Snowy Alps and Emerald Countryside: 15-Day Tour of Austria and Switzerland

You will spend your morning in Vienna pleasantly pedaling an e-bike across river bridges to chic cafés and down quiet back alleys to boutique Austrian artisanal stores. Towering spires will rise to the clouds, teal-roofed palaces will command glamorous town squares, and ancient statues will reveal Vienna’s history. You will capture Vienna in all its royal charm before you meet your private transfer and head for the medieval towns of Salzburg. As you step outside of your accommodation, onto the streets of Salzburg, you will absorb spellbinding views of the sunshine dancing off the Eastern Alps’ snowy peaks.

The city of Salzburg is surrounded by incredible natural scenes of sparkling lakes, imposing mountain summits, and sweeping sage hillsides. You will capture remarkable images of Austria’s western landscapes as you journey from the city along the banks of the King’s Lake to the former second hilltop headquarters of the Third Reich in Obersalzberg. Your drive will continue down the valley to the century-old salt mine of Berchtesgaden. A train will guide you into the mountain, and you will soon admire the astonishing subterranean scenes as you cross underground lakes by boat.

Backdrops of Mount Rigi and Mount Pilatus, panoramas of Switzerland’s snow-capped mountains, and scenes of a cityscape steeped in medieval history will set the stage for your three-night stay in Lucerne. There is plenty to see and do, and you will spend your first afternoon here leisurely wandering around town and acclimating to Lucerne’s unique atmosphere. You may cross the oldest covered bridges in Europe, wander cobblestone streets, and pass by meticulously preserved frescoes painted across the walls of ancient buildings. Finally, you may enjoy a light stroll along the stunning lake that Lucerne is named after.

The capital of the canton of Nidwalden in Switzerland, Stans, is a gateway to the powdery white snow-capped peaks and luxuriant emerald shrub-covered landscapes that dominate Switzerland’s central highlands. Several distinct types of trains will whisk you from Lucerne to Stans, with an oldtimer funicular rail wagon being one of the most unique and exciting modes of transport from one station to the other. The final leg of your thrilling topography tour of Switzerland involves a trip to the top of the soaring summit in an open-air cable car. The lofty views from the revolving restaurants will be jaw-dropping.

Cable cars will allow you to explore many of Switzerland’s mighty mountains, and your tour today will lead you to the summit of Mount Rigi. Floating to the tip of the mountain, you will look down across the enormous Lake Lucerne and spot the silhouette of the Bernese Alps. A little village square and mineral baths designed by famous Swiss architect, Mario Botta, await your arrival. You may indulge in the vitalizing waters high up in the Swiss mountains, hike along sensational trails weaving through the flourishing forests, or head to the Alpine town of Engelberg to watch the cheesemakers.

Grindelwald is the starting point to Switzerland’s extraordinary mountain activities and experiences that are set against a backdrop of white-tipped peaks, sprawling olive-green fields, and historic wooden towns. Your stay in resort towns and exquisite suites within the region will be loaded with exhilarating opportunities to explore the Bernese Alps, beginning with a zip-lining adventure high up above the cascading countryside. A towering cliff walk, peaceful gondola trip, and lofty cable-car ride are but a few of the activities that you may partake in during your first stay in Grindelwald.

Today, you will pass the bucolic pastures en route to the top of Grütschalp via cable car, where you will board a narrow-gauge train bound for Mürren. A short walk will lie between you and the charming hillside town of Schilthornbahn, where you may access gondolas leading to the Birg and Schilthorn summit. The fairytale views of massive rocky precipices, grassy high grounds, and cloud-scraping peaks will seduce you during your strolls through the alps. Later on, you may stand on observation decks hanging over the treacherous Trümmelbach Falls and explore the mountainside caves.

Relish a train trip across Jungfraujoch, a saddle in the Bernese Alps connecting two monstrous mountains, and step out into the icy world that awaits you in this high altitude region. Feel the ice crunch beneath your feet, embrace the brisk chill in the air, and gaze out across one of the most mesmerizing mountaintop views you will ever witness. A few more train trips from here will allow you to absorb the incredible scenery from various vantage points and you will continue back to Grindelwald after your extensive mountain loop.

The car-free mountain village of Zermatt is a dreamy escape nestled at the foothills of the Matterhorn Mountain. After arriving, you will spend your day exploring the surrounding hilltops by train, beginning with a journey to Gornergrat. You will appreciate the bewitching views of jagged peaks and sprawling grass-covered hills as you stroll along trekking trails and discover the quiet towns peppering the Swiss highlands. You will enjoy incredible panoramas and traceback Swiss history as you visit observation points and heritage sites stationed on the summits of Zermatt’s neighboring mountains.

Zermatt is an entry point to Switzerland’s impressive alpine regions and captivating snowy mountain peaks, and you will revel in a skiing expedition across these white-veiled summits today. You will sit comfortably on a ski lift ascending thousands of meters above sea level and bask in the breathtaking vistas of 38 mountains and 14 glaciers spanning the French, Italian, and Swiss Alps. You will race down the powdery slopes and experience the thrill of skiing in one of the world’s best ski destinations during your morning and afternoon around Zermatt.

Boasting sublime mountaineering and skiing activities, your free day in Zermatt today is yours to enjoy at your own pace whether you wish to partake in the adventurous experiences or relax and unwind around town. You may explore the many beautiful trails that weave through the mountains, hurtle down the steep ski slopes, or wander around the welcoming village in search of delectable Swiss cuisine. There is something for everyone in Zermatt, and it is entirely up to you how you spend your day off in the Swiss Alps.

You will spend your final few days in Switzerland enjoying the many opportunities to immerse yourself in Swiss heritage and culture within the ravishing northern city of Zurich. The lakeside getaway is known for its pristine boulevards that run alongside the glimmering Limmat River, endearing promenade that hugs Lake Zurich, and the pre-medieval history that shrouds it's decorated town museums. You may spend your first moments in Zurich slowly soaking up the atmosphere and exploring the many curiosities of the Swiss town in museums, halls, and village squares.

The waterways that connect the neighborhoods of Zurich are a delight to explore, and you will cross them by boat today on a kitted-out vessel. The tour will showcase the two fantastic worlds of water in Zurich, the first being the bustling lakeside atmosphere that encapsulates the canal at Pfäffikon and the second being the calm and tranquil ambiance of the upper lake. Near town, superyachts and cruisers chart the busy channels whereas the upper lake protects the untouched natural beauty that veils Zurich Bürkliplatz.

Zurich is the perfect place to bring your extravagant exploration of Austria and Switzerland to an end. The views from your terrace will be attractive scenes of the glassy lake, turquoise river, and spirited town squares. You may enjoy these scenes as you sip on a fresh cup of coffee and tuck into a sumptuous breakfast spread. Afterward, you will pack your things and meet your private transfer who will whisk you away to the international airport to catch your flight back home.