Alpine Adventure: Austria, Germany, Switzerland
June 19- July 2, 2025
Travac’s Alpine Adventure is a magical journey that takes you into the very heart of the Alps. Your holiday will commence in the enchanting city of Vienna, then follow a route south through the postcard city of Salzburg, Austria’s Sound of Music capital. You’ll then continue to the Baroque alpine city of Innsbruck, the largest town in the Alps, before heading into the Black Forest and fairy-tale city of Freiburg im Breisgau, Germany. To compliment your alpine discovery break, you’ll travel through the spectacular scenery of Switzerland to visit Lausanne, Zermatt, and Lucerne.
Your holiday includes round trip airfare, accommodation, transportation aboard a private chartered coach, a complete sightseeing itinerary, breakfast daily, two dinners and a panoramic sightseeing cruise on Lake Lucerne. Appealingly priced at only $4899 + taxes of $1150 based on double occupancy, this tour has limited space. Book early to avoid disappointment!
Tour Itinerary
Day 1
Depart Ottawa
Today you will depart Ottawa for your overnight flights to Vienna. You will be served a dinner and breakfast on board.
Day 2
Arrival in Vienna
After arriving in Vienna, we will be transferred to our hotel. Vienna’s magnetic charm is found on every corner. On the drive to the hotel you will have a chance to acclimatize yourself to your new vibrant surroundings. Upon arrival at the hotel, you will have some free time to enjoy the neighbourhood, possibly stopping at one of its world renowned coffee houses for a sachertorte. Tonight we will have a group welcome dinner. (D)
Day 3
Vienna
After breakfast this morning, we will embark on a guided half-day city tour of Austria’s capital city, Vienna. Developed from early Celtic and Roman settlements into a Medieval and Baroque city, Vienna’s thriving metropolitan centre is known for its magnificent Imperial palaces and artistic and musical masterpieces. With a modern legacy shaped by famed residents including Mozart, Beethoven, Gustav Klimt, and Sigmund Freud, Vienna has been dubbed the “City of Music” for its longstanding tradition of being home to many of classical music’s most notable composers.
On the tour, you will have a chance to see Hofburg Palace, the official residence of the President of Austria and a former home of the Hapsburg Dynasty. You will also see the famous Opera House, one of the most beautiful in the world, St. Stephen’s Cathedral and Schonbrunn Palace, the summer home to the Hapsburgs. Vienna is considered to be one of the most livable cities in the world with its elegant boulevards, tree lined streets, a wonderful transportation system and great entertainment venues.
The remainder of your day will be free to enjoy the city at your leisure. (B)
Day 4
Vienna
Today is a free day to explore Vienna. There are countless museums, world class shopping and chances to stroll through eclectic and vibrant neighbourhoods. Your Travac Tours Director will have suggestions on how to spend your time in the city of Imperial palaces. (B)
Day 5
Vienna to Salzburg
After breakfast this morning, we will depart for Salzburg. Salzburg sits on the border of Germany with breathtaking views of the Eastern Alps. Home to one of Europe’s largest intact medieval fortresses, Salzburg boasts an abundance of gardens, Baroque churches, and charming old town delights. Here you can truly experience romance in Mozart’s birthplace. The city’s old town is one of the best-preserved city centres north of the Alps and was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1997. Salzburg is also famous for once being home to the real Von Trapp family, while The Sound of Music was filmed at various sites in and around the city.
Upon arrival in Salzburg, we will embark on an afternoon tour of the city, including to iconic sites from the Sound of Music. (B)
Day 6
Salzburg
Today is a free day to enjoy Salzburg. An optional tour of Eagle’s Nest will be offered ($). (B)
Day 7
Salzburg to Innsbruck
Today we will travel from Salzburg to the Tyrolean capital of Innsbruck. Innsbruck is often referred to as the capital of the Alps. It is also an Olympic town and the only major town in the European Alps. Steeped in centuries of colourful history, Innsbruck features a range of fine examples of Imperial splendour bestowed on the town by numerous Habsburg rulers with a penchant for architecture and creative arts. Visitors are taken on a journey back in time with an enchanting array of splendid architectural gems from the Gothic, Renaissance, Baroque and Neo-Classical period. Your afternoon will be free to explore this beautiful alpine city known for its joie-de-vivre. (B)
Day 8
Innsbruck
After breakfast, we will depart for our half day city tour of Innsbruck. Nestled at the foot of the Nordkette mountain range, Innsbruck is a compact city with a cosmopolitan urban centre that boasts a diverse arts scene, impressive imperial and modern architecture, and beautiful alpine vistas. You will see historical landmarks such as the Golden Roof, the Court Church with its stunning bronze statues, the Imperial Palace and Ambras Castle all of which evoke the grandeur of the Habsburg empire’s bygone greatness. But Innsbruck scores also with visionary urban design to make any modern architecture enthusiast’s heart beat faster.
The remainder of your day will be free to enjoy the area at your leisure. (B)
Day 9
Today we will travel from Innsbruck to Freiburg im Breisgau, Germany. Upon arrival we will embark on a tour of Freiburg and the Black Forest. (B)
Day 10
Freiburg im Breisgau to Lausanne
Today we will travel from Freiburg to Lausanne. Upon arrival, you will have a tour of the city known for its medieval streets, beautiful views of Lake Geneva, and as the headquarters for the Olympic Games. (B)
Day 11
Visit to Zermatt
Today we will visit the town of Zermatt, a mountain resort known for its spectacular pyramid-shaped Matterhorn peak- the most famous mountain in Europe. This vacation destination is a car-free zone and has preserved its original character. After a tour and some free time in the area, we will return back to Lausanne. (B)
Day 12
Lausanne to Lucerne
After breakfast, we will travel from Lausanne to the historic city of Lucerne. Lucerne, the gateway to central Switzerland, is situated on Lake Lucerne and enjoys an impressive mountainous panorama. Lucerne ranks amongst the world’s prettiest cities and there is so much to see. Contributing to Lucerne’s cityscape, alongside the world-famous Chapel Bridge and Water Tower, are the Musegg Wall, the Jesuit Church, the Mill Bridge, the Lion Monument, the KKL Culture and Convention Centre, and a host of other sites of interest. Lucerne is best discovered on foot. Upon arrival in Lucerne, we will embark on a walking tour of the city’s car-free old town with a local professional guide. (B)
Day 13
Lucerne
Lake Lucerne (434 m above sea level) is fascinating due to its picturesque landscape and historical sites. This morning you will be treated to a boat cruise on this magnificent lake. After the cruise, the remainder of your day will be yours to spend at your leisure. A farewell dinner is included tonight. (B,D)
Day 14
Return to Canada
After breakfast, we will travel to the Zurich airport for our return flights to Ottawa. (B)
Itinerary and hotels are subject to change.
Hotel Information
Austria Classic Hotel Wien or similar
Hotel Address
Praterstraße 72Vienna, Austria
1020
+43 1 211300
Arte Hotel Salzburg or similar
Hotel Address
Rainerstraße 28Salzburg, Austria
5020
+43 662 877500
Hotel Central Innsbruck or similar
Hotel Address
Gilmstraße 5Innsbruck, Austia
6020
+43 512 5920
Novotel Freiburg am Konzerthaus or similar
Hotel Address
Konrad-Adenauer-Platz 2Freiburg im Breisgau, Germany
79098
+49 761 38890
Hôtel de la Paix or similar
Hotel Address
Av. Benjamin-Constant 5Lausanne, Switzerland
1003
+41 21 310 71 71
Hotel Continental Park or similar
Hotel Address
Murbacherstrasse 4Lucerne, Switzerland
6003
+41 41 228 90 50