CHRISTMAS IN THE SWISS ALPS

A very leisurely start as we drive south towards the Bavarian Alps. Lunchtime will be at leisure in the village of Steingaden, which sitsastride the junction of the Romantic and Alpine roads. Highlight of your day will be a visit to the richly decorated Wieskirche (Church inthe Meadows) – a fabulous Baroque creation with incredible painted ceilings. Later we reach the nearby, picturesque town of Füssenwhere we stay the next three nights. Your Tour Manager will take you on a brief orientation walking tour of the old town. Füssen isdelightful! Stretches of the original Roman defensive walls are still in place, and the cobblestoned, pedestrianized centre of town is filledwith shops, restaurants and historic houses, many elaborately painted. High above, the old castle of the Prince-Bishops of Augsburgdominates the town.

Hotel: Hotel Hirsch, Füssen for 3 nights

This morning we visit the nearby village of Hohenschwangau. After a brisk walk uphill you will enjoy a visit to one of the most inspiringand famous castles in the world – ‘Mad’ King Ludwig’s romantic Neuschwanstein Castle. Our guided tour will take us through the King’sapartments, staterooms, halls and throne room all reminiscent of a Wagner operatic saga. Lunchtime is at leisure in Hohenschwangau. The remainder of your day and evening is free in Füssen to explore this medieval town.

First stop of the day will be to visit Germany’s premiere ski resort of Garmisch-Partenkirchen. Before ‘My Time’ in town, we will visit themesmerising, enormous ski-jump and stadium, made famous in the film ‘Eddie the Eagle’. At this time of year, Garmisch town isbeautifully decorated, and you will be able to enjoy shopping in the pedestrian centre and delightful Christmas markets. We also stop inthe pretty ‘Passion Play’ village of Oberammergau, also famous for its ornately painted houses and shops. In the afternoon we visit to Linderhof, an extravagant French Rococo Palace – yet another of King Ludwig’s amazing creations.

Crossing southern Germany, we make a stop in Lindau on Lake Constance. This beautifully preserved island town is complete withmedieval lighthouses and cobblestoned streets. Entering Switzerland, we reach Appenzell. Surrounded by undulating fields, hills andmountains, Appenzell is old fashioned, even by Swiss standards, being full of well preserved 16th-century buildings and painted woodenhouses. We stay here two nights.

Hotel: Romantik Hotel Säntis, Appenzell for 2 nights

This morning we drive over the mountains to enjoy a delightful horse drawn carriage ride through the countryside. Lunchtime is at leisurein the beautifully preserved town of St Gallen. A highlight will be an included visit to the 1,000 year old, UNESCO World heritage listedStiftsbibliothek. This historic, wooden panelled library houses over 160,000 books and manuscripts, some of which date back as far as the8th century. The remainder of your afternoon and evening is at leisure in Appenzell.

At Chur we board the famous Glacier Express train and, settled in our panoramic carriages, we ride along the ‘Valais’ throughSwitzerland’s finest mountain scenery. Ranked as one of the world’s top train trips you will cross bridges, go through tunnels and overthe 2,033 metre Oberalp Pass. From Brig we drive up the winding Alpine road as it climbs through ravines and frozen waterfalls to reachour Christmas destination – the spa town of Leukerbad. Set in a hidden valley at an altitude of 1,400 metres your Christmas village issurrounded by towering, jagged peaks. We will stay here for the next four nights over Christmas.

Hotel: Le Bristol Wellness Hotel, Leukerbad for 4 nights

Late morning, we will enjoy a cable car ride up to the restaurant and panoramic terrace on Mount Gemmi. Here we have included atypical Swiss mountain lunch. Your afternoon and evening is free to explore Leukerbad town, enjoy the hotel’s spa, surrounded bymassive mountains.

Enjoy a totally free day. What a magnificent location to relax and do as much, or as little, as you want!Whether you are a ‘super active snow sports’ person or a ‘take it easy and relax’ person there are numerous activities you can enjoy, andyour Tour Manager will be at hand to assist and advise you. The mountains surrounding you are staggering and the whole town isfamous for its giant spas fed by natural steaming hot spring water drawn from deep in the mountains. Maybe relax and enjoy the hotel’sexcellent spa and pampering treatment programme, explore the wonderful Alpine village, go on winter walks or catch cable cars up tothe restaurants and bars perched high above on the pristine white, snow-covered ski fields.

Driving deep into the mountains we reach Taesch, where we catch a cog railway train up to world-famous Zermatt. At an altitude of 1,620metres (5,315 ft), the village is surrounded by huge peaks and dominating them all is the mighty Matterhorn. Petrol-driven vehicles arebanned from the village and as such the peace and quiet enhances the wooden chalets and small winding village streets. As a highlight we have included the Gornergrat funicular train to the highest open air railway station in Europe. On the restaurant terracewe will enjoy a warming hot drink while taking in the astounding views across 28 magnificent peaks all over 4,000 metres high.Sensational!

Driving to Montreux on Lake Geneva, we have included entrance and a guided tour through the beautifully preserved Château Chillon.Later we journey on to the lovely lakeside town of Luzern with its covered wooden bridges. The remainder of your afternoon is at leisure.Your farewell dinner tonight is in your hotel.

Hotel: Hotel Wilden Mann, Luzern for 1 night

This morning we complete checkout procedures as your Christmas tour comes to an end. Transfer to the airport for your flight home to Perth. Upon arrival in Perth your driver will be waiting to take you home.