Issue link: http://viewer.e-digitaleditions.com/i/669304
W H I T E C H R I S T M A S I N E U R O P E In a fizz of Champagne bubbles and fine dining, we head to Lobkowicz Palace to welcome the New Year with a Czech twist. A truly magical night begins with cocktails under the stars on the Palace's heated balcony overlooking the city. We're in prime position to enjoy the fireworks at midnight. PRAGUE Day 16: Monday 1 January (2018) Last night may have been a late one, so you'll welcome a choice of how you'll spend the first day of 2018. Enjoy the day at leisure to relax or explore Prague on your own terms, or perhaps get some fresh air on an excursion to Southern Bohemia and the town of Cesky Kromlov? DEPART PRAGUE Day 17: Tuesday 2 January With suitcases bursting full of Christmas presents to give those at home – thank goodness our team will carry them for you – we get ready to board our flight home on Emirates later this afternoon. ARRIVE AUSTRALIA Day 18: Wednesday 3 January Arriving home is an excuse to celebrate the festival season all over again and give out the most authentic presents in the family! VIENNA Day 13: Friday 29 December Will you spend your last day in Vienna's premium boutiques finding a steal in the sales, or venture out of town on a tour? A boat ride on the largest subterranean lake in Europe unfolds the treasures of Vienna Woods including the Roman City of Baden and the Cistercian Abbey. Or perhaps you'll relax to the pace of a cruise of Wachau and the Danube Valley in a quest to find Melk. You couldn't ask for a better accompaniment to dinner than the waltzes of Strauss and compositions of Mozart played by the Salonorchester Alt Wien at Vienna Kursalon. PRAGUE (CZECH REPUBLIC) Day 14: Saturday 30 December Bound for Eastern Europe this morning, Prague is a scenic train ride away through snow frosted forests and pretty towns. On arrival, we are welcomed into the old town where the Four Seasons Hotel Prague awaits, just a short stroll from the Charles Bridge. PRAGUE Day 15: Sunday 31 December Looking back on the year no doubt it's been a good one. We round off the last hours with a walking tour of charming Prague. A light lunch in the Old Town Square precedes a free afternoon to reflect on the past year. Spend a most memorable New Year's Eve in Prague Glacier Express Pre Tour Option ZERMATT Wednesday 13 December Arriving into Zurich, the world will become increasingly snow dusted as we transfer to Zermatt by train. The warmest welcome awaits at the Hotel Schonegg, complete with a roaring fire and hearty dinner to get you in the festive spirit. ZERMATT Thursday 14 December Riding the mountain train to Gornergrat, we'll feel as if the mighty Matterhorn is standing right there beside us. At the very top, twenty monstrous surrounding peaks are our backdrop for lunch. Zermatt St Moritz Zurich Frankfurt Rail GERMANY SWITZERLAND Chase the legend of the Matterhorn in Zermatt 64 CAPTAIN'S CHOICE | Europe 2017