Admire the highlights of Alpine Europe on this tour through Switzerland, France, Italy, Liechtenstein and Germany. From the picturesque lakes near Lucerne, Annecy and Como to the beer halls of Munich, you’ll fall in love with this region’s beautiful scenery and rich cultural traditions.

Detailed Itinerary

Day 1 - Overnight Flight

Your trip begins with a regularly scheduled over-night flight to Zurich aboard an internationally recognized airline.

Day 2 - Lucerne

Welcome to Lucerne! A Go Ahead representative greets you at the airport after you clear customs and then accompanies you via private motorcoach to the beautiful lakeside city of Lucerne, where you’ll be assisted with hotel check-in. At an included dinner this evening, meet your fellow travelers.
Included meals: breakfast (in flight), dinner

Day 3 - Lucerne

A guided tour introduces you to Lucerne. Stroll down the city’s winding streets and across the Kapellbrücke, a covered bridge whose history dates back to medieval days. The murals lining its walls are nearly identical to those painted in the 14th century. Be on the lookout for the colorful hand-painted facades as you venture down the streets of the Old Town. You’ll also view the captivating Löwendenkmal, a sandstone statue commemorating Swiss Guards slain in 1792. After your tour, you’ll enjoy free time to explore the city as you please. Alternatively, opt to ascend Mount Pilatus to enjoy breathtaking views of the Swiss Alps.
Included meals: breakfast

$99 USD

Mount Pilatus This scenic excursion begins with a cruise on Lake Lucerne. After docking, ascend the 7,000-foot Mount Pilatus on the world’s steepest cog-wheel railway. Legend holds that the mountain was named for Pontius Pilate, blown here by the devil after the Crucifixion. From the peak, the views of the Alps are stunning; on a clear day, you can see for 200 miles. Toward the end of your trip, you’ll return to the base of the mountain via gondola. Please note: The cruise and cog railway only run from mid-May through October. During the winter months, this excursion includes the cable car ride only. If the cog railway is unavailable, you will enjoy lunch at the summit.

Day 4 - Lucerne

Spend a free day strolling alongside Lake?Lucerne or visiting the city’s museums and art galleries, such as the Picasso Museum. Alternatively, join an optional excursion to Mount Titlis.
Included meals: breakfast

$119 USD

Mount Titlis Visit one of the most famous mountains in Switzerland during today’s excursion to Mount Titlis. Covered in snow year-round, this peak offers astonishingly beautiful views of the Alps. To truly experience the snow and ice on top of Mount Titlis, you’ll board the world's first rotating cable car to reach the summit, where you will have a chance to experience the mountain from the Ice Flyer or enjoy a visit to the Ice Grotto. At the summit, you'll also have a chance to grab a sled or a snow tube for some alpine fun.

Day 5 - Annecy

Your first stop today is Bern, where your Tour Director will lead an informal tour of the Swiss capital. Later, you’ll pass through Geneva before crossing into France’s Lake Annecy region. The balance of the day is free at leisure to walk along the canals of picture-perfect Annecy and search for the perfect croissant. Dinner is included tonight.
Included meals: breakfast, dinner

Day 6 - Annecy

Begin the day with a boat cruise (seasonal; some groups may enjoy a walking tour) around Lake Annecy, featuring panoramic views of the Alps as well as a close-up look at some of the villas on the lake’s shores. Impressionist painter Paul Cézanne found inspiration for his famous Le Lac d’Annecy after a visit here.
Included meals: breakfast
Included entrances: Lake Annecy cruise (seasonal)

Day 7 - Lake Como Region

Transfer to Chamonix today, and enjoy free time to explore this charming village at the base of Mont Blanc. You might enjoy a cable car ride to a nearby peak for gorgeous views of the Chamonix valley. Later, travel through the Mont Blanc tunnel—Europe’s longest such passageway—into Italy. You’ll arrive in the Lake Como region in time to enjoy an included dinner.
Included meals: breakfast, dinner

Day 8 - Lake Como Region

Begin the day with a visit to Villa Carlotta (seasonal; during the off-season, a funicular ride to Brunate may be offered instead). This elegant 18th-century Italian estate stands amid 14 acres of gardens, whose 500 plant species include azaleas, orchids, camelias, eucalyptus and banana trees. Continue to the town of Como and join your Tour Director for an informal tour. You’ll pass by the 15th-century Gothic duomo, the medieval quarter, and the 12th-century Porta Vittoria. Later, you might choose to join an optional Lake Como cruise, with a stop for dinner in the lakeside village of Bellagio.
Included meals: breakfast
Included entrances: Villa Carlotta

$75 USD

Lake Como Cruise & Bellagio This excursion begins with a scenic cruise of Lake Como. Here you’ll see some of Italy’s most beautiful estates set amid splendid gardens. This unforgettable cruise takes you past charming lakeside towns to Bellagio, a village whose scenery has inspired poets and young lovers for centuries. You’ll have time to take in Bellagio’s classic beauty before adjourning to a local restaurant, where you'll sample cuisine from a carefully chosen menu. Please note: This excursion is offered March through October, and its departure time varies by season.

Day 9 - St. Moritz

Returning to Switzerland, travel to St. Moritz. The snow and mountains of St. Moritz have inspired the invention of some of the world’s most popular winter sports, including bobsledding and curling. During free time, enjoy the views of the Engadin Valley and see St. Moritz’s leaning tower, which is all that remains of the 13th-century St. Mauritius Church. Dinner is included tonight.
Included meals: breakfast, dinner

Day 10 - Innsbruck

Travel into Liechtenstein, a tiny Alpine principality dating back to the Holy Roman Empire and now best-known for its wines and postage stamp trade. Pass the royal family’s hilltop castle, still in use as a royal residence, as you visit Vaduz, Liechtenstein’s capital. Later today, cross into Austria and reach Innsbruck, where you will enjoy a guided walking tour in the afternoon, including stops at the Golden Roof and the courtyard of the Hofburg Palace. Dinner is included tonight.
Included meals: breakfast, dinner

Day 11 - Innsbruck

Enjoy a free morning in Innsbruck. Site of two Winter Olympics and capital of the Austrian Tyrol, Innsbruck is a sparkling mix of centuries-old royal splendor and modern allure. The streets of Innsbruck are dotted with gems of Baroque architecture, including the pink stuccoed Helblinghaus. Save some time for browsing, pastry-sampling or a climb up to the Olympic ski jump. This afternoon, join an optional excursion to the Bavarian castle of Neuschwanstein and the historic village of Oberammergau.
Included meals: breakfast

$75 USD

Neuschwanstein & Oberammergau Head into the mountains of Bavaria on an excursion to Neuschwanstein, the storybook retreat of “Mad” King Ludwig. View the castle’s turrets and towers as you climb the winding road via carriage. Disneyland’s Sleeping Beauty Castle was modeled on Neuschwanstein's whimsical design. As you tour the castle’s interior, you’ll see many examples of the young king’s eclectic tastes. Within its chambers are a stalactite grotto, artifacts of all kinds and murals depicting his favorite scenes from Wagnerian operas. Continue on to Oberammergau, setting for the world famous Passion Play. Please note: This excursion involves a good deal of walking up and down stairs.

Day 12 - Munich

Transfer to Munich today. This afternoon, enjoy a guided sightseeing tour of the city, with views of the Olympic Village, Nymphenburg Palace, Marienplatz and the Residenz. Continue exploring Munich on your own this evening.
Included meals: breakfast
Included entrances: Nymphenburg Palace

Day 13 - Munich

If you are not continuing on our tour extension in Munich, a Go Ahead representative escorts you to the airport for your return flight home.
Included meals: breakfast
(In the case of early morning departures, breakfast may not be provided.)