Romantic Villages of Alpine Europe

16 days
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Tucked in the valleys of the Alps lie some of Europe’s most charming villages, which you can discover on our comprehensive Alpine Europe tour. Each has a style all its own—you can unwind in graceful Stresa, Italy’s garden-filled resort on the shores of Lake Maggiore. Relax in Interlaken, a Swiss vacation spot set amid two picturesque lakes and surrounded by s...
From$3,995
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Overview

Trip type
Group Tour
Lodging level
Standard - 3 star
Physical level
Easy
Trip pace
Balanced schedule

Highlights

    • Enjoy a walking tour of scenic Stresa
    • Visit Lake Brienz
    • Enjoy an exclusive Discovery Series visit to a local distillery in Triesen
    • Enjoy Interlaken tour
    • Experience walking tour in Seefeld
    • Opportunity to visit Innsbruck and see most of its medieval buildings, including its Baroque Cathedral
    • Explore the Borromean Islands

What's this trip about?

    Tucked in the valleys of the Alps lie some of Europe’s most charming villages, which you can discover on our comprehensive Alpine Europe tour. Each has a style all its own—you can unwind in graceful Stresa, Italy’s garden-filled resort on the shores of Lake Maggiore. Relax in Interlaken, a Swiss vacation spot set amid two picturesque lakes and surrounded by stunning Alpine peaks. Enjoy the charm of Seefeld, in Austrian Tyrol and the bustle of the Bavarian metropolis of Munich, Germany. As you journey across international and cultural borders, our exclusive Discovery Series events will enhance your explorations, with discussions about food, heritage, and history.

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Details

Itinerary focusActive and Outdoor Sports
Group sizeStandard Group - 25 + people
Age rangeNo age restrictions
Flights and transportAll internal transport included (including local flights)
Start CityStresa
End CityMunich

Travel Themes

  • Cultural
  • Local Immersion & Homestays
  • Overland Journeys
  • Transformative

Destinations

Attractions

  • Innsbruck
  • Munich
  • Zermatt

Activities

  • Culture
  • Historic sightseeing
  • History
  • Homestays & Cultural Immersion
  • Nature

Trip includes

    • Choose to purchase Grand Circle's airfare, and your airport transfers, government taxes, fees, and airline fuel surcharges are included. Or, make your own air arrangements
    • Accommodations for 14 nights in comfortable rooms with private baths
    • 24 meals: 14 breakfasts, 3 lunches, and 7 dinners (including 1 Home-Hosted Dinner)
    • 16 included features: 9 guided tours and 7 exclusive Discovery Series events: Fresh Produce & Regional Fare discussion and tasting • Switzerland Today discussion • Woodcarving museum • Swiss farm visit • Home-Hosted Dinner • Liechtenstein distillery visit • Women of World War II discussion
    • Exclusive services of a local Grand Circle Program Director (assigned to no more than 42 travelers)
    • Gratuities on your main trip for local guides and motorcoach drivers
    • Personal headset for all included and optional tours on your main trip
    • Private motorcoach land travel
    • Baggage handling for 1 piece of luggage per person, including tips
    • 5% Frequent Traveler Credit toward your next Grand Circle trip—an average of $272

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Itinerary

Travel Map

Day 1: Depart U.S.

Depart today on your flight to Italy.

Day 2: Stresa, Italy

Meals: Dinner

Accommodations: La Palma Hotel or similar

Arrival times vary throughout the day, depending on your city of departure. You'll be met at the Milan airport and driven to your hotel in Stresa to begin your Alpine vacation. Take an orientation w...

Day 3: Stresa • Fresh Produce & Regional Fare discussion and tasting

Meals: Breakfast and Dinner

Accommodations: La Palma Hotel or similar

After breakfast and an orientation briefing at your hotel, you'll have the opportunity to sign up for optional tours that interest you.

Then, set off on a walking tour of scenic...

Day 4: Stresa • Borromean Islands

Meals: Breakfast and Lunch

Accommodations: La Palma Hotel or similar

After breakfast, depart for a private boat ride to explore the Borromean Islands. Your first destination is Isola Bella, where you'll spend the morning discovering the Palazzo Borromeo....

Day 5: Stresa • Optional Treasures of Lake Orta tour  OPTIONAL TOUR

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodations: La Palma Hotel or similar

Spend today at leisure, or join an optional tour to discover the Treasures of Lake Orta.

Take in this picturesque sub-Alpine lake during a panoramic drive. In Orta, the lake's namesake vil...

Day 6: Stresa • Zermatt, Switzerland • Interlaken

Meals included: B D Accommodations: Hotel Krebs or similar

This morning, you'll say goodbye to Stresa—and Italy—as you depart for Interlaken, Switzerland. You'll stop at the Simplon Mountain Pass for a chance to take photographs, weather permitting. One of the ...

Day 7: Interlaken • Switzerland Today discussion • Woodcarving museum • Home-Hosted Dinner

Meals included: B D Accommodations: Hotel Krebs or similar

After breakfast, learn about modern life in Switzerland Today during an exclusive Discovery Series discussion.

You'll then embark on a walking tour of Interlaken, an idyllic Swiss Alpine town, wi...

Day 8: Interlaken • Farm visit

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodations: Hotel Krebs or similar

This morning you will discover Swiss bucolic life during an exclusive Discovery Series event. A local family will welcome you to their farm in the Brienzerland countryside, one of the most tradition...

Day 9: Interlaken • Optional Bernese Oberland tour  OPTIONAL TOUR

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodations: Hotel Krebs or similar

Take today at your leisure to explore more of Interlaken, or join our optional Bernese Oberland tour.

The Bernese Oberland encompasses the German-speaking highlands of the region of Bern. Tou...

Day 10: Interlaken • Liechtenstein • Distillery visit • Seefeld, Austria

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Accommodations: Hotel Alte Schmiede or similar

Today, transfer to Seefeld, Austria—stopping on the way in the tiny landlocked nation of Liechtenstein.

At a mere 62 square miles, Liechtenstein is sixth-smallest mi...

Day 11: Seefeld • Optional Austrian Afternoon tour  OPTIONAL TOUR

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodations: Hotel Alte Schmiede or similar

Set off on a walking tour of Seefeld after breakfast. A Tyrolean town founded as a farming settlement in 1022, Seefeld offers Old World Germanic charm and a landscape of snowy mountains, woo...

Day 12: Seefeld • Innsbruck • Women of World War II discussion

Meals: Breakfast and Lunch

Accommodations: Hotel Alte Schmiede or similar

This morning, take a train to Innsbruck, the capital of Tyrol. This city offers a truly spectacular look into European history, having been continuously inhabited since the Stone A...

Day 13: Seefeld • Optional Bavaria tour  (Optional tour)

Meals included: B Accommodations: Hotel Alte Schmiede or similar

Today is yours to enjoy as you wish.

Or, join an optional tour to learn more about Bavaria, the largest State of the German federation. This fascinating region has a proud cultural identity...

Day 14: Seefeld • Mittenwald, Germany

Meals: Breakfast and Dinner

Accommodations: Hotel Alte Schmiede or similar

Enjoy a leisurely morning with breakfast at your hotel. Perhaps you'll take this time to explore one of the many scenic pathways that have made this town a popular destination  fo...

Day 15: Seefeld • Munich, Germany

Meals: Breakfast and Dinner

Accommodations: Holiday Inn Munich or similar

After breakfast, depart for Munich Germany. Upon arrival, enjoy a discovery walk of the city with your Program Director. Then enjoy lunch on your own.

This evening, reminisce about your Alpine memories with your fellow travelers during dinner at your hotel.

Day 16: Munich • Return to U.S.

Meals: Breakfast

This morning, transfer to the airport for your flight home. Early departures will be given a box breakfast to take along. Or, extend your European vacation with our optional post-trip extension to Munich, Germany & Salzburg, Austria.

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Dates & Availability

Price From $3,995
Price per day$250
Last Updated: 7/16/2018

Check Current Availability, prices, specials with Grand Circle Travel.

The total tour cost includes the tour price (regular or promotional) and the compulsory local payment. The promotional price is subject to change. Check directly with the operator for the latest price offer. The tour operator requires you to pay only the tour price to purchase your travel. The compulsory local payment will be paid when you join the trip. All prices are based on double, twin or triple share occupancy. Solo passengers will be accommodated in a double, twin or triple room according to availability with a passenger(s) of the same gender. Single supplement only needs to be paid if the passenger does not want to share and requests their own room. Discounts can only be applied at the time of booking and cannot be added at a later date, regardless of any changes made to the original booking.

Prices may vary due to local taxes and trip seasonality. Click "Request Info" to inquire directly with the tour operator for the final trip price.

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Apr 2020

value and service outstanding

I've traveled with this company 4 times and find the value and service outstanding. If you are on a slim budget try the " last minute" opportunities. We got an inc...

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Virginia

Apr 2020

each one has been wonderful

Have taken 12 trips overseas with this company and each one has been wonderful.

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Charlotte

Apr 2020

Excellent service

Excellent service on ship, considerate of their clients, wonderful discovery trips.

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Grand Circle Travel

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Grand Circle Travel offers distinctive international vacations for older Americans. Established in 1958 by Ethel Andrus, educator and founder of the American Association of Retired Persons (AARP), we view world travel as a powerful lever for lifelong learning. We make it accessible through trips that deliver unmatched discoveries, leisurely pacing, more travel choices, and comprehensive value.

Our values are the foundation upon which our company is built. They are what our beliefs and actions are derived from. Our values shape our decisions, give direction to our growth, and allow us to measure our progress.

Teamwork: We believe in groups of people who work together to create excellent results, solve difficult problems, support each other personally and professionally, and recognize their success. In a fast-paced and rapidly changing environment each member of the team is critical for success. Empowered teams are committed to taking the necessary actions to ensure that the team will reach its goals. Every member must be fully accountable for the team’s and one’s own personal results.

Thriving in Change: In these times of rapid change, global competition, and high volatility in the travel industry, we must be prepared to change course and move forward. Being well organized may sometimes be less important than moving quickly. The goal is for each of us to maximize our effectiveness, and ultimately our success, in an unpredictable and ever-changing environment.

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Logistics

Accommodation

La Palma Hotel

Stresa, Italy  Rating: First Class

Overlooking Lake Maggiore, this First-Class hotel faces the waterfront and provides a comfortable place to relax during your time here. Enjoy amenities such as a balcony or terrace, air-conditioning, a telephone, safe, and satellite TV in your room, and on-site laundry and room service should you require it.

 

Hotel Krebs

Interlaken, Switzerland  Rating: Moderate First Class

Centrally located, Hotel Krebs provides access to all the shops and restaurants of charming Interlaken. Enjoy relaxing in your non-smoking room, which comes equipped with high-speed Internet access, satellite TV, a safe, telephone, and coffee- and tea-making facilities.

Please note: This hotel does not offer air-conditioning. Select departures feature similar accommodations.

 

Hotel Alte Schmiede

Seefeld, Austria

Relax in the cozy atmosphere of this Tyrolean-style hotel. With an on-site restaurant, indoor pool, Jacuzzi, and more, there are plenty of ways to unwind during your leisure time. Your room comes equipped with cable TV, a hair dryer, telephone, safe, and wireless Internet.

Please note: This hotel does not offer air-conditioning. Select departures feature similar accommodations.

 

Holiday Inn Munich

Munich, Germany  Rating: First Class

Located in the heart of the city, this First-Class hotel is your gateway to Munich's many highlights, most of which are within easy walking distance. The hotel offers a bar and lounge, health spa, indoor pool, and hot tub. Your air-conditioned room features a telephone, cable/satellite television, mini-bar, coffee- and tea-making facilities, and private bath with shower and hair dryer.

Please note: Select departures feature similar accommodations, which may not offer air-conditioning.

Cancellation policy

If you need to cancel your trip for any reason, please call us as soon as possible, and follow up in writing. You are also required to return any airline tickets that may have been issued to you. Cancellation refunds will be calculated as of the date we receive your written cancellation. We will issue your refund in the manner in which we received your payment. If you paid your deposit by credit card and your balance by check, your refund will be divided accordingly. Refunds are generated manually by our accounting department to ensure accuracy. Please allow for a 30-day processing period before receiving your refund

Travel Insurance
We strongly recommend purchasing travel insurance alongside your travel package to safeguard against unforeseen circumstances such as medical expenses, trip cancellations, and other contingencies. It offers you peace of mind and ensures you are prepared for unexpected events that may occur before or during your journey
Visa requirements
Visa requirements vary depending on your country of origin and your country of destination. It is your responsibility to familiarize yourself with the relevant requirements. For a handy tool that can help you quickly find the requirements, please visit this link .
Meals Included

14 Breakfasts, 3 Lunches and 7 Dinners

Age Requirements
No age restrictions
While we specialize in vacations for travellers over 50, you can bring children aged 13 and older on Grand Circle trips. Please note, however, that our land-based programs often include lengthy motor coach sightseeing tours that may not be enjoyable for younger travellers.
Optional Activities

Romantic Villages of Alpine Europe trip provides and amazing Post-Trip Extension: Munich, Germany & Salzburg, Austria

5 nights from only $1395

Immerse yourself in Bavaria’s most famous and festive city, and enjoy the Alpine charms of Mozart’s birthplace on this 5-night extension. Discover Munich’s many palaces, churches, and museums, not to mention sampling some of the city’s best brews. And experience Salzburg—famed home to Mozart and the Von Trapp family—from the charming lanes of Old Town to the exalted might of Hohensalzburg Fortress.

 

It's Included:

 

  • Accommodations for 5 nights
  • 7 meals: 5 breakfasts, 1 lunch, and 1 dinner
  • 3 included tours: Munich, Lake Chiemsee, Salzburg
  • Gratuities for local guides and motorcoach drivers on your extension and all optional tours
  • Personal headset for all included and optional tours on this extension
  • Exclusive services of a Grand Circle Program Director
  • All transfers
Additional Information

Physical Requirements

 

  • Walk 3 miles unassisted and participate in 3-5 hours of physical activities daily, including stairs
  • Not accessible for travelers using wheelchairs or scooters
  • Travelers using walkers, crutches, or other mobility aids must travel with a companion to assist them
  • Program Directors reserve the right to modify participation or send travelers home if their limitations impact the group’s experience

 

Terrain & Transportation

  • Several days at altitudes between 3,000-6,000 feet
  • Uneven walking surfaces, including unpaved paths, hills, stairs, and cobblestones
  • Travel by 51-seat motorcoach, public trains, and 50- to 200-seat boats

 

Climate

  • Daytime temperatures range from 43-82°F during touring season
  • June-August are the warmest months, with high humidity in Lake Maggiore
  • April and October weather can be unpredictable and change quickly
  • Alpine temperatures can drop suddenly with cold wind, rain, or snow year-round
Trip ID
grandc1-RomVilGra

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