| |
|
|
|
Insight Vacations - Premium Europe & Britain |
Glorious Switzerland
9 days, Priced from US$2575
Premium Escorted, Departs from Geneva, finishes at Zurich
Tour code E965
Included Premium Highlights
- Visit Chillon Castle, immortalised by the poet, Byron, and beautifully situated on Lake Geneva
- Embark on a highlight cruise on the serene waters of Lake Geneva
- Excursion by cable-car to the summit of the Aiguille du Midi, for breathtaking panoramic views
- Travel along the route of the Glacier Express for a scenic ride through the heart of the Swiss Alps
Included Additional Excursions & Sights
- See Geneva's Jet d'Eau, Floral Clock and Reformation Monument
- Visit France's mountaineering capital of Chamonix
- See the majestic peak of the Matterhorn from traffic-free Zermatt (weather permitting)
- Experience beautiful Lake Maggiore in the Italian Lake District
- Visit the elegant lakeside resort of Lugano
- Drive through the majestic Grisons Alps
- Visit Vaduz, the tiny capital of Liechtenstein and see the castle
- See the dramatic scenery of Walensee and Lake Zurich
- See the emotive Lion Monument, Jesuit Church and Chapel Bridge in Lucerne
- Scenic Drives - Arve Valley, Italian Lake District, Forclaz, Simplon, San Bernadino and Julier Passes
Included First Class Services
- Escorted by a professional Tour Director
- Luxury air-conditioned 40 seat coach with onboard toilet
- Insight Hotels include all service charges, taxes and porterage
- Insight Traveller document wallet, map book journal and information pack
- Airport Shuttle arrival and departure transfers at scheduled times on Day 1 and Day 9
Included Quality Dining
- Highlight Dinner of typical Swiss cuisine in Zermatt (HD)
- 8 Buffet Breakfasts (BB) and 4 three-course table d'hote Dinners, or Buffets, plus tea or coffee (D)
ITINERARY
Day 1 - GENEVA AT LEISURE |
Welcome to Switzerland! Prepare yourself for various modes of transport, all of which showcase the majesty of the snow capped mountains, the glaciers, sparkling lakes, the beauty of the rich, green valleys & flower filled meadows. On arrival at Geneva Airport, your airport transfer leaves for the tour hotel at 11:00,13:00,16:00. This evening, get to know your Tour Director over a Welcome Drink
Hotel: Cornavin (D)
|
Day 2 - LAKE GENEVA EXCURSION |
Your morning orientation tour of Geneva shows you the Jet D'Eau, Floral Clock & Reformation Monument. Then follow the shores of Lake Geneva to visit Chillon Castle, which sits on a rocky islet on the lake, immortalised by Byron's 'Prisoner of Chillon'. Before returning to your hotel, embark on a highlight cruise on the serene waters of Lake Geneva, the 'king of Europe's lakes'. (BB) |
Day 3 - GENEVA - CHAMONIX - ZERMATT |
Today's route takes you into France (remember your passport) for a drive through the picturesque Arve Valley to Chamonix at the foot of Mont-Blanc. Take the excursion by cable-car to the summit of the Aiguille du Midi, where the panoramic views of the French, Swiss & Italian Alps are spectacular! Return to Switzerland by the Forclaz Pass Road, one of the great international routes of the Alps. Descend to Martigny in the southern Swiss canton of Valais, & follow the Rhone valley. The final stage of the journey is by mini-bus & electric taxi to the traffic-free mountain resort of Zermatt. Tonight, enjoy a stroll in the clean mountain air to your chosen restaurant on your Dine-Around evening.
Hotel: Alpen Resort (BB,DA)
|
Day 4 - ZERMATT AT LEISURE |
Zermatt in summertime is a Shangri-la of leisure-time possibilities: try swimming or hiking or spend a whole DAY relaxing in the clean mountain air. Perhaps take an optional ride on Europe's highest cable car tothe snow-capped roof of the world for a magnificent panorama of the highest peaks in Switzerland, Italy & France? (BB) |
Day 5 - ZERMATT - LUGANO |
Descend to Täsch & re-join the coach. Drive via Brig & follow in the footsteps of Napoleon & ascend the Simplon Pass, taking in magnificent views over the Alps from the 2,000-metre summit. Cut through northern Italy, stopping on the gentle shores of Lake Maggiore. Back in Switzerland, drive on to Lugano, one of the most popular resorts in Switzerland, spectacularly set among towering mountains beside the clear lake. Browse beneath the arcades of the Via Nassa or stroll beneath the trees in the glorious Municipal Park & along the lake-side promenade.
Hotel: De La Paix (BB,D)
|
Day 6 - LUGANO - ST MORITZ |
Head north back into the high mountain country of the Grisons Alps today. Ascend the Julier Pass to arrive in the sparkling Engadine Valley & spend the afternoon in the chic cosmopolitan resort of St.Moritz. Free time to browse or take a ride on the Bernina Express.
Hotel: Monopol (BB,D)
|
Day 7 - ST MORITZ - ZURICH |
Start the day with a scenic train ride along part of the route of the Glacier Express, across the Grisons Mountains & through unforgettable scenes of ice-capped mountains, stone-built villages & lush meadows. At Chur, re-board your coach & drive along the valley of the Upper Rhine to the Principality of Liechtenstein to spend a while in the tiny capital, Vaduz. Then cross back into Switzerland where a beautiful drive takes you alongside the dramatic Walensee & Lake Zurich to the commercial heart of the country, Zurich.
Hotel: Mövenpick Zurich Airport (BB)
|
Day 8 - LUCERNE EXCURSION |
Today's excursion is to the beautiful 14th century city of Lucerne with its covered wooden bridges, baroque churches, painted gables, medieval walls & watch towers. You'll also see the sorrowful sculpture of a wounded lion, hewn out of the rock, to commemorate the brave Swiss guards who lost their lives defending King Louis XVI during the French Revolution. Stroll along the lake side promenades or shop for fine watches, cuckoo clocks or delicious chocolate before returning to Zurich. (BB,D) |
Day 9 - ZURICH |
Departure transfers arrive at Zurich Airport at 08:30 & 12:30. (BB) |
|
|
|