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Douglass Payne
Douglass Payne
Senior Coordinator of Alumni Education and Travel
Catherine Nichols
Catherine Nichols
Senior Coordinator of Faculty Relations and Travel
Audrey Liles
Audrey Liles
Coordinator of Alumni Enrichment

2024 Alpine Splendor: Switzerland and Austria

June 6 – 19, 2024 – Waitlist only (Join the waitlist.)
Tour Operator: Odysseys Unlimited
Price: From $6,692 (airfare included)*
Tour Length: 14 days
View Brochure (PDF)*
View all UNC-Odysseys tours (digital catalog)*
*Please note an airline tax increase of $100 occurred on 8/29/23, after the production of marketing materials. Additionally, the cost of the premium economy upgrade for air increased to $1,795 on 10/9/23, after the production of marketing materials. As noted in the brochure, airline taxes, surcharges, and fees are subject to change and upgrades are subject to availability and pricing is subject to change.

As your small group, limited to 24 travelers, discovers mountain villages and European cities, rides the famed Glacier Express, cruises on glassine lakes, and ascends snowcapped summits, borders disappear and the region’s history – and beauty – enchant one and all.

This captivating 14-day Swiss and Austrian exploration begins with lovely Lucerne, its namesake lake, and a ride up Mt. Pilatus on the world’s steepest cogwheel train.  After scenic overload here, board the legendary Glacier Express, following the fabled Rhône to Zermatt, gateway to the Swiss Alps.  Ride the Gornergratbahn, Europe’s highest open-air railway, to the Gornergrat’s summit for spectacular views of the majestic Matterhorn.  Crossing into northern Italy, visit Stresa along Lake Maggiore’s shores.  With three nights in lakeside Lugano, explore Switzerland’s Ticino region, including medieval Bellinzona and its iconic Castelgrande castle, a UNESCO site.  At a grotto restaurant, enjoy lunch alfresco then visit picturesque Ascona.  Take a leisurely cruise around Lake Lugano.

Traveling on to Austria by way of Liechtenstein, we visit a royal attraction: the Cellars of the Prince of Liechtenstein where we enjoy a tour and wine sampling.  With a two-night stay in Seefeld, tour postcard-worthy Innsbruck and ascend the Nordkette mountains by cable car.  Reaching Austria’s riverside jewel of Salzburg for a three-night stay, attend an intimate Baroque performance in the famed Mirabell Palace and visit Hohensalzburg, one of Europe’s finest castles.  In nearby Berchtesgaden, tour the Nazis’ Eagle’s Nest retreat.  Savor Austria’s beloved capital of Vienna at your own pace with an optional 4-day/3-night post-tour extension.

Schedule of Events

  • Day 1 : Depart U.S.
  • Day 2 : Zurich / Lake Lucerne
  • Day 3 : Lucerne / Mt. Pilatus
  • Day 4 : Lake Lucerne / Zermatt
  • Day 5 : Zermatt / Gornergrat
  • Day 6 : Zermatt / Stresa / Lugano
  • Day 7 : Lugano / Bellinzona / Ascona
  • Day 8 : Lake Lugano
  • Day 9 : Lugano / Vaduz / Seefeld
  • Day 10 : Seefeld / Innsbruck
  • Day 11 : Seefeld / Tyrol / Salzburg
  • Day 12 : Salzburg
  • Day 13 : Salzburg / Eagle's Nest / Berchtesgaden
  • Day 14 : Depart for U.S.

Eligibility

We offer the Tar Heel Travel program as a service to our alumni and friends of the University. As travel is a Carolina Alumni member perk, we require one traveler per room to be a Carolina Alumni member in order to be eligible to travel. For more information or to become a Carolina Alumni member, contact the membership office at (800) 962-0742 or become a Carolina Alumni member online.

Additional Information

Note: Tour schedule is subject to change due to local conditions. Many excursions in this program involve an element of walking as some of the finest attractions are located in areas not closely accessible by motorcoach.

Join Tar Heel Travel’s listserv, and don’t forget to connect with Tar Heel Travel on Facebook and Twitter.

All prices and itineraries (including port order) are tentative and subject to change; final pricing adjustments may occur after the release of marketing materials.

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