For mountain-lovers, this vacation is a dream come true. Begin in German-speaking Zürich, where you will enjoy a welcome dinner, an orientation of the Old Town, and a visit to a traditional chocolate confectionary for a true taste of Switzerland. Travel to the Principality of Liechtenstein at the Rhine River and over Julier Pass to ritzy St. Moritz in the Alps. On via Italy and Lake Como to subtropical Lugano and Stresa. Then, by way of Simplon Pass, arrive in Täsch and board the mountain train to reach picturesque Zermatt at the foot of the magnificent Matterhorn. A highlight is a ride to 10,272-foot Gornergrat for a breathtaking view of the Alps, where a group picture will be taken with a real St. Bernard dog. Next, a beautiful drive through the Rhône Valley brings you to Lake Geneva. Stop in the capital, Berne, for a guided walking tour that shows off Bear Park, then prepare for another highlight: lunch at a working farm. End via Interlaken in picturesque Lucerne, the heart of Switzerland and William Tell country, for a relaxing two-night stay. A special farewell dinner at a local restaurant celebrates the success of your unforgettable Swiss vacation!
Itinerary:
Day #1 Arrive in Zürich, Switzerland. Welcome in Zürich! At 6 pm, meet your Tour Director and traveling companions for a welcome dinner at your hotel. (D)
Day #2 Zürich–Kaltbrunn–Vaduz, Liechtenstein–St. Moritz, Switzerland. Enjoy an orientation walk of Zürich’s OLD TOWN, Switzerland’s center of banking and commerce. Next, a scenic drive following Lake Zürich. Stop in Kaltbrunn for a visit to a [LF] traditional CHOCOLATE CONFECTIONARY for a true taste of Switzerland. Continue along Lake Walen and through the high Alps to the tiny Principality of Liechtenstein. After a break in its capital, 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 Italy’s 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 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. Enjoy another true Swiss experience: ride [LF] Europe’s highest rack railway to 10,272-foot GORNERGRAT for a breathtaking panoramic view of the Alps. A GROUP PICTURE will be taken with a real St. Bernard dog, with the Matterhorn towering above you in the background, a true Swiss icon. 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. In the stately capital of 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 [LF] special lunch at a traditional Swiss WORKING FARM, to give you a chance to see how many people in Switzerland live in the mountains. 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. An optional dinner excursion to a folklore party with yodeling and alphorn blowing is available for a first-hand impression of Alpine merrymaking. (B,L)
Day #7 Lucerne. On your walking tour this morning, admire Thorwaldsen’s impressive LION MONUMENT, dedicated to the Swiss Guards who protected the Royal House of France during the French Revolution, 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, a special farewell dinner with wine awaits you at a local restaurant for a proper Auf Wiedersehen. (B,D)
Day #8 Lucerne–Zürich Airport. Morning transfer to Zürich Airport in time for homebound flights leaving no earlier than 10 am. Extra nights are available in Zürich, not Lucerne. (B)
Hotels:
ZURICH Mövenpick Zürich Airport (SF) at Glattbrugg
ST. MORITZ Laudinella (F)
LUGANO De La Paix (F)
ZERMATT Walliserhof (F) or Pollux (F)
LAKE GENEVA Eurotel Riviera (F) at Montreux
LUCERNE Monopol (F)