Compare A Grand Rail Adventure: Milan, The Alps & Vienna - Eastbound 2022 by Tauck vs Christmas Markets of Austria & Bavaria - Classic Group, Winter 2022 2023 by Insight Vacations
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| Trip |
4 | Great
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5 | Excellent
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| Duration | 8 days | 9 days |
| Price From | $ 12,690 | $ 2,473 |
| Price Per Day | $ 1,586 | $ 275 |
| Highlights |
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| Trip Style | Small group tour | Group tour |
| Lodging Level | Premium | Premium |
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| Countries Visited | ||
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| Flights & Transport | No | Airfare included |
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| Meals Included | N/A | N/A |
| Description |
A Tauck Exclusive private train, Golden Eagle Luxury Trains' Danube Express, takes you through Italy, Switzerland, Austria, and Liechtenstein in search of art, castles, wine, and cuisines, along some of the most scenic mountain railways in Europe. For Tauck guests only – limited departures with only 56 Tauck guests aboard, accompanied by two Tauck Directors for the utmost in personalized service. |
Journey through the snowcapped peaks of the Austrian Alps on this grand tour of Vienna’s Schönbrunn Palace, Salzburg’s 500-year-old Christmas Market and Munich’s six-story tall Christmas tree. Warm up with a mug or two of Glühwein at the Innsbruck Christmas Market before indulging in an exclusive Insight Choice, taking a horse and carriage ride through the romantic streets of the Old Town or a tour of the world of Swarovski Crystal. At the Salzburg Market Tasting experience, meet with a local market stallholder for an exclusive sampling of gingerbread, washed down with a glass of mulled wine. In Neuschwanstein, follow in Walt Disney’s footsteps on a tour of the fairytale-like castle that reputedly inspired him, complete with extravagant decorations and breathtaking views. |
Day 1 Arrive Milan
Tour begins: 6:00 PM. A transfer is included from Milan Malpensa Airport to the Excelsior Hotel Gallia, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Milan in the heart of the city, opposite the Central Station and close to the fashion district. Join us this evening for a welcome reception and dinner at the hotel.
MEALS : D
LODGING : Excelsior Hotel Gallia
PORTOFCALL : Milan, Italy
Day 2 A Taste of Milan
Discover the historic center of this modern metropolis known for sophistication, cutting-edge fashion, and art. Begin the day with a visit to the awe-inspiring Milan Cathedral (the Duomo). Built with Candoglia marble shipped from quarries around Lake Maggiore, the immense Duomo took 600 years to build and is still a work in progress, adorned with thousands of gargoyles and sculpted figures, soaring columns, vaulted ceilings, stained glass, and flying buttresses, and a rooftop terrace with breathtaking views. From the Duomo it's a short walk to a no-less impressive commercial cathedral, the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II, a 19th-century shopping arcade under a monumental glass and ironwork ceiling, housing a busy warren of boutiques, restaurants, bars and cafes. Or take a walking tour of the Brera District, a romantic bohemian neighborhood of narrow cobbled streets, galleries, and artisans' shops known as the Milanese Montmartre. Drive outside the city for a visit to a working farm, or cascina, where you'll get a tour and a hands-on cooking lesson in local cuisine, followed by lunch. Return to the city for free time on your own, then join us for dinner this evening at a local restaurant.
MEALS : B, L, D
LODGING : Excelsior Hotel Gallia
PORTOFCALL : Milan, Italy
Day 3 A Rail Journey to Remember
Depart for Como for a walking tour of its charming narrow streets and pastel houses beside enchanting Lake Como, lined with stately villas, terraces and promenades, against a dramatic backdrop of snow-capped mountains. Visit the 14th-century marble Duomo, decorated with tapestries, frescoes, and paintings, for an exclusive organ concert. Depart for Chiasso, Switzerland and board the Danube Express, your hotel on wheels for the next three nights. Have lunch aboard the train as you head for the St. Gotthard Pass en route to Zurich. A spectacular landscape of rugged granite mountains, plunging valleys, and mountain lakes, the St. Gotthard Pass links northern and southern Switzerland, making it historically and culturally significant as well as a breathtaking scenic journey. You'll also glide past stunning Lake Lucerne, where alpine mountains, meadows and forests roll down to meet its wandering shores. Dine aboard the Danube Express tonight.
MEALS : B, L, D
LODGING : Golden Eagle Danube Express
PORTOFCALL : Milan, Italy
Day 4 Zurich & Vaduz
Today a walking tour of Zurich begins with a visit to the Kunsthaus Museum of Art, whose collections of 4,000 paintings, sculptures, and installations include works by Monet, Munch, Picasso, and Van Gogh, as well as works dating back to the Middle Ages, with an emphasis on Swiss masters. Then explore Zurich's captivating Old Town with a local guide. Lunch on the train as you ride through scenic landscapes of mountains, farms, and villages to Vaduz in Liechtenstein. Nestled beside the Rhine, Vaduz, the nation's capital, is a fascinating city of art, eclectic architecture, and vantage points for panoramic views. A walking tour of the town's historic center is followed by an opportunity to view the clifftop medieval castle that is still the residence of the royal family; trails and overlooks on the grounds offer stunning, princely views of the valley, the imposing mountain range, and the entire city. Dine on board the train this evening.
MEALS : B, L, D
LODGING : Golden Eagle Danube Express
Day 5 Innsbruck & Lake Achen
Beside the striking Nordkette mountain range, Innsbruck is known as the Capital of the Alps, once a favorite retreat of the Habsburgs, who kept a lavish imperial residence here. Take a walking tour of Innsbruck's medieval old town with a local guide; after lunch the Danube Express travels the Semmering Pass through some of the most scenic landscapes in central Austria to Jenbach, where you'll travel up 1400 feet to fjord-like Lake Achen – so large it's sometimes called an inland sea – a popular destination for Austrians on summer holiday. Cruise the lake to a spit of land that can only be reached by boat or on foot; here you'll find a traditional Austrian tavern, beaches, a forest with hiking trails, and an alpine pasture – feel like a local and enjoy the natural surroundings. Return to the Danube Express for a farewell dinner and depart for Vienna.
MEALS : B, L, D
LODGING : Golden Eagle Danube Express
PORTOFCALL : Innsbruck, Austria
Day 6 A Grand Day in Vienna
Begin your day in Vienna with an exclusive concert with sparkling wine (or soft drinks) in an intimate setting, then return to the train for lunch. This afternoon you'll check into your premier hotel in the heart of the city, an Art Deco gem built in 1892, directly opposite the Vienna State Opera House. Later, join us for a private, after-hours tour of Schönbrunn Palace, the opulent Habsburg summer residence inspired by Versailles; your guided tour starts at the Gloriette, a hilltop Roman-style pavilion with a viewing platform overlooking the vast landscaped gardens, then continues on to the magnificent Imperial apartments of Emperor Franz Joseph and his wife Elisabeth. Dinner tonight is at the Cafe Residenz, a classic Viennese cafe in the eastern wing of the palace.
MEALS : B, L, D
LODGING : Hotel Bristol
PORTOFCALL : Vienna, Austria
Day 7 The Hofburg & Belvedere Palace
Get a tour of city sights today, featuring views of the Hofburg, the former Imperial Palace. Now the official home of the Austrian President and government offices, the Hofburg was a royal residence for over 600 years, begun as a medieval castle and expanded by each emperor to its imposing layout today, with 18 wings, 19 courtyards, and 2,600 rooms; your tour includes the lavishly restored apartments of Emperor Franz Joseph and Empress Elisabeth. Late this morning, visit the Belvedere Palace, former residence of Prince Eugene of Savoy, now a museum housing collections of Austrian art from the Middle Ages to the present, masterpieces by Impressionists including Monet and Van Gogh, and the world's largest collection of Gustav Klimt paintings. Enjoy free time to explore Vienna on your own, then join us for a farewell reception and dinner at your hotel.
MEALS : B, D
LODGING : Hotel Bristol
PORTOFCALL : Vienna, Austria
Day 8 Journey Home
Tour ends: Vienna. Fly home anytime. A transfer is included from the Hotel Bristol to Vienna International Airport. Allow at least three hours for flight check-in.
MEALS : B
PORTOFCALL : Vienna, Austria
Day 1: Welcome to Vienna
At Vienna airport, transfers for your hotel leave at 10:00, 13:00 and 15:30. Meet your Travel Director at 18:00 and travel to a local restaurant for your Welcome Dinner. Enjoy the opportunity to mingle with fellow guests over a delightful meal and wine.
Hilton Vienna Park.
Dinner with Wine
Day 2: Vienna sightseeing
At this time of year, the Austrian capital is a place of nostalgia and romance, with concerts, nativity displays and many official Advent Markets selling a vast array of seasonal gifts and mouth-watering treats. Explore Vienna with Insight Choice. Tour Schönbrunn Palace and marvel at its frescoed ceilings, crystal chandeliers and gilded ornaments. Alternatively, join a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience during an inclusive workshop and take to the floor in a Viennese Waltz dance workshop designed to support the visually impaired community. Then ready your camera for a dazzling drive around the famous Ring Road. This grand boulevard is built along the lines of the old city walls and showcases many of the capital’s architectural masterpieces, including the Opera House and Hofburg Imperial Residence. You also see the City Hall and its surrounding parklands, festively decorated in a sea of lights – the perfect setting for the Viennese Christmas Market.
Hilton Vienna Park.
Breakfast
Day 3: To Enchanting Salzburg Relaxed Start
Journey through the rich farmlands of eastern Austria towards the lakes and mountains of the Salzkammergut and the enchanting city of Salzburg.
ARCOTEL Castellani, Salzburg.
Breakfast, Dinner with Wine
Day 4: The City of Mozart Relaxed Start
Come December, the spires and domes of Salzburg’s old town are often draped in snow. Walk with your Local Expert to see Mozart’s family home on the Getreidegasse, beautifully decorated at this time of year. Visit Mozart's birthplace to learn more about his life, and sit down to a musical demonstration on his original pianoforte. Then head on to the rosy hues of the 500-year-old Christmas Market in front of the cathedral. Culinary delicacies, candied fruits, hot mulled wine and the lovingly decorated stalls invite visitors to stop and browse. Here your Travel Director will introduce you to a market stallholder to enjoy sampling a Viennese winter dessert, complemented perfectly with a traditional fragrant glass of Glühwein.
ARCOTEL Castellani, Salzburg.
Breakfast
Day 5: A scenic drive to Innsbruck Relaxed Start
A lovely drive brings you to the Inn Valley and the mountain-ringed Tyrolean capital of Innsbruck. Explore Innsbruck with Insight Choice, perhaps join a horse & carriage ride or visit the magical world of Swarovski Crystal. In the evening, enjoy a traditional meal accompanied by local Tyrolean entertainment and music.
AC Hotel Innsbruck.
Breakfast, Dinner with Wine
Day 6: Neuschwanstein and Oberammergau
Travel to the fairy-tale castle of Neuschwanstein, perched on a spectacular Alpine mountainside. With a Local Expert, visit the exuberantly decorated apartments, including the Throne Room, before continuing into the beautiful scenery of the German Alps to visit Oberammergau, home of the Passion Play since 1634. See the immense theatre and admire the colourful painted chalets before driving on to the Bavarian capital of Munich. Please note: Neuschwanstein Castle visits require a good level of mobility due to the number of stairs in the building and uphill, on-foot access to the castle during winter. Those who do not wish to ascend to the castle can enjoy a coffee and cake, while admiring the beautiful castle vista.
Munich Marriott Hotel.
Breakfast
Day 7: Munich Relaxed Start
Enjoy an orientation of the city which concludes in Marienplatz beside the soaring Town Hall, famous for its Glockenspiel. Beneath the gigantic Christmas tree, Munich’s traditional Christmas Market is an entrancing festival of light and music. In the evening, join your travelling companions at a local restaurant for a festive Celebration Dinner with wine and good cheer!
Munich Marriott Hotel.
Breakfast, Dinner with Wine
Day 8: Auf Wiedersehen Munich!
Your departure transfer arrives at Munich Airport at 07:00 and 09:00.
Breakfast
