Itinerary Details
Grand Tour Of Switzerland
Day 1 ARRIVE IN ZURICH, SWITZERLAND Check into your hotel in Zurich and start exploring with the assistance of your CosmosGO app. Tonight, meet your Tour Director and travel companions. (D)
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Day 2 ZURICH–APPENZELL–LIECHTENSTEIN–ST. MORITZ A sensational drive today takes you through some of Switzerland’s 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, 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 Winter Olympic Games (1928 and 1948) and the premier winter retreat of European royalty, celebrities, and the international jet set.
Today’s Distance: 177 mi/ 285 km (B,D)
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Day 3 AT LEISURE IN ST. MORITZ Enjoy a day exploring 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 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 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 in winter, mineral and mud baths, and lakeside promenade. (B)
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Day 4 ST. MORITZ–BERNINA EXPRESS TRAIN TO TIRANO, ITALY–LUGANO, SWITZERLAND Experience one of Europe’s 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.
Today’s Distance by coach: 112 mi/ 180 km (B)
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Day 5 LUGANO–LAKE MAGGIORE, ITALY–ZERMATT AREA, SWITZERLAND Discover the highlights of charming, subtropical Lugano before traveling to Lake Maggiore, Italy’s second-largest lake. Cruise into the 17th century on an optional boat trip to visit the gorgeous garden island of Isola Bella with its splendid palazzo (palace). Return to Switzerland via picturesque Simplon Pass to your overnight destination, a resort surrounded by Switzerland’s highest mountains—including the celebrated Matterhorn.
Today’s Distance: 168 mi/ 270 km (B,D)
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Day 6 ZERMATT AREA–LAUSANNE AREA Time to stroll through car-free Zermatt, connected to Täsch 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, or experience the Gornergrat Bahn, the open-air cog railway taking you as high as 10,132 ft for the best views of the Matterhorn and a breath of cool, clean air. Then, rejoin the coach in Täsch and continue your journey through the vineyards and apricot groves of the lower Rhône Valley to crescent-shaped Lake Geneva, one of Europe’s largest lakes.
Today’s Distance: 112 mi/ 180 km (B,D)
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Day 7 LAUSANNE AREA Spend a day at leisure exploring Lausanne and its surroundings. Or spread your wings to explore cosmopolitan Geneva, the city of UNO and the Red Cross, the jet d'eau (water jet), watchmaking, chocolate, the CERN, elegant shops, and resident swans gliding just off the lakeside promenades. (B)
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Day 8 LAUSANNE AREA–GRUYÈRES–BERNE–INTERLAKEN–LUCERNE The first stop today is in picturesque Gruyères 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 stop in the renowned resort of Interlaken for a visit before crossing Brünig Pass to Lucerne.
Today’s Distance: 155 mi/ 250 km (B)
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Day 9 LUCERNE–ZURICH Discover 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. Get carried away on an optional funicular ride, and aboard the world’s first double-decker, open-top aerial cable car to the summit of Stanserhorn. Return to Zurich for an overnight.
Today’s Distance: 62 mi/ 100 km (B)
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Day 10 ZURICH Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning. (B)
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