HIGHLIGHT

There is a good selection of modern and traditional hotels which reflect the local styles of the Swiss regions. The traditional style of accommodation in Zermatt and Villars – the Alpen Resort and Du Golf, contrasts nicely with the more sedate resort hotels of Interlaken and Lugano.

Fellow Passengers

This tour attracts both the experienced traveller who wants to look at Switzerland in depth and the first-time traveller who is attracted to the beauty and tradition of this unique country. A must for those who enjoy Alpine scenery, and those who adore Swiss cheese and chocolate.

Highlights

Every day the beauty of the changing scenery is a highlight – whether it be the magnificent lakeside scenery of Lake Geneva or the Alpine vistas from the mountain passes. Perhaps, for many, their first glimpse of the Matterhorn in Zermatt is the unforgettable highlight.

Excursions & Sights

• See the Frauenmünster and elegant Bahnhofstrasse in Zurich
• See the Clock Tower, bear pits, Federal Palace & Cathedral of St Vincent in Berne
• Visit the walled town of Murten and inner court of the castle for fine views of the lake
• See Geneva’s Jet d’Eau, Floral Clock & Reformation Monument
• View the Roman Amphitheatre in Martigny
• See the two fortress-churches of Sion, Our Lady of Glarier Cathedral & Town Hall
• See the majestic peak of the Matterhorn from the resort of Zermatt (weather permitting)
• See Bellinzona’s three castles
• See the castle ruins in Misox Travel through the spiral tunnels of the Abula pass and cross the Landwasser Viadict
• See the glaciers and rocky peaks of the Steingletscher in all their scenic splendour
• See the Grindelwald Valley, visit Lauterbrunnen and the Staubbach Falls
• Visit a wood carving workshop in Brienz & nearby Ballenberg open-air museum
• See Lucerne’s Lion Monument and the reconstructed Chapel Bridge 

Scenic Drives

• Italian Lakes, Broye Valley, Simplon, Julier, Brunig & Susten Passes

Guided City Tours

• Orientation tours in Zurich, Berne, Geneva, Lugano, St Moritz, Interlaken & Lucerne

Insight's First Class Services

• Escorted by a professional Tour Director
• Luxury air-conditioned 40 seat coach with onboard toilet
• First-class hotels with all service charges, taxes and porterage
• Travel bag, document wallet, map book journal and information pack
• Complimentary arrival transfer on Day 1 and departure transfer on Day 14

Quality Dining

• Highlight Dinner of typical Swiss cuisine in Zermatt
• 13 buffet breakfasts and 6 three course table d'hôte dinners, or buffets, plus tea or coffee

ITINERARY

Tour Pace

Well paced tour with two night stays in five of the eight cities and no excessively long driving days. There is also the added bonus of travelling on the Glacier Express train to admire the scenery from a completely different perspective, with yet more wonderful photo opportunities.

DAY 1 – SUN – ZURICH AT LEISURE

Welcome to Switzerland, a land of snow capped summits and romantic lakes that has always attracted poets, musicians and travellers! Upon arrival at Zurich Airport there are complimentary transfers to your tour hotel, where your Tour Director will be available to assist with checking in. An orientation tour of the city includes the Fraumünster, with its stained glass windows, as well as the elegant Bahnhofstrasse. In the evening, join your fellow travellers for a Welcome Drink. Hotel: Swissotel.

DAY 2 – MON – ZURICH – VILLARS

After a short drive to Berne, see the Bear Pits, Cathedral of St Vincent, the Federal Palace and the floral displays and fountains. Gather at the clock tower to watch the mechanical procession of painted figures before viewing the grim Ogre Fountain. Visit Murten with its ramparts, towers and yachts, and see the main street with its arcaded houses and the 13th century castle which affords splendid views of the lake. Now take the scenic road up into the mountains to the Alpine village of Villars. Hotel: Du Golf. (Buffet breakfast, dinner)

DAY 3 – TUE – SWISS COUNTRY EXCURSION

Drive through vineyards and alpine meadows to the fortified town of Gruyères, renowned for its cheese. Spend time exploring its picturesque main street and castle before returning to the hotel via Gstaad, one of Europe’s most fashionable ski resorts. (Buffet breakfast)

DAY 4 – WED – LAKE GENEVA EXCURSION

Follow the shores of Lac Leman to the international city of Geneva, seeing the Jet D’Eau, Floral Clock and Reformation Monument. Then embark on a Highlight cruise on Lake Geneva between Lausanne and Montreux. Before returning to your alpine hotel, visit Chillon Castle, which sits on a rocky islet on the lake, immortalised by Byron’s ‘Prisoner of Chillon’. (Buffet breakfast, dinner)

DAY 5 – THU – VILLARS – ZERMATT

Journey into the upper Rhône valley to Martigny to view the Roman Amphitheatre. Continue to the town of Sion which is dominated by two rocky peaks, each crowned with episcopal fortresses, and see the cathedral and Old Town Hall. The final stage of the journey to the traffic-free mountain resort of Zermatt is by mini-bus and electric taxi. Enjoy a Highlight Dinner of Swiss cuisine. Hotel: Alpen Resort. (Buffet breakfast, Specialty Highlight Dinner)

DAY 6 – FRI – ZERMATT AT LEISURE

Spend a whole day relaxing in the clean mountain air. Perhaps take an excursion on the Gornergrat rack railway (the highest in Europe), or conquer a mountain by cable-car. (Buffet breakfast)

DAY 7 – SAT – ZERMATT – LUGANO

Descend to Tasch and re-join the coach. Drive through Brig and 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 the lakeside resort Lugano. Hotel: Grand Hotel Eden. (Buffet breakfast)

DAY 8 – SUN – LUGANO AT LEISURE

Enjoy the shaded promenades and splendid gardens of this elegant Swiss resort, which also has a decidedly Italian feel. Why not take an excursion to Italy to enjoy a Sunday market or just relax at a sidewalk café? (Buffet breakfast)

DAY 9 – MON – LUGANO – ST MORITZ

Head north, passing by the three castles at Bellinzona en route to the Grisons region. See the evocative Misox Castle, and travel via San Bernardino and the town of Tiefencastel. Head east to the ancient Roman Julier Pass and the ‘jet-set’ resort of St Moritz, set in the Engadine Valley with the majestic Grisons Alps towering above. Hotel: Monopol. (Buffet breakfast, dinner)

DAY 10 – TUE – ST MORITZ – INTERLAKEN

 All aboard for the Glacier Express – one of the world’s great railway journeys. Ascend through the spiral tunnels of the Albula Pass and cross the Landwasser Viaduct before heading down through the Oberalp Valley to rejoin the coach at Andermatt. Drive over the Susten Pass to admire the glaciers and rocky peaks of the Steingletscher in the late afternoon light. Stay ‘between the lakes’ tonight in the charming resort of Interlaken. Hotel: Royal St Georges. (Buffet breakfast, dinner)

DAY 11 – WED – THE 'VALLEY OF WATERFALLS'

Marvel at the Wetterhorn Peaks as you travel along the Grindelwald Valley. Follow the sparkling Lutschine River to Lauterbrunnen at the head of the ‘Valley of Waterfalls’, and see the Staubbach Falls plunge 300 metres. Consider taking the funicular up to the tumbling Trummelbach Falls. (Buffet breakfast)

DAY 12 – THU – INTERLAKEN – ENGELBERG

A delightful drive along the shores of Lake Brienz leads to a wood-carving workshop. Experience Swiss rural life throughout the ages at the Ballenberg Open-Air Museum before continuing over the Brunig Pass to Lake Lucerne and up to the sunny alpine village of Engelberg, which is surrounded by the Spannörter peaks and Mount Titlis. Hotel: Ramada Regina Titlis. (Buffet breakfast, dinner)

DAY 13 – FRI – MT PILATUS EXCURSION

Take an excursion by cog-wheel railway to the summit of Mount Pilatus, which offers a stunning view of Lucerne, as well as the lakes, countryside and hills surrounding it. Continue to Lucerne to see the covered wooden bridge, together with the famous Lion Monument carved from a limestone cliff. Spend the afternoon browsing in the shops. (Buffet breakfast)

DAY 14 – SAT – ENGELBERG – ZURICH AIRPORT

Our tour ends with transfers to Zurich Airport. (Buffet breakfast)

PRICES & DATES

REFERENCE: E728A STARTS: ZURICH SUNDAYS

Supplements

Single Room   $425

Reductions (See Savings page)

Share a Triple Room   SAVE $140 p.p.

Young Traveller 5-17 yrs    SAVE up to $258 p.p. 

Early Payment    SAVE up to $258 p.p.

Frequent Traveller    SAVE 5%

Extra Tour Discount   SAVE up to $129 p.p.

Join this tour from London?
Inclusive of return flights London/Zurich. 01 Apr '07- 29 Mar'08   $477

Notes

Above prices are US$ per person sharing a twin or double room.

TG These departures are guaranteed to operate.

Tours depart Sundays and return Saturdays.

Complimentary airport transfers
Arrival transfers depart Zurich Airport at 09.30, 11.00 & 12.30 hrs. 
Passengers arriving later should make their way independently to the Zurich hotel.
Return transfers on Day 14 arrive Zurich Airport at 08.30 & 12.30 hrs.

Additional Visa Requirements
Please note that this tour also enters Italy, for which some passengers may also require a visa. 
Please check with your Travel Agent.