ALPINE PEAKS, PASSES & WINE – 10 Days – Germany, Austria, Italy, Liechtenstein, Switzerland

Munich – Innsbruck – Bolzano – St. Moritz – Zurich

DAY 1 – ARRIVE MUNICH

Upon arrival at Munich airport or train station, your private transfer awaits you for a short drive to your hotel.

DAY 2 – MUNICH

This morning enjoy a private sightseeing tour of the Bavarian capital today that includes the famed Maximilianstrasse, the 17^th-century Residenz, and the Old Town hall. Join your local historian for a guided visit to the Baroque Nymphenburg Palace, built for the former rulers of Bavaria. Explore more of the Munich at your leisure this afternoon, or embark on a poignant visit to Dachau.

DAY 3 – BAVARIAN CASTLES – INNSBRUCK

Drive past Lake Tegernsee to the Bavarian Castle region. Framed by the imposing backdrop of Zugspitze, Germany’s highest peak, visit Neuschwanstein, inspiration for Disney’s Cinderella’s Castle. Continue past picturesque villages and snow-capped mountains to Austria’s Tyrol province, and Innsbruck.

DAY 4 – INNSBRUCK

Your local guide will bring Innsbruck’s Habsburg heritage to life during this morning’s tour. Visit Austria’s oldest continuously operated business, a bell foundry, then board a funicular directly in the center of town transporting you up the mountain to panoramic Seegrube restaurant for lunch. The afternoon is yours to explore the mountain trails, or the city, depending on your preferences.

DAY 5 – BRENNER PASS – BOLZANO

Motor across the Brenner Pass into the Italian Alto Adige region, better known by its German moniker Südtirol. Stop in the baroque town of Brixen, oldest town in Tyrol and a bishop’s seat since the year 901. Then continue to Bozen (Bolzano in Italian), and visit “Ötzi”, the world-famous ice man, at the archeological museum. Then, a short twenty-minute drive outside Bolzano, a local Lake Kalterer See winery beckons you to sample fantastic local Vernatsch whites, and enjoy a wine pairing dinner of local specialties.

DAY 6 – DOLOMITES EXCURSION

Today embark on a private tour deep into one of the most breathtaking part of the Alps: the Dolomites. Stops may include Lake Carezza, the spellbinding Fassa Valley, the stunning Sella group, Falzarego Pass, the winter sports resort of Cortina d’Ampezzo, and the lakes Misurina and Dobbiaco. If fine dining is your thing, we will be happy to include a stop at Norbert Niederkofler’s Michelin-starred Restaurant St. Hubertus.

DAY 7 – MERANO – LAKE RESCHENSEE – ST. MORITZ

Your journey takes you past fertile plains and apple orchards to the spa resort town of Meran. Stop to stroll through the medieval city gates, then continue along the Adige river to Naturns for an awe-inspiring visit at a little church called St. Prokulus, about a thousand years older than St. Peter’s in Rome and a recognized center of cosmic energy. Your next stop is Lake Reschensee, high up in the mountains and famous for the steeple of a submerged 14^th-century church; when the water freezes, this can be reached on foot. In the afternoon cross the border into Switzerland, and reach worldly St. Moritz.

DAY 8 – ST. MORITZ – LIECHTENSTEIN – ZURICH

Transfer to St. Moritz station this morning, and take a scenic train via Chur to principality of Liechtenstein, and its bucolic capital Vaduz where your private driver-guide awaits you at the platform. Tour the Prince’s private art collection, then return to Switzerland. Drive alongside Lake Zurich, and arrive at the eponymous city, famous for its fine hotels, and grand shopping and dining.

DAY 9 – ZURICH

Combine art, world history and your sweet tooth on today’s private tour. See famous Marc Chagall’s stained glass windows, then compare them to contemporary German artist Sigmar Polke’s luminous mosaics of thinly sliced agate across the way at Grossmünster. Continue to the house where Lenin choreographed the Bolshewik Revolution, and drop into the café that served as a birthplace for Dadaism. At long last arrive at Zurich’s most famous pastry shop for a sampling of their most delicious treats.

DAY 10 – DEPART ZURICH

Your private airport or station transfer collects you from your hotel after breakfast in time for your onward journey.