Day 1 - ARRIVE ZURICH - LUCERNE
Welcome to Switzerland, a land of snow-capped summits and romantic lakes that has attracted poets, musicians and travellers over the years! On arrival at Zurich Airport, airport transfers leave for your hotel in Lucerne at 09:30 & 1:30. In the evening, join your Tour Director for a Welcome reception with drink and a light meal, followed by time to relax and explore.
Hotel: Astoria
Meals: Welcome Reception
Day 2 - LUCERNE SIGHTSEEING
After breakfast embark on a thrilling excursion by cable car and cog-wheel railway to the summit of Mount Pilatus, which offers stunning views over the lakes, countryside and surrounding hills. Return to the beautiful 14th century city of Lucerne to see the covered wooden bridges, together with the baroque church and sorrowful Lion Monument. The afternoon is free for lakeside walks or to shop for a special timepiece and delicious chocolate.
Meals: Buffet Breakfast
Day 3 - LUCERNE - BERNE - MONTREUX
After a short drive to Berne, see the Bear Pits, Cathedral of St Vincent, Federal Palace and floral displays. Gather at the clock tower to watch the mechanical procession of painted figures before viewing the Ogre Fountain. Visit Murten with its ramparts, towers and yachts, and see the main street with its arcaded houses and the 13C castle which affords splendid lake views. Now to the great arc of Lake Geneva for a visit to Chillon Castle, immortalised by Byron’s ‘Prisoner of Chillon’. Continue to your 5 star hotel located directly on the shores of Lake Geneva.
Hotel: Royal Plaza Montreux
Meals: Buffet Breakfast
Day 4 - SWISS COUNTRY EXCURSION
Snowy summits fill the horizon as you ascend into the wide green valleys of the Vaud Alps. Visit Gstaad, one of Europe’s most fashionable ski resorts, known for its luxurious hotels and shopping. Then drive through vineyards and alpine meadows to the fortified town of Gruyères, which gives its name to the well-known cheese. Settle in for a Highlight lunch of Swiss cheese fondue and a glass of wine. Enjoy some time to explore the pretty main street and 13C castle before returning to Montreux.
Meals: Buffet Breakfast / Highlight Lunch
Day 5 - LAKE GENEVA EXCURSION
Follow the shores of the lake to the international city of Geneva, seeing the Jet D’Eau, Floral Clock and Reformation Monument. Next get a unique perspective on a highlight cruise on Lake Geneva. Then time at leisure on the promenades of your lakeside resort.
Meals: Buffet Breakfast
Day 6 - MONTREUX - SION - ZERMATT
Journey into the upper Rhône valley to Martigny to view the Roman Amphitheatre. Continue to the town of Sion, 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 cog-wheel train. This evening, dine as you please from our selection of local restaurants.
Hotel: Alpen Resort
Meals: Buffet Breakfast / Dine Around
Day 7 - ZERMATT AT LEISURE
Spend the day relaxing in the clean mountain air. Perhaps take an excursion to the Kleiner Matterhorn, see the Matterhorm from the church bridge, take a short hike or sample the delicious Kuchen (cakes).
Meals: Buffet Breakfast
Day 8 - ZERMATT - SIMPLON PASS - LUGANO
Descend to Täsch and re-join the coach. Drive through Brig to commence your ascent of 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 picturesque lake side resort of Lugano surrounded by snow capped mountains.
Hotel: De La Paix
Meals: Buffet Breakfast
Day 9 - LUGANO - ST MORITZ
Head north past the three castles at Bellinzona en route to the Grisons region. Travel via San Bernardino and the town of Tiefencastel and follow the young Rhine River through Heidi Country. Head east to the Julier Pass and the chic resort of St Moritz, set in the Engadine Valley with the majestic Grisons Alps towering above.
Hotel: Monopol
Meals: Buffet Breakfast / Dinner
Day 10 - ST MORITZ AT LEISURE
Today is free to jostle with the jet-set in the elegant boutiques or take an exciting train journey over the Bernina pass? To help you make the most of your day, Insight has arranged a mountain railways pass providing free travel on all cable cars, funiculars and chairlifts (if open) in Engadin St. Moritz. Enjoy!
Meals: Buffet Breakfast
Day 11 - ST MORITZ - GLACIER EXPRESS - 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 through the dramatic Schöllenen Gorge past the Devils Bridge. On through William Tell Country to stay ‘between the lakes’ in Interlaken.
Hotel: Royal St Georges/Romantik Hotel Schweizerhof, Grindelwald
Meals: Buffet Breakfast / Dinner
Day 12 - VALLEY OF WATERFALLS EXCURSION
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 a cog-wheel train ride to the summit of the Jungfrau mountain.
Meals: Buffet Breakfast
Day 13 - INTERLAKEN - BRIENZ - ZURICH
A delightful drive along the shores of the lake leads through the woodcarving town of Brienz. Next, experience Swiss rural life throughout the ages at the Ballenberg Open-Air Museum. Now continue over the Brunig Pass and drive along side the lakes of Lungern and Sarnen to return to Zurich. An orientation tour shows you the Bahnhofstrasse, Grossmünster, River Limmat and Frauenmünster, famous for its stained glass windows by Marc Chagall. Tonight sample typical Swiss cuisine with wine at a farewell Celebration Dinner.
Hotel: Mövenpick Zurich Airport
Meals: Buffet Breakfast / Celebration Dinner
Day 14 - ZURICH
Your comfortable and stylish five star hotel is perfectly situated for Zürich Airport- just five minutes away via complimentary shuttle bus.
Meals: Buffet Breakfast