Next up, A Big O Trip

Clay and I and my mother are all born in a year ending in an 8. So this year is a decade turn, or Big O, for each of us. In 2008, we had our first Big O trip together. This year we have a second Big O trip planned. The itinerary is pasted below. We are meeting a friend of Mom's who is also having a Big O birthday this year and traveling with us. We will all begin this trip by meeting at MSP where we will all fly on Iceland Air via Keflavik to Zurich. On arrival, hopefully we'll get a rental car and drive to Luxembourg for a 2-night visit before joining Trafalgar in Zurich. Hopefully because after we planned this and booked our flights Schengen rules changed. Now, we'll officially enter Schengen in Iceland during a short layover and not on arrival in Zurich. We'll see what happens. Fingers crossed we'll make the border crossing and our connection and visit Luxembourg. If not, we'll have a couple of days to get from Iceland to Zurich to join the tour. Stay tuned. Oh, we paid $3120.50 per person for the Trafalgar tour portion. Clay and I paid more than that per person for Business Class air on Iceland Air.

Trafalgar Switzerland and Austria 13 days, 10 cities

Day 1 - Arrive Zurich

Your epic journey to the heart of Europe launches in the sophisticated cultural hotspot of Zurich, whose historic centre and picturesque lakeside setting you will have an opportunity to explore before meeting your Travel Director and fellow travellers for a Welcome Reception and orientation of the city's iconic sights.

Hotel

Radisson Blu

Meals - Welcome Reception

Day 2 - Zurich – Liechtenstein – Salzburg Sightseeing

We meander along magical Lake Walensee to the fairy-tale principality of Liechtenstein where we will stop in its capital Vaduz before continuing along the scenic Alberg route into the Tyrol. Arriving in the Baroque city of Salzburg, we embark on a fascinating walking tour with a Local Specialist to see such iconic sights as the house where Mozart once lived and the magnificent Domplatz with its imposing Salzburger Dom Cathedral, Residenz Castle and St. Peter's Abbey.

Hotel

Austria Trend Europa

Meals - Buffet Breakfast

Day 3 -Salzburg – Vienna (2 Nights)

Waltzing through the scenic Austrian countryside, past Lake Mondsee and the rolling hills, fortresses and valleys of the picturesque Wachau Valley, we see the impressive Melk Abbey perched atop a rocky outcrop above the beautiful Danube. Our home for the next two nights is the glorious Imperial city of Vienna.

Hotel

Renaissance Wien

Meals - Buffet Breakfast

Day 4 - Vienna Sightseeing

Soak up the elegance and style of one of Europe's most enchanting capitals. Admire the grand boulevards and beautiful Gothic and Baroque façades on a guided sightseeing tour with a Local Specialist who will take you to see the iconic State Opera, the Hofburg, St. Stephen's Cathedral and the Parliament. Stroll through the charming cobblestone lanes of 'Am Hof' before spending free time soaking up the kaffee culture of the city. This evening, you may wish to embrace the talents of the City of Music and attend a Viennese concert in one of the city's magnificent performance venues.

Meals - Buffet Breakfast

Day 5 - Vienna – Piber Stud Farm – Villach

We journey south to visit the Lipizzaner Stud farm at Piber for an unforgettable Cultural Insight into the breeding of the athletic white stallions for the Spanish Riding School. This evening, join Sister Monika and the nuns of Kloster Wernberg for a traditional Carinthian Be My Guest dinner at a monastery housed in a beautiful old castle. This evening we stay in the quaint town of Villach.

Hotel

Romantik Post

Meals - Buffet Breakfast - Be My Guest Dining

Day 6 - Villach – Cortina d'Ampezzo – Innsbruck

Admire spectacular Alpine scenery, meandering into Italy via Carbonin and Lake Misurina, renowned for its crisp, clear air. Explore the winter sports resort of Cortina d'Ampezzo, set in the heart of the Dolomites against the backdrop of the magnificent Monte Cristallo. Then traverse spectacular mountain passes as you journey back into Austria and the capital of Tyrol, Innsbruck, where you will have an opportunity to admire Emperor Maximilian's Golden Roof, St. Jakob's Cathedral and see the Olympic ski-jump during an orientation tour.

Hotel

Grauer Bär

Meals - Buffet Breakfast

Day 7 - Innsbruck – St. Moritz

This morning, we cross the Swiss border and travel through the enchanting landscapes of the Engadine Valley. Arriving in the chic winter sports resort of St. Moritz, we have the afternoon at leisure to explore the pristine landscape or perhaps take a mountain pass train ride. This evening we enjoy dinner at our hotel.

Hotel

Reine Victoria

Meals - Buffet Breakfast - Dinner

Day 8 - St. Moritz – Stresa – Zermatt (2 Nights)

Traverse snow-capped Alpine landscapes as you drive via the Maloja Pass past Lake Como to the sun-kissed shores of Lake Maggiore and explore the sophisticated lakeside town of Stresa. See the Borromean Islands, with their beautiful palaces and gardens, as you head towards the Simplon Pass en route to Zermatt where you will dine in your hotel tonight.

Hotel

Monte Rosa/Ambassador

Meals - Buffet Breakfast - Dinner

Day 9 - Zermatt

Spend a full day at leisure soaking up Zermatt's crisp mountain air and panoramic Alpine vistas. Relax in beautiful surrounds or consider an Optional Experience to the Klein Matterhorn for the most spectacular mountain views.

Meals - Buffet Breakfast

Day 10 - Zermatt – Chillon – Montreux

Meandering through the Rhône Valley, we arrive on the tranquil shores of Lake Geneva, where we will view Chillon Castle, an island castle immortalised in Lord Byron's 'Prisoner of Chillon'. We follow the lakeshore to Montreux, set against the pristine backdrop of snow-covered peaks and vineyards.

Hotel

Eurotel Riviera

Meals - Buffet Breakfast

Day 11 - Montreux – Berne – Interlaken – Lucerne Orientation (2 Nights)

Travel via the charming city of Berne to Interlaken, set in the heart of Switzerland in the shadow of the mighty Jungfrau (subject to weather conditions). We then cross the Brünig Pass to the charming lakeside town of Lucerne where we will view the ancient wooden Chapel Bridge suspended over the Reuss and visit the poignant Lion Monument to pay tribute to the brave Swiss Guards who lost their lives defending Louis XVI during the French Revolution.

Hotel

Grand Europe Authentic Accommodation

Meals -Buffet Breakfast

Day 12 - Lucerne

Snow-capped peaks surround you as you wander through the quaint medieval streets of Lucerne lined with colourful muralled façades. Spend a full day exploring the Old Town, enjoy a leisurely Swiss lunch or consider an Optional Experience ascending a nearby mountain for panoramic views. This evening, we toast to a magnificent adventure through Switzerland and Austria at a Farewell Dinner.

Meals -Buffet Breakfast -Farewell Dinner

Day 13 - Lucerne – Depart Zurich

We say a fond farewell to Switzerland and our newfound friends at the end of an unforgettable journey. An airport transfer is available to Zurich Airport. Conditions apply.

Meals - Buffet Breakfast