In Transit Overnight: Depart the U.S. for the overnight flight to Europe and the Zurich airport.

Note: 1 hour walk with the group leader introducing the participants to the Lingenau village.

Morning: After arrival at Zurich airport you are met by the Group Leaders and transferred by private coach to Lingenau (2 hours), offering breathtaking views of the surrounding mountains. On arrival you will first be required to clear customs, and then proceed to claim your luggage and meet the group in the meeting area, Terminal 1 Arrival Hall. Look for the Road Scholar sign that the Group Leader will be holding, one hour prior to transfer time, and who will also want to see your nametag to note your arrival. Your luggage will be collected and transported directly to the hotel and placed outside your room.

Afternoon: After having settled in your rooms at the hotel, take a short walk with the Group Leader to become familiar with the village. Welcome drink and orientation briefing prior to dinner.

Dinner: A selected meal of the chef's choice will be served at the hotel.

Lodging: Hotel Gasthof zum Lowen

Meals Included: Dinner

THE BREGENZERWALD CHEESE TRAIL - CHEESE ROAD WHICH IS UNIQUE TO THE WORLD.

Note: Approximate walking time is 2.5 hours. Lecture: "Alpine Dairy Farms and Cheese Making."

Breakfast: Breakfast buffet served at the hotel.

Morning: The trans-regional cheese road (3210-5136 feet), which is unique in the world, features Alpine dairy farms, high pastures known as "alps," private cheese manufacturers, farmhouses that are open to visitors, “cheese inns” that offer special cheese dishes on their menus, and specialty stores selling cheese products, as well as traditional craft shops and tourist facilities. Walk from farm "alps" to private cheese manufacturers - learning the different methods and taste of cheeses.

Lunch: Experience the local dish “Kässpatzle” (cheese dumplings).

Afternoon: Watch past and present cheese-making techniques before returning to the hotel. The local farmers will let you assist so you may get a feel of the manual process. On this field trip you will discover how cheese is made from milk, how cheese tastes as well as all the different foods that can be made from cheese. You will also find along this route some of the best establishments and cheese farms in the region. Upon the return, walk via Hittisau and an enjoy an excursion to the old water and saw mill.

Dinner: Dinner tonight will represent a typical "Bregenzerwalder" farmer's buffet, see and experience how farmers celebrate special occasions.

Lodging: Hotel Gasthof zum Lowen

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

MAINAU ISLAND - KNOWN AS THE EXOTC FLOWER ISLAND (little tropical paradise).

Note: Approximate walking time is 2 hours. Lecture: "All You Need to Know About the Island."

Breakfast: Buffet breakfast served at the hotel.

Morning: Begin today’s field trip by traveling to Mainau Island (1300 feet) located in Lake Constance on the south shore. The island is known as the exotic flower island (a little tropical paradise) as everyone will realize as the curator explains while walking on the island park. The curator will lecture about the history, botany, about the Teutonic Knights, originally owners of the island, and about the present residents, Count Bernadotte's family, an uncle of the King of Sweden.

Lunch: Independent lunch on the island. Choose from seven different restaurants - from a restaurant that has been on the island since 1937 serving superb local and international cuisine to a restaurant in the style of a beer garden. All restaurants serve all types of beverages (non-alcoholic and alcoholic), and local produce along with the local wines. Go to the web-site www.mainau.de to learn more about the different restaurants.

Afternoon: Board a boat for a 30 minute ride on Lake Constance with a short stop in Meersburg (6783 feet) for a stroll through the picturesque town.

Dinner: Experience and learn about the traditional fondue dinner including cheese, meat, vegetables and fruit.

Lodging: Hotel Gasthof zum Lowen

Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner

Note: Approximate walking time is 2.5 hours. Lecture: "Beer Brewing in Austria."

Breakfast: Buffet breakfast served at the hotel.

Morning: In the morning walk from Lingenau through fields and along the woods to Egg (561 meters), one of the oldest and largest villages in the Bregenzerwald. Visit the smallest beer brewery in this region with the slogan "My home is my Egger." Hear a field lecture on beer brewing in Austria. Austrian brewers have more beer variety than in Germany!

Lunch: Explore local fare on your own in Schwarzenberg, a delightful village with traditional homes and a lovely church typical of the region. There are several choices of local establishments to choose from, and the Group Leader will be happy to assist you with a decision.

Afternoon: Enjoy some free time in Schwarzenberg to explore on your own before returning by local transportation to Lingenau. Group Leader will assist with options on how to spend your time.

Dinner: At dinner tonight there will be a typical "farmers" buffet, a long-standing tradition in the Alp regions.

Evening: Folklorist music and entertainment.

Lodging: Hotel Gasthof zum Lowen

Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner

Note: Approximate walking time is 1 hour. Lecture: "The Famous Rhein Falls."

Breakfast: Buffet breakfast served at the hotel before departure to Hinterzarten.

Morning: On the way to the Black Forest visit the breathtaking structure of the Rhein Falls, fed by the Rhine River, the largest waterfall in Europe. The falls is 50 meters in width, reaches a height of 23 meters, a torrential 700 meters of gushing water pouring over the cliff, offering visitors a stunning view of the cascading waterfalls.

Lunch: A stop will be made in Stein am Rhein, CH (1355 feet) for an independent lunch and time to explore this quaint village.

Afternoon: Arrive late afternoon in Hinterzarten (2904 feet), check-into the hotel, if time a brief stroll around the village.

Dinner: A selected meal of the chef's choice will be served at the hotel.

Lodging: Hotel Schwarzwaldhof

Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner

THE HEIMATPFAD WALK including a demonstration of glass blowing and learning how the cuckoo clocks are made.

Note: Approximate walking time is 2.5 hours. Lectures: "St. Oswald Chapel," "The Art of Glass Blowing," and "Making of the Cuckoo Clocks."

Breakfast: Buffet breakfast served at the hotel.

Morning: Begin today’s field trip along the “Heimatpfad” (4114 feet), a high Black Forest path known as the "local" history path, and continue along the Loffel Creek. Continue the walk to Höllsteig for an excursion to St. Oswald Chapel dating back to 1148.

Lunch: Lunch at the Hofgut Sternen, where in 1770 Marie-Antoinette passed by on her way to Paris to marry Louis XVI.

Afternoon: A demonstration of glass blowing and the assembling of the famous Black Forest cuckoo clocks. If you want try blowing glass for yourself, you will see there is a true art to this ancient craft. Before returning to the hotel delight in a slice of traditional Black Forest cake at a local establishment known for this famous cake.

Dinner: A selected meal of the chef's choice will be served at the hotel.

Lodging: Hotel Schwarzwaldhof

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

FREIBURG, CAPITAL OF THE BLACK FOREST REGION including the magisterial "Altstadt" (old town).

Note: Approximate walking time is 2 hours. Lecture: "The Black Forest Capital, Freiburg im Breisgau."

Breakfast: Breakfast buffet served at the hotel.

Morning: Walk to the train station for the transfer to Freiburg (912 feet), the capital of the Black Forest, university town since 1457, and “city of music.” The town was extensively destroyed in 1944 but no modern buildings have been allowed to challenge the supremacy of its magisterial “Altstadt,” (old town). During the walk one of the sights will be the famous cathedral built in 1120. The lecture, will be given by a local historian/guide of Freiburg and will educate you on the past and present history of the Black Forest Capital.

Lunch: Independent lunch in Freiburg.

Afternoon: Independent afternoon before returning at one's own leisure by train back to Hinterzarten. Prior to dinner there will be a briefing.

Dinner: A selected meal of the chef's choice will be served at the hotel.

Lodging: Hotel Schwarzwaldhof

Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner

Note: Approximate walking time is 3 hours. Lecture: "Flora, Fauna and Geology of the Black Forest."

Breakfast: Buffet breakfast served at the hotel.

Morning: This morning transfer by bus via Oberried to the Zastlertal, and walk on the "dead man" to the Erlenbacher hut (1100 meters), which offers splendid views of the Black Forest's hilltops.

Lunch: Taste the difference of a "hand-beaten" traditional organic schnitzel at one of the region's most beautiful mountain huts.

Afternoon: Walk back to the starting point and return by bus to Hinterzarten. In the afternoon visit the Ski Museum. The Black Forest region is the birthplace of skiing in Germany, and the museum exhibits the over 100-year-old history of skiing, and shows the past harsh life of the farmers during winter.

Dinner: A selected meal of the chef's choice will be served at the hotel.

Lodging: Hotel Schwarzwaldhof

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Note: Approximate walking time is 2.5 hours. Lecture: "Introduction of the Alsace and the History."

Breakfast: Breakfast buffet served at the hotel before beginning the transfer to Turckheim (760 feet).

Morning: Private coach transfer via the panorama road to Sankt Maergen (3000 feet), starting point of today’s field trip. Walk undulating trails with magnificent views of the High Black Forest (Hochschwarzwald) to Sankt Peter. Both of these villages are situated in a valley with cow-speckled hills and both represented with impressive cathedral/abbeys with Sankt Peter having the most famous one, Klosterkirche.

Lunch: Independent lunch en-route in the village of Sankt Peter. The Group Leader will assist with selections of local establishments.

Afternoon: Continue by coach to your hotel in Turckheim (approx. 3,800 inhabitants), crossing the Rhein River en route. Briefing prior to dinner.

Dinner: A special meal of the chef's choice will be served at the hotel.

Lodging: Hotel Les Portes de la Vallee

Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner

Note: Approximate walking time is 2 hours. Lectures: "Colmar" and "Unterlinden Museum."

Breakfast: Breakfast buffet served at the hotel.

Morning: This morning the walking field trip is through the charming historical center of Colmar, also known as “Little Venice,” which happens to have one of the largest pedestrian zones in Europe and countless treasures from the middle-ages to the 20th century. Today’s walk also includes an excursion of the exquisite, famous Unterlinden Museum, formerly the Dominican convent from the 13th century.

Lunch: Independent lunch in Colmar.

Afternoon: Independent afternoon in Colmar, the Group Leader will be happy to assist you with "must-see" suggestions. At one's own leisure, return to the hotel by train.

Dinner: A local chef teaches you how to bake your own "flammachueche" - Alsacian Pizza. Bon appetite!

Lodging: Hotel Les Portes de la Vallee

Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner

THE ALSACE VINEYARDS AND CASTLES, one of the most impressive Alsace fortresses will be viewed, the Chateau Haut-Koenigsbourg.

Note: Approximate walking time is 3 hours. Lecture: "Alsace Wines and Gastronomy."

Breakfast: Buffet breakfast is served at the hotel.

Morning: Private coach to the Château Haut-Koenigsbourg (2625 feet). Built in the 12th century, Haut-Koenigsbourg castle has witnessed eight centuries of European conflicts and rivalries between lords, kings and emperors. On the signing of the Treaty of Versailles in 1919 the castle was handed over to the French government and given the status of "National" palace. Today this Château gives a remarkable picture of life in a 15th century fortress in Alsace.

Lunch: A special lunch will be served at an establishment in Huhnawihr.

Afternoon: This afternoon experience the wines first-hand when you are invited to a wine tasting. Following the wine tasting transfer back to the hotel.

Dinner: A farewell dinner will be served at the hotel.

Lodging: Hotel Les Portes de la Vallee

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Breakfast: Breakfast buffet served at the hotel prior to the transfer back to Zurich.

Morning: Transfer by private coach back to Zurich and check-in at the airport hotel. Approximate transfer time is 2 hours.

Lunch: Independent lunch in Zurich.

Afternoon: Independent time, the Group Leader will be happy to give you ideas and assist with transferring into the city.

Dinner: Independent dinner in Zurich.

Lodging: Best Western Hotel Airport

Meals Included: Breakfast

Breakfast: Buffet breakfast at the hotel.

Morning: Independent shuttles to the airport for your flight home.

Meals Included: Breakfast