"It isn't too late to sign up for a 13-day tour of beautiful Alpine countries," says a spokesman for the Moore County Historical Association. "The Collette Vacations tour of highlights in Austria, Germany and Switzerland is April 4-16, but booking your spot before Nov. 5 will save you $100 per person."

The tour leaves on an overnight flight on April 4 and begins in Vienna, Austria, on Friday, April 5, with a special welcome dinner.

Saturday will be used for a locally guided tour showcasing the Viennese architectural marvels, including the Schoenbrunn Palace and St. Stephan's Cathedral. There will be free time to explore the streets and museums of Vienna.

On Sunday, April 7, a drive through the countryside will result in a cruise along the Danube, one of the most important waterways in Europe. Salzburg, the "City of Music," is another stop along the way, including leisurely paced walking tours of the old town, Mozart's birthplace and the cathedral.

From Salzburg on Tuesday, April 9, the tour heads to Munich, Germany, then to Oberammergau, a quaint village renowned for wood carvings and the Passion Play. After two nights there, the tour moves to the Bavarian Alps, then to on enchanting Innsbruck, located in Tyrolean Austria.

The Black Forest comes to life after a picture stop at Bavaria's most famous castle, King Ludwig's Neuschwanstein. Wood carvings, Hummels and authentic cuckoo clocks are the products of the Black Forest artisans.

On Friday, April 12, travelers will head to Bern, Switzerland. Later, the famous Chateau de Chillon, located on Lake Geneva will be another photo stop. A night at Zermatt in the Swiss Alps will be followed by a railway trip to the Matterhorn on Saturday, April 13.

Sunday and Monday, April 14 and 15, travelers will see glaciers, crystal clear rivers and snow-capped mountains as they travel to Lucerne, known as the "Swiss Paradise on the Lake." The tour ends Tuesday, April 16.

Round trip air fare from Raleigh/Durham International Airport, and related fees and hotel transfers are included in the price.

To register go to www.collettevacations.com/meet/o/65588-883. Or call (910) 692-8344 for more information. You may also contact Carolyn Burns at cjburns@nc.rr.com, or call MCHA at (910) 692-2051.