Excellent
Alpine Crossing Itinerary: Vienna to Milan
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Excellent
Trip curated by Roman Karin
ExpertThe Mount Pilatus Golden Round Trip is the experience I'd build the Swiss chapter around: ascending by cogwheel railway and returning by gondola, cable car, and lake boat creates a complete circuit of the mountain that a straight cable car return simply doesn't approach, and it's consistently the day clients mention first when they get home. Ambras Castle in Innsbruck is underestimated relative to the Nordkette cable car; the Habsburg art collection and the Renaissance garden offer a different relationship with Tyrolean imperial history than anything in the Old Town does. For the apple strudel and Salzburger Nockerl tasting in Salzburg, schedule it on a day with no other heavy meals; both are substantial, and the right sequence matters more than most people expect.
The Mount Pilatus Golden Round Trip is the experience I'd build the Swiss chapter around: ascending by cogwheel railway and returning by gondola, cable car, and lake boat creates a complete circuit of the mountain that a straight cable car return simply doesn't approach, and it's consistently the day clients mention first when they get home. Ambras Castle in Innsbruck is underestimated relative to the Nordkette cable car; the Habsburg art collection and the Renaissance garden offer a different relationship with Tyrolean imperial history than anything in the Old Town does. For the apple strudel and Salzburger Nockerl tasting in Salzburg, schedule it on a day with no other heavy meals; both are substantial, and the right sequence matters more than most people expect.
Recommended route
Customize at any time with an expert
Vienna
Day 1 - 3
Resting over the banks of the Danube River in northeastern Austria, Vienna, the country’s capital city, is famous for its classical music heritage and reflects an enticing blend of old and new. The historical centre is skyscraper-free and dotted with immaculate, charming little parks. It is also pedestrian friendly and extremely compact, which is convenient as this area contains the bulk of the city’s major tourist highlights. Chief among these are the famous Burgtheater and Opera House and an array of opulent baroque palaces lining the warren of narrow, medieval alleyways which wind their way around the magnificent St Stephen’s Cathedral. Add to this a slew of grand coffee houses and a rich history of classical music (residents included Mozart and Beethoven) and it becomes difficult to imagine a more livable city than the sophisticated metropolis of Vienna.
Your accommodation
Rosewood Vienna
With a stay at Rosewood Vienna, you'll be centrally located in Vienna, within a 5-minute walk of St. Stephen's Cathedral and Hofburg Imperial Palace. This luxury hotel is 0.6 mi (0.9 km) from Vienna State Opera and 0.7 mi (1.1 km) from Vienna Christmas Market.
Pamper yourself with a visit to the spa, which offers massages. This hotel also features complimentary wireless internet access, concierge services, and a living plant wall.
Make yourself at home in one of the 99 air-conditioned rooms featuring minibars and LCD televisions. Complimentary wireless internet access keeps you connected, and digital programming is available for your entertainment. Private bathrooms with separate bathtubs and showers feature designer toiletries and hair dryers. Conveniences include phones, as well as laptop-compatible safes and electric kettles.
Your activity
Vienna City Tour & Schönbrunn
This tour will give you an overall impression of the most significant historical sights of Vienna. Along the Ringstrasse we show you numerous grand buildings, such as the MAK, the State Opera House, the magnificent Museum of Fine Arts with its world famous art treasures of the Habsburgs and the Natural History Museum, the cultural district, the Museums Quartier, the Hofburg (the former Habsburg winter residence), the Parliament, the City Hall and the Burgtheater.
The highlight of this tour will be a visit of the showrooms of Schoenbrunn Palace, once the summer residence of the Habsburg family and home of Maria Theresia. On the way back to the opera we pass by the Belvedere Palace, the former summer residence of Prince Eugen, which houses the largest and the most precious Gustav Klimt collection in the world.
The walking tour includes the following:
City tour with Vienna’s most important sights
No waiting time at Schönbrunn Palace
Guided tour of the State Rooms
Entrance fee to Schönbrunn Palace
Salzburg
Day 4 - 6
Set near the German border, the famous city of Salzburg is one of the best-preserved city centres in Europe. Its winding cobblestone streets offer a treasure trove of Medieval and Baroque buildings, palaces, concert halls, and monasteries - all set against a picturesque backdrop of the magnificent snow-capped Alps. Visit the house where Mozart was born, and enjoy a packed lineup of operas, concerts and ballets in breathtaking historic halls and venues. The internationally renowned Salzburg Festival, which takes place every summer, provides the ultimate way to enjoy this scene. Fans of the Sound of Music can retrace the characters’ steps backed by stunning scenes and vistas. Make sure to stroll along the beautiful Salzach River, climb up to the spectacular Hohensalzburg fortress, and try the famous, delicious beer brewed at the Augustiner Braustubl, a monastery-run brewery operating since 1621.
Your accommodation
NH Collection Salzburg City
Located in Salzburg (City Centre Salzburg), NH Collection Salzburg City is within a 15-minute walk of Mirabell Palace and Getreidegasse. This hotel is 0.7 mi (1.1 km) from Salzburg Christmas Market and 1.4 mi (2.3 km) from Salzburg Cathedral.
Take advantage of recreation opportunities such as a fitness center or take in the view from a terrace and a garden. Additional features at this hotel include complimentary wireless internet access, concierge services, and a television in a common area.
Make yourself at home in one of the 140 air-conditioned rooms featuring minibars and flat-screen televisions. Your room comes with a pillowtop bed. Complimentary wireless internet access keeps you connected, and satellite programming is available for your entertainment. Private bathrooms with showers feature complimentary toiletries and hair dryers.
Your activity
Bavarian Mountains Tour
This tour embarks on a scenic adventure through the Bavarian Alps, departing from Salzburg. The tour will take you to the stunning Königssee (King's Lake) and the charming mountain town of Berchtesgaden.
Departing from Salzburg, you'll experience the beauty of the city center before heading towards the Bavarian Alps. The drive to Königssee will take about 50 minutes and will pass through the breathtaking scenery of the Bavarian Mountains. At Königssee, you'll have the opportunity to explore the shore of the lake and take in the views. Surrounded by steep mountain peaks, including the legendary Watzmann, this is an unforgettable experience.
Next, you’ll visit Berchtesgaden, a picturesque mountain town known for its panoramic alpine views. Take a stroll, enjoy some coffee and cake (not included in tour price), and experience the unique Bavarian lifestyle. You'll have approximately 50 minutes to explore the town.
Tip: Don't miss the breathtaking view from the lookout point at the Malerwinkel, accessible by a walk along the northern shore of the King's Lake.
Innsbruck
Day 7 - 8
Innsbruck, the capital of the Tyrol state in Austria, lies within the Alps. With its relatively mild Alpine climate and outdoor sports facilities impressive enough to thrill even the most adventurous extreme-sports enthusiast, this spectacular historic city is the perfect springboard for making the leap between the urban and the outdoors. See Emperor Maximilian’s glorious fifteenth-century influences in the Gothic Hofkerche Cathedral, the city’s landmark Goldenes Dachl (golden roof), and the remarkable Gothic and Baroque buildings strewn along the winding cobbled streets of its charming historic Altstadt (Old Town). Every year thousands of tourists are drawn to this delightful picture-perfect city presided over by the imposing jagged peaks of the Nordkette mountain range and the majestic Habsburg palace.
Your accommodation
Hotel Schwarzer Adler
A stay at Hotel Schwarzer Adler places you in the heart of Innsbruck, within a 5-minute walk of Hofgarten Park and Court Church. This boutique hotel is 0.2 mi (0.4 km) from Hofburg and 0.3 mi (0.5 km) from Tyrolean State Theatre.
Enjoy recreation amenities such as bicycles to rent or take in the view from a rooftop terrace. This hotel also features complimentary wireless internet access, concierge services, and ski storage.
Make yourself at home in one of the 50 guestrooms. Your bed comes with premium bedding, and all rooms are furnished with single sofa beds. Complimentary wireless internet access keeps you connected, and satellite programming is available for your entertainment. Bathrooms have showers and hair dryers.
Your activity
Visit of Ambras Castle
Ambras Castle is one of the most beautiful Renaissance castles in Europe and a highlight of any private tour in Innsbruck. Step into the fascinating world of the Habsburg dynasty, surrounded by magnificent architecture and priceless collections. Built by Archduke Ferdinand II, the castle is considered the world’s first museum. Here, he brought together an extraordinary collection that can still be experienced in its original setting today. The tour offers a unique insight into art, power, and collecting in the Renaissance period. A truly unforgettable cultural experience.
Zurich
Day 9 - 11
Zurich, or 'Zuri' as it is fondly known by its multicultural inhabitants, lies in northern Switzerland at the meeting point of a beautiful lake and river, with the magnificent snow-capped Swiss Alps standing guard high above it. This fairy tale city is renowned for its beauty, cleanliness, efficiency, and heritage. Explore medieval alleyways peppered with quirky corner cafes, steepled churches, trendy taprooms, and world-class galleries and restaurants. A day in Zurich can include browsing the unrivalled selection of luxury stores on it’s famous shopping strip, the Bahnhofstrasse; riding the Polybahn, the 19th-century funicular up a steep hill to admire the spectacular view; or ‘renting’ a free bike or skateboard to meander along the banks of picturesque Lake Zurich. The venerable palace of art at the Kunsthaus is also a major drawcard, containing numerous world-famous masterpieces.
Your accommodation
Townhouse Boutique Hotel
With a stay at Townhouse Boutique Hotel, you'll be centrally located in Zürich, within a 5-minute walk of Bahnhofstrasse and Lindenhof. This boutique hotel is 0.4 mi (0.6 km) from Swiss National Museum and 1.5 mi (2.4 km) from Zürich Opera House.
Take in the views from a rooftop terrace and make use of amenities such as complimentary wireless internet access and concierge services.
Make yourself at home in one of the 26 individually decorated guestrooms, featuring DVD players and flat-screen televisions. Your bed comes with down comforters and premium bedding. Complimentary wireless internet access keeps you connected, and satellite programming is available for your entertainment. Bathrooms feature showers, designer toiletries, and hair dryers.
Your activity
Golden Round trip - Mount Pilatus
Start and end your day in Zurich with a scenic journey through Central Switzerland to Kriens. From there, ride panoramic gondolas up to Fräkmüntegg and transfer to the Dragon Ride cable car. Ascend to the summit of Mount Pilatus at 2,132 meters, enjoying spectacular alpine views through the large windows. At the top, explore the interactive Dragon World, stroll along the scenic Dragon Trail, or take a short hike if weather permits. Relax on the terrace while soaking in breathtaking views of the Alps and surrounding lakes.
Enjoy a traditional Swiss meal at one of the mountaintop restaurants before experiencing the day’s highlight – a thrilling descent on the world’s steepest cogwheel railway to Alpnachstad. Conclude the tour with a relaxing one-hour boat cruise on Lake Lucerne, admiring the stunning scenery from a unique perspective, before returning comfortably to Zurich.
- Group size / Maximum number of people: 45
Milan
Day 12 - 14
The vibrant metropolis of Milan is the capital of Italy’s Lombardy region in northern Italy. Always at the forefront of international fashion, Milan’s sleek, glamorous facade has earned it a reputation for superficiality and excessive consumerism. However, beneath the surface lies a treasure trove of historical and architectural wonders—from its magnificent Gothic churches, Baroque mansions, and Art Nouveau palazzos to the striking modern skyscrapers of the Porta Nuova financial district. Must-see landmarks include the spectacular Milan Cathedral (Duomo), the glass-vaulted Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II, and of course, La Scala—one of the world’s most renowned opera houses. Milan offers something for everyone: those in search of high-end designer shopping will be more than satisfied, as will visitors interested in fascinating historical sites and extraordinary architectural achievements.
Your accommodation
Tivoli President Milano Hotel
A stay at Tivoli President Milano Hotel places you in the heart of Milan, within a 10-minute walk of Piazza del Duomo and Cathedral of Milan. This luxury hotel is 0.5 mi (0.8 km) from Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II and 0.3 mi (0.5 km) from Via Montenapoleone Fashion District.
Make use of convenient amenities such as complimentary wireless internet access, concierge services, and babysitting (surcharge). This hotel also features wedding services and a banquet hall.
Make yourself at home in one of the 239 guestrooms featuring minibars and flat-screen televisions. Your bed comes with down comforters and premium bedding. Satellite television is provided for your entertainment. Private bathrooms with shower/tub combinations feature rainfall showerheads and designer toiletries.
Your activity
Guided Walking Tour in Milan
Enjoy a private guided tour of Milan, led by your expert guide, and explore the city’s most iconic landmarks. Your experience begins with hotel pickup if your accommodation is located in the central area; otherwise, a convenient meeting point will be communicated. Start your adventure with a visit to the magnificent Duomo di Milano, where you will not only admire the stunning interior of this Gothic masterpiece but also have the chance to ascend to the terraces. With a ride in the elevator, you will reach the top for panoramic views of Milan, offering an unforgettable perspective of the city and the cathedral itself. The tour continues with external visits to the Sforza Castle, Colonne di San Lorenzo, and the famous Scala Opera House, among other important landmarks. Explore Milan’s rich history and culture as your guide shares fascinating insights along the way.
Starting time: 9:30 am approx.
