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ITINERARY Insight Vacations - Country Roads of Switzerland
Tour Pace
Well paced tour with two night stays in five of the eight cities and no excessively long driving days. There is also the added bonus of travelling on the Glacier Express train to admire the scenery from a completely different perspective, with yet more wonderful photo opportunities.
DAY 1 – SUN – ZURICH AT LEISURE
Welcome to Switzerland! Upon arrival at Zurich Airport you may take the complimentary shuttle to your tour hotel, where your Tour Director will be available to assist with checking in. This afternoon, our orientation tour of the city includes the Fraumünster, with its stained glass windows, as well as the elegant Bahnhofstrasse. This evening, join your fellow travellers for a Welcome Drink. Hotel: Swissotel Zurich.
DAY 2 – MON – ZURICH – GENEVA
A short drive brings us to Berne where we see the Bear Pits, Cathedral of St Vincent, the Federal Palace and the floral displays and fountains. We gather at the clock tower to watch the mechanical procession of painted figures, before viewing the grim Ogre Fountain. Next, we visit Murten with its ramparts, towers and yachts. Here we see the main street with its arcaded houses and the 13th century castle, affording splendid views of the lake. Then we follow the shores of Lac Leman to the international city of Geneva. Hotel: Warwick. (Buffet breakfast)
DAY 3 – TUE – GENEVA – VILLARS
We follow the shores of the lake to begin our exploration of Geneva. Our tour shows us the Jet D'Eau, Floral Clock and Reformation Monument. Now we drive to Ouchy to embark on a highlight cruise on Lake Geneva, alighting at Montreux to rejoin our coach. Nearby, we visit Chillon Castle, which sits on a rocky islet on the lake, immortalised by Byron's 'Prisoner of Chillon'. We then take the scenic road up into the mountains to the Alpine village of Villars. Hotel: Du Golf. (Buffet breakfast, Three or four course table d'hote or buffet style dinner)
DAY 4 – WED – SWISS COUNTRY EXCURSION
We drive through vineyards and alpine meadows to the fortified town of Gruyères, renowned for its cheese. We have time to explore its picturesque main street and castle before returning to our hotel via Gstaad, one of Europe's most fashionable ski resorts. (Buffet breakfast, Three or four course table d'hote or buffet style dinner)
DAY 5 – THU – VILLARS – ZERMATT
Today takes us into the upper Rhône valley to Martigny, where we view the Roman Amphitheatre. We continue to the town of Sion dominated by two rocky peaks, each crowned with episcopal fortresses. We see the Cathedral and old Town Hall. The final stage of our journey to the traffic-free mountain resort of Zermatt is by mini-bus and electric taxi. Tonight we enjoy a highlight dinner of Swiss cuisine. Hotel: Alpen Resort Hotel. (Buffet breakfast, Speciality Highlight Dinner)
DAY 6 – FRI – ZERMATT AT LEISURE
A whole day to relax in the clean mountain air. Perhaps take an excursion on the Gornergrat rack railway, (highest in Europe), or conquer a mountain by cable car? (Buffet breakfast)
DAY 7 – SAT – ZERMATT – LUGANO
We descend to Tasch this morning where we re-join our coach. We drive through Brig to commence our ascent to the Simplon Pass, with magnificent views over the Alps from the 2,000 metre summit. On our way down we cut through northern Italy, stopping on the gentle shores of Lake Maggiore. Back in Switzerland, we drive on to the lakeside resort Lugano. Hotel: Grand Hotel Eden. (Buffet breakfast)
DAY 8 – SUN – LUGANO AT LEISURE
A day to enjoy the shaded promenades and splendid gardens of this elegant Swiss resort with a decidedly Italian ambiance. Why not take an excursion to Italy to enjoy a Sunday market, or just relax at a sidewalk café? (Buffet breakfast)
DAY 9 – MON – LUGANO – ST MORITZ
Today we head north, passing by the three castles at Bellinzona and high into the Grisons region. We see the evocative Misox Castle, and travel via San Bernardino and the town of Tiefencastel. Then we head east to the ancient Roman Julier Pass and the 'jet-set' resort of St Moritz, set in the Engadine Valley with the majestic Grisons Alps towering above. Hotel: Monopol. (Buffet breakfast, Three or four course table d'hote or buffet style dinner)
DAY 10 – TUE – ST MORITZ – INTERLAKEN
All aboard for the Glacier Express – one of the world's great railway journeys! We ascend through the spiral tunnels of the Albula Pass, and cross the Landwasser Viaduct. Then it's down through the Oberalp Valley to rejoin our coach at Andermatt. We drive over the Susten Pass to admire the glaciers and rocky peaks of the Steingletscher in the late afternoon light. Tonight we stay in the charming resort of Interlaken. Hotel: Royal St Georges. (Buffet breakfast, Three or four course table d'hote or buffet style dinner)
DAY 11 – WED – THE 'VALLEY OF WATERFALLS'
A scenic feast of snowy peaks and rushing rivers today! We marvel at the Wetterhorn Peaks as we travel along the Grindelwald Valley. Then we follow the sparkling Lutschine River to Lauterbrunnen at the head of the 'Valley of Waterfalls'. We see the Staubbach Falls, plunging 300 metres, and have the opportunity to take the funicular up to the tumbling Trummelbach Falls! (Buffet breakfast)
DAY 12 – THU – INTERLAKEN – ENGELBERG
A delightful drive along the shores of Lake Brienz brings us to a wood-carving workshop. Then we experience Swiss rural life throughout the ages at the Ballenberg Open-Air Museum. We continue over the Brunig Pass, to Lake Lucerne and up to the sunny alpine village of Engelberg, surrounded by the Spannörter peaks and Mt. Titlis. Hotel: Ramada Treff Regina Titlis. (Buffet breakfast, Three or four course table d'hote or buffet style dinner)
DAY 13 – FRI – MT PILATUS EXCURSION
This morning we take an excursion by cog-wheel railway to the summit of Mount Pilatus, offering a stunning view of Lucerne, lakes, countryside and hills around. We descend and continue to Lucerne where we see the covered wooden bridge, together with the famous Lion Monument carved from a limestone cliff. This afternoon is free to browse in the shops. (Buffet breakfast)
DAY 14 – SAT – ENGELBERG – ZURICH AIRPORT
Our tour ends with transfers to Zurich Airport. (Buffet breakfast)
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