FROM THE ALPS TO THE RHINE
GERMANY, AUSTRIA, FRANCE & SWITZERLAND
July 5 - 14, 2011
See below for prices and discounts
The entire tour is from TWO HOTELS with a maximum of only 8 participants and a PRIVATE VAN and DRIVER.
Your host and guide is MIKE ROSS. Your local guide to the world since 1982.
Includes flights from Detroit, airport transfers in Europe, entrances and services as noted, daily breakfast and dinner and features the Olympic city of Munich; Salzburg, Austria of “Sound of Music” fame, the Royal Bavarian Castle HERRENCHIEMSEE, the French wine villages of COLMAR and RIQUEWIHR, the German BLACK FOREST and LUCERNE Switzerland. PLUS a PRIVATE van and driver. Participants should enjoy walking, as some sights are available only to pedestrians.
Itinerary
Day 1: Board our jet for the overnight flight to Europe.
Day 2: After arrival we drive to the lovely Alpine village of Ruhpolding. We will explore the little streets and shops here this afternoon. Later we will enjoy the hot springs and spa in town!
Day 3: The sights of “The Sound of Music” surround us today in SALZBURG, AUSTRIA. We take a walking tour of this famous city, visit the Salzburg Cathedral, see the house where Mozart was born and the huge white fortress high above the town.
Day 4: Across the Chiem Lake today by ship to the awesome ROYAL BAVARIAN HERRENCHIEMSEE PALACE, one of the grandest in all of Europe. King Ludwig II”s masterpiece sits on a verdant island surrounded by the towering Alps.
Day 5: A whole day in spectacular MUNICH, GERMANY, capital of Bavaria. We will see the famous Hofbrauhaus with the original Beer Garten, the beautiful parks and fountains and take a stroll down Kaufinger Street, the Fifth Avenue of Munich. Along the way we will see the Glockenspiel high up in the neo-Gothic city hall.
Day 6: A drive through the leafy hills of Southern Germany brings us into the wine growing area of the southern Rhine. Near the French border is the tiny vineyard town of Ihringen our home for the week.
Day 7: Into the Vosges Mountains of eastern France to the ancient medieval town of Colmar, famous for its luscious wine, great food, and the "Venetian Quarter" with its cobblestones and fluffy French bread. Later it’s on to tiny Riquewihr, surrounded by waves of vineyards. We take a mini-train ride up into the vineyards to see them up close.
Day 8: South into the Swiss Alps to the heart of the country, Lake Lucerne. Along the lake sits the incomparable city of Lucerne, surrounded by towering, glistening snow-capped Alps. A walking tour takes us up to the Glacier Gardens, back into the city market place and for a view of the Kapell Bridge, symbol of the city. Take a boat cruise, enjoy lunch at an outdoor cafe or visit the Picasso museum.
Day 9: The day begins with a visit to FREIBURG, capital of the Black Forest. Later we motor into the birthplace of the Grimm Fairy Tales, legends of kings and goblins, the Black Forest. The meandering roads climb up and down the thickly pine forested hills, through tiny villages and past sky blue lakes. This afternoon is a winery tour and wine tasting back in Ihringen.
Day 10: After an adventure-filled week, we transfer to the airport for our return flight to the USA.
PRICES Priced from Detroit from $3968 per person in a double room. ONLY $3618 with early deposit. FOR RETURNING MIKE ROSS TRAVELERS FROM ONLY $3468 early deposit. Single supplement $240. Price may vary with airfare at time of booking. Security charges and airport taxes assessed 98 days before departure. Other departure cities available.
PAYMENTS: $1500 p/p deposit with RESERVATION FORM. Balance due 98 days prior to departure; see TERMS & CONDITIONS.