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Essence of Switzerland
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Highlights:
If you have a limited amount of time, a program like this can offer you a fulfilling introduction to this picturesque country. It offers all you have imagined including elegant hotels, lakeside views, high Alpine peaks - including the Matterhorn, chic resorts and a variety of methods of transport including private car and driver, lake steamers, cog wheel railways, cable cars and state of the art railways. Premium hotels add to the experience.
If you have a limited amount of time, a program like this can offer you a fulfilling introduction to this picturesque country. It offers all you have imagined including elegant hotels, lakeside views, high Alpine peaks - including the Matterhorn, chic resorts and a variety of methods of transport including private car and driver, lake steamers, cog wheel railways, cable cars and state of the art railways. Premium hotels add to the experience.
SKU:
Explore: Switzerland
Customizable Itinerary - 9 Days (from $4,865 per person)
Day 1: Depart USA
This evening you board an overnight flight to Zurich the financial centre of Switzerland and part of the German-speaking part of the country.
Day 2: Arrival in Zurich
You arrive in Zurich and are met by one of our representatives who will help you transfer to the station within the airport to catch an express train to Lucerne. After a brief journey you are met in Lucerne and taken to your hotel which sits high on a mountainside offering spectacular views of the town, the lake and the surrounding mountains.
Day 3: Lucerne Highlights and the Views from Mount Rigi
After breakfast your guide will introduce you to the delights of Lucerne starting with the old part of the city with its cobblestone streets. As you head to the lake you get a chance to explore the famous covered bridge as part of the scenic lakefront. You have time for lunch and then board a lake Steamer for a scenic lake cruise to the lakeside town of Vitznau where you board a cog wheel railway to the top of Mount Rigi and enjoy some free time to hike and enjoy the Alpine vistas all around you. When it is time to leave you take a cable car back to lake level and return to your hotel. We will make reservations for you at the Old Swiss House. After dinner you drop your main luggage at the concierge and it will be delivered to your hotel in Interlaken. You just need an overnight bag.
Breakfast
Day 4: Lucerne to Interlaken
In the morning you will be transferred to the station where you board your 1st Class carriage for the three hour journey to Interlaken. As with most Swiss rail journeys, the scenery makes the time fly. As its name suggests, Interlaken is situated between two lakes in a delightful alpine meadow. Upon arrival you are met and taken to your elegant hotel. After time for lunch, you will take a carriage ride around the town to enjoy the sights in style.
Breakfast
Day 5: An Adventure in the Bernese Oberland
Today you will ascend one of the country’s major mountains the Jungfrau which along with the Eiger and the Monch make up the backbone of the Alpine region. To achieve this goal you will use a variety of transportation, all integrated with the usual Swiss precision. Start with a leisurely walk to Interlaken Ost station where a train will take you into the Valley of Lauterbrunnen noted for its waterfalls. You switch to another train that will take you to the summit of the Jungfrau and the highest railway station in Europe. You can enjoy lunch with a view at the “Top of Europe” Restaurant before visiting the Ice Palace (even in mid-summer) and the Aletsch Glacier the largest in Europe. In the afternoon you take another train to the picturesque town of Grindelwald for a look back at the mountains. You then take a train to Interlaken. As before, drop off your luggage at the Concierge for transfer to Zermatt.
Breakfast
Day 6: Zermatt, Gateway to the Matterhorn
After breakfast you are transferred to the station for a two hour trip to the renowned resort of Zermatt. You will be met and taken to the hotel where you are reunited with your luggage. You will make your way to the station where you board a train that will take you through a variety of scenes from forest to meadows, lakes and ravines. The train makes several stops on the way up (and down) and you have the opportunity to disembark and continue the ascent (or descent) using the well-tended trails. As you reach the summit you will view the Monte Rosa Mastiff, Weisshorn and the Matterhorn. Have a light lunch on the deck of Europe’s highest hotel. You then return to Zermatt.
Breakfast
Day 7: Klein Matterhorn and Glacier Paradise
Today you will ascend the Matterhorn using a combination of methods. At 13,000 feet you board Europe’s highest aerial cableway and mountain station. Here you will find the world’s highest Glacier Palace. A lift will take you to a viewing platform with views of Italy, France and Switzerland. You will be able to see 38 mountain peaks as well as 14 glaciers. In the distance is Mont Blanc Europe’s highest mountain. An interesting note; your hotel was used by the English climbers in preparation for the first successful ascent of the Matterhorn well before cableways made it less of a challenge. After your visit you return to Zermatt and your last night in the resort. For the last time you leave your luggage for transfer.
Breakfast
Day 8: Zurich Finale
In the morning you will be taken to the station for the ride to Zurich, the largest city in Switzerland and a major financial centre. You will get a tour of the financial area and the Bahnhofstrasse where all the fashionable shops ae located. You will also see the stained glass windows created by Marc Chagall at Fraumunster. In the evening enjoy a tasting menu at your hotel’s noted restaurant as you get ready for your return home.
Breakfast and Dinner
Day 9: Return to USA
After breakfast you will be taken to the station where a high speed train will take you to Zurich airport for your flight back home.
Breakfast
This evening you board an overnight flight to Zurich the financial centre of Switzerland and part of the German-speaking part of the country.
Day 2: Arrival in Zurich
You arrive in Zurich and are met by one of our representatives who will help you transfer to the station within the airport to catch an express train to Lucerne. After a brief journey you are met in Lucerne and taken to your hotel which sits high on a mountainside offering spectacular views of the town, the lake and the surrounding mountains.
Day 3: Lucerne Highlights and the Views from Mount Rigi
After breakfast your guide will introduce you to the delights of Lucerne starting with the old part of the city with its cobblestone streets. As you head to the lake you get a chance to explore the famous covered bridge as part of the scenic lakefront. You have time for lunch and then board a lake Steamer for a scenic lake cruise to the lakeside town of Vitznau where you board a cog wheel railway to the top of Mount Rigi and enjoy some free time to hike and enjoy the Alpine vistas all around you. When it is time to leave you take a cable car back to lake level and return to your hotel. We will make reservations for you at the Old Swiss House. After dinner you drop your main luggage at the concierge and it will be delivered to your hotel in Interlaken. You just need an overnight bag.
Breakfast
Day 4: Lucerne to Interlaken
In the morning you will be transferred to the station where you board your 1st Class carriage for the three hour journey to Interlaken. As with most Swiss rail journeys, the scenery makes the time fly. As its name suggests, Interlaken is situated between two lakes in a delightful alpine meadow. Upon arrival you are met and taken to your elegant hotel. After time for lunch, you will take a carriage ride around the town to enjoy the sights in style.
Breakfast
Day 5: An Adventure in the Bernese Oberland
Today you will ascend one of the country’s major mountains the Jungfrau which along with the Eiger and the Monch make up the backbone of the Alpine region. To achieve this goal you will use a variety of transportation, all integrated with the usual Swiss precision. Start with a leisurely walk to Interlaken Ost station where a train will take you into the Valley of Lauterbrunnen noted for its waterfalls. You switch to another train that will take you to the summit of the Jungfrau and the highest railway station in Europe. You can enjoy lunch with a view at the “Top of Europe” Restaurant before visiting the Ice Palace (even in mid-summer) and the Aletsch Glacier the largest in Europe. In the afternoon you take another train to the picturesque town of Grindelwald for a look back at the mountains. You then take a train to Interlaken. As before, drop off your luggage at the Concierge for transfer to Zermatt.
Breakfast
Day 6: Zermatt, Gateway to the Matterhorn
After breakfast you are transferred to the station for a two hour trip to the renowned resort of Zermatt. You will be met and taken to the hotel where you are reunited with your luggage. You will make your way to the station where you board a train that will take you through a variety of scenes from forest to meadows, lakes and ravines. The train makes several stops on the way up (and down) and you have the opportunity to disembark and continue the ascent (or descent) using the well-tended trails. As you reach the summit you will view the Monte Rosa Mastiff, Weisshorn and the Matterhorn. Have a light lunch on the deck of Europe’s highest hotel. You then return to Zermatt.
Breakfast
Day 7: Klein Matterhorn and Glacier Paradise
Today you will ascend the Matterhorn using a combination of methods. At 13,000 feet you board Europe’s highest aerial cableway and mountain station. Here you will find the world’s highest Glacier Palace. A lift will take you to a viewing platform with views of Italy, France and Switzerland. You will be able to see 38 mountain peaks as well as 14 glaciers. In the distance is Mont Blanc Europe’s highest mountain. An interesting note; your hotel was used by the English climbers in preparation for the first successful ascent of the Matterhorn well before cableways made it less of a challenge. After your visit you return to Zermatt and your last night in the resort. For the last time you leave your luggage for transfer.
Breakfast
Day 8: Zurich Finale
In the morning you will be taken to the station for the ride to Zurich, the largest city in Switzerland and a major financial centre. You will get a tour of the financial area and the Bahnhofstrasse where all the fashionable shops ae located. You will also see the stained glass windows created by Marc Chagall at Fraumunster. In the evening enjoy a tasting menu at your hotel’s noted restaurant as you get ready for your return home.
Breakfast and Dinner
Day 9: Return to USA
After breakfast you will be taken to the station where a high speed train will take you to Zurich airport for your flight back home.
Breakfast