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Grand Tour Of Switzerland
| Resort: | Switzerland |
| Operator: | Cosmos |
| Destination: | Switzerland |
| Price From: | £1600.00 |
With its unspoiled scenery, majestic peaks, fascinating old towns, sparkling lakes, rich history, and cities with a cosmopolitan flair, Switzerland is the perfect vacation offering something for everyone. On this Switzerland tour, youll experience some of its most beautiful scenery and interesting cities with overnights in Zurich, St. Moritz, Lugano, Zermatt or Tsch, the Lausanne area, and Lucerne. Switzerland is famous for its stunning sceneries. Enjoy a panoramic drive through the high Alps to the tiny Principality of Liechtenstein. Witness quaint villages, finely carved chalets, green pastures, beautiful forests, magnificent mountain peaks, and rolling, green hills on your way to St. Moritz, one of the worlds most famous winter resorts. Switch mode of transportation in Tsch, where youll board a mountain train to car-free Zermatt, a picturesque cluster of rustic chalets beneath the famous Matterhorn. If you desire to see lakes, youll enjoy Lake Maggiore, Italys second-largest lake; stunning Lake Geneva; Lake Lugano, the popular region enjoying a subtropical climate; Interlaken, situated between Lake Thun and Lake Brienz; and Lake Lucerne, situated in the shadows of the snow-capped Alps. One highlight of this Switzerland tour is the journey aboard the Bernina Express train from St Moritz to Tirano, Italy. Riding on the highest railway across the Alps, witness glistening glaciers, stunning mountain streams, and alpine scenery, and travel through tunnels and over bridges that are engineering masterpieces! Enjoy a visit to a local cheese factory in Gruyres, a picturesque medieval town that has been unaffected with the passage of time. Spend time in Switzerlands capital, Berne, and storybook Lucerne. From stunning scenery and vibrant cities to special experiences, this Switzerland tour is sure to delight. So grab your camera and get ready for an amazing vacation!
ItineraryDAY 1 ARRIVE IN ZURICH, SWITZERLANDCheck into your hotel in Zurich and start exploring with the assistance of your CosmosGO app. Tonight, meet your Tour Director and travel companions. DAY 2 ZURICH APPENZELL LIECHTENSTEIN ST. MORITZA sensational drive today takes you through some of Switzerlands most renowned cantons. Stop in Appenzell to see the Old Town with its 16th-century Town Hall. Continue to the minute Principality of Liechtenstein for a visit of its tiny capital, Vaduz. Pass through scenic Heidiland and into the Rhine Valley before ascending mighty Julier Pass. Soon, youll be in the heart of Switzerlands largest canton, the Grisons, where youll marvel at some of the worlds best alpine views. Spend the next two nights in glamorous St. Moritz, host of two Winter Olympic Games (1928 and 1948) and the premier winter retreat of European royalty, celebrities, and the international jet set for more than a century. DAY 3 AT LEISURE IN ST. MORITZEnjoy a day to explore this scenic Engadin valley resort. Renowned for its stunning forest, lake, and mountain setting and an average of 322 days of sunshine per year, St. Moritz is comprised of two villages separated by a mile of lake shoreSt. Moritz Dorf and St. Moritz Bad. Extending up the slope from the lake, terraced Dorf is a tapestry of grand hotels, upscale boutiques, and traditional Engadin architecture, characterized by arched wooden doors, small deep-set windows, and artistically etched facades. The nearby town of Bad is known for its ice rink, mineral and mud baths, and lakeside promenade. DAY 4 ST. MORITZ BERNINA EXPRESS TRAIN TO TIRANO, ITALY LUGANO, SWITZERLANDExperience one of Europes most spectacular train rides, the Bernina Express. Board the train in St. Moritz, and travel across the lofty Bernina Pass via the Swiss Poschiavo area to Tirano in the Italian Valtellina. Here, rejoin your coach and journey to the shores of sparkling Lake Lugano. DAY 5 LUGANO LAKE MAGGIORE, ITALY ZERMATT AREA, SWITZERLANDDiscover the highlights of charming, subtropical Lugano before traveling to Lake Maggiore, Italys second-largest lake. Consider joining the optional boat trip to visit to the garden island of Isola Bella with its splendid 17th-century palazzo (palace). Return to Switzerland via picturesque Simplon Pass to your overnight destination, a resort surrounded by Switzerlands highest mountainsincluding the celebrated Matterhorn. DAY 6 ZERMATT AREALAUSANNE AREATime to stroll through car-free Zermatt, connected to Tsch with an alpine train. Maybe take a break to sample the local fare, like raclette (melted Swiss cheese), fondue, or hand-made chocolate. Perhaps shop for an authentic Swiss watch or Swiss Army knife. Then, rejoin the coach in Tsch and continue your journey through the vineyards and apricot groves of the lower Rhne Valley to crescent-shaped Lake Geneva, one of Europes largest lakes. DAY 7 LAUSANNE AREASpend either a day at leisure exploring Lausanne and its environs, or join an optional excursion to charming Geneva with its cobblestoned Old Town and the Palais des Nations, European headquarters of the United Nations. DAY 8 LAUSANNE AREA GRUYRES BERNE INTERLAKEN LUCERNEThe first stop today is in picturesque Gruyres to visit a local cheese factory. Then, on to Berne, Switzerlands charming 12th-century capital. The Old Town is a showcase of medieval architecture, arcaded shops, artistic fountains, and the landmark Zytglogge (clock tower), an ornate animated astronomical clock built in 1530. Travel on, skirting the shores of Lake Thun, and stop in the renowned resort of Interlaken for a visit before crossing Brnig Pass to Lucerne.
DAY 9 LUCERNE ZURICHDiscover the wonders of Lucerne, a city straight out of a storybook. Situated on Lake Lucerne beneath the snow-capped Alps, Lucerne highlights include cobblestone streets lined with frescoed homes, the world-famous Chapel bridge, and the poignant Lion monument. Perhaps choose from a wonderful selection of optional activitiesthe most popular is an excursion to mount Stanserhorn. Return to Zurich for an overnight. DAY 10 ZURICHYour vacation ends with breakfast this morning. |
