10 Days 9 Nights Alpine Holiday
Day 1
Arrival – Amsterdam
Upon arrival at Amsterdam Airport, we will be met by our tour escort and will commence with an Amsterdam sightseeing tour including the Dam Square, Royal Palace, New Church and a visit to the Rijksmuseum. Dinner and overnight at our hotel in the Amsterdam area.
Day 2
Heidelberg
Drive through the province of Utrecht and the World War II battlefields at Arnhem to the German Rhineland. There will be a lunchtime stop in Cologne for a visit to the spectacular Gothic cathedral and in the afternoon we will board an excursion steamer and cruise on the romantic Rhine past castle-crested cliffs, romantic vineyards and trim half-timbered towns. We will continue on to Heidelberg, Germany’s oldest university city of “Student Prince” fame. Dinner and overnight at our hotel in the Heidelberg area.
Day 3
Oberammergau
Before leaving Heidelberg, we will stop at its castle perched above the city and offering splendid views. Continue to picturesque medieval Rothenberg and in the afternoon follow the scenic Romantic Road. We will drive the short distance to Worms – an important center of the Reformation to see the impressive Monument to the Reformation and the Cathedral. Worms is the site of Luther’s trial for heresy. It was in the Cathedral, standing before the Holy Roman Emperor Charles V, that he uttered his faith affirming, death defying proclamation: “Here I stand. I can do no other. God help me.” Overnight in the peaceful Bavarian Alps, in or near the Passion Play village of Oberammergau.
Day 4
Oberammergau
Today’s activities will be the focus of our tour – Oberammergau, the Passion Play. In this charming setting, surrounded by unforgettable mountain views, we will share the last week of Christ’s life with the people of this village. Dinner and overnight.
Day 5
Lucerne
Choice photo stops this morning are the pretty Rococo church in Wies and Mad King Ludwig’s fanciful castle of Neuschwanstein. From here we will descend to Lake Constance—Europe’s largest sweet-water reservoir—and follow the course of the Rhine River up to the pocket-sized Principality of Liechtenstein. Later, drive the alpine heart of Switzerland, picture-book Lucerne. Overnight at Lake Lucerne.
Day 6
Lucerne
Lucerne reflects medieval heritage in its splendor. See the impressive city walls, the famous covered Wooden Bridge, ornate patrician houses lining cobbled streets and the impressive Lion Monument. We will have the balance of day at leisure. Dinner and overnight at our hotel.
Day 7
Lake Lucerne – Paris
We have an early morning departure today. Tidy villages and prosperous farms are our last Swiss impressions as we enter France near Easel. Speeding through Burgundy we will view some of the world’s most famous vineyards. Our guide will point out Fontainebleau Palace and Forest, a former hunting preserve of nobility, as we approach the splendid French capitol. Dinner and overnight Paris.
Day 8
Paris
Our sightseeing tour of Paris will take us through the Grand Boulevards, into narrow back streets and by great landmarks. We will see Concorde Square, the Louvre with the Carousel and visit Notre Dame Cathedral. Continuing we will take in the Arc de Triumph, the Eiffel Tower, Champs Elysees, the Opera house and the Madeleine Church. The afternoon is at leisure to pursue personal interests such as visiting museums, shopping, or relaxing. Dinner and overnight.
Day 9
Brussels – Amsterdam
Today sightseeing will begin with a drive north to Brussels, the Belgian capital. A sightseeing tour will include the Grand Palace, the Palace of Justice and the Royal Palace. In the afternoon we will continue our journey by driving via Antwerp ending the day in the Netherlands. Dinner and overnight.
Day 10
Departure
We proceed to the airport for our flight home