New 2026 Itineraries and dates announced

[sayhello]

We had been set on booking Norway for 2026 but seeing the Switzerland trip has us reconsidering... That extra 1k though has me confused, thought Norway was supposed to be more expensive.

It's actually $1600 more. No way of knowing why it's that much more than Norway. ABD doesn't usually tell things like that.

ETA: Whoops, my bad, that's 2025 prices for Norway...

Sayhello

 

[aggiedog]

Switzerland is expensive. Can't really compare if the price is justified, but I also would not be surprised. When we were there, our guide told us Swiss residents try to go grocery and gas shopping across the border.

 

[jimmymc]

Observations on 2026 trips:

• The Italy/Switzerland trip now ends in Zurich, rather than Lake Lucerne. The trip removes the Mount Titlis activities and instead offers a tour of Zurich and a Lindt facility.
• The Switzerland trip seems designed for guests to arrive at the airport and then transfer to a train on the arrival day. I wonder if this means you can't arrive a day early.
• The Japan trip changes some hotels: In Kyoto it is the Mitsui Kyoto rather than the Hyatt Regency Kyoto, and in Tokyo it is the Capitol Hotel Tokyu rather than the Shangri-La. I'm not familiar with any of them. The new hotels do look nice, but when this trip was first offered, ABD stayed at the Peninsula Tokyo...

For the Switzerland trip, ABD is offering pre-nights: "You may extend your trip with 1-2 Pre-Nights in Zurich at the Radisson Blu Zurich Airport."

For the Japan trip, the Mitsui Kyoto isn't in as good of a location, but I would guess being away from the crowded tourist areas helps with logistics. It still looks very nice. The Capitol Hotel Tokyu is in a more interesting location, but the Shangri-La was closer to Tokyo station. They're both highly rated, modern hotels.