Eight days in the Alps are a dream-come-true for those with a taste for amazing scenery and cool mountain air in June. Our trip features the best of Switzerland, Tyrolean Austria and Bavarian Germany. Wander the beautiful medieval towns of Bern and Lucerne. Visit Interlaken and stay in Lauterbrunnen, the prettiest valley in the Alps. We'll hike to an overnight stay in an alpine hut watching the sun set on the Eiger, the Monch and the Jungfrau. White water raft exhilarating rapids, horse ride through meadows, hike beside a glacier and toboggan down mountains. Explore the romantic and extravagant castles of Bavaria's King Ludvig. Marvel at Swiss engineering as cog railways and cable cars haul us up steep inclines while we watch waterfalls tumble down from snow capped peaks. Cuckoo birds, cow bells and the odd train are the only sounds in the Alps. Who knew an adventure vacation could be so peaceful?
De N (NZ) “I adored Switzerland! I loved hiking along hearing the cow-bells ringing. Roberta was such an inspiration. She showed us all that even at 72 the fun never ends. Thanks for an amazing experience.”
Sunday
Fly overnight to Zurich, Switzerland from whichever airport is convenient for you.
Monday
We'll all meet at Zurich Airport at 8.30am. Load van and drive two hours to the village of Lauterbrunnen, set in a beautiful hanging valley of many waterfalls. Check into our charming hotel and visit nearby Trummelbach which are glacier waterfalls inside a mountain. Drive into Interlaken for a relaxing two-hour horse ride through fields and forests. Views of the Jungfrau at 13,600' are spectacular from Interlaken and this is also one of the best places in the world to do an optional tandem paraglide ride. Dinner in Lauterbrunnen
Tuesday
We'll drive to the capital city, Bern and walk the cobbled-stoned streets of this beautiful 16th century town contained within a sharp U-bend of the Aare River. Discover Bern's ornate, colorful fountains, monuments, medieval cathedral and clock tower. Enjoy lunch at an outdoor café then return to Lautebrunnen Valley. Change into hiking boots and catch a bus and cable car to Sulwald at 5000'. A two-hour hike takes us up to an alpine hut through woods and mountain pastures with cows grazing. Hear the cuckoo birds calling as dinner is prepared for us at the Lobhornhutte at 6,500'. Gaze across at the sunset on the Eiger, the Monch and the Jungfrau before heading off to our dorm beds.
Wednesday
After breakfast, hike down to Sulwald and return to Lautebrunnen. Back in our van we'll drive to Kandersteg and drive aboard the vehicular train taking us through the mountain to Goppenstein. The wonders of Swiss engineering never cease! Drive to the hot mineral pools of Leukerbad for a well-deserved soak and lunch. Drive to Tasch and board a train for a short ride to Zermatt. You'll have an hour to explore this town of the rich and famous, lying at the base of the Matterhorn. Return by train to the van for a short drive to our hotel in Saas Fee in the neighboring valley. Sara and Eric welcome us with a traditional Swiss meal and cozy down beds.
Thursday
Return to the van and load our bags. Walk through the village to board the cable car up to Speilboden, 8000'. We'll hike beside Feegletscher Glacier to Langfluh, 9,400' in awe of the surrounding snow-covered Alps and the peaceful valley below. Return to Saas Fee by cable car. After lunch we'll drive through the heart of the Alps, along valleys and up a twisting mountain road to our hotel in Laax.
Friday
Drive through the principality of Liechtenstein and into Austria. The Tyrol region is one of picturesque valleys, peaceful villages and churches with tall spires. An exhilarating white water rafting trip is our afternoon agenda. We're only on the water for 1.5 hours but there's barely time to catch your breath between the rapids rated Class 4. The river plummets down a gorge and carries us under bridges through the middle of town. Drive to the charming village of Reutte for a two-night stay at a delightful hotel.
Saturday
It's Castle Day! We'll get an early start and cross into Bavarian Germany. King Ludwig II was raised in Hohenschwangau Castle, built in the 12th century. This home of the Schwangau Knights will be our first stop. We'll walk up to the fairytale Neuschwanstein Castle next. This was built by the flamboyant Ludwig and completed in 1886. Much of the ornate interior design, furnishings and artistry reflect historic events and were used as themes for some of Wagner's compositions. Enjoy a Bavarian lunch then drive to Lucerne. This is a free evening to wander this beautiful town, the medieval town center, cross the covered bridges and eat when and where you choose.
Sunday
Our adventure to Mt Pilatus, 8000' offering panoramic views of Lucerne, involves five forms of transport. We'll take the steamer across Lake Lucern to Alpnachstad, take the cog-railway to the top of Mt Pliatus, the cable car down to Frakmuntegg, Enjoy Switzerland's longest toboggan (luge) ride, then cable car down to Kriens and catch a bus back to Lucerne. Return to Zurich and stay at a hotel near the airport.
Monday
Transfer to Zurich Airport to catch flights back to the USA. Connect with flights home.
Hello Susan, this is Lois. I had a great time on the Alps trip. Cheryl always does a fantastic job - makes you feel like you haven't missed a thing, and you haven't! We drove through some beautiful clean country, rafted, cruised on a lake and para-glided. We rode in ski-lift cars to the top of a mountain and heard beautiful yodeling and the huge horns. We rode horses and hiked. The feeling of accomplishment when we reached our destination was exhilarating - the flowers, the icy streams, snow covered mountain peaks, the sun coming out to shine on the peaks just before setting - all this because you pushed a little harder and made the climb!If you can make the trip, don't miss it. Cheryl is as flexible as time and customer endurance allows. She does not miss a single detail so you don't have to do anything but show up. Her trips are well planned and she is a very caring, supportive person who encourages you to try. One thing I will complain about - she does not schedule much time for shopping. Can you imagine!
