grand tour of switzerland

Grand Tour of Switzerland

10 days from Zürich to Zürich

Vacation overview

Discover the wonders of this extraordinary country: unspoiled scenery, majestic peaks, sparkling lakes, and cities with cosmopolitan flair. Begin with an overnight in Zürich, then travel through the hilly landscapes to Appenzell with a stop in the tiny Principality of Liechtenstein. Enjoy pastoral “Heidiland” on your way to the glamorous St. Moritz resort. Marvel at the breathtaking views on the included Bernina Express alpine you to Tirano, Italy. Rejoin your motorcoach to arrive on the shores of splendid Lake Lugano, then to Italy’s Lake Maggiore and crossing Simplon Pass to re-enter Switzerland. Overnight in Täsch and join the included train excursion to carthe foot of the mighty Matterhorn. Journey on to Lake Geneva, then to Gruyère to visit a local cheese factory, to the charming Swiss capital of Berne, and to Lake Lucerne, surrounded by snowcapped Alps. Your adventure concludes with a final overnight in vibrant Zürich.

Grand Tour of Switzerland

10 days from Zürich to Zürich

Discover the wonders of this extraordinary country: unspoiled scenery, majestic peaks, sparkling lakes, and cities with cosmopolitan flair. Begin with an

then travel through the hilly landscapes to Appenzell with a stop in the tiny Principality of Liechtenstein. Enjoy pastoral “Heidiland” on your way to the glamorous St. Moritz resort. Marvel at the breathtaking views on the included Bernina Express alpine train that whisks you to Tirano, Italy. Rejoin your motorcoach to arrive on the shores of splendid Lake Lugano, then to Italy’s Lake Maggiore and crossing Simplon Pass

enter Switzerland. Overnight in Täsch and join the included train excursion to car-free Zermatt at the foot of the mighty Matterhorn. Journey on to Lake Geneva, then to Gruyère to visit a local cheese factory, to the charming Swiss capital of Berne, and to Lake Lucerne, surrounded by snowcapped Alps. Your adventure concludes with a

l overnight in vibrant Zürich.

Itinerary

Day 1 Arrive in Zürich, Switzerland

Check into your hotel in Zürich. The rest of the day is free for exploring this exciting city. Tonight, meet your Tour Director and fellow travelers. (D)Day 2 Zürich–Appenzell–Liechtenstein–St. Moritz

A sensational drive today takes you through some of Switzerland’s most renowned cantons. By way of the market town of Herisau, stop in Appenzell to see the Old Town with its 16th-century Town Hall. Continue east to the minute Principality of Liechtenstein for a visit of its tiny capital, Vaduz. Pass through scenic “Heidiland” and into the Rhine Valley before starting the ascent up mighty Julier Pass. Soon you’ll be in the heart of Switzerland’s largest canton, the Grisons, where you’ll marvel at some of the world’s best Alpine views. Spend the next two nights in glamorous St. Moritz, host of two Olympic Winter Games (1928 and 1948) and the premier winter retreat of European royalty, celebrities, and the international jet set for more than a century. (B)Day 3 At leisure in

St. Moritz. Enjoy a whole day to explore this scenic Engadine 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 shore—St. 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 Engadine architecture, characterized by arched wooden doors, small deep-set windows, and artistically etched facades. Meanwhile, neighboring Bad is known for its ice rink, mineral and mud baths, and energetic nightlife. (B,D)Day 4 St. Moritz–Bernina Express Train to Tirano, Italy–Lugano, Switzerland

One of Europe’s most spectacular train rides begins today in St. Moritz, whisking you across lofty Bernina Pass via the Swiss Poschiavo area to Tirano in the Italian Valtellina. Here, rejoin your motorcoach and journey to the shores of sparkling Lake Lugano. (B)Day 5 Lugano–Lake Maggiore–Täsch

This morning, discover the highlights of charming, subtropical Lugano before traveling to Lake Maggiore, Italy’s second-largest lake. Consider joining the optional visit to the garden island of Isola Bella with its splendid 17th-century palazzo (palace). Return to Switzerland via picturesque Simplon Pass and spend the night in Täsch, gateway to the Matterhorn! (B,D)Day 6 Täsch–Zermatt–Lake Geneva

This morning, hop aboard the train for the only connection to car-free Zermatt, a resort surrounded by Switzerland’s highest mountains—including the celebrated Matterhorn. Stroll through town and maybe take a break to sample the local fare, like raclette, fondue, or hand-made chocolate, or to shop for an authentic Swiss watch or Swiss Army Knife. This afternoon, motor through the vineyards and apricot groves of the lower Rhône Valley to crescent-shaped Lake Geneva, one of Europe’s largest lakes. (B)Day 7 Lake Geneva

Spend either a whole day at leisure exploring the UNESCO World Heritage Site of the Lavaux terraced vineyard; relax at the hotel; or join an optional excursion to charming Geneva, with its cobblestoned Old Town and the Palais des Nations, European headquarters of the United Nations. (B,D)

Day 8 Lake Geneva–Gruyère–Berne–Interlaken–Lucerne

Travel northeast today, stopping in picturesque Gruyère to visit a local cheese factory. Then, on to Berne, Switzerland’s 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 arrive in the renowned resort of Interlaken for a visit before crossing Brünig Pass to Lucerne. Tonight, why not join an optional folklore evening, complete with yodeling and alphorn blowing? (B)Day 9 Lucerne–Zürich

Today, discover the wonders of Lucerne, a city straight out of a storybook. Situated on Lake Lucerne in the shadows of the snowcapped Alps, your visit takes in the highlights, including cobblestone streets lined with frescoed homes, the world-famous Kapellbrücke (Chapel Bridge), and the poignant Lion Monument. Perhaps choose from a wonderful selection of optional activities—the most popular is an excursion to Stanserhorn mountain. In the late afternoon, an easy drive returns you to Zürich for a final overnight. (B)Day 10 Zürich

Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning. (B)

Vacation Highlights

Headsets throughout the tour

Sightseeing:Visits to Appenzell, Vaduz, St. Moritz, Lugano, Zermatt, Gruyère village, Berne, Interlaken, Lucerne

Scenic Highlights:Julier Pass, Engadine Valley, Swiss-Italian Lake District, Simplon Pass, Matterhorn, Bernese Oberland

Guides:

Professional Tour Director while touring

Hotels

ZÜRICH Novotel City West (F)ST. MORITZ Bären (F)LUGANO Holiday Inn (F)TÄSCH Matterhorn Resort (ST)LAKE GENEVA Clarion Collection (F) at LavauxLUCERNE Luzernerhof (F)

Meals

Buffet breakfasts; 4 dinners

Optional ExcursionsThe following list of optional excursions are examples only for this vacation. These optional excursions might or might not be available. Whether it's a special dinner, a local show or a special behind-the-scenes glimpse into an historical site, optional excursions are a wonderful way to enrich your vacation even further. Plus, they give you flexibility. We include the must-see sites and experiences, and we also understand that people take interest in different activities and may want to craft a more personal vacation by hand-picking optional excursions that appeal to them.

Availability is subject to sufficient participation, weather conditions, seasonal suitability, days of operation, group interests, and general feasibility for your vacation. The approximate value listed gives you a good, general idea of what you can expect to pay but may vary once you are on your vacation. Some information provided might be in a foreign currency; you can use our onlinecurrency converter for exchange rate information.

CITY: Lake Maggiore

Boat Trip to Isola Bella Lake Maggiore is the second largest lake in Italy and the largest lake of the Canton of Ticino, Switzerland with a mild climate both in summer and winter producing Mediterranean vegetation. Embark on a boat in Baveno and after cruising past the Isola Pescatori you sail on to Isola Bella, which is the most famous of the Borromean Islands. Once a small fishing village it was transformed and is now famous for the Palazzo and its gardens. You will have a guided visit of this Borromeo family home, which offers visitors an elegant setting and contains priceless works of art. After the visit of the Palace there will be time to wander around the stunning gardens which form an extraordinary flowering monument laid out over a series of ornate and overlapping terraces. There is a classical example of a 17th century "Italian garden" with many rare and exotic plants. Rejoin the boat and sail to Stresa where upon disembarkation you will travel back to the overnight hotel by coach.

Approximate value: €28 EUR per person

CITY: Lugano

Lake Cruise & Dinner Join a boat trip on the Gulf of Lugano, passing Grandia, Campione d'Italia , an italian enclave with its famous Casino. Then proceed to a typical "grotto" restaurant on the lake side where you can taste some specialities of the Ticinese cuisine whilst enjoying a spectacular view of illuminated Lugano by Night.


CITY: Zermatt

Gornergrat Europe's highest mountain railway takes you to the Gornergrat (10,132 feet) in 40 minutes. The incomparable panoramic views embrace some of Switzerland's loftiest peaks, including the world-famous Matterhorn. Once the Gornergrat is reached you can have an incomparable panoramic view set against a forest of larches and firs.


CITY: Lucerne

Dinner & Swiss Folklore Contrary to belief, not all Swiss can yodel or blow the alp horn, but those you will see are real experts. At the Stadtkeller Restaurant, located in the old town of Lucerne, they will entertain you with merry melodies on the accordion and traditional dances whilst you enjoy a delicious meal and sample the Swiss Cheese Fondue.


Mount Stanserhorn A trip up the Stanserhorn mountain for breathtaking views is an experience not to be missed. The Mt. Stanserhorn Railway is a combination of an old-time funicular, which has romantic 100-year-old carriages (1893) with fringed curtains. Part of the ascent is by the new "global first" cable car ( a doubledecker cable car with an open top). Once on the summit of Mount Stanserhorn you will have an enchanting view of the Alpine Chains and a view of 10 swiss lakes. There is a sun terrace with a faboulous panorama and a relaxation area.


Scenic Lake Cruise An hour's guided cruise on the most beautiful lake in Switzerland gives you an introduction to this lovely city from a completely different aspect. With its many bays, it offers superb panoramas of the surrounding landscape. The cruise is operated on a comfortable private covered boat and a commentary will be given by one of the crew staff who will explain the history of all the enchanting villages and you will learn some interesting stories of the Swiss History.


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Important Notes

Vacation departures, itineraries and prices are subject to change. A non-refundable, non-transferable deposit of $250 per person per vacation is required

for Cosmos to reserve space for you. View Terms & Conditions for limited exceptions. Charges not included in the land vacation price: airfare to and from the start of your

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