Overview
Every day you’ll marvel at stunning scenery: lush dairy pastures, picturesque quaint villages, imposing peaks, and enchanting forests. Visit Novacella read more Abbey in South Tyrol and Cortina d'Ampezzo, home of the 1956 and 2026 Winter Olympics in the spectacular Italian Dolomites, called the Italian "Rocky Mountains." 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; car-free Zermatt, a picturesque cluster of rustic chalets beneath the Matterhorn, and much more. 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!
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
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
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 Trento, home to one of Italy's top universities. Today's Distance: 106 mi/ 170 km
Enjoy a leisurely day in Trento. Maybe go for a walk in the historic centre or try Trentodoc sparkling wine accompanied by some local specialties. Alternatively choose one of our optional excursions to enhance your free time.
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: 135 mi/ 218 km
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, head back to St. Moritz and enjoy some free time on your own.
Today, another highlight of your tour: the world-renowned Glacier Express Train. Board Switzerland's most famous mountain railway, which passes over hundreds of bridges and through dozens of tunnels to give unique panoramic views of the Swiss Alps and surrounding valleys, forests, alpine meadows, rushing streams, and picture-perfect villages.
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.
Travel through the spectacular Matter Valley, where traditional alpine villages, wooden chalets, and mountain streams set the tone for a truly Swiss experience. Arrive in Interlaken, the famous resort town nestled between Lake Thun and Lake Brienz. Continue your scenic coach ride along the turquoise waters of Lake Brienz, then climb over the picturesque Brünig Pass and arrive in Lucerne where medieval architecture meets stunning natural beauty. Today's Distance: 112 mi/ 180 km
Today, sit back and enjoy a leisurely drive through the heart of central Switzerland. Arrive in Zurich, Switzerland's largest city and a lively hub of culture, shopping, and history. Today's Distance: 33 mi/ 53 km
Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning.
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 Trento
- Orientation tour of Glorenza
- Bernina Express train from St. Moritz to Tirano
- Scenic Glacier Express train
- Orientation tour of Zermatt
- Visit to Lucerne
- Orientation tour of Interlaken
- 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, 1 Lunch, 3 Dinner
- Munich: 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)
- Trento: Grand Hotel Trento (First-Class)
- St. Moritz: Hotel Baeren (Superior Tourist-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.
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 holidays, 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 (37)
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!
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 Enquire. 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.
