Salzburg, Austria
The daily schedule may change
Day 1: Thursday, July 3 - Departure Day
Depart from LAX.
Day 2: Friday, July 4 - Munich, Germany and Salzburg, Austria
Meet the tour director and board the motor coach in Munich to be transferred to Salzburg, Austria. Driving time is about two hours. Balance of the day: Get-acquainted walk, welcome meeting and dinner. (B,D)
Day 3: Saturday, July 5 - Salzburg
City tour of Salzburg with local guide, including Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart’s birth-house, now a museum. Enjoy the stroll through the romantic old town with its cobble-stoned medieval streets and courtyards. Instruction at the University of Salzburg. (B,D)
Day 4: Sunday, July 6 - Salzburg
On the agenda today are a short period of instruction and the excursion into the Salzkammergut Lake District, known to many as “Sound of Music” country. Enjoy the Alpine scenery, picture book lakes, and the delightful village of Mondsee. The village church was used for Maria’s wedding in the famous movie. Opportunity for tobogganing at Lake Wolfgang (optional activity) followed by free time and dinner. (B,D)
Day 5: Monday, July 7 - Salzburg and Berchtesgaden, Germany
Excursion to Berchtesgaden, located nearby in the German State of Bavaria. Take a unique tour of the famous Salt Mines and underground lake. Visit the “Eagles Nest,” the former Hitler hideaway with panoramic views over the German and Austrian Alps. Return to Salzburg in the afternoon. Dinner. (B,D)
Day 6: Tuesday, July 8 - Salzburg to Vienna via Kremsmuenster and St. Florian
Travel through the beautiful Austrian countryside to visit one of the world’s most unique brass instrument museums in Kremsmuenster. Attend a classical music performance on the famous Bruckner Organ at St. Florian abbey near Linz. Proceed to Vienna where an Illumination drive of the “city of dreams” will be offered after dinner this evening. (B,D)
Day 7: Wednesday, July 9 - Vienna
This morning’s guided tour will introduce you to this most delightful city with Ringstrasse Boulevard, Inner city and St. Stephen’s cathedral and the Belvedere Palace. In the afternoon visit Schoenbrunn Palace, residence of the Habsburg dynasty until 1918. You may spend your evening watching classical opera movies at the big screen in front of City Hall, sampling the food of the international stalls. (B)
Day 8: Thursday, July 10 - Vienna
Morning of instruction is followed by this afternoon’s visit to the House of Music; the former Habsburg palace where Otto Nicolai, founder of the Vienna Philharmonic, once lived. It is now an incredible “hands on” music museum where you can discover how musical instruments work, conduct a virtual Philharmonic orchestra, create your own composition, and even get virtual feedback on your singing. Travel into Vienna Woods this evening and marvel at the incredible view from Mt.Kahlenberg. Dinner will be served at a traditional Heurigen restaurant. (B,D)
Day 9: Friday, July 11 - Vienna to Venice, Italy
A scenic drive along the eastern fringe of the Alps leads from Vienna to Venice, where you will experience an amazing change of climate, landscape and architectural styles. Tonight’s dinner will be in the vicinity of St. Mark’s Square. (B,D)
Day 10: Saturday, July 12 - Venice
A morning sightseeing tour of St. Mark’s district includes the 14th century Doge’s Palace, St. Mark’s Basilica, the Campanile, and the Bridge of Sighs. Free afternoon. Enjoy dinner at a local restaurant this evening. (B,D)
Day 11: Sunday, July 13 - Venice
Free Day in Venice to explore the canals, bridges, churches and other wonderful sights on your own. (B)
Day 12: Monday, July 14 - Venice via Ravenna to Montecatini
Late morning tour of Ravenna with a local guide. This tour includes one of the most important examples of Byzantine Art and architecture in Western Europe, the Basilica of San Vitale (begun in 527), and the famous mosaics. Continue to Montecatini, the popular spa resort town in the Toscana region about 25 miles west of Florence. (B,D)
Day 13: Tuesday, July 15 - Montecatini and Florence
Transfer to Florence for a half-day city tour including a visit to Academy Museum, repository of Michelangelo’s statue of David. Also visit the Duomo, see the Baptistery; home of Ghiberti’s famous Gate of Paradise. Proceed to Santa Croce Basilica with early frescos of Giotto. Continue on to the Ponte Vecchio with its picturesque shops before you may explore the city independently in the afternoon. Return to Montecatini in the evening. (B,D)
Day 14: Wednesday, July 16 - Montecatini, Pisa and San Gimignano
Travel into the Tuscan countryside to visit Pisa with its famous leaning tower and Baptistery (inside visits to the Duomo and Baptistery, but not the leaning tower). Proceed to the fascinating medieval city of San Gimignano, a city still enclosed by ancient walls, and where 13 of its 72 original towers still stand. Return to Montecatini in the late afternoon. (B,D)
Day 15: Thursday, July 17 - Montecatini and second day in Florence
Return to Florence for a second day. The city houses some of the greatest artistic treasures, including Botticelli’s Birth of Venus and other masterpieces which you will study in the Uffizi gallery. The afternoon is at leisure in Florence before returning to Montecatini in the evening. (B)
Ponte Vecchio in Florence
Day 16: Friday, July 18 - Montecatini to Rome via Assisi
Travel into Umbria to tour Assisi, where you will see an ensemble of masterpieces including the breathtaking Basilica of San Francesco (1228) and frescoes attributed to Giotto, Cimabue, Simone Martini, and works by other maestro such as Cavallini and Torriti. Assisi’s hill top location offers a stunning view. St. Francis was born in Assisi, and his tomb is in the Lower Basilica. Travel to Rome, the eternal city, in the afternoon. Dinner in Rome this evening. (B,D)
Day 17: Saturday, July 19 - Rome
The city tour begins with a visit to the impressive marble-clad St. Peter’s Basilica. The sacred shrine houses hundreds of art pieces. Tour the prestigious Vatican Museum and the Raphael Rooms where you can see works by Leonardo da Vinci, Raphael, Giotto, Botticelli and other masters. Wonder at Michelangelo’s frescoed ceiling in the Sistine Chapel. The afternoon and evening are yours to explore or shop on your own. (B)
Day 18: Sunday, July 20 - Rome
Today, a visit to the Borghese Gallery has been planned; one of Rome’s most important and beautiful museums. If time-circumstances permit and with the pope in residence you may have opportunity to attend papal blessing at noon on St. Peter’s Square. (B)
Day 19: Monday, July 21 - Rome
An additional tour of Rome begins with a visit to the world’s greatest amphitheater; the Colosseum. Proceed to the Roman Forum with its maze of temples and arches. Visit St. Peter in Chains and walk to Santa Maria Sopra Minerva to view the Risen Christ by Michelangelo and Bernini’s Elephant of Minerva. Finally visit the Pantheon, “temple of all gods”; the best preserved structure from antiquity. Sample Roman specialties at tonight’s farewell dinner. (B,D)
Day 20: Tuesday, July 22 Rome to the U.S
Transfer to the Rome airport, arrivederci Roma and hello America. Board your flight to the U.S. where you arrive later on the same day. (B)
Itinerary subject to change.