GRAND TOUR OF SWITZERLAND
Day 1 - Fri. BOARD YOUR OVERNIGHT TRANSATLANTIC FLIGHT. Day 2 - Sat. ARRIVAL IN ZURICH, SWITZERLAND. Check into your hotel in Zurich. The rest of the day is free for you to explore this exciting city. Tonight, meet your Tour Director and fellow travelers. (D) Day 3 - Sun. ZURICH-ST. MORITZ. A sensational drive today through some of Switzerland's most famed cantons. First, by way of the market town of Herisau, then stop in Appenzell to see the old town center with its Town Hall. Further east to the minute Principality of Liechtenstein. A scenic drive through "Heidiland" to the Rhine Valley before starting the ascent of the mighty Julier Pass. Soon you - ll be in the heart of Switzerland's largest canton, the Grisons. Here see some of the world's best Alpine views before arriving in St. Moritz. (B) Day 4 - Mon. ST. MORITZ-BERNINA EXPRESS TRAIN TO TIRANO, ITALY-LUGANO, SWITZERLAND. Enjoy the highlight of the whole tour and a wonderful way of crossing the Alps. One of Europe's most spectacular train rides begins in St. Moritz and takes you across the lofty Bernina Pass via the Swiss Poschiavo area to Tirano in the Italian Valtellina. Here rejoin your coach for the journey to the shores of Lake Lugano. (B) Day 5 - Tue. LUGANO-LAKE MAGGIORE-TÄSCH. Morning break in sub-tropical Lugano. Afterwards, return to Italy to savor the luminous atmosphere of Lake Maggiore. Time for an optional visit to Isola Bella, a magnificently located palace and garden island. Then back into Switzerland via scenic Simplon Pass. Overnight in the village of Täsch. (B,D) Day 6 - Wed. TÄSCH-ZERMATT-LAUSANNE. This morning an excursion by train to Zermatt, the famous resort beneath the Matterhorn. In the afternoon motor through the vineyards and apricot groves of the lower Rhône Valley to Lake Geneva before arriving in Lausanne on its northern shore. (B) Day 7 - Thu. LAUSANNE-LAKE LUCERNE. Stop awhile in Gruyère to visit a local cheese factory. Then on to Switzerland's beautiful capital, Berne, a charming town with arcaded shops, carved fountains, and towers. The visit features the Bear Pit and the monumental Federal Palace. Then by way of the shores of Lake Thun to Interlaken. After a visit, continue over Brünig Pass to Lake Lucerne. Time for an optional folklore evening in Lucerne. (B,D) Day 8 - Fri. LAKE LUCERNE-ZURICH. One of Switzerland's finest cities, nestled amid its snow-capped Alps, surrounded by its lake, and embellished by the clear mountain waters of the River Reuss. Your visit takes in the main highlights. A grand selection of optional activities completes the day. The most popular option is an excursion to the Stanserhorn. In the late afternoon an easy drive back to Zurich for an overnight. (B) Day 9 - Sat. YOUR HOMEBOUND FLIGHT ARRIVES THE SAME DAY. (B) |
