The Traditional European Winter Wonderland Grand Tour
Swiss & Austrian Alps, Romantic Cities, log fires and Great Trains: 23 days
Also see: Dreaming of a White Christmas? Pre-tour add-on »
Tour dates highlighted - click on a date to view details.
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Setting Off
Tuesday, December 27th:
Join your flight today.
Venice [D]
Wednesday, Dec 28th:
On arrival in Venice's Marco Polo Airport, we are transferred to our hotel, overlooking the Grand Canal. Settle in and watch the lights come on as the waterbuses chug past. A welcome drink to meet your fellow travellers, followed by an included dinner [D]
Venice [B]
Thursday, Dec 29th:
Every day on a Great Trains of Europe tour begins with a full buffet breakfast [B]. This morning we begin to explore the art and history of Venice. Byzantine St Mark's is considered by many to be the most beautiful church in the world and the historic Doge's Palace and its Bridge of Sighs are “must sees.” Venice is best taken slowly, wandering along her canals and bridges.
Venice[B]
Friday, Dec 30th:
There is time for a visit to an outer island - Burano for exquisite lace, Murano for world-famous Venetian glass. Art lovers will want to see the Tintoretto paintings in the Scuola di San Rocco, the Titian in the Friary Church, and the collection of Venetian Renaissance art in the Accademia Gallery. Your Tour Leader is on hand to guide. Save the gondola ride for late afternoon. The true romantics will take their gondola ride under the Bridge of Sighs at sundown as the bells of the Campanile ring.
Interlaken - Swiss Alps & Lakes [B][D]
Saturday, Dec 31st:
Farewelling Venice this morning we begin our love affair with the Great Trains of Europe on one of her finest, the Swiss-Italian Cisalpino, into the Swiss Alps to Interlaken. There are stunning views of the Eiger and the Jungfrau from our hotel, home for 4 nights. We raise a glass to the New Year, at our included New Year banquet.
Interlaken - Swiss Alps & Lakes [B]
Sunday, January 1st:
A hang-over after the New Year's revelry? Enjoy a late and leisurely brunch before deciding whether to do nothing today or to do very little. Interlaken hosts a huge street party on New Year's Day, culminating in spectacular fireworks.
Interlaken - Swiss Alps & Lakes [B]
Monday, Jan 2nd:
Today we take what is truly one of the Great Rail Journeys of the World on the Jungfrau Railway. We climb and tunnel through the Eiger to Jungfraujoch, Europe's highest railway station - an unbelievable 11,333 feet above sea level. Superlatives fail when one tries to describe the view across the roof of the world. After coffee (try the hot chocolate!) we retrace our path back down to Interlaken, stopping off for a stroll through the beautiful Alpine village of Grindelwald.
Interlaken - Swiss Alps & Lakes[B]
Tuesday, Jan 3rd:
A quiet day in the spa, or on the slopes. There is an optional excursion offered today, on another of the world's great train journeys - the tiny red Glacier Express. Enjoy the breathtaking views from the panorama carriage, and enjoy lunch in the restaurant car. Have your cameras at the ready for stunning Alpine vistas. We are back in our Interlaken hotel this evening.
To Prague [B][D]
Wednesday, Jan 4th:
Our luggage is collected and taken on ahead as we bid farewell to Interlaken and to Switzerland and join Germany's world class luxury high speed train, the ICE - on a rail journey right across Germany. We cross the Czech border and arrive in Prague. Our hotel is in the historic centre of Prague.
Prague [B]
Thursday, Jan 5th:
Today there is a visit to Prague Castle, perched high on the hill overlooking the city. Here is also the cathedral church of St Vitus, incorporating the chapel built on the spot where Good King Wenceslas was murdered a thousand years ago. Crossing back over the Charles Bridge, we visit Prague's historic Jewish Quarter. A free afternoon for the shops or to enjoy the music.
Prague or Day Trip to DRESDEN [B]
Friday, Jan 6th:
A free day to continue your exploration of this fabulous city. The Old Town Square, left intact through all the wars of the twentieth century, has at least one building from every century from the twelfth to the twentieth. Prague is rich in Mozart associations. Bohemian crystal is world-famous. Alternatively, you may wish to join an optional excursion to Dresden, one of Europe's cultural wonders now emerging from the ashes of World War II bombing and 44 years of Communism.
Prague [B]
Saturday, Jan 7th:
Enjoy a last free day in magical Prague. You understand why Mozart loved it so much. Crystal and garnet are popular with the shoppers. An opera or a concert?
To Innsbruck [B][D]
Sunday, Jan 8th:
This morning we join our Eurocity train for Innsbruck, as our luggage is taken on ahead. We are not staying in downtown Innsbruck, but in the beautiful Alpine village of Igls, perched 15 minutes above. Thaw out with a glass of gluhwein in front of the roaring log fire as our luggage arrives. This is our home for 4 nights.
Innsbruck[B]
Monday, Jan 9th:
Choices today. Skiing? You may choose to ski or join your Tour Leader in an exploration of Innsbruck, the Imperial city of the Hapsburgs. We commence by riding a tramcar through snow decked forests down to Innsbruck below. Explore the mediaeval quarter and take a ride up the Hungerberg rack railway for a panorama of the Alps.
Innsbruck or a Day Trip to Salzburg [B]
Tuesday, Jan 10th:
Today, you may choose to ski, to potter about the village, to sit in front of the log fire, or to take the tram back down into Innsbruck to the shops. There is an optional excursion by Austrian InterCity train to Mozart's birthplace, Salzburg. There is plenty of time to wander the narrow cobble-stone streets or visit Mozart's house, now a museum.
Innsbruck [B]
Wednesday, Jan 11th:
Another quiet day in our Alpine haven - a good book in front of the log fire? Alternatively, your Tour Leader will assist you if you wish to make a visit to nearby Munich or the fairytale castle of Neuschwannstein.
To Paris [B]
Thursday, Jan 12th:
We take Austria's swishest train, the RailJet, through the Aarlberg Pass to Zurich, where we join the French TGV and are soon in Paris, the City of Lights. Some say that Paris, not Venice, is the worldÕs most romantic city. Our luggage awaits our arrival Our luggage awaits our arrival.
Paris & Versailles Palace[B]
Friday, Jan 13th:
Our morning sightseeing includes the Arc de Triomphe, Champs Elysees and Notre Dame Cathedral, ending up at the Louvre to say hello to Mona Lisa. An afternoon optional excursion is available to the Versailles Palace of King Louis XIV. Major decisions tonight: which of the thousands of excellent restaurants?
Paris [B]
Saturday, Jan 14th:
Museums? Department stores? Fashion boutiques? A very long lunch? Choices, choices. There is an optional excursion offered today to the Somme Battlefields of World War I. Here we visit sites sacred in Australia's national history.
Paris [B][D]
Sunday, Jan 15th:
A final free day in every true romantic's favourite city. A farewell dinner in Paris tonight, overlooking the twinkling Eiffel Tower.
Homeward Bound [B]
Monday, Jan 16th:
The tour ends after breakfast this morning. Either bid “au revoir”, to Paris and transfer to the airport for your homeward flight, join the Optional London Add-On, or surrender to the charms of Paris and simply stay on.
Tour costs:
$AUD 9,950 per person Twin Share. Land Content only (i.e. join the tour in Venice and leave the tour in Paris)
Enquire about competitive airfares.
Single Room supplement $AUD 2000.
What's included?^ Top ^
All Great Trains of Europe Tours include:
- First Class rail travel in reserved seats
- 4 star city centre hotels
- 5 three course dinners with drinks
- News Year's Eve banquet
- 19 buffet breakfasts
- Full luggage handling
- Local expert guides
- Full time Tour Leader who is the Tour Company Principal
The Traditional Grand Tour, departing December 27th 2010 also includes:
- Twin share accommodation with buffet breakfast in centrally located First Class (European 4 star) hotels with private facilities and heating.
- Restaurant dinner (3 courses plus wine or beer) on one night in each new city in Europe. This is usually the first night. In Prague this is on the second night (later train arrival, dine on the train); in Paris it is on the final night and takes the form of a farewell dinner.
- First Class rail travel in reserved seats on many of Europe's great trains - Glacier Express, German ICE, Eurocity, French TGV. (Second class seats only available on some sectors).
- Luggage handling between cities (except on Eurostar for London Add on).
The TOUR COST does NOT include:
- Hotel incidentals (eg. mini-bars, telephone calls, laundry),
- airport and departure taxes, local transport in any city,
- optional excursions listed or meals other than breakfast and the one restaurant dinner in each city - the first night in each new city, except Paris where it takes the form of a farewell dinner. On other nights, the Tour Leaders are available to accompany group members to local, authentic restaurants.
Dreaming of a White Christmas? ^ Top ^
Commences December 21st, 2011
Why not enjoy a White Christmas in a beautiful Swiss Alpine village (with opportunities to visit Christmas markets) before embarking on the Winter Wonderland Tour?
On your arrival at either Zurich or Geneva Airport on December 21st, there is a transfer to the picturesque Swiss Alpine village of Grindelwald, nestled under the North Face of the Eiger.
Settle in to the traditional chalet-style hotel which has been run by the same family for generations. Our hostess, current manager Gabriella, has been taking care of the Great Trains of Europe White Christmas Tour members for a number of years now. All have spoken very highly of her warm welcome, personal care and attention to detail.
The hotel is rated 3 stars and oozes Swiss charm. There are breathtaking Alpine views and a roaring log fire. We have reserved superior standard rooms with private facilities for our tour members. Every morning there is a buffet breakfast, and every evening a four course dinner is provided for our tour members. This includes the festivities of a special Christmas Dinner, as Swiss tradition dictates, on the night of Christmas Eve.
There is a beautiful church 50 metres away with a midnight service on Christmas Eve, should you wish to attend (pictured right).
Grindelwald is a snow sports fan's heaven. But if you are not a snow bunny, there are a million other things to do. Grindelwald is a hub for the Swiss mountain train networks, and there are many gondolas and cable cars to the Alpine peaks all around. It is an easy train ride to the cities of Berne, Basel and Zurich with their Christmas markets. The village itself offers excellent shopping and a wide variety of restaurants and coffee shops for lingering lazy lunches, before returning to the hotel to read or snooze in front of the log fire.
On December 28th (is it all over so soon?) you are escorted on the rail journey to Venice to commence the Winter Wonderland Tour.
White Christmas Add-On Cost: $AUD2750 per person twin share. Single supplement $AUD600
INCLUDES:
- 7 nights' accommodation in a superior standard room with private facilities in a 3 star hotel in the Swiss village of Grindelwald.
- 7 buffet breakfasts, 7 four course dinners including a Special Christmas Dinner on Christmas Eve.
- Transfer from Zurich or Geneva Airport to Grindelwald on Dec 21st; escorted rail transfer from Grindelwald to Venice on Dec 28th to commence the Winter Wonderland Tour.
Winter Wonderland Tour 2010 Optional Excursions: ^ Top ^
Glacier Express Add $275
Jan 3rd:
In even the shortest list of the world's great train journeys, the tiny red Glacier Express is featured. It is a long day, so we need to leave the hotel by 7.15am. Travelling by Intercity train via Berne and Zurich, we arrive in Chur. Here we board the Glacier Express for a never to be forgotten journey through a Winter Wonderland across the roof of the world - the watershed between the Rhine and the Danube River systems. Lunch is available in the Restaurant Car if you can drag yourself away from the panorama windows. In the afternoon we arrive in Brig and take a local train home to Interlaken, arriving by 5pm.
Dresden Add $125
Jan 6th:
Departing Prague after breakfast, our EuroCity train has us over the German border and to Dresden in a little over two hours. Dresden was said to be Germany's most beautiful city until carpet-bombed by the Allies in 1945. The baroque city is now re-emerging from the ashes. The restoration of the truly unique bell-shaped Frauenkirche cathedral has recently been completed. This is the home of Meissen porcelain, and Dresden boasts a Porcelain Museum as well as a magnificent collection of Old Masters in the Zwinger Gallery. Dresden is also home to the Semper Opera House. The city centre is quite compact and today's sightseeing is largely on foot.
Salzburg Add $275
Jan 10th:
This excursion includes the two hour rail journey from Innsbruck. On arrival in Salzburg we taxi into the old town and ride the rack railway to the top of the Hohensalzburg fortress for a panoramic view over the city. We explore the 12th century castle and upon our descent visit Salzburg cathedral where Mozart's father was organist and where the young genius first played. The Altstadt (old city) is very compact and an all-pedestrian zone. Mozart's birthplace is now a museum worth a visit.
Versailles Add $60
Jan 13th:
This afternoon's excursion to King Louis XIV's Palace of Versailles offers plenty for the history buff from the decadence of the Bourbon dynasty to the Hall of Mirrors where the Treaty of Versailles was signed. We have a tour through the apartments of the Palace. You will see why Marie Antoinette really let her head go over this place!
Somme Battlefields Tour Add $275
Jan 14th:
Departing our Paris hotel at 7.30am, we are in the province of Picardy, in North Eastern France for morning coffee before beginning our visits to the major battle fields and cemeteries associated with the horror of the first day of the Battle of the Somme. On that one day, July 1st 1916, 60,000 Allied soldiers fell. We visit the Newfoundland Memorial at Beaumont Hamel, the British Memorial at Thiepval and the Australian Memorials at Pozieres and Villiers-Brettoneux. Lunch in an atmospheric French country bistro is included.
London Optional Add-On $600 (sgl. suppl. $100)
Jan 16th:
Take another of the great rail journeys of the world - the high speed luxury Eurostar, under the English Channel to London. The first night in a boutique 4 star hotel and full English breakfast are included.
White Christmas Add-On Cost: $AUD600 per person twin share. Single supplement $AUD100
Optional Excursions offered subject to a minimum of 12 persons.
About the European Winter Wonderland Grand Tour
Tour Brochure & Booking Form (1.2MB PDF)
Note well: Booking Conditions « Tours index ^ Top ^