This program includes round-trip economy air transportation from the following U.S. departure airports: JFK (NY), Logan (Boston)


THIS ITINERARY IS SUBJECT TO CHANGES

The Alps have a way of reshaping your sense of scale—villages set beneath sheer peaks, trains climbing improbably steep slopes, and lakes that feel almost impossibly still. This itinerary moves through Switzerland and Austria with a focus on seeing the region from multiple vantage points: gliding across glacial lakes, ascending into the high mountains by rail and cable car, and spending time in towns where the architecture and setting are inseparable.

Along the way, the experience builds a layered understanding of the region. Lucerne and Salzburg offer a window into the cultural and historical traditions that have shaped Alpine life, while places like Zermatt and Lugano bring the geography itself into focus—how people have lived, traveled, and adapted within this terrain over time. You’ll take in sweeping views from the Gornergrat ridge, explore castle complexes in Bellinzona, and move between countries where borders feel fluid but identities remain distinct.

Rather than concentrating on a single destination, this program brings together a range of settings that, taken together, define the Alps—iconic peaks, lakeside towns, cross-border influences, and enduring cultural traditions. It’s an opportunity to see how these elements connect, and to come away with a more complete picture of the region as a whole.

Program Highlights

• Ascend into the Alps via historic cogwheel railways and panoramic cable cars


• Stay in car-free Zermatt with direct access to views of the Matterhorn and surrounding peaks


• Explore Bellinzona’s trio of UNESCO-listed castles and preserved medieval core


• Experience Salzburg’s cultural legacy with time in the Baroque Old Town and an evening performance at Mirabell Palace

Accommodation Note: Please note that “twin room” refers to a room that sleeps two guests. Sometimes the twin room will include 2 single beds instead of 2 double beds (or instead of 1 double bed). While a guest may request a certain type of bedding (e.g. 1 double bed for a couple) the request can never be guaranteed.

Included Air Travel Note: This program includes round-trip economy air transportation from the following U.S. departure airports: JFK, Boston
Participants will receive their preliminary air schedules 2 ½ months prior to departure. We will not be able to provide air schedules prior to this time. Please note that Odysseys Unlimited is unable to guarantee any seat assignments. If guests prefer to make their own travel arrangements, Land Only pricing is available.