Discover the wonders of this extraordinary country: unspoiled scenery, majestic peaks, sparkling lakes, and cities with cosmopolitan flair. Begin with an overnight in Zürich, then travel through the hilly landscapes to Appenzell with a stop in the tiny Principality of Liechtenstein. Enjoy pastoral “Heidiland” on your way to glamorous St. Moritz. Marvel at the breathtaking views on the included Bernina Express alpine train that whisks you to Tirano, Italy, then rejoin your motorcoach to arrive on the shores of splendid Lake Lugano. Spend a night in Italy’s Lake Maggiore and cross Simplon Pass to re-enter Switzerland. Overnight in Täsch before joining the included train excursion to car-free Zermatt at the foot of the mighty Matterhorn. Next, journey to Lausanne on Lake Geneva, to Gruyère to visit a local cheese factory, and to the charming Swiss capital of Berne. By way of Lake Thun, arrive in Interlaken, situated in the shadows of towering Jungfrau and where you’ll stay for seven nights. While here, enjoy an included train journey to the “Top of Europe,” which introduces you to some of the country’s most breathtaking scenery, to the longest glacier in Europe, and to the world’s highest rail station at 11,332 feet. Finally, travel to Lake Lucerne for a night, and conclude your adventure with a final overnight in vibrant Zürich.
Highlights:
Scenic Highlights: Julier Pass, Engadine Valley, Swiss-Italian Lake District, Simplon Pass, Lake Geneva, Bernese Oberland
Itinerary:
Day #1 Arrive in Zürich, Switzerland. Check into your hotel in Zürich. The rest of the day is free for you to explore this exciting city. Tonight, meet your Tour Director and fellow travelers. (D)
Day #2 Zürich–Appenzell–Liechtenstein–St. Moritz. A sensational drive today through some of Switzerland’s most famed cantons. By way of the market town of Herisau, stop in Appenzell to see the Old Town center with its Town Hall. Further east to the minute Principality of Liechtenstein for a visit to its tiny capital Vaduz. A scenic drive through “Heidiland” to the Rhine Valley before starting the ascent of 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 #3 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 #4 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 #5 Täsch–Zermatt–Lausanne Area. 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 the Lausanne area on its northern shore. (B)
Day #6 Lausanne–Gruyére–Berne–Interlaken. 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. Included sightseeing features the Bear Pit and the monumental Federal Palace. Then, by way of the shores of Lake Thun, to Interlaken, staying at the Chalet Swiss Hotel for the next seven nights. (B)
Day #7 Interlaken. Jungfraujoch Excursion. It’s all pure picture-postcard. Interlaken has just about everything you could want on a vacation. It lies beneath the towering Jungfrau and between two sparkling lakes. The undoubted highlight of your stay is the included train journey to the Jungfraujoch—“the top of Europe.” Start the train journey from Interlaken and travel through breathtaking Alpine scenery with views of some of Switzerland’s best-known peaks. Closer to the summit, go through the Eiger Mountain by tunnel to reach the world’s highest rail station at an altitude of 11,332 feet. Now you are in a world of glaciers, and on a clear day you can see as far as the Vosges Mountains in France and the hills of the Black Forest in Germany. The view from the Sphinx Terrace—the highest one in Europe—spans nearly the whole of Alpine Switzerland. You also have the opportunity to view the longest glacier in Europe, the Grosser Aletschgletscher. It really is a unique and unforgettable experience. (B daily)
Day #8 Interlaken. Jungfraujoch Excursion. It’s all pure picture-postcard. Interlaken has just about everything you could want on a vacation. It lies beneath the towering Jungfrau and between two sparkling lakes. The undoubted highlight of your stay is the included train journey to the Jungfraujoch—“the top of Europe.” Start the train journey from Interlaken and travel through breathtaking Alpine scenery with views of some of Switzerland’s best-known peaks. Closer to the summit, go through the Eiger Mountain by tunnel to reach the world’s highest rail station at an altitude of 11,332 feet. Now you are in a world of glaciers, and on a clear day you can see as far as the Vosges Mountains in France and the hills of the Black Forest in Germany. The view from the Sphinx Terrace—the highest one in Europe—spans nearly the whole of Alpine Switzerland. You also have the opportunity to view the longest glacier in Europe, the Grosser Aletschgletscher. It really is a unique and unforgettable experience. (B daily)
Day #9 Interlaken. Jungfraujoch Excursion. It’s all pure picture-postcard. Interlaken has just about everything you could want on a vacation. It lies beneath the towering Jungfrau and between two sparkling lakes. The undoubted highlight of your stay is the included train journey to the Jungfraujoch—“the top of Europe.” Start the train journey from Interlaken and travel through breathtaking Alpine scenery with views of some of Switzerland’s best-known peaks. Closer to the summit, go through the Eiger Mountain by tunnel to reach the world’s highest rail station at an altitude of 11,332 feet. Now you are in a world of glaciers, and on a clear day you can see as far as the Vosges Mountains in France and the hills of the Black Forest in Germany. The view from the Sphinx Terrace—the highest one in Europe—spans nearly the whole of Alpine Switzerland. You also have the opportunity to view the longest glacier in Europe, the Grosser Aletschgletscher. It really is a unique and unforgettable experience. (B daily)
Day #10 Interlaken. Jungfraujoch Excursion. It’s all pure picture-postcard. Interlaken has just about everything you could want on a vacation. It lies beneath the towering Jungfrau and between two sparkling lakes. The undoubted highlight of your stay is the included train journey to the Jungfraujoch—“the top of Europe.” Start the train journey from Interlaken and travel through breathtaking Alpine scenery with views of some of Switzerland’s best-known peaks. Closer to the summit, go through the Eiger Mountain by tunnel to reach the world’s highest rail station at an altitude of 11,332 feet. Now you are in a world of glaciers, and on a clear day you can see as far as the Vosges Mountains in France and the hills of the Black Forest in Germany. The view from the Sphinx Terrace—the highest one in Europe—spans nearly the whole of Alpine Switzerland. You also have the opportunity to view the longest glacier in Europe, the Grosser Aletschgletscher. It really is a unique and unforgettable experience. (B daily)
Day #11 Interlaken. Jungfraujoch Excursion. It’s all pure picture-postcard. Interlaken has just about everything you could want on a vacation. It lies beneath the towering Jungfrau and between two sparkling lakes. The undoubted highlight of your stay is the included train journey to the Jungfraujoch—“the top of Europe.” Start the train journey from Interlaken and travel through breathtaking Alpine scenery with views of some of Switzerland’s best-known peaks. Closer to the summit, go through the Eiger Mountain by tunnel to reach the world’s highest rail station at an altitude of 11,332 feet. Now you are in a world of glaciers, and on a clear day you can see as far as the Vosges Mountains in France and the hills of the Black Forest in Germany. The view from the Sphinx Terrace—the highest one in Europe—spans nearly the whole of Alpine Switzerland. You also have the opportunity to view the longest glacier in Europe, the Grosser Aletschgletscher. It really is a unique and unforgettable experience. (B daily)
Day #12 Interlaken. Jungfraujoch Excursion. It’s all pure picture-postcard. Interlaken has just about everything you could want on a vacation. It lies beneath the towering Jungfrau and between two sparkling lakes. The undoubted highlight of your stay is the included train journey to the Jungfraujoch—“the top of Europe.” Start the train journey from Interlaken and travel through breathtaking Alpine scenery with views of some of Switzerland’s best-known peaks. Closer to the summit, go through the Eiger Mountain by tunnel to reach the world’s highest rail station at an altitude of 11,332 feet. Now you are in a world of glaciers, and on a clear day you can see as far as the Vosges Mountains in France and the hills of the Black Forest in Germany. The view from the Sphinx Terrace—the highest one in Europe—spans nearly the whole of Alpine Switzerland. You also have the opportunity to view the longest glacier in Europe, the Grosser Aletschgletscher. It really is a unique and unforgettable experience. (B daily)
Day #13 Interlaken–Lucerne. (B)
Day #14 Lucerne–Zürich. Today, visit Lucerne, one of Switzerland’s finest cities, nestled amid its snowcapped 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 Zürich for an overnight. (B)
Day #15 Zürich. Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning. (B)