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Insight Vacations - Country Roads of Switzerland 2010

14 Days - Switzerland and Italy

Well paced tour with three nights in Villars, two-night stays in most of the other cities and no excessively long driving days. There is also the added bonus of travelling on the Glacier Express train.

Insight Vacations Country Roads of Switzerland

Insight Vacations - Country Roads of Switzerland Premium Highlights

Included Premium Highlights

  * Visit Chillon Castle, immortalised by the poet, Byron, and beautifully situated on Lake Geneva
  * Enjoy a delightful excursion through the Swiss countryside to the towns of Gruyères and 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 exhillarating 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 Additional Excursions & Sights

  * See the Frauenmunster and elegant Bahnhofstrasse in Zurich
  * See the Clock Tower, bear pits, Federal Palace and Cathedral of St Vincent in Berne
  * Visit the walled town of Murten and inner court of the castle for fine views of the lake
  * See Geneva's Jet d'Eau, Floral Clock and Reformation Monument
  * View the Roman Amphitheatre in Martigny
  * See the two fortress-churches of Sion, Our Lady of Glarier Cathedral and 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 and cross the Landwasser Viaduct
  * Drive through the dramatic Schollenen Gorge past the Devils Bridge
  * See the Grindelwald Valley, visit Lauterbrunnen and the Staubbach Falls
  * Visit a wood carving showroom in Brienz and nearby Ballenberg open-air museum
  * See Lucerne's Lion Monument and the reconstructed Chapel Bridge
  * Scenic Drives - Italian Lakes, Broye Valley, Simplon, San Bernardino, Julier, Brunig and Susten Passes

Included First Class Services

  * Escorted by a professional Tour Director
  * Luxury air-conditioned 40 seat coach with onboard toilet
  * Insight Hotels include all service charges, taxes and porterage
  * Insight Traveller document wallet, map book journal and information pack
  * Airport Shuttle arrival and departure transfers at scheduled times on Day 1 and Day 14

Included Quality Dining

  * Highlight Dinner of typical Swiss cuisine in Zermatt (HD)
  * 13 Buffet Breakfasts (BB) and 5 three-course table d'hote Dinners, or Buffets, plus tea or coffee (D)
 

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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$4841

Sale Ends 30 JUN 2010

From: Sydney

To: Europe - Frankfurt / London / Paris 

+ taxes from AUD$420

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  • For reservations:
  • Brisbane 07 3018 2898 
  • Sydney 02 8307 3598
  • Melbourne 03 8807 2198
  • Perth 08 9282 1098
  • Gold Coast 07 5630 2571

 

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2010 EARLYBIRD Special - Tour Dates & Prices

 

Departs on

Returns on

Brochure Price

Costless Discount Price

Insight Vacations Premium Escorted Europe and Britain 2010

2010

All prices are in Australian Dollars and based on twin share

DEF

Mon 26 Apr

Sun 09 May

A$3875

A$

DEF

Mon 03 May

Sun 16 May

A$3875

A$

 

Mon 10 May

Sun 23 May

A$3875

A$

DEF

Mon 17 May

Sun 30 May

A$3875

A$

DEF

Mon 24 May

Sun 06 Jun

A$3875

A$

 

Mon 31 May

Sun 13 Jun

A$3875

A$

 

Mon 07 Jun

Sun 20 Jun

A$3875

A$

DEF

Mon 14 Jun

Sun 27 Jun

A$3875

A$

 

Mon 21 Jun

Sun 04 Jul

A$3875

A$

DEF

Mon 28 Jun

Sun 11 Jul

A$3875

A$

DEF

Mon 05 Ju

Sun 18 Jul

A$3875

A$

DEF

Mon 12 Jul

Sun 25 Jul

A$3875

A$

 

Mon 19 Jul

Sun 01 Aug

A$3875

A$

 

Mon 26 Jul

Sun 08 Aug

A$3875

A$

DEF

Mon 02 Aug

Sun 15 Aug

A$3875

A$

 

Mon 09 Aug

Sun 22 Aug

A$3875

A$

 

Mon 16 Aug

Sun 29 Aug

A$3875

A$

DEF

Mon 23 Aug

Sun 05 Sep

A$3875

A$

DEF

Mon 30 Aug

Sun 12 Sep

A$3875

A$

DEF

Mon 06 Sep

Sun 19 Sep

A$3875

A$

DEF

Mon 13 Sep

Sun 26 Sep

A$3875

A$

DEF

Mon 20 Sep

Sun 03 Oct

A$3875

A$

 

Mon 27 Sep

Sun 10 Oct

A$3875

A$

 

Mon 04 Oct

Sun 17 Oct

A$3875

A$

DEF = Definite Departure

Additional Visa Requirements This tour briefly enters Italy for which some passengers may requre a visa.

Costless Prices are subject to early payment conditions / based on limited availability / and can be withdrawn at any time without notice. Are prices are in Australian Dollars and are based on twin share, single room supplements apply.

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All prices are based on twin share, low season departures, in Australian Dollars and are subject to change at anytime without prior notice. + Conditions Apply - Costless Discount prices are based on twin share, low season departure and 12 months advance book and pay.