Cruise & Rail: Grand Alpine & the Jewels of Veneto

Arrive at the airport in Budapest. If your cruise/tour package includes a group arrival transfer or if you have purchased a private arrival transfer, you will be greeted by a Uniworld representative and transferred to the hotel.

This morning, you will check out of your hotel and transfer to the Golden Eagle Danube Express for a departure into Vienna. Settle into your cabin, then enjoy lunch as the train makes its way to the capital of Austria, where you'll have the opportunity to visit the lively Naschmarkt, home to over 100 food and antique stalls, or the famous Schönbrunn Palace.

In the evening, we will enjoy a private concert featuring the Vienna Supreme Orchestra. (B/L/D)

Today will be one of the real highlights of the journey as we depart from Vienna in the morning and travel across central Austria and into the Alps on an incredibly scenic route. Keep your cameras at the ready as we climb over the Semmering Pass with its 16 viaducts and 15 tunnels, through the famous skiing village of Kitzbuhel to Jenbach, where we'll take a scenic drive to the picturesque Lake Achen for a cruise on the water.

From here we travel by bus the short distance to Innsbruck, the capital of Austria's western state of Tyrol and an Alpine city that has long been a destination for winter sports. Innsbruck is also known for its Imperial and modern architecture.

Sit back, relax, and watch the scenery of the Vorarlberg unfold in front of your eyes this morning as we pass through St. Anton before crossing through Liechtenstein and then into Switzerland, where we run along the whole of the Lake of Zürich before arriving in the city.

The city of Zürich, a global center for banking and finance, lies at the north end of Lake Zürich in northern Switzerland. The picturesque lanes of the central Altstadt (Old Town), on either side of the Limmat River, reflect its pre-medieval history. Waterfront promenades like the Limmatquai follow the river toward the 17th-century Rathaus (Town Hall). While we are in the city, we will enjoy a traditional Swiss fondue tasting.

Upon leaving Zürich, we'll pass along the shorelines of Lakes Zug and Lucerne before starting the very scenic climb to the St. Gotthard Pass. Once through the old St. Gotthard tunnel, we'll descend through Lugano towards Lake Como in Italy, where we stop for a beautiful lunch on the lake. After lunch, set sail on a boat cruise around Lake Como and visit the lakeside town of Bellagio. From Como, we travel to nearby Milan for a look at its magnificently restored Gothic Duomo and the Teatro La Scala, followed by a delicious pizza tasting.

This morning, after running along the south shore of Lake Garda, we arrive in Verona, where you'll set out on an informative walking tour of Verona's famous sites. Enjoy lunch onboard as the train threads its way to Trieste. Our brief tour here includes a stop at the imposing Miramare Castle and also a visit to the vast Piazza Unità d'Italia, the main town square. Standing on a hill overlooking Trieste is the famous Church of San Giusto. We will go inside the church for a close-up view of its splendid Byzantine-style architecture, enriched with precious mosaics.

You may wish to wake up early this morning to catch the incredible scenery outside your window as our train climbs away from Trieste and heads over the border into Slovenia, continuing its ascent through the Julian Alps to Lake Bled. From here we travel onto Ljubljana as we have lunch on board and discover a delightful combination of ancient architecture and a youthful culture. Our afternoon tour includes visits to Preseren Square, the Three Bridges, and Dragon Bridge.

This morning, you'll be treated to a private visit to the Postojna Caves before re-boarding the train to head south towards Venice, where we'll say farewell to our train crew and check into our hotel for one night. You'll have the rest of the day to enjoy Venice at your leisure.

Check out of your hotel and embark the S.S. La Venezia today to begin your 7-night stay on the gorgeous Venetian Lagoon. (D)

Disembark the ship. If your cruise/tour package includes a group departure transfer or if you purchased a private departure transfer, you will be transferred to Venice Marco Polo International Airport for your flight home. (B)