13-Day Alpine & Adriatic Escape: Italy, Switzerland, Austria & Slovenia

DAY 1 | Saturday – Depart for Italy

Start your unforgettable journey through Italy, Switzerland, Austria, and Slovenia. Fly to Milan and prepare for a 13-day adventure across majestic lakes, Alpine peaks, historic cities, and cultural treasures.

DAY 2 | Sunday – Arrive in Milan, Transfer to Lecco

Arrive in Milan and transfer to your hotel in Lecco, overlooking the stunning Lake Como. Evening orientation meeting at 6 PM with your Tour Manager, followed by dinner. Spend your first evening soaking in the spectacular lake and mountain views.

Overnight: Lecco | Meals: Dinner

DAY 3 | Monday – Bellagio Village & Lake Como Cruise

Visit the charming village of Bellagio, “The Pearl of Lake Como,” with its narrow streets, quaint boutiques, and elegant gardens at Villa Melzi or Villa Serbelloni. In the afternoon, embark on a scenic Lake Como cruise, passing grand historic villas, lakeside villages, and the breathtaking Alpine backdrop. Return to Lecco to explore the town at leisure.

Overnight: Lecco | Meals: Breakfast

DAY 4 | Tuesday – Lake Lugano, St. Gotthard Tunnel & Lucerne Old City

Travel to Lugano in Switzerland’s Italian-speaking Ticino region, blending Mediterranean charm with Alpine scenery. Continue north through the St. Gotthard Tunnel, marveling at Alpine vistas. Arrive in Lucerne and enjoy a guided walking tour of its lakeside Old Town, including:

• Lion Monument

• 14th century Chapel Bridge

• Picturesque cobbled streets

Dinner at a local restaurant in Lucerne.

Overnight: Lucerne | Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

DAY 5 | Wednesday – Full Day in Lucerne

A day at leisure in Lucerne for independent exploration. Stroll along the lakeside, shop for Swiss chocolates and watches, or join the optional Mount Pilatus Tour via cogwheel railway and cable car (weather permitting).

Overnight: Lucerne | Meals: Breakfast

DAY 6 | Thursday – Liechtenstein & Innsbruck

Travel to the fairytale Principality of Liechtenstein with a brief stop in Vaduz. Continue to Innsbruck, Austria, in the heart of the Tyrolean Alps. City highlights include:

• Golden Roof

• St. James Cathedral

• Imperial Palace

• Olympic Ski Jump

Dinner at the hotel.

Overnight: Innsbruck | Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

DAY 7 | Friday – Salzburg City Tour

Arrive in Salzburg, the birthplace of Mozart and the iconic setting of The Sound of Music. Guided walking tour highlights:

• Mozart’s Birthplace

• Charming squares

• Mirabell Gardens

Afternoon free to explore Salzburg independently.

Overnight: Salzburg | Meals: Breakfast

DAY 8 | Saturday – Salzburg at Leisure / Optional Eagle’s Nest Tour

A day to further explore Salzburg or join an optional excursion to Obersalzberg and Hitler’s Eagle’s Nest (May-Oct) or the Austrian Alps & Sound of Music Tour (Nov-Apr). Other options include:

• Hohensalzburg Fortress

• Shopping along Getreidegasse

Dinner at a local restaurant.

Overnight: Salzburg | Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

DAY 9 | Sunday – Travel to Vienna

Journey to Vienna, the magnificent Austrian capital and former Habsburg seat. Explore elegant streets, gardens, and world-class museums. Dinner at a traditional Viennese tavern.

Overnight: Vienna | Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

DAY 10 | Monday – Vienna City Tour

Tour Schonbrunn Palace, the summer residence of Habsburg emperors. Drive along Ringstrasse to view:

• Empress Maria Theresa Monument

• Votive Church

• City Hall & Parliament

• Hofburg Palace

• State Opera House

Optional evening Mozart & Strauss recital available.

Overnight: Vienna | Meals: Breakfast

DAY 11 | Tuesday – Graz & Ljubljana

Travel south to Graz, Austria’s medieval Old Town. Afternoon crossing into Slovenia, arriving in Ljubljana for a guided city tour highlighting:

• Open-air market

• City Hall & Robba Fountain

• Triple Bridge

• Parliament

Check in to your hotel in Ljubljana.

Overnight: Ljubljana | Meals: Breakfast

DAY 12 | Wednesday – Bled Castle & Bled Island

Visit the dramatic Bled Castle, perched high above Lake Bled. Stroll the castle grounds and museum before boarding a traditional pletna boat to Bled Island. Explore the church and art collection, then return to Ljubljana for a traditional Slovenian farewell dinner.

Overnight: Ljubljana | Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

DAY 13 | Thursday – Depart Slovenia

Transfer to the airport for your departure flight, concluding a magical journey through the heart of the Alps and Adriatic.

Meals: Breakfast

Tour Highlights

• Small groups with maximum 22 travelers for intimate experiences

• Scenic Lake Como cruise & visit to Bellagio

• Explore Lucerne with its medieval streets, Chapel Bridge & Lion Monument

• Scenic Alpine journey through Liechtenstein, Innsbruck & Tyrolean Alps

• Salzburg, Mozart’s birthplace & Sound of Music filming locations

• Vienna city tour including Schonbrunn Palace

• Ljubljana & Lake Bled, with pletna boat ride and castle tour

• UNESCO and cultural highlights at every destination

Package Includes

• Flights: New York–Milan / Ljubljana–New York (other cities available)

• 11 nights accommodations: Lecco (2), Lucerne (2), Innsbruck (1), Salzburg (2), Vienna (2), Ljubljana (2)

• 17 meals: 11 breakfasts, 6 dinners

• All sightseeing per itinerary, air-conditioned motorcoach, English-speaking Tour Manager

• Hotel taxes, porterage, wireless earphones, entrance fees, tips for guides & staff

Special Features

• Cruise Lake Como for panoramic Alpine views

• Discover Lucerne’s Chapel Bridge & medieval Old Town

• Explore Salzburg’s Baroque charm & optional Eagle’s Nest tour

• Schonbrunn Palace and Vienna’s elegant architecture

• Tour Ljubljana’s open-air market & historic center

• Bled Castle and traditional pletna boat ride on Lake Bled

Optional Tours

• Mount Pilatus (Lucerne)

• Eagle’s Nest / Austrian Alps & Sound of Music (Salzburg)

• Mozart & Strauss Recital (Vienna)