Day 1 Our trip meets at the Westin Excelsior Hotel in Florence at 3:00 p.m. for luxury coach transfer to Siena. On arrival we will check in for a four night stay at 5 star Grand Hotel Continental, a lovingly restored 17th century palace just steps from the Piazza Del Campo. Our 6:00 p.m. welcome party features an informative video explaining the Palio, Siena’s spectacular medieval pageant and horse race which is an unforgettable part of our trip. Festive dinner of fine Tuscan cuisine.

Day 2 After breakfast our early morning balloon adventure will take us across Siena’s ancient rooftops, waving to townspeople who lean from their windows to greet us with a cheerful “Buon Giorno!” From our balloons this well-preserved medieval town is visually sensational and these city crossings are spectacular! Mid-morning our guide of 16 years will bring the story of Siena into focus as she guides us through this remarkable town of 14th century private palaces and the great cathedral, one of Europe’s most beautiful. Today we are the private luncheon guests of our good friend, Marissa Cardini, in her elegant, art-filled penthouse overlooking the town’s medieval rooftops. Her daughter, Fiama, thoroughly enjoys flying with us and is a treasured source of insights into the enjoyable complexities of Palio. Free time in the town for exploring or shopping, meeting this evening for a lively dinner party.

Day 3 Early morning balloon adventure across another part of Siena with our champagne landing shared by curious and delighted locals. Today’s enjoyable private luncheon is hosted by our very good friend, the Countess Sandra Bianchi Bandinelli, in her lovely, 16th century Villa di Geggiano. On a hill surrounded by vineyards and lush gardens, the home has a rich past, which Andrea, the personable son of the Countess who is also a frequent guest in our balloons, will share with us. He delights in showing us the family estate and it is he who makes the excellent wine we will enjoy at their elegant table. Mid-afternoon we’ll return to our hotel with free time for personal pursuits. Meet this evening for delectable Tuscan cuisine.

Day 4 Our early morning balloon adventure will take off from just outside the 13th century ramparts of the amazingly well preserved, fortified, medieval town of San Gimignano. We’ll have a spectacular aerial view of this walled architectural jewel and its surrounding vineyard-covered hills, which still appears almost exactly as it did 700 years ago. Upon landing we’ll walk with our guide along the narrow streets lined with medieval houses. Today we are the private luncheon guests of our very good friends, Princess Irina Guicciardini-Strozzi and her husband, Prince Girolamo at their ancestral summer home, Villa Cusona. Chosen to be the villa used in the filming of The Winds of War, the estate dates from 994 and is well known for its magnificent Vernaccia wine. The Strozzi family played an important role in the Italian Renaissance. One of the most imposing palaces of that period is their Palazzo Strozzi in Florence, now the city’s convention center. The family flies frequently in our balloons, and Princess Irina joins us every January in Gstaad, Switzerland, to fly on our Winter Festival programs. After an exceptional afternoon with this most congenial family, including a tour of their impressive estate, we will return to Siena for personal time before our elegant dinner party.

Day 5 Early morning balloon adventure through the golden Tuscan landscapes. Today’s private luncheon is hosted by our good friends, the Baron and Baroness Bettino and Constanza Ricasoli at their massive, ancestral castle, Castello di Brolio. Built on a prominent hilltop in Chianti, the large and impressive fortress-castle has belonged to their family since the 11th century. Our host today is the 21st Baron Ricasoli. Arriving at the end of the 10th century as warrior knights, the Ricasoli’s conquered a vast section of southern Chianti and erected 11 powerful castles to protect their new land. When peace came to the region some 300 years ago, they turned to raising grapes. Today, Brolio is one of Italy’s most prestigious wine estates and produces some of its best wines. The creation of Chianti Classico and Classico Reserva, which lifted Chianti to a level of greatness, was the work of the Baron’s great grandfather at Brolio. Luncheon will be served in the ancient Knight’s Hall, the armory in which the knights kept their battle armor, some of which remains there today. It was also the “War Room” when Florence, using this castle, successfully laid siege to and conquered Siena in 1555. The Ricasoli family has greatly enjoyed their frequent flights in our balloons, and has been extremely helpful in creating some of the elegance our guests enjoy while with us in Siena. Your visit with them will be a memorable one. Late this afternoon we will check in at the 5-star Hotel le Fontanelle, a lovingly restored 13th century country estate. We will spend two nights in this authentic Tuscan setting, located across the valley from Castello di Brolio and the Chianti Classico vineyards. Our romantic evening in this lovely setting will be one you’ll always remember.

Day 6 Morning visit to Monte dei Paschi Bank, a medieval treasure located in the Palazzo Salembini. Relax for lunch at Il Pozzo, a fine restaurant in the former medieval military fortress, Monterriggioni. On returning to Siena we’ll be entertained by impressive flag twirling and drum corp demonstrations performed by all 17 contrada, then be escorted to our privileged, well-placed, reserved seats for the parade and Palio race. Once seated, a truly magnificent medieval procession begins with a brilliant cavalry charge by 24 members of the mounted police of Rome, in full dress uniform with swords drawn. They are followed by 22 members from each of the 17 contrada, some mounted, in full spectacular, authentic medieval dress.

The 10 horses running for the Palio enter the track, having just been blessed in church, and the excitement in the crowd of 35,000 spectators builds to a fevered pitch. After much jostling, maneuvering, threatening and last minute negotiations at the starting line, the race starts. The horses are ridden bareback 3 times around the square, with the nearly hysterical Sienese intensely tracking every move. The first horse to cross the finish line, with or without a rider, is pronounced the winner amidst wild expressions of joy and many tears. Extra-hyper Sienese pour onto the track from every direction; everyone extremely emotional, winners and losers crying. After we catch our breath, we make our way to a superb dinner awaiting us at Mugalone’s.

Day 7 After breakfast, depart with Buddy Bombard for our 4 day luxury transfer joining our Italy and Swiss Summer trips, including an afternoon and overnight in romantic Portofino, the stunning hillside harbor on the Italian Riviera. Our hotel is 5-star Splendido Mare, on the harbor shore lined with fishing boats.

Day 8 We journey through the castle-encrusted Aosta Valley and through the Mont Blanc tunnel into France. We’ll overnight in the lovely resort town of Megeve, sometimes referred to as “the essence of rustic chic.” It has a medieval heart, but was developed in the 1920s as a French alternative to St. Moritz. Our hotel is the charming “Les Fermes de Marie,” an exceptional and glamorous collection of antique barns and chalets.

Day 9 This morning we depart for the mountain town of Chamonix at the foot of towering Mont Blanc, the tallest mountain in Europe. We'll take a trip up the mountain for a staggering view of the Vallee Blanche, a permanent winter-land scene of snowy peaks and shimmering crystal ice. The afternoon’s drive will be through dramatic Alpine scenery, descending into the beautiful Rhone Valley carpeted with vineyards. Tonight we will stay at the 5 star Mont Cervin in the mountain resort town of Zermatt, nestled at the base of the majestic Matterhorn.

Day 10 Today our adventures include a mountain railway trip from Zermatt’s flowered valley scenery to the spectacular summer snowfields of the Gornergrat. We’ll take the stunning, Alpine Furka Pass to have lunch overlooking the Rhone Glacier then proceed to Interlaken via the Susten Pass, one of the loveliest high passes in Switzerland. Driving along the scenic shorelines of Lake Brienz and Lake Thun, we’ll arrive at 5 star Hotel Bellevue Palace, home during our Swiss Summer balloon adventure.

Day 11 Morning at leisure and meet your fellow Swiss Summer guests for a grand luncheon on the hotel’s rooftop terrace. Early afternoon we’ll embark on a walking tour of UNESCO-protected Old Town, with its 15th century architecture, patrician houses, arcades, bell towers and gardens. We have arranged a visit to the tower room of Bern’s elaborate medieval clock as it chimes the hour. It’s amazing to see the wheels and gears of this ancient machinery start to spin and clatter as it comes time to chime. We’ll also visit the loveable bears of Bern and return to our hotel by horse-drawn carriage. Late afternoon balloon adventure through the picturesque rural countryside with quaint chalets and rich green hills. Evening dinner party at our hotel.

Day 12 After breakfast we’ll board an old fashioned lake steamer for a two hour cruise on the Thunsee. Enjoy a wonderful luncheon onboard as the steamer stops at all of the lovely lakeside villages. The scenery is stunning! We’ll take the cog railway from Lauterbrunnen up through spectacular Alpine scenery to Kleine Scheidegg, at the base of the North face of the Eiger. We‘ve passed several majestic glaciers and are half way to the top of the Jungfrau, the tallest mountain in Switzerland. The valleys, the surrounding mountains! Everything is so big! And so beautiful! It will be a fun afternoon, yet to be filled with our late afternoon balloon adventure in the Swiss meadowlands, followed by dinner in Bern.

Day 13 Morning excursion by chartered helicopter, flying from the base of the Jungfrau through some of the most staggering mountain scenery anywhere in the world. Our helicopters will take us behind the Jungfrau to the ice-world of the Aletsch glacier, the longest in Europe, exploring ice falls that create blocks of ice the size of houses. We’ll pass Kleide Scheidegg, our train stop from yesterday, and proceed up the North face of the Eiger. Be sure to bring your cameras! After a thrilling morning we’ll descend for an elegant lunch at Interlaken’s luxurious Royal Victoria-Jungfrau Hotel. Late afternoon balloon adventure through the summer pastures and farmlands of the Emmental, followed by an excellent dinner at our 5 star hotel.

Day 14 Morning drive to the base of the Jungfrau Massif, for a visually thrilling tour of raging Trummelbach Falls. The melt water from glaciers on the west sides of the Jungfrau, the Monk and the Eiger flows into the Trummelbach River, raging wildly to the valley floor and churning in 10 consecutive cascades…inside the mountain! We are able to visit this phenomenon via an in-the-mountain elevator and walkway system. For lunch we’ll take the cable car through four stations up to Piz Gloria, the revolving restaurant on top of the Shilthorn made famous in the James Bond film, On Her Majesty’s Secret Service. Across the valley the snow-capped peaks of the Jungfrau, the Monk and the Eiger are spectacular. Late afternoon balloon adventure through the picture-postcard Switzerland of dairy farms and chalets, with farewell dinner in Bern.

Day 15 We will depart our hotel at 10:00 a.m. for transfer to Zurich, arriving Hotel Baur au Lac approximately noon.

Total 15 Day Trip Price: $ 29,338 per person, double occupancy. Single supplement $7,141

THE LOIRE VALLEY & BURGUNDY
with 3 Night Luxury Transfer, French Castles & Countryside
12 Days, 11 Nights • June 4-15 • July 25-August 5 • Reverse July 18-29 • Sept 27-Oct 8 • 2007 & 2008

Day 1 Our trip begins in Paris with approximate 9:15 a.m. transfer to the Loire Valley. We’ll arrive in time for an elegant lunch at the Domaine de Beauvois, a beautifully restored manor house dating from the 15th century and our home during our four-night Loire Valley program. After settling in, we’ll depart for our late afternoon balloon adventure, drifting through the countryside with its meadows, vineyards and concentration of Royal chateaux. Evening dinner party in the hotel’s elegant dining room.

Day 2 After breakfast we’ll visit one of the Loire’s most famous and loveliest chateaux, 16th century Chateau Chenonceau. This romantic architectural masterpiece with its impressive gardens spans the River Cher and is filled with period pieces and magnificent art. Elegant lunch in Amboise at 18th century Chateau Choiseul, followed by a visit to famous Clos Luce, the last home of Leonardo da Vinci. It contains furnishings of da Vinci’s time, with examples of his sketches and an astonishing display of models of da Vinci’s many inventions. Late afternoon balloon adventure, landing at twilight, with dinner prepared by our own chef in an 11th century fortress.

Day 3 Morning visit to renowned Chateau Villandry, the last great Renaissance chateau built in the Loire Valley. Its magnificent 16th century gardens were restored to their original glory in the early 1900’s, and are resplendent with fountains, lawns, a reflecting pool, an extensive topiary garden with flowers, and a kitchen garden of fruit trees and herbs. The overall effect of this enormous display is stunning. Visit the friendly goats at a cheese farm then relax for a superb lunch at Chateau D’Artigny, the elegant former home of Coty, the French perfume magnate. We’ll continue to Chateau Azay le Rideau, appearing to float gracefully on the Indre River, then join our pilots for a late afternoon balloon adventure, drifting gently through the chateau country’s luxuriant landscapes. Dinner this evening in a medieval setting.

Day 4 Morning visit to the brilliantly restored Chateau Langeais, a Middle Ages fortress dating from 1465. An excellent example of period military architecture with richly decorated apartments, its 10th century stone tower is the oldest existing “keep” in France. Lunch will be at Tours’ finest restaurant, the Michelin two-star inn of chef Jean Bardet where he and his wife, Sophie, take good care of us. After lunch enjoy Place Plumereau, Tours’ delightful medieval quarter filled with lively cafes, boutiques and galleries. Late afternoon balloon adventure, landing at twilight, followed dinner in the fireplace-warmed and candle lit chambers of the 11th century fortress, Cinq-Mars-la -Pile.

Day 5 Morning visit to the imposing fairytale castle of Chateau d’Usse with its romantic white turrets, pointed towers, and chimneys that inspired the writing of Charles Perrault’s Sleeping Beauty. Farewell luncheon at our hotel and depart with Buddy Bombard for your French country transfer to Burgundy. We begin with a visit to the medieval fortress of Sully, constructed at the end of the 14 th century. King Charles VII was provided shelter here by Georges de la Tremoille and Joan of Arc also stayed at the castle. We’ll stop at Briare with its unusual aqueduct over the Loire River. Built in 1896 and lined with lanterns, it is the longest canal bridge of Europe. Dinner and overnight at tucked-away 15 th century Auberge de Templier, one of the eight original ‘Relais & Châteaux’.

Day 6 We’ll continue traveling back in time to the massive 10th-century feudal castle complex of St. Fargeau. The Castle is surrounded by a moat and set within a 292 acre forested park, with a working farm teaching trades hundreds of years old. First used in the 980’s as hunting place for the Bishop of Auxerre, it evolved through centuries of renowned owners who rebuilt and added to the castle’s original architecture and roof beams still exist from the 1600’s. After lunch we’ll explore the ancient village of Epoisses, founded by monks and known for its wonderful cheese. Dinner and overnight at lovely Chateau Vault de Lugny, a sumptuous country house dating to the 13 th century.

Day 7 This morning we depart for the historical basilica town of Vezelaywith the ruins of its 9th century Benedictine abbey, which, soon after its founding, acquired the relics of St. Mary Magdalene and became an important place of pilgrimage. The town’s 12 th century monastic church is an exquisite example of Burgundian Romanesque art and architecture. After lunch our final drive takes us through vineyard landscapes and quaint French country settings for late afternoon arrival and check-in for 5-nights at Beaune's Hotel le Cep, a restored 14th-18th century chateau with beautiful antique furnishings, classified historical courtyard, and stunning gardens.

Day 8 Morning at leisure in Beaune and meet your fellow Burgundy guests for an elegant lunch at Le Montrechet, one of the area’s most notable restaurants. Enjoy your first lateafternoon balloon adventure just-above-the-rooftops of 14th century castles and romantic villages, landing at twilight. Enjoy dinner prepared by our own chefs in the vaulted, candlelit chambers of 14th century Chateau Savigny-les-Beaune.

Day 9 After breakfast we’ll visit the 14th-17th century wine cellars of Patriarch, the largest in Beaune with four million bottles. Our wine expert will touch on the enjoyment of fine wine during a sampling of the fine Burgundies open for tasting. For lunch we’ll be the private guests of our good friend and one of Burgundy’s most famous personalities, the Countess de Loisy, who entertains us with stories of her ancestry, winemaking and the German occupation of her 15th century home during WWII. She will take us on an interesting tour of her wine making estate and its extraordinary cellar, with 3,000 wooden wine barrels! Visit the 12th century monastic winery of Clos de Vougeot with its gigantic 2-storey oak grape presses, home of Burgundy’s prestigious wine society, The Confrerie des Chevalier du Tastevin. Then we’re on to the 4 1/2 acre vineyards of Romanee Conti, the most expensive red wine in the world. Our late afternoon balloon adventure will take us through Burgundy’s vineyards and villages, ending with an elaborate candlelit buffet in the ancient cellars of Chateau Savigny-les-Beaune. A surprise is its very uncharacteristic collection of 92 jet aircraft on the back lawn, and more than 200 motorcycles on its top floor!

Day 10 After breakfast we’ll visit the small workshop of Claude Gillet where 50 wine barrels a day are made by hand, and 14 th century, fairytale cliff-top fortress, Chateau de la Rochepot with its surrounding storybook village. The castle is one of the best existing examples of a true Middle Age fortress. Enjoy a lavish lunch at the Hostellerie de Levernois and free time to browse around Beaune’s medieval square and pedestrian shopping area. Late afternoon balloon adventure followed by a festive dinner party prepared by our own chef, in a romantic, medieval setting.

Day 11 Explore the marvelous 15th century Hospice de Beaune, Burgundy’s most important architectural landmark which functioned as a charity hospital until 1979. Elegant lunch at Chez Morillon, one of Beaune’s most celebrated restaurants, with a visit to the Wine Museum of Burgundy, once the medieval residence of the Dukes of Burgundy. Late afternoon balloon adventure through Burgundy’s pristine historical scenery, followed by dinner and graduation ceremonies in the flower-filled orangerie of Chateau de LaBorde, Buddy Bombard’s home in France.

Day 12 Morning departure for Paris with lunch enroute, arriving Paris late afternoon.

Total 12 Day Trip Price: $22,384 per person, double occupancy. $5,290 single supplement

SWISS SUMMER & SALZBURG
with 3 Night Luxury Transfer, Mad King Ludwig’s Castles
12 Days, 11 Nights • August 25-September 5 • 2007 & 2008

Day 1 We will meet you at Hotel Baur au Lac in Zurich for 10:00 a.m. transfer to Hotel Bellevue Palace in Bern, our home during our Swiss Summer adventures. Arrive in time for a grand luncheon on the hotel’s roof-top terrace. Early afternoon we’ll embark on a walking tour of Old Town, with its 15th century architecture, patrician houses, arcades, bell towers and gardens. We have arranged a visit to the tower room of Bern’s elaborate medieval clock as it chimes the hour. It’s amazing to see the wheels and gears of this ancient machinery start to spin and clatter as it comes time to chime. We’ll also visit the loveable bears of Bern and return to our hotel by horse-drawn carriage. Late afternoon balloon adventure through the picturesque rural countryside with quaint chalets and rich green hills. Evening dinner party at our hotel.

Day 2 After breakfast we’ll board an old fashioned lake steamer for a two hour cruise on the Thunsee. Enjoy a wonderful luncheon onboard as the steamer stops at all of the lovely lakeside villages. The scenery is stunning! We’ll take the cog railway from Lauterbrunnen up through spectacular Alpine scenery to Kleine Scheidegg, at the base of the North face of the Eiger. We‘ve passed several majestic glaciers and are half way to the top of the Jungfrau, the tallest mountain in Switzerland. The valleys, the surrounding mountains! Everything is so big! And so beautiful! It will be a fun afternoon, yet to be filled with our late afternoon balloon adventure in the Swiss meadowlands, followed by dinner in Bern.

Day 3 Morning excursion by chartered helicopter, flying from the base of the Jungfrau through some of the most staggering mountain scenery anywhere in the world. Our helicopters will take us behind the Jungfrau to the ice-world of the Aletsch glacier, the longest in Europe, exploring ice falls that create blocks of ice the size of houses. We’ll pass Kleide Scheidegg, our train stop from yesterday, and proceed up the North face of the Eiger. Be sure to bring your cameras! After a thrilling morning we’ll descend for an elegant lunch at Interlaken’s luxurious Royal Victoria-Jungfrau Hotel. Late afternoon balloon adventure through the charming summer pastures and farmlands of the Emmental, followed by an excellent dinner at our 5 star hotel.

Day 4 Morning drive to the base of the Jungfrau Massif, for a visually thrilling tour of raging Trummelbach Falls. The melt water from glaciers on the west sides of the Jungfrau, the Monk and the Eiger flows into the Trummelbach River, raging wildly to the valley floor and churning in 10 consecutive cascades inside the mountain. We are able to visit this phenomenon via an in-the-mountain elevator and walkway system. For lunch we’ll take the cable car through four stations up to Piz Gloria, the revolving restaurant on top of the Shilthorn made famous in the James Bond film, On Her Majesty’s Secret Service. Across the valley the snow-capped peaks of the Jungfrau, the Monk and the Eiger are spectacular. Late afternoon balloon adventure through the picture-postcard Switzerland of dairy farms and chalets, with farewell dinner in Bern.

Day 5 After breakfast depart with Buddy Bombard for our three day transfer driving through the pretty Bavarian countryside and the foothills of the German Alps. Enroute we’ll visit three of the most famous fairytale castles built by the eccentric Bavarian King Ludwig. Today we’ll reach romantic Neuschwanstein Castle in Schwengau ( Fussen), Germany, which was the model for Cinderella’s castle at Disney World. Together with the Acropolis, the Colosseum and the Great Wall of China, world-famous Neuschwanstein is among 21 finalists and the only candidate from Germany to be considered for the "New 7 Wonders of the World" by the New7Wonders Foundation. The town of Fussen and the castle are set in the most beautiful corner of East Allgäu, surrounded by the Bavarian, Lechtal and Allgäu Alps. Dinner and overnight in this breathtaking setting at charming Jagerhaus Hotel.

Day 6 After breakfast we drive through scenic Alpine foothills to Aschau and Linderhof Palace. While Neuschwanstein was inspired by fantasy, fabulous Linderhof evolved from its original plan as the King’s hunting castle to become reminiscent of Versailles—a golden confection with flamboyant yet graceful French influence in its ornate architecture, extravagant furnishings, and expansive gardens and courtyard with their mythological statues and cascading fountains. Constructed between 1874-1878, Linderhof was the only one of Ludwig’s three castles to be completed and was favored for its elegance and secluded setting in a woodland valley of the Ammergau Alps. King Ludwig was greatly influenced by composer Richard Wagner and his music, and the troubled King’s musings and imaginings inspired much of the opulence of the Palace with it’s exotic Hall of Mirrors, resplendent bedchamber, and carpets of ostrich plumes. Our day closes with dinner and overnight at Residenz Heinz Winkler in Aschau, an intimate and elegant Relais & Chateaux property.

Day 7 Majestic Herrenchiemsee is King Ludwig’s largest and most lavish castle complex, a series of buildings on an island in the middle of Bavaria’s Lake Chiemsee and accessible only by ferry. The King’s obsession with Versailles and the trappings of French royalty were a result of his belief that he was one of the great Kings of Europe, and not to be outdone. This time he would build an exact replica of Versailles but better, with 70 rooms, grand halls and staircases, indoor plumbing, priceless fabrics, art, chandeliers and expensive furnishings. Constructed between 1878 and 1885, only the central portion was completed before the King, who died mysteriously in 1886, ran out of funds and construction stopped. He lived in the castle a total of only 16 days. Considered by many to be insane and suffering from delusions and hallucinations throughout his life and reign, King Ludwig’s legacy is not of his service but of the extraordinary architectural fantasies he left for the world to marvel. The complex of Herrenchiemsee is a grand masterpiece on par with the magnificence of Versailles, and the thirty women who worked for 7 years on the embroidery for the bedspread of the royal bed chamber, in which no one ever slept. After our visit we proceed to Austria and 5 star Hotel Schloss Fuschl, the beautifully restored 14 th century former hunting castle of the Archbishops of Salzburg and our home for the next five nights.

Day 8 Morning at leisure with lunch, and meet your fellow Austria guests for a welcome reception at 3:00 p.m. We'll depart immediately for our first late afternoon balloon adventure through Austria's lovely Lakes District with the stunning Alps as a backdrop. Festive evening dinner party at our historic hotel.

Day 9 After breakfast explore the romantic “old city” of Salzurg, birthplace of Mozart and filled with Baroque and Gothic architectural treasures. A highlight will be the colorful and lively Getreidegasse, Austria’s most beautiful shopping area. A quaint old lane of high, narrow houses with medieval wrought iron guild signs, it is full of fashionable shops and romantic passageways. Our wonderful city guide, Heidi, with her interesting stories, makes this morning’s walking tour a real pleasure. Our elaborate lunch will be on the terrace of 5 star Sacher Hotel, followed by our late afternoon balloon adventure through the Austrian countryside. Dinner in the country at our lovely hotel.

Day 10 Morning drive to colorful St. Gilgen, gaily painted in the many soft pastel colors of the Austrian style. Board a lake steamer and sail to the picturesque old market town of St. Wolfgang, with its decorated 15th century houses and world famous Baroque style church filled with magnificent furnishings. For luncheon we’ll be the guests of one of Salzburg’s most celebrated personalities and our very good friend, Princess Manni Wittgenstein, in her lovely Alpine home. She is a brilliant hostess, sharing with us wonderful tales of her fascinating life. She also frequently flies with our guests in our balloons, and thoroughly enjoys helping us make their Austrian visit a memorable one. Late afternoon balloon adventure through the beautiful Austrian landscape, landing at twilight and returning to Schloss Fuschl for dinner.

Day 11 Today we’ll explore the ancient village of Hallstaat, easily the most striking lakeside village in the region. This tiny, picturesque hamlet clings to a ledge at the foot of a steep cliff, surrounded by the towering Dachstein mountains. Best enjoyed from the water, we will use a small fleet of electric boats to slowly cruise along the shoreline, with its ancient boathouses and quaint wooden homes. A major Celtic archaeological landmark and UNESCO protected site, the treasures unearthed here are so extensive that one era in Celtic studies (800 - 400 BC) is called “the Hallstatt period.” A pre-luncheon rafting party with champagne will be held on the lake before dining in a charming restaurant. Late afternoon balloon adventure through the summer meadowlands of the Alpine foothills, with farewell dinner party at Schloss Fuschl.

Day 12 Our trip ends after breakfast at our hotel.

Total 12 Day Trip Price: $22,384 per person, double occupancy. Single supplement $5,290.

BURGUNDY & SWISS SUMMER
with 3 Night Luxury Transfer, Gems of the Middle Ages
12 Days, 11 Nights • June 11-22 • Reverse July 11-22 • 2007 & 2008

Day 1 Our trip meets in Paris at approximately 9:00 a.m. with luxury transfer to Beaune. We arrive in time for an elegant lunch at Le Montrechet, one of the area’s most notable restaurants. Check in to 18 th century Hotel le Cep, a restored 14th-18th century chateau with beautiful antique furnishings, classified historical courtyard, and stunning gardens. We’ll depart for our first lateafternoon balloon adventure just-above-the-rooftops of 14th century castles and romantic villages, landing at twilight. Enjoy dinner prepared by our own chefs in the vaulted, candlelit chambers of 14th century Chateau Savigny-les-Beaune.

Day 2 After breakfast we’ll visit the 14th-17th century wine cellars of Patriarch, the largest in Beaune with four million bottles. Our wine expert will touch on the enjoyment of fine wine during a sampling of the fine Burgundies open for tasting. For lunch we’ll be the private guests of our good friend and one of Burgundy’s most famous personalities, the Countess de Loisy, who entertains us with stories of her ancestry, winemaking and the German occupation of her 15th century home during WWII. She will take us on an interesting tour of her wine making estate and its extraordinary cellar, with 3,000 wooden wine barrels! Visit the 12th century monastic winery of Clos de Vougeot with its gigantic 2-storey oak grape presses, home of Burgundy’s prestigious wine society, The Confrerie des Chevalier du Tastevin. Then we’re on to the 4 1/2 acre vineyards of Romanee Conti, the most expensive red wine in the world. Our late afternoon balloon adventure will take us through Burgundy’s vineyards and villages, ending with an elaborate candlelit buffet in the ancient cellars of Chateau Savigny-les-Beaune. A surprise is its very uncharacteristic collection of 92 jet aircraft on the back lawn, and more than 200 motorcycles on its top floor!

Day 3 After breakfast we’ll visit the small workshop of Claude Gillet where 50 wine barrels a day are made by hand, and 14 th century, fairytale cliff-top fortress, Chateau de la Rochepot with its surrounding storybook village. The castle is one of the best existing examples of a true Middle Age fortress. Enjoy a lavish lunch at the Hostellerie de Levernois and free time to browse around Beaune’s medieval square and pedestrian shopping area. Late afternoon balloon adventure followed by in a romantic, medieval setting.

Day 4 Explore the marvelous 15th century Hospice de Beaune, Burgundy’s most important architectural landmark which functioned as a charity hospital until 1979. Elegant lunch at Chez Morillon, one of Beaune’s most celebrated restaurants, with a visit to the Wine Museum of Burgundy, once the medieval residence of the Dukes of Burgundy. Late afternoon balloon adventure through Burgundy’s lovely parkland scenery with its historical landmarks, followed by dinner and graduation ceremonies in the flower-filled orangerie of Chateau de LaBorde, Buddy Bombard’s home in France.

Day 5 Morning free with lunch at Chateau Gilly, then depart with Buddy Bombard for our three day transfer to Switzerland through glorious Beaujolais and ancient mountain settlements in the French and Swiss Alps. This evening we’ll stay in Beaujolais’ magnificent, 13th century Chateau de Bagnols, a major historic monument set among vineyards, forests and hills and one of the most exquisitely restored Renaissance castles in France. Entering the castle grounds across a drawbridge, you’ll feel as though you’ve just been transported into a centuries-old fairytale that you will never want to leave.

Day 6 Today we’ll drive through the Jura Mountains to the stunning old village of Perouges, appearing much as it did centuries ago. The tiny, medieval walled town with its cobblestone streets and original village gates is completely restored in the style of the Middle Ages, with narrow, winding lanes lined with restaurants, shops and bakeries selling local specialties. The main square, with its tree planted during the French Revolution, is surrounded by restored houses dating to the Middle Ages. We’ll continue through quaint mountain villages to the picturesque resort town of Megeve. The village with its medieval square was developed in the 1920s as a French alternative to St. Moritz and is known for its beauty and elegant resort atmosphere. We’ll stay at charming “Les Fermes de Marie,” a sumptuous, ‘rustic chic’ hotel constructed from a unique collection of antique barns and chalets, surrounded by stunning summer Alpine scenery and snow-capped peaks.

Day 7 Today’s travels take us to the magnificent 12th century Chateau de Chillon, known throughout the world from writers such as Jean-Jacques Rousseau, Shelley, Victor Hugo, and especially Lord Byron, for his poem ‘The Prisoner of Chillon’, inspired by Francois Bonivard’s shackled imprisonment in the castle dungeon from 1530-1536. Appearing to rise out of the waters of Lac Leman, the dramatic castle, built along the ancient road to Italy, occupies a rocky islet connected to the mainland by a wooden bridge. The world’s most photographed castle is under continuous restoration and is richly furnished with a collection of antique pewter, weapons, chests and other items recovered during excavation. After lunch we’ll arrive at the beautifully preserved medieval Castle of Gruyere, in the tiny Swiss village made famous for its cheese. Nineteen counts reigned in the restored Renaissance-style castle from the 11 th-16 th centuries The castle is now fully restored and offers a walk through eight centuries, with a museum and contemporary exhibits keeping the castle in use today. Descending from the Alps we arrive in the UNESCO-protected town of Bern, to check in to 5 star Hotel Bellevue Palace and settle in for our Swiss Summer program.

Day 8 Morning at leisure and meet your fellow Swiss Summer guests for a grand luncheon on the hotel’s rooftop terrace. Early afternoon we’ll embark on a walking tour of UNESCO-protected Old Town, with its 15th century architecture, patrician houses, arcades, bell towers and gardens. We have arranged a visit to the tower room of Bern’s elaborate medieval clock as it chimes the hour. It’s amazing to see the wheels and gears of this ancient machinery start to spin and clatter as it comes time to chime. We’ll also visit the loveable bears of Bern and return to our hotel by horse-drawn carriage. Late afternoon balloon adventure through the picturesque rural countryside with quaint chalets and rich green hills. Evening dinner party at our hotel.

Day 9 After breakfast we’ll board an old fashioned lake steamer for a two hour cruise on the Thunsee. Enjoy a wonderful luncheon onboard as the steamer stops at all of the lovely lakeside villages. The scenery is stunning! We’ll take the cog railway from Lauterbrunnen up through spectacular Alpine scenery to Kleine Scheidegg, at the base of the North face of the Eiger. We‘ve passed several majestic glaciers and are half way to the top of the Jungfrau, the tallest mountain in Switzerland. The valleys, the surrounding mountains! Everything is so big! And so beautiful! It will be a fun afternoon, yet to be filled with our late afternoon balloon adventure in the Swiss meadowlands, followed by dinner in Bern.

Day 10 Morning excursion by chartered helicopter, flying from the base of the Jungfrau through some of the most staggering mountain scenery anywhere in the world. Our helicopters will take us behind the Jungfrau to the ice-world of the Aletsch glacier, the longest in Europe, exploring ice falls that create blocks of ice the size of houses. We’ll pass Kleide Scheidegg, our train stop from yesterday, and proceed up the North face of the Eiger. Be sure to bring your cameras! After a thrilling morning we’ll descend for an elegant lunch at Interlaken’s luxurious Royal Victoria-Jungfrau Hotel. Late afternoon balloon adventure through the charming summer pastures and farmlands of the Emmental, followed by an excellent dinner at our 5 star hotel.

Day 11 Morning drive to the base of the Jungfrau Massif, for a visually thrilling tour of raging Trummelbach Falls. The melt water from glaciers on the west sides of the Jungfrau, the Monk and the Eiger flows into the Trummelbach River, raging wildly to the valley floor and churning in 10 consecutive cascades…inside the mountain! We are able to visit this phenomenon via an in-the-mountain elevator and walkway system. For lunch we’ll take the cable car through four stations up to Piz Gloria, the revolving restaurant on top of the Shilthorn made famous in the James Bond film, On Her Majesty’s Secret Service. Across the valley the snow-capped peaks of the Jungfrau, the Monk and the Eiger are spectacular. Late afternoon balloon adventure through the picture-postcard Switzerland of dairy farms and chalets, with farewell dinner in Bern.

Day 12 We will depart our hotel at 10:00 a.m. for transfer to Zurich, arriving Hotel Baur au Lac approximately noon.

12 Day Trip Price: $22,384 per person, double occupancy. Single supplement $5,290.

ISTANBUL & REMARKABLE CAPPADOCIA AND THE ROMANCE OF FLORENCE & SIENA
18 Days, 17 Nights, 2008 Dates and Pricing Not Confirmed Please Call for Information

Cappadocia, in central Turkey, is a dramatic landscape of surrealistic beauty. Over 60 million years of erosion has transformed its compacted volcanic ash into several thousand bizarre rock cones and hundreds of wonderfully, weirdly textured canyons.

From the 4 th to the 13 th centuries, Christians finding religious freedom here carved dwellings, monasteries, and churches from the soft rock canyon walls. About 150 of the approximately 900 churches that remain are richly decorated with precious frescoes. Starting in the 7th century, subterranean cities were cut straight down into the rock to escape the Arab invasions of the 7th and 8th centuries. Some went down 7 stories and became home to as many as 5,000 people and their animals. By the 10th century some 30,000 people were living here in the rock!

These cave dwellers are now gone, and centuries of erosion has now exposed many of the intricate apartments they created. Our unique ability to fly slowly in our balloons, just a few feet from these ruins and geological formations, is due to the gentle winds that are normal for this area. This allows us to treat you to a remarkable, close-up view of this strange and eerie wonderland. NOTE: Each lunch in Cappadocia will be served in a different and truly spectacular setting, among strange and wonderfully exotic rock formations and ruined cave dwellings of the early Christians. Our delicious mid-day meals are totally private, catered affairs served in our very unique “movable cafe” of tables, chairs, giant umbrellas, Turkish carpets and charcoal grills. Each setting was selected by Buddy Bombard many years ago, after much exploration by jeep and on foot.

NOTE: Each lunch in Cappadocia will be served in a different and truly spectacular setting, among strange and wonderfully exotic rock formations and ruined cave dwellings of the early Christians. Our delicious mid-day meals are totally private, catered affairs served in our very unique ìmovable cafeî of tables, chairs, giant umbrellas, Turkish carpets and charcoal grills. Each interesting setting was selected by Buddy Bombard many years ago, after much exploration by jeep and on foot.

Day 1 Istanbul Our trip meets and begins at 7:00 p.m. at the 5 star Ciragan Palace Hotel, formerly the palace of Sultans and our home for 3 nights in Istanbul . Welcome reception and meet Sahli, our wonderful Trip Director who will be with us throughout our stay in Turkey . Elegant dinner party in our lovely hotel.

Day 2 Istanbul After breakfast weíll visit Dolmabahce Palace, the last residence of the Ottoman Sultans, stretching for 600 yards along the the Bosphorus. With 362 rooms and 22 salons, it is noted for its extensive interior decoration in gold, large collection of European antiques, priceless paintings, four and a half ton crystal chandelier and major harem. Then weíll board our privately chartered 90 foot yacht, the Sureyya, for a lavish luncheon cruise on the Bosphorous, sailing close to the European and the Asian shores. You will see rows of historical Yalis, the beautiful wooden waterside residences of the 19th century, as well as expensive modern villas, small fishing villages, ancient marble palaces, graceful 15th century Rumelihisar fortress, the two giant bridges connecting Europe to Asia and charming coves filled with fancy yachts. After our cruise, weíll visit the most beautiful of all the imperial mosques in Istanbul , the 16th century mosque of Sultan Suleyman the Magnificent, and St. Sophiaís Basilica, built in the 6th century Dinner at the Kervansaray Nightclub with a colorful traditional Turkish floor show including dancing girls.

Day 3 Istanbul Morning visit to the Golden Horn, the harbor around which Istanbul was built with streets of colorful old wooden houses and churches from Byzantine times. Weíll visit the Spice Bazaar, the 5th century Roman aqueduct, the site of the famous Hippodrome where gladiators fought and chariots raced, and the Blue Mosque of Sultan Ahmet, built in 1616 and renowned for its 22,000 blue Iznik tiles. Lunch will be at the Rami restaurant, followed by a tour of Topkapi Palace , the Imperial residence of the Ottoman Sultans from the 15th to the 19th centuries. With over 6 million square feet and itís palace population of over 10,000, it was truly a small city. It is the oldest and largest of the remaining palaces in the world with lavish gold, silver and jewel collections, a jeweled throne room and the remains of a 400-room harem pavilion. Weíll visit the Basilica cistern built in 532 with 236 Corinthian columns standing in 3 feet of water. It is a remarkably large underground reservoir. Our last stop will be the Grand Bazaar, with 65 streets, 18 gates and 4000 shops all under one roof. Dinner at the Korfez Restaurant on the Asian shore of the Bosphorous, arriving by private motor launch.

Day 4 Istanbul to Cappadocia Fly to Ankara by plane and visit the outstanding Museum of Anatolian Civilization to better understand the strangely beautiful region we are about to explore. Proceed to Cappadocia by private coach and check into 4 star Dedeman Hotel for 6 nights. Dinner will be in the hotelís private, penthouse dining room.

Day 5 After breakfast a mid-morning balloon adventure through the extraordinary landscape of Cappadocia. Then our guide will take us to The Open Air Museum in Goreme with its 16 frescoed monastic churches from the 3rd to the 10th centuries, carved into the rock. Later we'll visit a local carpet maker for a highly fascinating visit, watching the weaving of hand made rugs from cotton, wool and silk. Lunch will be in the remarkable rock valley of Uchisar, then a guided visit to the 7th century rock cave dwellings of this intriguing place and its preposterous towering rock fortress. Dinner will be in a fine restaurant in Urgup.

Day 6 Mid-morning balloon adventure in Cappadocia. Visit a ceramic workshop in the caves of Avanos, to see how fine quality pieces are designed and produced. Lunch will be among the amazing rock formations of White Valley, called ìFairy Chimneysî, followed by a guided visit into the ancient underground city of Kaymakli. Dug during the 7th and 8th centuries, it is a maze of tunnels and dwelling chambers for approximately 5,000 people and their animals. It descends 7 stories underground! Our spectacular dinner, arranged just for us in the Outdoor Musuem, is an elaborate catered affair by lantern-light. A private performance of Whirling Dervishes is a moving and mesmerizing experience.

Day 7 Mid-morning balloon adventure in spectacular Cappadocia, followed by a guided visit to the National Park of Zelve and the ruined cave dwellings of approximately 8,000 early Christians. Lunch in the visually spectacular setting of the ancient hand hewn cave church called Gomede. Time for shopping in the colorful old markets of Urgup. Dinner this evening will be, with special permission, privately catered and served to us in the exotic hand-hewn rock chambers of the 10th century Christian church, Avnali.

Day 8 Mid-morning balloon adventure across Cappadocia followed by a guided visit to the town of Ortahisar and its remarkable 10-story tall rock fortress. Lunch will be out among the most unlikely eroded rock formations of Pasabag followed by a leisurely stroll through this wonderland of shapes. Youíll really want your camera for this one. Dinner will be on the terrace of the attractive restaurant, the Ataman, overlooking the strange and fascinating erosion formations of Goreme.

Day 9 Mid-morning balloon adventure and our last exploration of this compelling landscape. Our final lunch in Cappadocia will be in a pretty green glade under the enormous and complex ruined cliff dwelling village of Cavusin . After lunch weíll depart by luxury coach for Ankara where we will check in to the Ankara Hilton for overnight, and to celebrate our memorable trip with a farewell dinner and graduation ceremony.

Day 10 Today weíll transfer by plane to Florence , for two nights at the 5 star Westin Excelsior Hotel. This eveningís dinner will be in the elegant restaurant of our lovely Florence hotel.

Day 11 Weíll enjoy a full day with our private guide in the nearby 16th century walled town of Lucca , the birthplace of Puccini. This ancient Italian town with its narrow streets, alleys, and archways is full of wonderful old architecture, towers, and palazzo, with churches and museums recorded as early as the year 768. Lucca boasts a wealth of precious art, shops with local specialties and leather, and some of the regionís finest authentic cuisine. Late afternoon return to Westin Excelsior for dinner and overnight, and our Florence/Siena trip commencing tomorrow.

Day 12 Today weíll meet our fellow Tuscany guests for lunch at 1:00 p.m. For two days our private guide will immerse us in magnificent Florence , founded in 5 B.C. and one of the worldís most cherished cities for its priceless art and architecture from the Renaissance and Baroque eras. After lunch our guide will escort us on a panoramic city tour including the Piazza Michaelangelo and Piazza Santa Croce. Enjoy an elegant evening at Ristorante La Giostra, owned by the Hapsburg Lorena princes, and two nights at Westin Excelsior Hotel.

Day 13 Our exceptional guide will have secured pre-reserved tickets for all of our venues in Florence . Our full-day guided walk of the city begins with Piazza San Marco and the restored 15th century Dominican monastery, whose museum and cells houses famous masterpieces such as the Crucifixion, the Annunciation, and a fresco of The Last Supper. Next weíll explore the Piazza Duomo with its resplendent 13th century cathedral and cupola, perhaps the most recognized sight in Tuscany , with origins of its bapistry dating to Roman times. Next is the Academy of Fine Arts and an unhurried visit to Michaelangeloís original statue of David, carved by the 26 year old from 1501-1504. Relax for lunch at chic Frescobaldi Wine Bar, continuing to Uffizi Gallery, one of the most important museums in the world for its works by Botticelli, da Vinci, Raphael, Michelangelo, and Rembrandt. Stroll the Ponte Vecchio, the oldest bridge in Florence , and since the 15th century lined with interesting shops. Weíll return to our elegant hotel then gather for a truly fun Tuscan evening at Il Latini.

Day 14 A stay in Florence is not complete without exploring the Palatine Gallery at Pitti Palace , a collection of masterís paintings and sculptures owned largely by the Medici family and left to the people of Florence . Afterward there will be time for shopping then transfer to Siena for luncheon as the private guests of our good friend the Countess Sandra Bianchi Bandinelli in her 16th century Villa di Geggiano. Her son, Andrea, flies frequently in our balloons and takes great pleasure in serving us wine that he produces from the family vineyards and showing us the family estate. Weíll check in for four nights at Sienaís 5 star Grand Hotel Continental, a lovingly restored 17th century palace just steps from the Piazza Del Campo, then gather for a fun dinner party in downtown Siena .

Day 15 Our early morning balloon adventure takes us across Sienaís ancient rooftops, waving to the Sienese who lean from their windows to greet us with a cheerful ìBuon Giorno!î From our balloons this medieval town is visually sensational and these city crossings are spectacular! Mid-morning our guide will bring the story of Siena into focus as we walk through the enchanting town of 14th century private palaces and the great cathedral. Today we are the private luncheon guests of our gracious friend, Marissa Cardini, in her elegant, art-filled penthouse overlooking the townís ancient rooftops. Her daughter, Fiama, enjoys flying with us and is a treasured source of insights into the Sienese culture. Late afternoon free for personal pursuits with dinner at a nearby restaurant.

Day 16 Our early morning balloon adventure takes off just outside the 13th century ramparts of the pristine, medieval town of San Gimignano . Weíll have a spectacular aerial view of this walled architectural jewel and the surrounding vineyard covered hills, appearing almost exactly as they did 700 years ago. Enjoy a walking tour with our guide along the narrow streets lined with medieval houses. Today we are the private luncheon guests of our close friends, Princess Irina Guicciardini-Strozzi and her husband, Prince Girolamo at their ancestral home, Villa Cusona. Dating to 994 and chosen for the film, The Winds of War, the estate is known for its magnificent Vernaccia wine. The Strozzi family played an important role during the Italian Renaissance, and one of the most imposing palaces of the time is Palazzo Strozzi in Florence , now the cityís convention center. The Strozzis fly frequently in our balloons and Princess Irina joins our January Winter Festival trips each year in Gstaad , Switzerland . After an exceptional afternoon with this congenial family and a tour of their impressive estate, we will return to our hotel for personal time then gather for a festive dinner.

Day 17 Early morning balloon adventure across Siena , through olive groves and hilltop fortresses to just-awakening locals in their gardens. Todayís private luncheon is hosted by our good friends, the Baron and Baroness Bettino and Constanza Ricasoli at Castello di Brolio, the familyís massive historic fortress since the 11th century. Appearing in the region as warrior knights, the Ricasoliís conquered a vast part of southern Chianti and built 11 castles to protect their land. Three hundred years ago they began raising grapes, and today Brolio is one of Italyís most prestigious wine estates. Our host today is the 21st Baron Ricasoli, and the creation of Chianti Classico and Classico Reserva, which lifted Chianti to a level of greatness, was the work of the Baronís great grandfather at Brolio. Luncheon will be served in the ancient Knightís Hall where armor is still kept, which was also the ìWar Roomî when Florence , using this castle, conquered Siena in 1555. The Ricasolis greatly enjoy flying in our balloons and helping us to create some of the elegance our guests enjoy with us in Siena . Weíll return to our hotel for personal time then meet for an authentic Tuscan dinner.

Day 18 Romantic Tuscany is spread before us during our last early morning balloon adventure in Siena . Weíll tiptoe across the historic rooftops, past church spires, gothic towers and through the old cobblestone streets for one last, very special look at a place youíll never again experience in quite the same way. After lunch we will return to the Westin Excelsior Hotel in Florence , arriving at approximately 2:30 p.m.

SALZBURG & TURKEY
with 1 Night Luxury Transfer
15 Days, 14 Nights, 2008 Dates and Pricing Not Confirmed Please Call for Information

Day 1 Our trip meets at 3:00 p.m. sharp at 5-star Hotel Schloss Fuschl, former hunting castle of the Archbishops of Salzburg and our home for four nights. We'll depart immediately for our first late afternoon balloon adventure through Austria's lovely Lakes District with the stunning Alps as a backdrop. Festive evening dinner party at our historic hotel.

Day 2 After breakfast explore the romantic “old city” of Salzurg, birthplace of Mozart and filled with Baroque and Gothic architectural treasures. A highlight will be the colorful and lively Getreidegasse, Austria’s most beautiful shopping area. A quaint old lane of high, narrow houses with medieval wrought iron guild signs, it is full of fashionable shops and romantic passageways. Our wonderful city guide, Heidi, with her interesting stories, makes this morning’s walking tour a real pleasure. Our elaborate lunch will be on the terrace of 5 star Sacher Hotel, followed by our late afternoon balloon adventure through the Austrian countryside. Dinner in the country at our lovely hotel.

Day 3 Morning drive to colorful St. Gilgen, gaily painted in the many soft pastel colors of the Austrian style. Board a lake steamer and sail to the picturesque old market town of St. Wolfgang, with its decorated 15th century houses and world famous Baroque style church filled with magnificent furnishings. For luncheon we’ll be the guests of one of Salzburg’s most celebrated personalities and our very good friend, Princess Manni Wittgenstein, in her lovely Alpine home. She is a brilliant hostess, sharing with us wonderful tales of her fascinating life. She also frequently flies with our guests in our balloons, and thoroughly enjoys helping us make their Austrian visit a memorable one. Late afternoon balloon adventure through the beautiful Austrian landscape, landing at twilight and returning to Schloss Fuschl for dinner.

Day 4 Today we’ll explore the ancient village of Hallstaat, easily the most striking lakeside village in the region. This tiny, picturesque hamlet clings to a ledge at the foot of a steep cliff, surrounded by the towering Dachstein mountains. Best enjoyed from the water, we will use a small fleet of electric boats to slowly cruise along the shoreline, with its ancient boathouses and quaint wooden homes. A major Celtic archaeological landmark and UNESCO protected site, the treasures unearthed here are so extensive that one era in Celtic studies (800 - 400 BC) is called “the Hallstatt period.” A pre-luncheon rafting party with champagne will be held on the lake before dining in a charming restaurant. Late afternoon balloon adventure through the summer meadowlands of the Alpine foothills, with farewell dinner party at Schloss Fuschl.

Day 5 Mid morning departure with Buddy Bombard for commercial air flight to Istanbul, arriving in the afternoon. Check in to Ciragan Palace Hotel where our Turkey trip begins tomorrow.

INTRODUCTION: Cappadocia, in central Turkey, is a dramatic landscape of surrealistic beauty. Over 60 million years of erosion has transformed its compacted volcanic ash into several thousand bizarre rock cones and hundreds of wonderfully, weirdly textured canyons.

From the 4 th to the 13 th centuries, Christians finding religious freedom here carved dwellings, monasteries, and churches from the soft rock canyon walls. About 150 of the approximately 900 churches that remain are richly decorated with precious frescoes. Starting in the 7th century, subterranean cities were cut straight down into the rock to escape the Arab invasions of the 7th and 8th centuries. Some went down 7 stories and became home to as many as 5,000 people and their animals. By the 10th century some 30,000 people were living here in the rock!

These cave dwellers are now gone, and centuries of erosion has now exposed many of the intricate apartments they created. Our unique ability to fly slowly in our balloons, just a few feet from these ruins and geological formations, is due to the gentle winds that are normal for this area. This allows us to treat you to a remarkable, close-up view of this strange and eerie wonderland. NOTE: Each lunch in Cappadocia will be served in a different and truly spectacular setting, among strange and wonderfully exotic rock formations and ruined cave dwellings of the early Christians. Our delicious mid-day meals are totally private, catered affairs served in our very unique “movable cafe” of tables, chairs, giant umbrellas, Turkish carpets and charcoal grills. Each setting was selected by Buddy Bombard many years ago, after much exploration by jeep and on foot.

Day 6 Istanbul Our personal Turkish guide will escort you on a sightseeing adventure today with lunch, and return you to our hotel in time to meet our fellow Turkey travelers for 7:00 p.m. welcome dinner. Sahli, our wonderful Trip Director who will be with us throughout our stay in Turkey, will also be in attendance.

Day 7 Istanbul After breakfast we’ll visit Dolmabahce Palace, the last residence of the Ottoman Sultans, stretching for 600 yards along the the Bosphorus. With 362 rooms and 22 salons, it is noted for its extensive interior decoration in gold, large collection of European antiques, priceless paintings, four and a half ton crystal chandelier and major harem. Then we’ll board our privately chartered 90 foot yacht, the Sureyya, for a lavish luncheon cruise on the Bosphorous, sailing close to the European and the Asian shores. You will see rows of historical Yalis, the beautiful wooden waterside residences of the 19th century, as well as expensive modern villas, small fishing villages, ancient marble palaces, graceful 15th century Rumelihisar fortress, the two giant bridges connecting Europe to Asia and charming coves filled with fancy yachts. After our cruise, we’ll visit the most beautiful of all the imperial mosques in Istanbul, the 16th century mosque of Sultan Suleyman the Magnificent, and St. Sophia’s Basilica, built in the 6th century Dinner at the Kervansaray Nightclub with a colorful traditional Turkish floor show including dancing girls.

Day 8 Istanbul Morning visit to the Golden Horn, the harbor around which Istanbul was built with streets of colorful old wooden houses and churches from Byzantine times. We’ll visit the Spice Bazaar, the 5th century Roman aqueduct, the site of the famous Hippodrome where gladiators fought and chariots raced, and the Blue Mosque of Sultan Ahmet, built in 1616 and renowned for its 22,000 blue Iznik tiles. Lunch will be at the Rami restaurant, followed by a tour of Topkapi Palace, the Imperial residence of the Ottoman Sultans from the 15th to the 19th centuries. With over 6 million square feet and it’s palace population of over 10,000, it was truly a small city. It is the oldest and largest of the remaining palaces in the world with lavish gold, silver and jewel collections, a jeweled throne room and the remains of a 400-room harem pavilion. We’ll visit the Basilica cistern built in 532 with 236 Corinthian columns standing in 3 feet of water. It is a remarkably large underground reservoir. Our last stop will be the Grand Bazaar, with 65 streets, 18 gates and 4000 shops all under one roof. Dinner at the Korfez Restaurant on the Asian shore of the Bosphorous, arriving by private motor launch.

Day 9 Istanbul to Cappadocia Fly to Ankara by plane and visit the outstanding Museum of Anatolian Civilization to better understand the strangely beautiful region we are about to explore. Proceed to Cappadocia by private coach and check into 4 star Dedeman Hotel for 6 nights. Dinner will be in the hotel’s private, penthouse dining room.

Day 10 After breakfast a mid-morning balloon adventure through the extraordinary landscape of Cappadocia. Then our guide will take us to The Open Air Museum in Goreme with its 16 frescoed monastic churches from the 3rd to the 10th centuries, carved into the rock. Later we'll visit a local carpet maker for a highly fascinating visit, watching the weaving of hand made rugs from cotton, wool and silk. Lunch will be in the remarkable rock valley of Uchisar, then a guided visit to the 7th century rock cave dwellings of this intriguing place and its preposterous towering rock fortress. Dinner will be in a fine restaurant in Urgup.

Day 11 Mid-morning balloon adventure in Cappadocia. Visit a ceramic workshop in the caves of Avanos, to see how fine quality pieces are designed and produced. Lunch will be among the amazing rock formations of White Valley, called “Fairy Chimneys”, followed by a guided visit into the ancient underground city of Kaymakli. Dug during the 7th and 8th centuries, it is a maze of tunnels and dwelling chambers for approximately 5,000 people and their animals. It descends 7 stories underground! Our spectacular dinner, arranged just for us in the Outdoor Musuem, is an elaborate catered affair by lantern-light. A private performance of Whirling Dervishes is a moving and mesmerizing experience.

Day 12 Mid-morning balloon adventure in spectacular Cappadocia, followed by a guided visit to the National Park of Zelve and the ruined cave dwellings of approximately 8,000 early Christians. Lunch in the visually spectacular setting of the ancient hand hewn cave church called Gomede. Time for shopping in the colorful old markets of Urgup. Dinner this evening will be, with special permission, privately catered and served to us in the exotic hand-hewn rock chambers of the 10th century Christian church, Avnali.

Day 13 Mid-morning balloon adventure across Cappadocia followed by a guided visit to the town of Ortahisar and its remarkable 10-story tall rock fortress. Lunch will be out among the most unlikely eroded rock formations of Pasabag followed by a leisurely stroll through this wonderland of shapes. You’ll really want your camera for this one. Dinner will be on the terrace of the Ataman Restaurant, overlooking the strange and fascinating erosion formations of Goreme.

Day 14 Mid-morning balloon adventure and our last exploration of this compelling landscape. Our final lunch in Cappadocia will be in a pretty green glade under the enormous and complex ruined cliff dwelling village of Cavusin. After lunch we’ll depart by luxury coach for Ankara where we will check in to the Ankara Hilton for overnight, and to celebrate our memorable trip with a farewell dinner and graduation ceremony.

Day 15 Our tour ends after breakfast with a plane flight from Ankara to Istanbul, coordinated with your ongoing flight out of Istanbul.

THE ROMANCE OF FLORENCE & SIENA
and Burgundyís Medieval Castles & World Famous Vineyards
16 Days, 15 Nights, September 17-October 1, 2007 & 2008

Day 1 Our 7 day Tuscan adventure begins in Florence , where we will meet you for a 1:00 p.m. lunch at the 5 star Westin Excelsior Hotel. For two days our private guide will immerse us in magnificent Florence , founded in 5 B.C. and one of the worldís most cherished cities for its priceless art and architecture from the Renaissance and Baroque eras. After lunch our guide will escort us on a panoramic city tour including the Piazza Michaelangelo and Piazza Santa Croce. Enjoy an elegant evening at Ristorante La Giostra, owned by the Hapsburg Lorena princes, and two nights at Westin Excelsior Hotel.

Day 2 Our exceptional guide will have secured pre-reserved tickets for all of our venues in Florence. Our full-day guided walk of the city begins with Piazza San Marco and the restored 15th century Dominican monastery, whose museum and cells houses famous masterpieces such as the Crucifixion, the Annunciation, and a fresco of The Last Supper. Next weíll explore the Piazza Duomo with its resplendent 13th century cathedral and cupola, perhaps the most recognized sight in Tuscany , with origins of its bapistry dating to Roman times. Next is the Academy of Fine Arts and an unhurried visit to Michaelangeloís original statue of David, carved by the 26 year old from 1501-1504. Relax for lunch at chic Frescobaldi Wine Bar, continuing to Uffizi Gallery, one of the most important museums in the world for its works by Botticelli, da Vinci, Raphael, Michelangelo, and Rembrandt. Stroll the Ponte Vecchio, the oldest bridge in Florence , and since the 15th century lined with interesting shops. Weíll return to our elegant hotel then gather for a truly fun Tuscan evening at Il Latini.

Day 3 A stay in Florence is not complete without exploring the Palatine Gallery at Pitti Palace, a collection of masterís paintings and sculptures owned largely by the Medici family and left to the people of Florence. Afterward there will be time for shopping then transfer to Siena for luncheon as the private guests of our good friend the Countess Sandra Bianchi Bandinelli in her 16th century Villa di Geggiano. Her son, Andrea, flies frequently in our balloons and takes great pleasure in serving us wine that he produces from the family vineyards and showing us the family estate. Weíll check in for four nights at Sienaís 5 star Grand Hotel Continental, a lovingly restored 17th century palace just steps from the Piazza Del Campo, then gather for a fun dinner party in downtown Siena.

Day 4 Our early morning balloon adventure takes us across Sienaís ancient rooftops, waving to the Sienese who lean from their windows to greet us with a cheerful ìBuon Giorno!î From our balloons this medieval town is visually sensational and these city crossings are spectacular! Mid-morning our guide will bring the story of Siena into focus as we walk through the enchanting town of 14th century private palaces and the great cathedral. Today we are the private luncheon guests of our gracious friend, Marissa Cardini, in her elegant, art-filled penthouse overlooking the townís ancient rooftops. Her daughter, Fiama, enjoys flying with us and is a treasured source of insights into the Sienese culture. Late afternoon free for personal pursuits with dinner at a nearby restaurant.

Day 5 Our early morning balloon adventure takes off just outside the 13th century ramparts of the pristine, medieval town of San Gimignano . Weíll have a spectacular aerial view of this walled architectural jewel and the surrounding vineyard covered hills, appearing almost exactly as they did 700 years ago. Enjoy a walking tour with our guide along the narrow streets lined with medieval houses. Today we are the private luncheon guests of our close friends, Princess Irina Guicciardini-Strozzi and her husband, Prince Girolamo at their ancestral home, Villa Cusona. Dating to 994 and chosen for the film, The Winds of War, the estate is known for its magnificent Vernaccia wine. The Strozzi family played an important role during the Italian Renaissance, and one of the most imposing palaces of the time is Palazzo Strozzi in Florence , now the cityís convention center. The Strozzis fly frequently in our balloons and Princess Irina joins our January Winter Festival trips each year in Gstaad , Switzerland . After an exceptional afternoon with this congenial family and a tour of their impressive estate, we will return to our hotel for personal time then gather for a festive dinner.

Day 6 Early morning balloon adventure across Siena , through olive groves and hilltop fortresses to just-awakening locals in their gardens. Todayís private luncheon is hosted by our good friends, the Baron and Baroness Bettino and Constanza Ricasoli at Castello di Brolio, the familyís massive historic fortress since the 11th century. Appearing in the region as warrior knights, the Ricasoliís conquered a vast part of southern Chianti and built 11 castles to protect their land. Three hundred years ago they began raising grapes, and today Brolio is one of Italyís most prestigious wine estates. Our host today is the 21st Baron Ricasoli, and the creation of Chianti Classico and Classico Reserva, which lifted Chianti to a level of greatness, was the work of the Baronís great grandfather at Brolio. Luncheon will be served in the ancient Knightís Hall where armor is still kept, which was also the ìWar Roomî when Florence , using this castle, conquered Siena in 1555. The Ricasolis greatly enjoy flying in our balloons and helping us to create some of the elegance our guests enjoy with us in Siena . Weíll return to our hotel for personal time then meet for an authentic Tuscan dinner.

Day 7 Romantic Tuscany is spread before us during our last early morning balloon adventure in Siena. Weíll tiptoe across the historic rooftops, past church spires, gothic towers and through the old cobblestone streets for one last, very special look at a place youíll never again experience in quite the same way. After a farewell lunch At the Westin Excelsior Hotel we will depart by private car en-route to our Burgundy ballooning adventures. This afternoon weíll arrive for dinner and a 5 star overnight in the romantic seaside town of Rapallo on the Italian Riviera.

Day 8 Depart Rapallo this morning for a beautiful drive through the castle-encrusted Aosta Valley and the Mont Blanc tunnel into France. Todayís destination is the medieval mountain town of Megeve, a resort village developed in the 1920ís as an alternative to St. Moritz . Enjoy dinner in the town with overnight at the posh yet charming Hotel Mont Blanc, a favorite of celebrities.

Day 9 This morning our drive takes us to the French mountain town of Chamonix at the foot of towering Mont Blanc, the tallest mountain in Europe . Weíll take an awesome trip up the mountain for a view of the beautiful Vallee Blanche, a permanent winter-land scene of snowy peaks and shimmering crystal ice. After lunch weíll descend from the Alps into the vineyard-carpeted Rhone Valley , arriving in Zermatt for dinner and overnight at the 5 star Mont Cervin.

Day 10 Today weíll explore one last region of Alpine beauty with a mountain railway trip from Zermattís flowered valley floor to the spectacular summer snowfields of the Gornergrat. This afternoon weíll arrive in the walled, medieval town of Beaune, the center for wine making in Burgundy , and check in for 5 nights at the beautiful 14th-18th century Hotel le Cep.

Day 11 Enjoy sightseeing in Beaune this morning and meet our fellow trip guests for an elegant lunch at Le Montrechet, one of the areaís most notable restaurants. Weíll return to the hotel then depart for our first late afternoon balloon adventure just-above-the-rooftops of 14th century castles and romantic villages, landing at twilight. Dinner this evening will be prepared by our own chefs in the vaulted, candlelit chambers of 14th century Chateau Savigny-les-Beaune.

Day 12 After breakfast weíll visit the 14th-17th century wine cellars of Patriarch, the largest in Beaune with four million bottles. Our wine expert will touch on the pleasures of enjoying fine wine during a sampling of the fine Burgundies open for tasting. For luncheon weíll be the private guests of our good friend and one of Burgundyís most famous personalities, the Countess de Loisy, who entertains us with stories of her ancestry, winemaking, and the German occupation of her 15th century home during WWII. She will take us on a tour of her wine making estate and its extraordinary cellar, with 3,000 wooden wine barrels! Visit the 12th century monastic winery of Clos de Vougeot with its gigantic 2-story oak grape presses dating from the same period. The winery is the home of Burgundyís prestigious wine society, The Confrerie des Chevalier du Tastevin. Then on to the 4 1/2 acre vineyards of Romanee Conti, the most expensive red wine in the world. Late afternoon balloon adventure through the lush vineyards of Burgundy, ending with a candle-lit buffet in the ancient cellars of Chateau Savigny-les-Beaune. Enjoy the castleís extraordinary collection of 92 jet aircraft on the back lawn, and more than 200 motorcycles on its top floor.

Day 13 Morning visit to the small workshop of Claude Gillet, making 50 wine barrels a day by hand, then proceed to the fairytale cliff-top fortress of 14th century Chateau de la Rochepot and its storybook village. The castle is one of the best existing examples of a Middle Age fortress. Enjoy a lavish lunch at the Hostellerie de Levernois and free time to browse around Beauneís quaint medieval square and pedestrian shopping area. Late afternoon balloon adventure followed by a festive dinner party prepared by our own chef, in a romantic, medieval setting.

Day 14 Explore the marvelous 15th century Hospice de Beaune, Burgundyís most important architectural landmark which functioned as a charity hospital until 1979. Elegant lunch at Chez Morillon, one of Beauneís most celebrated restaurants, with a visit to the Wine Museum of Burgundy, once the medieval residence of the Dukes of Burgundy. Late afternoon balloon adventure through Burgundyís storybook scenery, followed by dinner and graduation ceremonies in the flower-filled orangerie of Chateau de LaBorde, Buddy Bombardís home in France .

Day 15 Weíll depart Beaune at 10:00 a.m. for transfer to Paris, with lunch enroute. Arrive Paris late afternoon.

Total 16 Day Trip Price: $30,038 per person, double occupancy. Single supplement $7,345.

LOIRE VALLEY & ITS ROYAL CHATEAUX

5 days, 4 nights • June 4-8 • July 25-29 • October 4-8
INCLUDING OPTIONAL EXTENSION • NORMANDY, GIVERNY, MONT ST. MICHEL, BALLEROY, HONFLEUR
TOTAL 9 DAYS, 8 NIGHTS • JULY 25-AUGUST 2 • OCTOBER 4-12

Loire Valley & its Royal Chateaux More than 1,000 chateaux, palaces and feudal castles rise from the Loire’s river banks, vineyards and medieval forests, royal relics of days gone by. Gorgeous Chateau Chenonceau, romantic Chateau d’Usse with its turrets, chimneys and towers, and Villandry’s resplendent gardens are but a few of the brilliantly preserved and period furnished architectural masterpieces awaiting our exploration by private guide—and by balloon--each day throughout our trip. Lavish lunches in Michelin star restaurants, and dinner parties in an 11th century fortress are perfect enhancements to our wondrous step back in time. 4 nights at luxury Domaine de Beauvois, our 18th century chateau-hotel exuding French country charm. Excellent cuisine and fine wine throughout. Hosted by Buddy Bombard. All-inclusive from Paris, $8,940 per person, based on double occupancy.

Optional Normandy Extension
A comprehensive experience with 3 nights at Normandy's exquisite Chateau d’ Audrieu. Exceptional visits with our
full-time private guide to the Normandy beaches, cemetery and museum, Mont St. Michel abbey and grounds, the charming sea village of Honfleur, and Giverny, Claude Monet’s peaceful home and gardens. Also included is a visit to Malcolm Forbes's Chateau Balleroy and balloon museum, exclusively arranged by Buddy Bombard who taught Malcolm Forbes to fly balloons. Buddy was awarded the Chateau Balleroy trophy by Malcolm for his contribution to the ballooning world. Evening and overnight in Paris on Day 8 to facilitate convenient, independent departures from the city on Day 9. All-inclusive with excellent cuisine throughout and fine wine with dinners.

Loire Valley & Normandy extension, 9 days, 8 nights, all-inclusive from Paris to Paris, hosted by Buddy Bombard. $15,662 per person, based on double occupancy.

HEIDI’S SUMMER SWITZERLAND
5 days, 4 nights • June 18-22 • July 11-15 • August 25-29
INCLUDING OPTIONAL EXTENSION • GERMANY’S KING LUDWIG CASTLES
TOTAL 8 DAYS, 7 NIGHTS • JUNE 18-25 • JULY 11-18 • AUGUST 25-SEPT 1

Heidi’s Summer Switzerland
Chalets, mountain trains, and helicopters to shimmering, crystal ice fields and wonderland glaciers behind the imposing Jungfrau are daytime highlights on our Swiss summer trips, with our trademark daily balloon excursions late each afternoon through the sloping emerald valleys and charming villages of the Emmental. You won’t forget our luncheons in medieval mountain settlements, at famous Piz Gloria at the top of the Shilthorn and on a luncheon cruise skimming medieval lakeside villages of the Thunsee. Explore raging Trummelbach Falls from inside a mountain and so much more on our delightful, “Heidi” experience. A great and playful adventure for families! 4 nights at 5 star Bellevue Palace, Bern, excellent cuisine and fine wine throughout. Hosted by Buddy Bombard. All–inclusive from Zurich, $8,940 per person, based on double occupancy.

Optional King Ludwig’s Fairytale Castles Extension
We’ll drive from Salzburg through pretty Bavarian countryside to the foothills of the German Alps and three of the most fantastic fairytale castles built by the eccentric Bavarian King Ludwig; romantic Neuschwanstein which was the model for Cinderella’s castle at Disney World, exquisite Linderhof Palace, and majestic Herrenchiemsee Palace, which was to be an exact copy of Versailles and half completed when King Ludwig died. Each night will be spent in a different charming hotel in a storybook setting, the Jagerhaus Hotel in Schwangau, Residence Heinz Winkler in Aschau and Munich’s 5 star Hotel Vier Jahreszeiten. An exceptional trip of stunning beauty, with excellent cuisine and fine wine throughout; hosted by Buddy Bombard.

Salzburg Lakes & King Ludwig Castles extension, 8 days, 7 nights, all-inclusive from Salzburg to Munich.
$13,442 per person, based on double occupancy.

TUSCANY - THE MEDIEVAL SPLENDOR OF SIENA & ITS PALIO
7 days, 6 nights • July 1-7 • August 15-21
INCLUDING OPTIONAL EXTENSION • PORTOFINO, MEGEVE, ZERMATT
TOTAL 11 DAYS, 10 NIGHTS • JULY 1-11 • AUGUST 15-25

Tuscany & Palio
Join us in Tuscany, where 4 morning adventures in Buddy Bombard’s balloons take us from the streets of Siena to the rooftops of San Gimignano, and across nearly every historic cobblestone in between. We’ll take you across rolling hills and olive groves, past gothic abbeys, hilltop castles and through ancient Italian villages bathed in that glorious Tuscan light. Enjoy daily lunches with local nobility and our personal friends in their private villas and magnificent, ancestral castles. Plus! Premium reserved seating for the Palio race and pageantry, Europe’s most passionate festival and horse race in Siena’s town square. 2 nights at 5-star Hotel le Fontanelle outside Siena, 4 nights at 5 star Grand Hotel Continental, Siena. Excellent cuisine and fine wine throughout. Hosted by Buddy Bombard. All-inclusive from Florence. $13,996 per person based on double occupancy.

Optional Portofino, Megeve, Zermatt Extension
Come with us to Portofino, the romantic harbor village on the Italian Riviera, continuing through the castle-encrusted Aosta Valley and the Mont Blanc tunnel to France. We’ve arrived at the quaint mountain resort town of Megeve, developed in the 1020’s as a French alternative to St. Moritz. Then we’ll drive Switzerland’s most famous high Alpine passes with their staggering views and the stunning Vallee Blanche, a permanent winter land scene of snowy peaks and shimmering crystal ice. The beautiful Rhone Valley, carpeted with vineyards, leads us to Zermatt for railway to the spectacular summer snowfields of the Gornergrat and overnight at the foothills of the majestic Matterhorn . Our last drive takes us past the scenic shores of Lake Brienze and Lake Thun to Interlaken, then on to Bern for overnight. Glorious sightseeing, excellent cuisine and wines, with 5 star and luxury hotels throughout: Spendido Mare, Portofino; Mont Blanc, Megeve; Mt. Cervin, Zermatt; Hotel Bellevue Palace, Bern.

Tuscany with Palio & Portofino, Megeve, Zermatt extension, 11 Days, 10 nights, all-inclusive
from Florence to Bern. $20,396 per person based on double occupancy.

SALZBURG LAKES & ALPINE FOOTHILLS
5 days, 4 nights • September 1-5
INCLUDING OPTIONAL EXTENSION • GERMANY’S KING LUDWIG CASTLES
8 DAYS, 7 NIGHTS • SEPTEMBER 1-8

Salzburg Lakes & Alpine Foothills
Five star Schloss Fuschl, the beautifully restored 15th century hunting castle of the Archbishops of Salzburg is our home during our 4 night Austria adventure. Daily private sightseeing includes Old Salzburg, birthplace of Mozart, and lakeside villages with 15th century houses and churches filled with art. Enjoy the ancient lakeside town of Hallstatt in a small fleet of electric boats, lunch with our good friend Princess Manni Wittgenstein in her lovely Alpine home and shopping on the lively Getreidergasse. Late each afternoon we’ll take you exploring in our beautiful balloons, through the magnificent lakes and Alpine scenery made famous in The Sound of Music. Wonderful dining and fine wines throughout. Hosted by Buddy Bombard. All-inclusive from Salzburg, $8,940 per person, double occupancy.

Optional King Ludwig’s Fairytale Castles Extension
We’ll drive from Salzburg through pretty Bavarian countryside to the foothills of the German Alps and three of the most fantastic fairytale castles built by the eccentric Bavarian King Ludwig; romantic Neuschwanstein which was the model for Cinderella’s castle at Disney World, exquisite Linderhof Palace, and majestic Herrenchiemsee Palace, which was to be an exact copy of Versailles and half completed when King Ludwig died. Each night will be spent in a different charming hotel in a storybook setting, the Jagerhaus Hotel in Schwangau, Residence Heinz Winkler in Aschau and Munich’s 5 star Hotel Vier Jahreszeiten. An exceptional trip of stunning beauty, with excellent cuisine and fine wine throughout; hosted by Buddy Bombard.

Salzburg Lakes & King Ludwig Castles extension, 8 days, 7 nights, all-inclusive from Salzburg to Munich.
$13,442 per person, based on double occupancy.