Immerse yourself in the majestic mountain scenery of Switzerland, Italy, and Austria as you explore the history, arts, traditions, and classic trains of the Alps.
Treasures of the Alps: Swiss Trains and Italy's Lake District
14 days from $7,692 | includes airfare, taxes and all fees
Immerse yourself in the majestic mountain scenery of Switzerland, Italy, and Austria as you explore the history, arts, traditions, and classic trains of the Alps.
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Swiss-Chalet Merlischachen
Merlischachen, Switzerland
The Swiss-Chalet Merlischachen stands just a short drive from Lucerne and directly on the shores of Lake Lucerne, offering guests a view of the lake and its mountainous surrounds. The hotel’s amenities include a traditional Swiss restaurant; lakeside bar and lounge; heated indoor swimming pool; sauna and spa with massage services (for a fee); laundry and dry-cleaning service (for a fee); and complimentary Wi-Fi internet access. Guest rooms are located in the Schloss-hotel building of the hotel, which features a rooftop terrace and park on the lake. All rooms have lake views, private bath with hair dryer, in-room safe, minibar, TV, and phone.
Please note: The hotel does not offer air conditioning in guest rooms.
Schlosshotel Zermatt
Zermatt, Switzerland
The Schlosshotel Zermatt sits directly across the street from the Gornergratbahn train station, and within walking distance of several of Zermatt’s small shops and restaurants. The elegant hotel is decorated in an Alpine style with light-colored wooden beams and exposed stone interiors. Amenities of the Schlosshotel Zermatt include a lobby bar and lounge, fitness center, spa, sauna, indoor swimming pool, laundry and dry cleaning service (for a fee), and complimentary Wi-Fi internet access. Guest rooms include private bath with hair dryer, in-room safe, tea- and coffee-making facilities, TV, and phone. Please note: Due to its elevation and generally cool Alpine climate, the Schlosshotel Zermatt does not offer air-conditioned guest rooms.
Hotel Lugano Dante
Lugano, Switzerland
Situated on a quiet street in a pedestrian area of Lugano, the Hotel Lugano Dante sits just a five minute walk from the town’s namesake lake. Amenities include a bar, lobby snack corner with tea and coffee, laundry and dry cleaning service (for a fee), and complimentary Wi-Fi internet access. Air-conditioned guest rooms include private bath with hair dryer, tea- and coffee-making facilities, minibar with complimentary soft drinks, TV, and phone.
Hotel Seelos
Seefeld, Austria
A true Alpine lodge with wonderful views of the town of Seefeld and its surrounding peaks, Hotel Seelos offers modern amenities in a comfortable mountain setting. The hotel sits just a short walk from Seefeld’s main street, the Olympiastrasse, named in honor of the several Winter Olympics competitions held here. The hotel has a restaurant and bar, and includes a sauna and complimentary Wi-Fi internet access. Guest rooms are decorated with Alpine touches and have balconies with views of the Alps, private bath with hair dryer, TV, and phone. Please note: As with the Schlosshotel Zermatt, Hotel Seelos does not offer air conditioning in guest rooms.
Imlauer Hotel Pitter Salzburg
Salzburg, Austria
Imlauer Hotel Pitter Salzburg was extensively renovated in 2014 after being originally opened by the Pitter family in 1864. Located in Salzburg’s New Town, the hotel sits a short walk away from the Mirabell Palace and Garden and a 10-minute walk from the historic Old Town. Amenities include a beer cellar, a rooftop restaurant and bar, fitness center, sauna, laundry and dry cleaning services (for a fee), and complimentary Wi-Fi internet service. Air-conditioned guest rooms have private bath with hair dryer, in-room safe, tea- and coffee-making facilities, TV, and phone.
Expectations: This itinerary features long touring days with many excursions by coach, train, and boat. Expect standing and walking for long periods of time, sometimes on difficult terrain such cobblestones, city hills, Alpine trails, and stairs without handrails. Some sites do not have elevators and longer walks may be necessary to get to town centers where coaches are prohibited. There will be frequent embarking and disembarking of trains and boats, sometimes with high steps. One full-day sightseeing rail journey covers steep terrain with many tunnels and bridges, and other excursions include steep ascents aboard cogwheel trains and descents by gondola. Most full-day excursions last from four to six hours, and there are several afternoons at leisure and options for more active excursions during free time.
Appropriate for: Travelers who are physically fit and comfortable with longer days of touring (both walking tours and coach time).
Vienna Post-Tour Extension – 4 days, 3 nights | Available for all departures except June 6-19, 2022
Explore Austria's capital with its imperial palaces and contemporary downtown buildings at your own pace.
The extension includes:
- Rail transportation Salzburg/Vienna
- 3 nights’ accommodations at Hotel Kaiserhof (First Class)
- 3 meals: 3 breakfasts
- Transfer from the rail station and to the airport
The Kaiserhof was built in 1896. The familiar, private running hotel is located in a quiet area, close to the historical heart of Vienna. The State Opera House, St. Stephans Cathedral and the Naschmarkt are nearby. The natural friendliness of the staff, best quality service, and a real love of detail give the hotel a unique attractive ambiance. Free WiFi. All rooms have air conditioning and a minibar. The hotel has a small wellness area for guests to use.
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For the convenience of our travelers, Smithsonian Journeys includes a basic medical expense and evacuation plan through Trip Mate, a Generali Global Assistance & Insurance Services brand, at no additional charge. This plan provides post-departure Medical and Dental coverage of $250,000 per person and Emergency Assistance and Transportation coverage of $1,000,000 per person (U.S. Residents Only). Note: For full details regarding these coverages please review the following Plan Documents here.
In addition, we recommend that travelers purchase a travel protection plan to help protect their travel investment from unforeseen events such as cancellation due to illness, flight delays due to adverse weather, baggage loss, and more. For your convenience, Smithsonian Journeys offers an optional Travel Protection Plan administered by Trip Mate, a Generali Global Assistance & Insurance Services brand. For those interested, optional "Cancel for Any Reason" coverage is available for an additional charge. Note: Certain eligibility requirements apply and Cancel for Any Reason coverage is not available to New York residents. For full details regarding this coverage please review the following Plan Documents here.
To learn more about the Travel Protection Plan, you may visit https://www.generalipartner.com/smithsonianjourneys or call the administrator, Trip Mate, a Generali Global Assistance & Insurance Services brand at (866) 501-3252.