Lucerne
(FB)
With our local guide we stroll to the famous Lion Monument, a haunting memorial to the gallant Swiss Guard, who was defeated while defending the Tuilieries Palace in Paris during the French Revolution in 1792. Then we enjoy a walking tour of the old town and cross the medieval Chapel Bridge to the ornate Jesuit Church. Enjoy a guided cruise on Lucerne’s gorgeous lake en-route to the quaint village of Vitznau. Here we join the oldest cogwheel train in Switzerland for a breathtaking ascent of Mount Rigi, known as ‘the Queen of the Mountains’. Savour the incredible scenery from the summit where you have a breathtaking panoramic view of the Alps.
Day 8: Lucerne - Innsbruck
(FB,D)
Our first destination today is Vaduz, capital of the tiny tax haven of Liechtenstein, bordered entirely by Switzerland and Austria and just 160 square kilometres in size. SCENIC ENRICH Visit the charming town of Seefeld and enjoy a horse-drawn carriage ride including a stop at a local inn to sample the local apple strudel. We make the short trip to Innsbruck, capital of the Austrian Tyrol. This delightful town on the Inn River is sandwiched between towering mountain ranges to the north and south and prospered due to its strategic position at the head of the Brenner Pass to Italy. We visit the impressive baroque Wilten Basilica, the recently built ski-jump and of course the old town including the famous Golden Roof, built to cover the Emperor in 1500.
Overnight Stay: Innsbruck
Overnight Stay: Innsbruck
Day 9: Innsbruck - Munich
(FB)
SCENIC ENRICH This morning visit Swarovski World, a museum built marking the 100 year anniversary of the company, where you will be amazed by the Crystal sculptures. Astonishing scenery awaits as we drive through towering peaks into Bavarian Germany, arriving in Schwangau to see the majestic spires of Neuschwanstein Castle piercing through woods on the nearby mountainside. We board our horse and carriage and are driven up to the Castle entrance, where we enjoy an Included guided tour of the ornately carved and decorated apartments of ‘Mad’ King Ludwig. Descending the mountain, there is time to enjoy Schwangau before we pass beautifully painted chalets and alpine pastures en-route to the village of Oberammergau, site of the Passion Play which has taken place every 10 years since 1634. We continue along the famous Romantic road before reaching the Bavarian capital, Munich.
Two Night Stay: Munich
Two Night Stay: Munich
Day 10: Munich
(FB,HD)
On our Included guided walking tour we visit the heart of old Munich, the Marienplatz, a large open square with the Marien column in the centre, where we see the famous Glockenspiel on the Town Hall play. Radiating from the Marienplatz are gorgeous examples of Romanesque and Baroque churches including the Peterskirche and Frauenkirche. At the nearby victuals market, which has been operating for 100 years, local delicacies and souvenirs are available. Choose one of the Included SCENIC FREE CHOICE options: (1) BMW world & museum; or (2) head to nearby Dachau concentration camp for chilling reminders of the events of World War II.
Day 11: Munich - Salzburg
(FB,HD)
On our morning drive we visit Hitler’s favourite summer resort, perched atop a mountain in the Berchtesgaden National Park. The scenery from the terrace of his Eagles Nest is simply stunning. We continue our journey to Salzburg, famous for its onion shaped domes and charming courtyards all dwarfed by the imposing fortress. The history and sights of this baroque city are revealed during an Included guided walking tour of the atmospheric old town which will include the mighty cathedral, see Mozart’s birthplace and many of the locations used during the filming of ‘The Sound of Music’, such as the Mirabell Palace and gardens. Tonight we celebrate a Highlight Dinner at the famous Stiftkeller St Peter. Established by Benedictine Monks in AD 803, it is the oldest restaurant in Austria and has had guests such as Charlemagne and Christopher Columbus dine here throughout history.
Overnight Stay: Salzburg
Overnight Stay: Salzburg
Day 12: Salzburg - Budapest
(FB,D)
Today we venture into the Salzkammergut to tour the region made famous by ‘The Sound of Music’, with its high lush meadows, snow covered mountains and crystal-clear lakes. We stop in the town of Mondsee on the similarly named lake to take pictures of the church where Maria was married to Captain Von Trapp in the film. This afternoon via Vienna we arrive in Budapest where on arrival you will be personally welcomed by our friendly dedicated staff onboard your luxury Scenic ‘Space-Ship’. This evening join your fellow guest for a welcome cocktail in the lounge.
Next Fourteen Nights: Cruising
Next Fourteen Nights: Cruising
Day 13: Budapest
(FB,L,D)
Discover the highlights of both Buda and Pest during your Included guided city tour. Choose from one of the following Included SCENIC FREE CHOICE tours: (1) Relax in the Thermal Baths and Spa; or (2) Explore the lime stone caves under the Castle Labyrinth; or (3) Explore the history of classical music in Hungary.
Day 14: Vienna
(FB,L,D)
As you cruise the mighty Danube perhaps relax in one of the three lounge and viewing areas onboard. Tonight SCENIC ENRICH highlights include a glass of Austrian ‘Sekt’ at the majestic Palais Liechtenstein. Then an enchanting private Viennese evening concert featuring the music of Strauss and Mozart.
Day 15: Vienna
(FB,L,D)
To get acquainted with this beautiful city, enjoy an Included tour of the famous sights including the Ringstrasse and the Hofburg Palace. Today offers three Included SCENIC FREE CHOICE tours to choose from: (1) A guided tour of Schönbrunn Palace; or (2) An excursion to the Slovakian capital of Bratislava; or (3) Visit the world renowned Spanish Riding School for a guided tour or witness the famous Lipizzaner Stallions perfecting their skills during their morning exercise program†.
Day 16: Dürnstein - Melk
(FB,L,D)
This morning your ship docks in the town of Dürnstein. Enjoy leisure time to explore one of the most enchanting villages in the region. Glide through the Wachau Valley onto Melk where you will discover the magnificent Benedictine Abbey. During your Included visit inside the Abbey you will be treated to a SCENIC ENRICH organ recital, performed by one of the housed Benedictine Monks.
Day 17: Linz - Passau
(FB,L,D)
Your Included SCENIC FREE CHOICE today gives you a choice of three countries all offering their own unique charm: (1) a guided tour of Passau; or (2) Visit Salzburg, setting for ‘The Sound of Music’; or (3) an excursion to the medieval town of Cesky Krumlov.
Day 18: Regensburg
(FB,L,D)
Regensburg, one of Germany’s finest preserved cities. You’ll appreciate the beauty on an Included guided walking tour. Included is a visit to the world’s oldest sausage kitchen.
Day 19: Nuremberg
(FB,L,D)
Today offers three Included SCENIC FREE CHOICE tours to choose from: (1) See the infamous WWII sites followed by a self-guided tour of the Documentation Centre; or (2) Learn about Nuremberg’s past before meeting with local students; or (3) A self-guided bicycle tour.
Day 20: Bamberg
(FB,L,D)
Bursting with character and charm enjoy the sights of Bamberg on your Included city tour. Back on-board, join your fellow passengers for the opportunity to experience some of the region’s finest brews including Bamberg’s famous Smoked Beer.
Day 21: Würzburg
(FB,L,D)
Today choose from one of the following Included SCENIC FREE CHOICE tours: (1) A guided walking tour of Würzburg including the Prince Bishop’s Residenz Palace and a wine tasting in the underground cellars; or (2) Enjoy an excursion down the Romantic Road to unforgettable Rothenburg.
Day 22: European Village Life
(FB,L,D)
SCENIC ENRICH: Today you will be taken off the beaten track as an invited guest to experience Village life just for a day- Exclusive to Scenic Tours. Choose from a selection of activities from everyday life like cooking onion pie, or be welcomed into private castles and family wineries. Enjoy home-grown entertainment as you are invited to dine with the locals and relish on their specialities and delicacies prepared just for you.
Day 23: Rüdesheim - Rhine Gorge - Marksburg Castle
(FB,L,HD)
Today in Rüdesheim visit Siegfried’s Musical Instrument Museum. Cruise this afternoon through the spectacular Rhine Gorge. Tonight SCENIC ENRICH highlights include a private Medieval banquet in Marksburg Castle. Step back in time and enjoy a private tour of the castle.
Day 24: Cologne
(FB,L,D)
Set sail through breathtaking scenery en-route to Cologne where your guide awaits you.
Day 25: Amsterdam
(FB,L,D)
Today cruise into the Dutch capital, Amsterdam. Choose from one of the following Included SCENIC FREE CHOICE tours: (1) A sightseeing canal cruise; or (2) a guided bicycle tour or (3) An excursion to the windmills of Zaanse Schans and Edam or (4) A visit to Venlo for the 2012 Floriade (seasonal option, operates from the 5th April 2012 until the 7th October 2012).
Day 26: Amsterdam
(FB)
This morning our Scenic Tours Representative will transfer* you to the airport.
*Check transfer entitlements with your travel agent. For passengers who have already received documentation - refer to your booking summary.
At a glance
Duration
26 Days
From
$14,090
per person twin share
Dates
02 Jun 2012
On Request
16 Jun 2012
On Request
28 Jul 2012
On Request
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