Swiss Splendour Tour 7D/6N

Titlis cable car - photo courtesy of Swiss Tourist BoardA nearly complete discovery of Switzerland departing and returning from Geneva. You will explore Lac Leman, feel the enchantment of Zermatt, discover the Swiss Riviera in the Tessin Canton and walk the cobbled streets of Zurich before returning to Geneva. Nights in Geneva before and after the tour are not included in order to give you the best flexibility of choice in your stay. On the Glacier Express option you will enjoy this incredible train ride, along with an extra day in Zermatt instead of the Swiss Riviera.

The Glacier Express, which follows the route Zermatt-Brig-Andermatt-Chur-Davos/St-Moritz is a fascinating 7½-hour rail journey over 291 bridges, through 91 tunnels and over the Oberalp pass (2,033m/6,670 ft). Experience the Swiss Alps in all their breath-taking magnificence from the comfort of your seat in the panorama car: unspoilt mountain forests, lush Alpine pastures, rushing mountain streams and mountain valleys with their rich traditions stretching back hundreds of years. On this journey you can treat yourself to the culinary delights of the stylishly appointed dining car by requesting seat and dining car reservations (they are essential) for an additional cost. Commentary during the trip.

Two itineraries are available for this program, the regular Swiss Splendour Tour (3D/4N) and the Swiss Splendour Tour with Glacier Express – Top of Europe (5D/4N)

Departures Swiss Splendour Tour: every Wednesday, from April 29 to October 7, 2009.

Departures Swiss Splendour Tour with Glacier Express: every Wednesday, from April 27 to October 12, 2009.

Departure Location: Geneva Bus Terminal, Place Dirciere, 1201 Geneva

Included Services: 5 or 6 nights in selected first class hotels typical of the area, ensuring every comfort and the best food. All room with private bath or shower. porterage at hotels, service charges and taxes included Buffet breakfast at the hotel and dinners only where indicated in the tour program. Our tour guide will be happy to recommend local Restaurants. Service of friendly multi-lingual guide Transportation by deluxe bus with air conditioning, reclining seats, toilet, stereo equipment and microphone. experienced and careful drivers Hotel taxes Extras which are mentioned in the pertaining itinerary, such as cable car to Mount Titlis, visit to cheese factory In Gruyeres, glacier express train, etc., are included in the tour price

Not Included: Optional tours Airfare and airport taxes Expenditure of a personal nature, such as drinks, souvenirs and laundry etc. Other tours & meals than mentioned in the program

Zermatt mountain view - photo courtesy of Swiss Tourist BoardRegular Itinerary

  • Day 1 Wednesday: Geneva - Montreux - Zermatt - We start with a city-tour of Geneva this morning. We will show you the beautiful parks along the lake, the old town with its cathedral, the unique town-hall and the European seat of the United Nations. In the late morning we leave Geneva and drive to Lausanne and Montreux. We pass by Chillon Castle, the 13th century fortress made famous by Lord Byron’s poem. In the afternoon we proceed through the Valais, the valley of the river Rhone with its orchards and vineyards. At Täsch we will board a cogwheel train that takes us to the mountain resort of Zermatt at the foot of the mighty Matterhorn. Dinner and overnight at Hotel Alex
  • Day 2 Thursday: Zermatt - Nufenen Pass - Lugano - Morning at leisure in Zermatt - admire the quaint old farm houses and barns in their unique style, do some shopping, relax or take an optional cogwheel train up to Gornergrat for a spectacular view of the surrounding snow-covered peaks. After noon board the train to Täsch where our bus is waiting to take us over the breathtaking Nufenen Pass into the Italian speaking part of Switzerland, to the garden city of Lugano. Dinner on your own - overnight at Holiday Inn Lugano Central.
  • Day 3 Wednesday: Lugano - Lake Como - Maloja Pass - St. Moritz - We leave Lugano and drive along the scenic road to Gandria where we cross the border into Italy. Along the romantic shores of Lake Como we pass by Menaggio and reach Chiavenna in the lovely Breggaglia Valley. In Castasegna we re-enter to Switzerland and drive thirteen hairpin bends over the Maloja Pass. Passing by crystal blue Lake Sils and Silvaplana we reach the world-renowned mountain resort of St. Moritz in the late afternoon. (Italian Visa necessary for some nationalities). Dinner and overnight at Hotel Schweizerhof.
  • Day 4 Friday: St. Moritz - Vaduz - Zurich - We leave St. Moritz in the morning and cross the Fluela Pass to reach Davos. In the capital of Principality of Liechtenstein, Vaduz, there will be time for lunch and for sightseeing. This tiny country with the mighty castle, which is the home of the present Prince and his family, attracts visitors from all over the world. In the afternoon we will return to Zurich through the Toggenburg region with its picturesque farmhouses. Dinner on your own. Overnight at Swissotel Zurich International.
  • Day 5 Saturday: Zurich - Rapperswil - Boatride On Lake Of Zurich - At 10.15 a.m. our bus will pick you up for a tour that shows you the most interesting sights of Zurich and its surroundings. We start with a city-tour of Zurich. Along the Höhenstrasse that offers spectacular views into the Alps, we drive to Rapperswil, the town of the Roses, where you will see the Rosegarden, the castle and the deer park on the Lindenhof. Return to Zurich by boat approx. 4 p.m. - return to your hotel individually. Dinner on your own. Overnight at Swissotel Zurich International.
  • Day 6 Sunrday: Zurich - Lucerne - Mt. Titlis - Interlaken - We leave Zurich at 8.30 a.m. A short drive takes us to the city of Lucerne where we visit the Lion Monument and walk over the 14th century wooden bridge, time at leisure for shopping and sightseeing. At noon we proceed to the mountain resort of Engelberg. A cable car ride to the summit of Mount Titlis brings you up into the high alpine region with its glaciers and eternal ice enjoy a magnificent ride in the world’s innovative revolving ‘ROTAIR’ gondola. (Take a warm sweater along). In the afternoon we cross Brunig Pass to the Bernese Oberland and reach the village Brienz, where we will see woodcarvers at work. We continue to the holiday resort of Interlaken at the foot of Jungfrau mountain. Overnight at Hotel Royal St. Georges- dinner is on your.
  • Day 7 Monday: Interlaken - Berne - Gruyeres - Geneva - We leave Interlaken in the morning and drive along beautiful Lake of Thun to the Swiss capital, Berne. The city is attractively set on a steepsided curve of the River Aare and backed by the majestic Alps. A city tour to the Old Town includes the Clock Tower, Kramgasse, and the 15th century Cathedral of St. Vincent. A drive south takes us to the scenic dairy farmlands, to Gruyeres. A beautiful hilltop town, preserved against time, which could be the magical setting for fairytales with its impressive, medieval Castle. An informative visit to a factory of delicious milk product is a further highlight of our day. We continue our drive to the Vaud Riviera and reach Geneva, the most cosmopolitan city of Switzerland. Tour ends at approx. 5.30 p.m.

The heart of Berne - public domain photoItinerary with Glacier Express

  • Day 1 Wednesday: Geneva - Montreux - Zermatt - Same itinerary as per regular program.
  • Day 2 Thursday: Zermatt - Full day at leisure in Zermatt - admire the quaint farm houses and barns in their unique style, do some shopping, relax or take an optional cogwheel train up to Gornergrat for a spectacular view of the surrounding snowcovered peaks. Dinner and overnight at FIRST CLASS HOTEL
  • Day 3 Friday: Zermatt - Glacier Express Train (Unescorted) - St. Moritz - Friday - Today you will travel on the legendary ‘Glacier Express Train’. You board the train in Zermatt in the morning and a magnificent traveling day is ahead of you. Seated in a comfortable first class compartment, you will pass by breath-taking mountain scenery, sown covered peaks, meadows with wild flowers and tiny old villages. In the late afternoon you will arrive at the world-renowned mountain resort of St. Moritz. Dinner and overnight at Hotel Schweizerhof
  • Day 4 Saturday: St. Moritz - Vaduz - Zurich - Same itinerary as per regular program.
  • Day 5 Sunday: Zurich - Rapperswil - Boatride On Lake Of Zurich - Same itinerary as per regular program.
  • Day 6 Monday: Zurich - Lucerne - Mt. Titlis - Interlaken - Same itinerary as per regular program.
  • Day 7 Tuesday: Interlaken - Berne - Gruyeres - Geneva - Same itinerary as per regular program.

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Also tagged with: Escorted Journeys, Europe, Switzerland, Educational, Cultural, Join-In Tour, Classic Visit


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