Switzerland Escorted Tours
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Grand Tour of Switzerland by Cosmos from $830
-Featuring the Bernina Express Train
If you've never taken a package vacation, consider this: Traveling with Cosmos is less expensive, more comfortable, and far easier than going it alone. You travel hassle-free, knowing that we've taken care of all the details.

Once you've discovered the special advantages of Cosmos, you'll never want to travel any other way again.

Regional Discoveries If you want to focus on one specific country or region, this in-depth package is an excellent choice. Our expert Tour Directors help you learn what you want to know so you come away with an area's distinct flavor and history.

Your Travel Package Includes:

SIGHTSEEING: Visits to Appenzell, Liechtenstein, St. Moritz, Lugano, a chocolate factory at Caslano, Lake Maggiore, Täsch, Zermatt, Lausanne, Gruyère village, Berne, Interlaken, Lucerne; on tour 6025 Jungfraujoch excursion
(value approximately: $120)

Scenic highlights: Julier Pass, Engadine Valley, Swiss-Italian Lake District, Simplon Pass, the Bernese Oberland
GUIDES: Services of a professional tour director

TRANSPORTATION: Scheduled transatlantic flights and airport transfers in Zurich if Cosmos issues the tickets

Touring by private first-class air-conditioned motorcoach
The Bernina Express Train, Mountain Train Täsch-Zermatt
HOTELS: Listed or equivalent. Rooms with private bath or shower, hotel taxes, porterage, tips, and service charges

MEALS: Buffet breakfasts (B) and dinners (D) as detailed in the tour description

OPTIONALS: Choice of optional excursions at reasonable prices to customize your own experience.


Detailed Itinerary

Tour 6020 - 9 days:

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 Zurich. Tonight meet your tour director and fellow travelers.

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,D)

Day 5:
Tue. LUGANO-LAKE MAGGIORE-TÄSCH. Morning break in Lugano with a visit to a chocolate factory in nearby Caslano. 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 the 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, 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. 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 sightseeing takes in the main highlights. A grand selection of optional activities completes the day. The most popular options are a half-day excursion to the 10,000-foot-high Mount Titlis, and a boat cruise on Lake Lucerne. In the late afternoon an easy drive back to Zurich for overnight. (B)

Day 9:
Sat. YOUR HOMEBOUND FLIGHT ARRIVES THE SAME DAY. (B)

Tour 6025 - 16 days:
ADD INTERLAKEN AND "TOP OF EUROPE" TRAIN JOURNEY TO YOUR TOUR

Day 7:
Thu. LAUSANNE-INTERLAKEN. Stop awhile in Gruyère, 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 hotel Central Continental for the next seven nights. (B)

Days 8 to 13:
Fri. to Wed. IN INTERLAKEN-INCLUDED JUNGFRAUJOCH EXCURSION. It’s all pure picture-postcard. Interlaken has just about everything anyone could want on a holiday. It lies beneath the towering Jungfrau and between two sparkling lakes. The undoubted highlight of your stay is the train journey to the Jungfraujoch - "Top of Europe." Start the train journey from Interlaken and travel through some 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 - will span nearly the whole of Alpine Switzerland. You also have the opportunity of viewing the longest glacier in Europe, the Grosser Aletschgletscher. It really is a unique and unforgettable experience. (B daily)

Day 14:
Thu. MORNING IN INTERLAKEN. AFTERNOON TO LAKE LUCERNE. (B,D)

Day 15:
Fri. LAKE LUCERNE-ZURICH. Like day 8 of tour 6020.

Day 16:
Sat. YOUR HOMEBOUND FLIGHT ARRIVES THE SAME DAY. (B)

 



 

 

 

Weekly departures from 03/31/2006 to 10/06/2006. Call or email for pricing, availability and additional information.

 
Accomodations

ZURICH Novotel Technopark (First Class)

ST. MORITZ Sporthotel Bären (Superior Tourist Class)

LUGANO Cassarate Lago (Superior Tourist Class)
or Acquarello (Superior Tourist Class)

TÄSCH Walliserhof (Superior Tourist Class)
or City Rhone (Superior Tourist Class) at Visp

LAUSANNE City Lausanne (v)
or Continental (Superior Tourist Class)

LAKE LUCERNE Löwen (Superior Tourist Class) at Lungern
or Landhaus (Superior Tourist Class) at Emmenbrücke

YOUR HOTEL IN INTERLAKEN is the Hotel Chalet Swiss (ST) located in Unterseen, the old part of town. The Chalet Swiss is only a five minute walk from the railway station and only one mile from the resort center.

This traditional style hotel offers plenty of Swiss charm and hospitality. Facilities include a restaurant, cozy bar, terrraces and a small garden, reception, sauna and bicycle hire.

All rooms have private facilities including balcony, redio, TV and telephone. For single suppplement, please inquire for pricing.