The Best Of Switzerland

2012 Season
Departs From: Zurich

From 1,429EUR

Length:  8 days from Zurich to Zurich, or 9 days incl. travel

Overview

For mountain lovers, this vacation is a dream come true. A full circle brings you from German-speaking Zurich to the Principality of Liechtenstein at the Rhine River and over Julier Pass to ritzy St. Moritz in the Alps. In Zurich, enjoy a welcome dinner, an orientation of the old town, and a visit to a traditional chocolate confectionary. Travel via Italy and Lake Como to subtropical Lugano and Stresa, then by way of the Simplon Pass to Täsch. Board the mountain train to reach picturesque Zermatt at the foot of the magnificent Matterhorn. A beautiful drive through the Rhône Valley brings you to Lake Geneva. Stop in the capital, Berne, for a guided walking tour including the Bear Park, and enjoy lunch at a traditional working farm. End via Interlaken in picturesque Lucerne, the heart of Switzerland and William Tell country, for a relaxing 2-night stay.

Duration:  8 Days

Schedule:

Start Date	End Date
03 June, 2012	10 June, 2012
10 June, 2012	17 June, 2012
14 June, 2012	21 June, 2012
24 June, 2012	01 July, 2012
05 July, 2012	12 July, 2012
08 July, 2012	15 July, 2012
19 July, 2012	26 July, 2012
22 July, 2012	29 July, 2012
29 July, 2012	05 August, 2012
05 August, 2012	12 August, 2012
12 August, 2012	19 August, 2012
19 August, 2012	26 August, 2012
30 August, 2012	06 September, 2012
02 September, 2012	09 September, 2012
06 September, 2012	13 September, 2012
09 September, 2012	16 September, 2012
16 September, 2012	23 September, 2012
23 September, 2012	30 September, 2012
30 September, 2012	07 October, 2012
07 October, 2012	14 October, 2012

City Highlights

Zurich
Welcome dinner; orientation walk of the Old Town; visit a chocolate confectionary

Vaduz
Visit the capital of Liechtenstein

Lake Como

Täsch-Zermatt-Täsch
By mountain train

Berne
Guided walking tour, stop at the Bear Park and the Rose Garden; lunch at a working farm

Interlaken
Take pictures of the Jungfrau massif

Lucerne
Walking tour including the Lion Monument and Chapel Bridge; farewell dinner at a local restaurant

Headsets throughout the tour

Note:

On arrival at Zurich Airport a complimentary transfer by hotel shuttle bus is available.

Day 1   Arrive in Zurich, Switzerland. Time to rest or to discover Zurich’s attractive historic center and lakeside promenade. At 6 pm, meet your Tour Director and traveling companions for a welcome dinner at your hotel. (D)

Day 2   Zurich–Vaduz, Liechtenstein–St. Moritz, Switzerland. Enjoy an orientation walk of Zurich’s OLD TOWN, Switzerland’s center of banking and commerce. Next, stop for a visit of a traditional CHOCOLATE CONFECTIONARY before continuing to the tiny Principality of Liechtenstein. After a break in Vaduz, ascend the Rhine Valley into the mountainous Grisons, a canton where three of the country’s four languages are spoken. The 7,504-foot Julier Pass, an important Alpine road since Roman times, leads to the Engadine. This valley is considered by many as the most beautiful mountain area in the world, with deep-blue lakes, airy larch forests that turn golden in the fall, mountain peaks exceeding 12,000 feet, and quaint villages with massive white stone houses in the characteristic Grisons style. Afternoon arrival in ritzy St. Moritz. (B,D)

Day 3   St. Moritz–Lake Como, Italy–Lugano, Switzerland. A gradual change of scenery as you descend towards the enchanting shores of the Italian Lake Como and continue on to the southern tip of Switzerland. The vegetation south of the Alps is Mediterranean: chestnut groves, vineyards, and olive and fig trees make you forget that earlier today you were within walking distance of glaciers. Afternoon arrival in the popular subtropical resort town of Lugano allows time for shopping under the arcades of Via Nassa, an espresso on flower-festooned Piazza Riforma, or a stroll along the lake. (B)

Day 4   Lugano–Stresa, Italy–Zermatt, Switzerland. From Lake Lugano to the Italian shore of Lake Maggiore for a break in elegant Stresa. An optional boat ride to the enchanting Isola Bella can be arranged. On over lofty Simplon Pass into the Swiss Valais, an area renowned for its excellent wines and great mountain resorts. To reach the most famous of them, leave the coach behind in Täsch and board a MOUNTAIN TRAIN to climb the last few miles up to car-free Zermatt, a picturesque cluster of rustic chalets beneath the Matterhorn. (B,D)

Day 5   Zermatt–Lake Geneva. Morning at leisure. A suggestion: ride Europe’s highest rack-railway to 10,272-foot Gornergrat for a breathtaking panoramic view of the Alps. Next, motor through the vineyards and apricot groves of the lower Rhône Valley and arrive at beautiful Lake Geneva for your overnight stay. (B,D)

Day 6   Lake Geneva–Berne–Interlaken–Lucerne. Travel along an excellent highway through some of the country’s best farmlands to its stately capital, Berne. Your guided tour starts at the BEAR PARK, followed by a panoramic view of the city from the Rose Garden. Next, enjoy a walking tour through the beautifully preserved medieval Old Town. Witness the hourly parade of painted figures at the Clock Tower and take your pictures of ornate, flower-adorned fountains. Highlight of the day is a special lunch at a traditional Swiss WORKING FARM. Continue to Interlaken and take pictures of the Jungfrau massif with its group of three famous peaks: the Jungfrau, the Mönch, and the Eiger. Over Brünig Pass to picture-book Lucerne. You may wish to sign up for a folklore party with yodeling and alphorn blowing for a first-hand impression of Alpine merrymaking. (B,L)

Day 7   Lucerne. On your walking tour this morning, admire Thorwaldsen’s LION MONUMENT and ornate patrician houses of the walled Old Town, then, cross the famous covered CHAPEL BRIDGE to the Jesuit church. Afterwards, shop for watches or climb a mountain by cable car. Tonight, enjoy a farewell dinner at a local restaurant to celebrate the success of your Swiss vacation. (B,D)

Day 8   Lucerne–Zurich Airport. Morning transfer to Zurich Airport in time for homebound flights leaving no earlier than 10 am. Extra nights are available in Zurich, not Lucerne. (B)

Meals:  Full buffet breakfast daily (B); 5 three-course dinners (D), including a welcome dinner in Zurich, a special lunch in Berne, and a farewell dinner with wine in Lucerne

Hotel Information:  ZURICH Mövenpick Zürich Airport (SF) at Glattbrugg, ST. MORITZ Crystal (F) or Laudinella (F), LUGANO De La Paix (F), ZERMATT Walliserhof (F) or Pollux (F), LAKE GENEVA Eurotel Riviera (F) at Montreux, LUCERNE Monopol (F)


Terms and Conditions

Note: Flights are NOT included with the Tour and unless otherwise stated above transfers are also NOT included.

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