Alpine Majesty: A 10-Day Rail Journey Through Austria and Switzerland

9:00 AM - 11:30 AM

Guided Walk through Vienna's Inner City

This tour takes you back in history to explore the Vienna that stood within the old city walls. You will learn about the humble beginnings of Vienna before it became the capital of a great empire and one of the most important cities in Europe. You will discover how Vienna's early inhabitants lived and how they left their mark on the city and its beautiful Medieval, Renaissance, and Baroque architecture.

Morning

Visit the Karlskirche & Belvedere Palace

Two of Vienna's greatest architectural treasures lie just beyond the Ring Street - the Belvedere Palace and the Karlskirche (St. Charles's Church). Often missed by visitors, these Baroque wonders represent Austria at the peak of its prestige and power and deserve to be on every visitor's list.

9:00 AM - 11:30 AM

Guided Walking Tour of Salzburg

Salzburg is simply overwhelming in all the best ways. It is alive with fascinating history, grandiose and sublime architecture fills every street and square, culture and music permeate the atmosphere, and it is surrounded by breath-taking natural scenery. This guided tour with a local will provide the context needed to bring all of this beauty into perspective, and to connect the physical city to its history, culture, and environment.

Early Morning/Morning

Excursion to the Peak of the Untersberg

The nearly 6,000-foot high Untersberg is Salzburg's nearest Alpine Mountain, and a visit to its peak is the perfect way to experience the Alps without traveling too far.  Don't worry, there's no need to bring your climbing gear. You can take a bus from Salzburg to the base of the mountain, and then take an exhilarating cable lift ride all the way to the limestone summit. There you will find a stupendous view of the Alps spread out before you, and if you feel like wandering a bit, a network of rocky trails spreads out from the summit. The Salzburg card covers both the bus ride to the lift (it's the last stop of bus line #25) and the cable car tickets!

Early Morning to Mid-Day

Self-Guided Excursion Up Mt Pilatus

Ride the steepest rack-railway in the world at a gradient of nearly 48 percent from Alpnachstad up the giant mountain of Mt Pilatus that looms over the city of Lucerne, or glide up the other side on a gondola from Kriens. The highest point, Tomlishorn, with superlative views of Lake Lucerne, is only 30min on foot from the hotels and restaurants near the top.

Morning

Self Guided Visit to Zürich's West Bank

A wander around the West Bank of Zürich's Limmat River will help you experience the city's development over the centuries, from its iconic Fraumünster church, the rise of its famous banking industry around Paradeplatz, its associations with the Irish writer James Joyce, and its impact on modern sporting history at the FIFA World Football Museum.

Early Morning to Afternoon

Self-Guided Excursion up Jungfrau

Journey directly through the famous Eiger Mountain to what the Swiss called "The Top of Europe", the icy, windswept gap in the mountain ridges known as Jungfraujoch at 3,454m/11,332ft just below the summit of Jungfrau. The train ride to the top is not cheap, but it's the highest train station in Europe and definitely an unforgettable experience.

Early Morning to Mid-Day

Self-Guided Excursion to the Top of Niederhorn

For a slightly different outdoor activity, head up the Niederhorn mountain by cable car from the shore of Lake Thun to the very top and hike down to the mid-station of Beatenburg Vorsass or jump off the cable car there before enjoying a thrilling ride back down to the bottom along a sealed path on a trotti bike (a type of large scooter). Catch a bus back to Interlaken or jump aboard a ferry to get across Lake Thun.

To Be Determined

Rail or Taxi Journey from Interlaken to the Zurich Airport

The most affordable way to reach the airport is via train from the Interlaken East or West rail station. In most cases, your itinerary will include a Swiss Travel Pass, which covers the cost of this scenic journey to Zurich Airport, which takes just over 2 hours. If you prefer, you can also take a taxi or book a pre-arranged transfer. The journey by car also takes about 2 hours, but is not cheap - a pre-arranged transfer costs about 300 Swiss francs. Directions and instructions for either option are included in the Full Itinerary, so you can enjoy a stress-free trip to the airport.