Country Roads of Switzerland

An intimate journey of discovery along vine clad shores, through fortified towns and flower filled meadows amidst stunning Alpine panoramas.

Included Premium Highlights

    * Visit Chillon Castle,immortalised by the poet, Byron, & beautifully situated on Lake Geneva
    * Enjoy a delightful excursion through the Swiss countryside to the towns of Gruyères & Gstaad
    * Embark on a highlight cruise on the serene waters of Lake Geneva
    * Travel aboard the Glacier Express for a spectacular ride through the heart of the Swiss Alps
    * Take an exhilarating excursion to the summit of Mount Pilatus for stunning views over Lucerne

Included Personal Insights

    * Visit a traditional wood-carving exhibition to learn how woodcarvings are produced

Included Other Excursions & Sights

    * See the Fraumünster & elegant Bahnhofstrasse in Zurich
    * See the Clock Tower, bear pits, Federal Palace & Cathedral of St Vincent in Berne
    * Visit the walled town of Murten & inner court of the castle for fine views of the lake
    * See Geneva's Jet d'Eau, Floral Clock & Reformation Monument
    * View the Roman Amphitheatre in Martigny
    * See the two fortress-churches of Sion, Our Lady of Glarier Cathedral & Town Hall
    * See the majestic peak of the Matterhorn from the resort of Zermatt (weather permitting)
    * See Bellinzona's three castles
    * Cross the San Bernardino pass
    * Travel through the spiral tunnels of the Abula pass & cross the Landwasser Viaduct
    * Drive through the dramatic Schöllenen Gorge past the Devils Bridge
    * Visit a wood carving showroom in Brienz & nearby Ballenberg open-air museum
    * See Lucerne's Lion Monument & the reconstructed Chapel Bridge
    * Scenic Drives - Italian Lakes, Broye Valley, Simplon, San Bernardino, Julier, Brunig & Susten Passes

Included First Class Services

    * Escorted by a professional Tour Director
    * Headsets for all guided visits & walking tours
    * Luxury air-conditioned 40 seat coach with extended leg room & on-board restroom
    * Insight Hotels include all service charges, taxes & porterage
    * Insight Traveller document wallet, map book journal & information pack
    * Airport arrival & departure transfers at scheduled times on Day 1 & Day 14
    * (Should your flights not coincide with these arrival & departure transfers, please make your own way to/from the airport)

Included Quality Dining

    * Highlight Dinner of typical Swiss cuisine in Lucerne (HD)
    * Choose from a selection of restaurants on your Dine Around evening in Zermatt (DA) (HD)
    * 13 Buffet Breakfasts (BB), 4 three-course table d'hôte Dinners, or Buffets, plus tea or coffee (D)
 

Day 1 - ZURICH AT LEISURE

Welcome to Switzerland, a land of snow-capped summits & romantic lakes that has attracted poets, musicians & travellers over the years! On arrival at Zurich Airport, your airport transfer leaves for the tour hotel at 09:30, 11:00 & 12:30. Later, an orientation tour shows you the Bahnhofstrasse, Grossmünster, River Limmat & Frauenmünster, famous for its stained glass windows by Marc Chagall. In the evening, join your Tour Director for a Welcome Drink.

Hotel: Mövenpick Zurich Airport

Day 2 - ZURICH - BERNE - CHILLON CASTLE – VILLARS

After a short drive to Berne, see the Bear Pits, Cathedral of St Vincent, Federal Palace & floral displays. Gather at the clock tower to watch the mechanical procession of painted figures before viewing the Ogre Fountain. Visit Murten with its ramparts, towers & yachts, & see the main street with its arcaded houses & the 13C castle which affords splendid lake views. Now to the shores of Lake Geneva for a visit to Chillon Castle, set on a rocky islet, immortalised by Byron's 'Prisoner of Chillon'. Continue to the Alpine village of Villars.

Hotel: Du Golf/Eurotel (BB,D)

Day 3 - SWISS COUNTRY EXCURSION

Snowy summits fill the horizon as you leave Villars & ascend the Col de la Croix. Drive through vineyards & alpine meadows to the fortified town of Gruyères, renowned for its cheese. Spend time exploring its picturesque main street & castle before returning to the hotel via Gstaad, one of Europe's most fashionable ski resorts. (BB)

Day 4 - LAKE GENEVA EXCURSION

Follow the shores of Lac Leman to the international city of Geneva, seeing the Jet D'Eau, Floral Clock & Reformation Monument. Before returning to your alpine hotel, embark on a highlight cruise on Lake Geneva past the cultural resort of Montreux.(BB,D)

Day 5 - VILLARS - MARTIGNY - SION - ZERMATT

Journey into the upper Rhône valley to Martigny to view the Roman Amphitheatre. Continue to the town of Sion, dominated by two rocky peaks, each crowned with episcopal fortresses, & see the cathedral and Old Town Hall. The final stage of the journey to the traffic-free mountain resort of Zermatt is by mini-bus & electric taxi. Tonight, dine as you please from our selection of local restaurants.

Hotel: Alpen Resort/ Ambassador (BB,DA)

Day 6 - ZERMATT AT LEISURE

Spend the day relaxing in the clean mountain air. Perhaps take an excursion to the Kleiner Matterhorn, see the Matterhorm from the church bridge, take a short hike or sample the delicious Kuchen (cakes). (BB)

Day 7 - ZERMATT - LUGANO

Descend to Täsch & re-join the coach. Drive through Brig to commence your ascent of the Simplon Pass, taking in magnificent views over the Alps from the 2,000-metre summit. Cut through northern Italy, stopping on the gentle shores of Lake Maggiore. Back in Switzerland, drive on to the lake side resort of Lugano.

Hotel: De La Paix (BB)

Day 8 - LUGANO - ST MORITZ

Head north past the three castles at Bellinzona en route to the Grisons region. Travel via San Bernardino & the town of Tiefencasteland follow the young Rhine River through Heidi Country. Head east to the Julier Pass & the chic resort of St Moritz, set in the Engadine Valley with the majestic Grisons Alps towering above.

Hotel: Monopol/Crystal (BB,D)

Day 9 - ST MORITZ AT LEISURE

Today is free to jostle with the jet-set in the elegant boutiques or take an exciting train journey over the Bernina pass? (BB)

Day 10 - ST MORITZ - GLACIER EXPRESS - INTERLAKEN

All aboard for the Glacier Express - one of the world's great railway journeys. Ascend through the spiral tunnels of the Albula Pass & cross the Land wasser Viaduct before heading down through the Oberalp Valley to rejoin the coach at &ermatt. Drive through the dramatic Schöllenen Gorge past the Devils Bridge. On through William Tell Country to stay 'between the lakes' in Interlaken.

Hotel: Royal St Georges/Sunstar Grindelwald (BB,D)

Day 11 - VALLEY OF WATERFALLS EXCURSION

Marvel at the Wetterhorn Peaks as you travel along the Grindelwald Valley. Follow the sparkling Lutschine River to Lauterbrunnen at the head of the 'Valley of Waterfalls', & see the Staubbach Falls plunge 300 metres. Consider taking a cog-wheel train ride to the summit of the Jungfrau mountain. (BB)

Day 12 - INTERLAKEN - BRIENZ - LUCERNE

Brienz is well known as Switzerland's woodcarving centre. A delightful drive along the shores of the lake leads to a wood-carving exhibition to learn how today's woodcarvings are produced. Next, experience Swiss rural life throughout the ages at the Ballenberg Open-Air Museum. Now continue over the Brunig Pass & drive along side the lakes of Lungern & Sarnen to beautiful Lucerne.

Hotel: Astoria (BB)

Day 13 - MT PILATUS EXCURSION

Take an excursion by cog-wheel railway to the summit of Mount Pilatus, which offers a stunning view of Lucerne, as well as the lakes, countryside & hills surrounding it. Return to Lucerne to see the covered wooden bridge, together with the famous Lion Monument carved from a limestone cliff. Spend the afternoon browsing in the shops. Sample typical Swiss cuisine at dinner tonight. (BB,HD)

Day 14 - LUCERNE - ZURICH AIRPORT

Departure transfers arrive at Zurich Airport at 08:00. Please do not schedule any flights before 10:00am. (BB)

Your Insight tour already includes a host of bonus highlights and comprehensive sightseeing. However, there is an exciting array of optional excursions which will turn an already amazing experience into the trip of a lifetime! These are entirely optional and can be booked through your Tour Director/Local Representative at the commencement of your tour. All prices are quoted in local currency. Payment can be made in cash or by Visa, Mastercard or American Express. To help your pre-tour budgeting we suggest you allow approximately EURO 45 per person per day for optional excursions.

ZER02 - KLEINER MATTERHORN EXCURSION
A unique electric taxi service will drive us to the foot of Zermatt's highest and most spectacular mountain experience. Enjoy stunning views as we ascend to Furi and Trockener steg before boarding Europe's highest cable car to arrive on the snow-capped top of the world at 3883 m (12,740 ft). A magnificent panorama of the highest peaks in Switzerland, Italy and France will make this an unforgettable experience - one not to be missed. EURO 76

ITL01S - ISOLA BELLA
The premier attraction of Lake Maggiore is the Borromean Islands. Our lake cruise takes us to Isola Bella, the largest and most famous island, renowned for its incredible palace and stunning Botanical Gardens. A guided tour of this privately owned palace with free time to admire the gardens is a must. EURO 36

LUG02 - THE CASTLES OF BELLINZONA
Enjoy a morning visiting the picturesque†medieval town of Bellinzona.††Formerly known as the "Key to Italy", the three ancient castles form a unique World Heritage Site. After the castle visit with a local guide you will have free time to explore the piazzas and alleyways of the lovely downtown area. EURO 40

SMV02 - BERNINA - EXPRESS EXCURSION
Enjoy one of the most exciting train rides in Switzerland as you cross the Bernina Pass to the Alp Grum. Spectacular views of the Alpine peaks, glaciers, waterfalls, green valleys and mountain villages. We then descend to Poschiavo to reboard our touring coach. EURO 36

INT01 - JUNGFRAU EXCURSION BY COG-WHEEL
A once in a lifetime chance to travel to the Top of Europe. †Our round trip cog railway trip will take us from Grindelwald through the world famous Eiger Mountain to Europe's highest railway station at 3454 m (11332 ft)! Enjoy spectacular views, explore the Ice Palace and view a living glacier! EURO 114

LCR01 - LAKE LUCERNE CRUISE
The true beauty of Lake Lucerne is revealed as we cruise the tranquil waters and enjoy the stunning scenery of snow-capped mountains, green pastures and dense forests. EURO 30

LCR14S - SWISS HERITAGE
A delightful look at real life in the Swiss countryside. After a carriage ride around the little villages, homemade snacks will be served by the farmer's wife in a flower bedecked barn from 1650's. EURO 50

LCR05 - SWISS EVENING
Enjoy a tasty Swiss meal (one of the courses will be the famous Swiss cheese fondue) in a typical restaurant. Whilst you enjoy dinner, join in the fun of a lively folklore show which includes yodelling, flag throwing,Alpenhorn blowing and other great Swiss entertainment. Drinks are included. EURO 74