Overview
Take in views of Italy’s Lake Carezza, a small, emerald-green mountain lake, and see the spectacular Austrian and Italian Tyrolean Alps. Discover Switzerland’s Engadine National Park, considered by some to be the world’s most beautiful mountain area with deep-blue lakes and mountain peaks exceeding 12,000 feet; experience beautiful Lake Como, one of Europe’s deepest lakes; car-free Zermatt, a picturesque cluster of rustic chalets beneath the Matterhorn, and much more. But it is not all about alpine scenery; you will also get to know Turin, an Italian city set at the foot of the Alps, and on the included city tour, you’ll discover the secret treasures the former Italian capital has to offer. In Bavaria, you will visit charming Linderhof Castle, the smallest but maybe the most elegant of King Ludwig’s three fairy-tale castles.
One of the highlights of this Alpine tour is a memorable trip aboard the Glacier Express. From your train windows, marvel at the thundering waterfalls, impressive snow-capped peaks, forests, lush meadows, and picture-perfect villages. Passing over hundreds of bridges and through dozens of tunnels, this is Switzerland’s most famous mountain railway along with the journey aboard the Bernina Express from St Moritz to Tirano, Italy. Traveling on the highest railway across the Alps, witness glistening glaciers, stunning mountain streams, and alpine scenery. You will have many opportunities to practice your photographic skills on this amazing Alpine tour designed for savvy travel lovers! It’s a dream vacation!
13 Days
Munich
Zurich
Classic
3 - 3.5 Star
Affordable
5-99 Years
47
Fully Guided
Itinerary
Check into your hotel. The rest of the day is free to explore this delightful Bavarian capital with the help of the CosmosGo app. This evening, meet up with your Tour Director and travel companions.
A fascinating itinerary today. First, see Munich's most famous square Marienplatz, then head south to visit Linderhof Castle—the smallest of the three Bavarian fairytale palaces commissioned by King Ludwig II and inspired by Louis XIV's Versailles. The rococo-style Linderhof is surrounded by splendid Italian Renaissance gardens. Continue into Austria through the scenic Inn Valley to Innsbruck to admire its fascinating town center and historic Golden Roof. Today's Distance: 140 mi/ 225 km (B/D)
As you cross from the Austrian to the Italian Tyrol, witness glorious alpine landscapes as you head to visit Novacella Abbey, a Baroque masterpiece still inhabited by Augustinian monks. Also stop in Brunico, a picturesque town combining international flair with Alpine traditions. Feast on breathtaking views as you travel through the splendid Dolomites, UNESCO World Heritage Site, to the celebrated winter resort of Cortina d'Ampezzo. Today's Distance: 134 mi/ 215 km (B)
This morning, travel through the spectacular Dolomites, then over Falzarego and Pordoi Passes. Stop at enchanting Lake Carezza to admire its brilliant rainbow hues. Search for the beautiful mermaid who, according to legend, hid here from the romantic pursuits of a powerful wizard. On to Bolzano, home to the famous “Ice Man Ötzi” from the Bronze Age. Today's Distance: 81 mi/ 130 km (B)
Enjoy the visit to Glorenza, the smallest fortified city in Tyrol and ideally situated where Switzerland, Austria, and Italy meet. Via Tubre Pass, descend into Engadine National Park's 66 square miles of unspoiled nature with deep blue lakes, airy larch forests that turn golden in the fall, 12,000-foot-high peaks, and quaint villages with characteristic Grisons-style homes. Continue to glamorous St. Moritz, the oldest and most famous winter resort in the world. Today's Distance: 130 mi/ 210 km (B/D)
A whole day to do as you please in this stylish Swiss spa resort. Enjoy the stunning mountain scenery, hiking opportunities, and superb shopping. (B)
Today, experience a memorable trip aboard the Bernina Express Train. Crossing the Alps to Tirano in Italy, this spectacular rail journey takes you to altitudes greater than 7,000 feet. Later, rejoin your motorcoach and head to the shores of Lake Como, Italy's third-largest lake and one of the deepest in Europe. Today's Distance by coach: 127 mi/ 205 km (B)
Travel through the Po Valley to Turin, birthplace of Fiat automobiles and home to the legendary Holy Shroud. Upon arrival, visit all the major sites with a Local Guide. Today's Distance: 149 mi/ 240 km (B)
Depart Turin and cross the border into Switzerland, heading toward beautiful Lake Lugano and the stylish city of the same name. Enjoy time to stroll along the lakeside promenade, window‑shop on elegant Via Nassa, or sip an espresso in Piazza Riforma.
Continue on to Andermatt and experience one of the highlights of your tour: the world‑renowned Glacier Express. Board Switzerland's most famous mountain railway, which travels over hundreds of bridges and through dozens of tunnels, offering spectacular panoramic views of the Swiss Alps, surrounding valleys, forests, alpine meadows, rushing streams, and picture‑perfect villages. Arrive in the Zermatt area, a charming alpine destination nestled amid Switzerland's iconic peaks. Today's Distance: 250 mi/ 405 km (B/D)
Spend the entire day in this well-known mountain resort, situated in the shadow of the legendary Matterhorn. Stroll along the narrow, traffic-free streets lined with a variety of shops, cafés, and bars. Take your day higher with a breath of fresh air on an optional cog-railway ride on the Gornergrat Bahn, lifting you and your spirits up to 10,132 ft for stunning views of the Matterhorn. (B)
Travel by motorcoach into the dramatically different landscape of the charming Lucerne region. Spend time at the foot of Mount Stanserhorn, or opt for an optional funicular ride followed by a journey aboard the world's first double‑decker, open‑top aerial cable car to the summit. Afterwards, enjoy free time in Lucerne. Today's Distance by coach: 127 mi/ 205 km (B)
Cross Brünig Pass and continue to Interlaken. Along the way, take photos of the Jungfrau massif with its three legendary peaks: Jungfrau, Mönch, and Eiger. Travel through some of the country's best farmland to the Swiss capital, Bern, where sightseeing includes the bear park and the Federal Palace. Then, continue to Zurich. Today's Distance: 186 mi/ 300 km (B)
Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning. (B)
Trip Inclusions
- Orientation tour of Munich
- Visit to King Ludwig's Linderhof Castle
- Visit to Innsbruck
- Visit to Novacella Abbey
- Visit to Brunico
- Stop at Lake Carezza
- Orientation tour of Bolzano
- Orientation tour of Glorenza
- Bernina Express train from St. Moritz to Tirano
- Guided sightseeing tour of Turin
- Scenic Glacier Express train
- Orientation tour of Zermatt
- Visit to Lucerne
- Orientation tour of Interlaken
- Guided sightseeing in Bern, including a visit to the Bear Park
- The world is within reach with everything you need for perfectly affordable touring. Cosmos includes hand-selected accommodations, guided sightseeing, and seamless transportation between destinations—with value-minded travel lovers in mind. Explore with expert Cosmos Tour Directors and Local Guides, complimentary headsets, and private, first-class, air-conditioned motorcoach with free Wi-Fi.
- Buffet breakfasts daily, 3 Dinners
- Munich Area: NH Muenchen Messe (First-Class)
- Innsbruck Area: Bon Alpina (Superior Tourist-Class)
- Cortina D'Ampezzo: B&B Hotel Cortina Passo Tre Croci (Superior Tourist-Class)
- Bolzano: Four Points by Sheraton Bolzano (First-Class)
- Bolzano: B&B Hotel Bolzano (First-Class)
- St. Moritz: Hotel Baeren (Superior Tourist-Class)
- Lake Como: B&B Como City Center (Superior Tourist-Class)
- Turin: Holiday Inn Corso Francia (First-Class)
- Zermatt Area: Hotel Taescherhof (Superior Tourist-Class)
- Lucerne Area: Drei Koenige (Superior Tourist-Class)
- Zurich: Züri by Fassbind
- Airport transfers at your arrival and departure destination are not included in the price of the tour.
- Itinerary and inclusions subject to change.
- Price is for land, cruise and specified internal flights. International flights not included.
- High altitudes may be challenging for some guests. St. Moritz elevation is 5,978 ft (1,822 m).
- This tour includes rail travel. Uneven terrain and stairs in some train stations may pose challenges for guests with physical limitations or reliant on mobility devices such as wheelchairs.
Operator
Enjoy inside visits to Europe's the must-see sites with a great mix of included excursions, free time and affordable value. Read more
Cosmos build free time into every one of their vacations, so you can eat, shop, and explore the way you want. Read more
Cosmos' easy going, fun-filled and multilingual Tour Directors and Local Guides love exploring as much as you do. Read more
Trip Reviews (35)
Finally the booking process with Global Journey’s and my agent Hannah was both user friendly and faultless. Thank you.
Very good, organised Tour Director Zsofia and coach driver Michele. We were very impressed by the prompt action Cosmos took in organising a temporary coach and driver to meet us off the Glacier Express to drive us to Lucerne. Michele and the coach were held up by a fatal traffic accident only an hour after leaving Tasch. We were fortunate that the cities in Switzerland are close together and that there was a spare driver and coach in a nearby city awaiting the start of a tour who could assist.
My favourite area was the Dolomites mountains. Other favourites: in St Moritz we were provided with a free local transport card and used this to travel by local train then cable car to La Diavolezza - lots of snow and fabulous photos. Lucerne was beautiful and Turin was a pleasant surprise. I highly recommend this tour - just go!!
The read more tour itself was incredible. Over 13 breathtaking days, we travelled the mountains and valleys of Italy and Switzerland (briefly in Germany and Austria) with incredible food, tours and overnight stays. One quick tip - make sure you get enough sleep! The tour can be tiring if you're falling behind on rest. We both loved our experience and will definitely book with Global Journeys and Cosmos again!
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Cosmos Europe (2026)
Enjoy handpicked hotels, the insight of skilled Tour Directors, guided more explorations led by knowledgeable Local Guides, and worry-free transportation - all curated to ensure each journey is effortless and enriching. From legendary landmarks to stunning natural wonders, now is the perfect time to explore Europe’s treasures—without stretching your budget. Travellers trust Cosmos for seamless planning and incredible value, so all that’s left is to pack and simply say, “Let’s go!”
Dates & Pricing
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A definite departure means minimum numbers have been reached for this departure to operate. Your Global Journeys Travel Advisor will check the availability of your departure date when you Inquire. Additional savings may apply. T&C’s apply.
Tour & cruises prices are per person. Prices shown have savings applied, are subject to availability and may be withdrawn at any time without notice. Pricing and trip details are correct at this point in time, however are subject to confirmation at the time of booking and are subject to change by Cosmos. For cruise itineraries, cabin images are sourced from the cruise-line and should be treated as indicative only. Cabin inclusions, upholsteries and room layout may differ to the image(s) shown depending on the ship selected and your sailing dates.
