SWISS SPLENDOUR TOUR with GLACIER EXPRESS

Starting and ending in Geneva
Guaranteed departures every Wednesday from April 26 to October 4, 2017

DAY 1 : GENEVA–MONTREUX–ZERMATT : WEDNESDAY

We start with a city tour of Geneva this morning. We will show you the beautiful parks along the lake, 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 first class hotel.

DAY 2 : ZERMATT : THURSDAY

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 snow-covered peaks. Dinner and overnight at first class hotel.

DAY 3 : ZERMATT - ST. MORITZ - FULL DAY JOURNEY (unescorted) : 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 premium panoramic viewing car, you will pass by breathtaking mountain scenery, snow-covered peaks, meadows with wild flowers and tiny old villages. Delicious lunch is served right at your seat along with a movable table on which you can dine in comfort. In the late afternoon, you will arrive at the world-renowned mountain resort of St. Moritz. Dinner and overnight at first class hotel.

DAY 4 : ST. MORITZ - CHUR - VADUZ - ZURICH : SATURDAY

We leave St. Moritz in the morning and cross the Julier Pass to Chur, the oldest town in Switzerland which has a settlement history of over 5000 years. We continue to the capital of Principality of Liechtenstein and visit Vaduz its capital. 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. Arrival in Zurich at approx. 5 p.m. Dinner on your own. Overnight at first class hotel.

DAY 5 : ZURICH - RAPPERSWIL - BOATRIDE ON LAKE OF ZURICH : SUNDAY

At 10.00 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 FIRST CLASS HOTEL

DAY 6 : ZURICH–LUCERNE–MT. TITLIS–INTERLAKEN : MONDAY

A short drive takes us to the city of Lucerne where we visit the Lion Monument and walk over the 14th century wooden bridge. 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 new revolving “ROTAIR” gondola. (Take a warm sweater along.) In the afternoon, we cross Brünig Pass to the Bernese Oberland and reach the village Brienz, which is famous for its long tradition of woodcarving. We continue to the holiday resort of Interlaken at the foot of Jungfrau mountain. Dinner on your own. Overnight at first class hotel.

DAY 7 : INTERLAKEN–BERNE–GRUYÈRES–GENEVA : TUESDAY

We leave Interlaken in the morning and drive along beautiful Lake of Thun to the Swiss capital, Berne. 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 Gruyères. 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. Tour ends at approx. 5.30 p.m.