SWISS TOURS 2009

‘SWISS GRAND ALPINE TOUR with GLACIER EXPRESS’ - ZGL6Z

ZURICH - ZURICH, 6 DAYS

            DEPARTURES:    every Monday, from May 11 - October 12  2009

                                 from Swissôtel Zurich, Am Marktplatz, 8050 Zurich

                           departure at 8.30 am - check-in at our desk in the lobby starts at 8.00 am

             PRICE:                  CHF 2307.-          per person in double occupancy
                                           CHF    240.-          supplement for single room

 ITINERARY:

  We leave Zurich at 8.30 a.m. A short drive takes us to the city of Lucerne where we visit the Lion Monument and walk over the 14th century wooden bridge, time at leisure for shopping and sightseeing. At noon we proceed to the mountain resort of Engelberg. A cable car ride to the summit of Mount Titlis brings you up into the high alpine region with its glaciers and eternal ice enjoy a magnificent ride in the world's innovative revolving 'ROTAIR' gondola. (Take a warm sweater along). In the afternoon we cross Brunig Pass to the Bernese Oberland and reach the village Brienz, where we will see woodcarvers at work. We continue to the holiday resort of Interlaken at the foot of Jungfrau mountain. Overnight at first class hotel - dinner is on your own.

  We leave Interlaken in the morning and drive along beautiful Lake of Thun to the Swiss capital, Berne. The city  is attractively set on a steepsided curve of the River Aare and backed by the majestic Alps. A city tour to the Old Town includes the Clock Tower, Kramgasse, and the 15th century Cathedral of St. Vincent. A drive south takes us to the scenic dairy farmlands, to Gruyeres. A beautiful hilltop town, preserved against time, which could be the magical setting for fairytales with its impressive, medieval  Castle. An informative visit to a factory of delicious milk product is a further highlight of our day. We continue our drive to the Vaud Riviera and reach Geneva, the most cosmopolitan city of  Switzerland. Overnight at first class hotel - dinner on your own.

  We start with a city-tour of Geneva this morning. We will show you the beautiful  parks along the lake, the old town with its  cathedral, the unique town-hall and the European seat of the United Nations. In the late morning we leave Geneva and drive to Lausanne and Montreux. We pass by Chillon Castle, the 13th century fortress made famous by Lord Byron's poem. In the afternoon we proceed through the Valais, the valley of the river Rhone with its orchards and vineyards. At Täsch we will board a cogwheel train that takes us to the mountain resort of Zermatt at the foot of the mighty Matterhorn. Dinner and overnight at first class hotel

  Full day at leisure in Zermatt - admire the quaint farm houses and barns in their unique style, do some shopping, relax or take an optional cogwheel train up to Gornergrat for a spectacular view of the surrounding snow-covered peaks. Dinner and overnight at first class hotel

  Today you will travel on the legendary 'Glacier Express Train'. You board the train in Zermatt in the morning and a magnificent traveling day is ahead of you. Seated in a comfortable premium panoramic viewing car, you will pass by breath-taking mountain scenery, snow covered peaks, meadows with wild flowers and tiny old villages. Delicious lunch is served right at your seat along with a movable table on which you can dine in comfort. In the late afternoon you will arrive at the world-renowned mountain resort of St. Moritz. Dinner and overnight at first class hotel

  We leave St. Moritz in the morning and cross the Fluela Pass to reach Davos. In the capital of Principality of Liechtenstein, Vaduz, there will be time for lunch and for sightseeing. This tiny country with the mighty castle, which is the home of the present Prince and his family, attracts visitors from all over the world. In the afternoon we will return to Zurich through the Toggenburg region with its picturesque farmhouses.

Arrival in Zurich at approx. 5 p.m.

ACCOMMODATION AT FIRST CLASS HOTELS

INTERLAKEN            1 night            buffet breakfast        Hotel Royal St. George

GENEVA                    1 night            buffet breakfast        Hotel Ramada Encore, Carouge

ZERMATT                  1 night            halfboard                  Hotel Alex

LUGANO                    1 night            halfboard                  Holiday Inn Lugano Center

ST. MORITZ               1 night            halfboard                  Hotel Schweizerhof

Although no changes are anticipated, we reserve the right to make changes in hotels where deemed necessary or advisable. Substitutes will be equal in quality.