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Switzerland
by Globus from
$1349
For
mountain lovers, this nine-day 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. Travel via Italy
and Lake Como to subtropical Lugano and Stresa, then by way
of Simplon Pass to Tsch. Board the mountain train to reach
picturesque Zermatt, in the shadow of the magnificent Matterhorn.
A beautiful drive through the Rhne Valley brings you to Chillon
Castle, the 12th-century water fortress at Lake Geneva. Via
Montreux, famous for jazz festivals, stop in the capital of
Berne and Emmental country, where you can sample its cheese.
Then on to picture-book Lucerne, the heart of Switzerland
and Wilhelm Tell country, for a relaxing two-night stay.
MEALS:
Welcome drink, 7 buffet breakfasts (BB); 5 three-course
dinners (D)
Detailed
Itinerary
Tour
ZG - 9 days:
Day
1:
(Fri.) Board your overnight transatlantic flight.
Day
2 Arrival in Zurich, Switzerland:
(Sat.) Time to rest or to discover Zurich’s attractive
historic center and lakeside promenade. At 6 p.m. meet your
traveling companions for a welcome drink hosted by your tour
director.
Day
3 Zurich - Liechtenstein - St. Moritz:
(Sun.) First an orientation drive through Zurich, Switzerland’s
center of banking and commerce. Then east along Lake Zurich
and Lake Walen 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: deep-blue lakes, airy larch forests that turn
golden in the fall, mountain peaks exceeding 12,000 feet,
quaint villages with massive white stone houses in the characteristic
Grisons style. Afternoon at leisure in ritzy St. Moritz. (BB,D)
Day
4 St. Moritz -Lake Como, Italy - Lugano, Switzerland:
(Mon.) 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,
olive and fig trees make you forget that earlier today you
were within walking distance of the 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, and a stroll along the lake
with a magnificent view of the Swiss Alps. (BB,D)
Day
5 Lugano-Stresa, Italy - Zermatt, Switzerland:
(Tue.) 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 the 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 climbing the last few miles up to Zermatt,
a picturesque cluster of rustic chalets beneath the Matterhorn.
(BB,D)
Day
6 Zermatt - Gruyere:
(Wed.) Morning at leisure. A suggestion: ride Europe’s
highest rack-railway to 10,272-foot Gornergrat for a breathtaking
panoramic view of the Alps. In the afternoon motor through
the vineyards and apricot groves of the lower Rhône
Valley to the shores of Lake Geneva. Here visit CHILLON CASTLE,
the 12th-century water fortress immortalized by the poet Lord
Byron, before continuing to your hotel in the Gruyere region.
(BB,D)
Day
7 Gruyere - Berne - Lucerne:
(Thu.) Travel along an excellent highway through some of the
country’s best farmlands to its stately capital, Berne.
Sightseeing with a local expert starts at the popular BEAR
PIT and then focuses on the monumental Federal Palace and
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. After lunch
continue east through the verdant dairy country of Emmental.
On the way visit a CHEESE FACTORY to learn how one of Switzerland’s
prime exports is made. Tonight you are in picture-book Lucerne.
You may wish to sign up for a folklore party with yodeling
and alphorn blowing for a first-hand impression of Alipne
merrymaking. (BB,D)
Day
8 Lucerne:
(Fri.) On a walking tour this morning, admire Thorwaldsen’s
LION MONUMENT, the ornate patrician houses of the walled Old
Town, and cross the famous covered WOODEN BRIDGE to the Jesuit
church. Afterwards shop for watches and choose from our optional
activities: climb a mountain by cable car or take a cruise
on the fjord-like lakeTonight a farewell dinner to celebrate
the success of your Swiss vacation. (BB)
Day
9 Lucerne-Zurich:
(Sat.) Homebound flight. Morning transfer to Zurich Airport
in time for homebound flights leaving no earlier than 10 a.m.
For land-only tour members, extra nights are available in
Zurich, not Lucerne. (BB)
This
vacation can be combined with the Romantic Rhine Cruise on
certain departures, and requires an extra night in Zurich.
Inquire for more information.
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