Insight - Country Roads of Switzerland - Classic Group (04/2023 - 09/2023) (E728ZN18)

14 Days From Zurich to Zurich 
Tour Style: Country Roads
Insight Brochure Price from $4,995.00
Brochures: Europe & Britain Premium 2023 v2, Europe & Britain Premium 2024 v1
Visits: Switzerland, Italy

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See Switzerland in all its natural splendor during this 2-week guided tour that whisks you from snow-capped mountain peaks to floral valleys. Outside Lucerne, complete with wooden bridges and baroque churches, zip to the top of Mount Stanserhorn, a pinnacle so tall you can see France and Germany. Take in beautiful Bern and its Catherdrals with a Local Expert followed by a stop in Gruyères. Glide along the Glacier Express, a glass-topped train that will carry you through the Oberalp Valley and to Grindelwad, an idyllic alpine village set to the backdrop of winding rivers and towering waterfalls. In St. Moritz, a mountain railways pass will allow you to traverse the alpine village’s cable cars, funiculars and chairlifts. Then taste the freshest cuisine in Switzerland during an intimate farm-to-table dinner experience, including cheese.
Choice Highlights

• Choose between two carefully selected activities
• Stanserhorn: Walk along beautiful scenic pathways at the summit of Mount Stanserhorn for a chance to see native animals like marmots.
• Stanserhorn: Embark on a spectacular journey to the summit of Mount Stanserhorn and appreciate unrivalled views of snow-capped peaks. Meet a Swiss ranger and learn about the local wildlife and flora over a conservation talk. Learn about the conservation of the local ecosystem and local fauna from a Swiss ranger. Hear about what it takes to preserve the wildlife throughout the year and in all weather. This experience advances UN Sustainable Development Goal 15: Life On Land. Alternatively, walk along beautiful scenic pathways for a chance to see native animals like marmots.

Authentic Dining

• Lucerne: Join your Travel Director and fellow travelers for your Welcome Dinner served with wine.
• Zermatt: Choose between fine local restaurants.
• Zürich: Raise your glass and enjoy a delicious dinner at a local restaurant for your Celebration Dinner.
• Dining Summary: 5 Dinner with Wine (DW), and 13 Breakfast (B)

Top Rated Highlights

• Stanserhorn: Walk along beautiful scenic pathways at the summit of Mount Stanserhorn for a chance to see native animals like marmots.
• Stanserhorn: Journey to the top of Mount Stanserhorn on a panoramic, open-top cable car powered by solar energy, and enjoy spectacular views from the summit.
• Lucerne: During your orientation with your Travel Director, see the emotive Lion Monument, Jesuit Church and Chapel Bridge.
• Bern: Your exploration with a local historian through Switzerland's capital includes seeing the floral displays, Cathedral of St. Vincent, Federal Palace, clock tower and Ogre Fountain.
• Gruyères: Travel along valley floors covered with rich meadowland, to the pretty town of Gruyeres. Your Travel Director leads an orientation tour where you will see the main street and 13th century castle.
• Montreux: At the foot of the Alps this town boasts one of the most beautiful walks along Lake Geneva, join your Travel Director for an orientation before there is free time to explore.
• Geneva: During your orientation, your Travel Director will show you the Jet d'Eau and Floral Clock.
• Lake Geneva: Enjoy first-class seats as you cruise on the serene waters of the King of Lakes, inspiration to the early Romantic movement.
• Martigny: View the Roman Amphitheatre during your orientation.
• Sion: Your Travel Director will show you the two fortress-churches, the cathedral and Old Town Hall.
• Zermatt: Ride the shuttle trains of the Matterhorn Gotthard Railway up to the traffic-free Alpine resort. Should weather permit, you may even see the majestic peak of the Matterhorn.
• Zermatt: Your Travel Director will lead you on an orientation of this picturesque village, high in the mountains.
• Baveno: During your orientation with your Travel Director see the cobbled streets and 16th century square.
• St Moritz: During your orientation of this alpine resort see the spa quarter and glacial lake.
• St Moritz: If you think there's no such thing as a free ride, you'd be mistaken! With your inclusive pass, travel on 13 cable cars, funiculars, chairlifts and select public transport options (when available). The crisp Alpine air is included in the deal.
• St Moritz: Travel along the route of the world-famous Glacier Express, through looping tunnels and dizzying viaducts, in the scenic heart of the Swiss Alps, on a regional train fully powered by hydroelectricity.
• Lauterbrunnen: Enjoy your orientation of the village that takes its name from 'many fountains,' referring to the 72 waterfalls that are within the surrounding valley.
• Staubbach Falls: In the Valley of the Waterfalls, witness these magnificent falls that plunge 300 metres.
• Grindelwald: Explore this famous glacier village with your Travel Director. Embedded in a unique Alpine landscape at the foot of the Eiger north face, Grindelwald is one of Switzerland’s most beautiful Alpine towns.
• Brienz: Learn the history of woodcarving at the Jobin Swiss Woodcarving Centre.
• Zürich: During your orientation of the city, your Travel Director will show you the Grossmünster, Fraumünster and elegant Bahnhofstrasse.

Make Travel Matter

• Stanserhorn: Embark on a spectacular journey to the summit of Mount Stanserhorn and appreciate unrivalled views of snow-capped peaks. Meet a Swiss ranger and learn about the local wildlife and flora over a conservation talk. Learn about the conservation of the local ecosystem and local fauna from a Swiss ranger. Hear about what it takes to preserve the wildlife throughout the year and in all weather. This experience advances UN Sustainable Development Goal 15: Life On Land. Alternatively, walk along beautiful scenic pathways for a chance to see native animals like marmots.
• Lake Geneva: Visit a family-run biodynamic winery overlooking Lake Geneva. Enjoy a tasting, and learn how the family is preserving the estate for future generations. Savour delicious farm-to-table fare, made from locally sourced produce. Alongside using sustainable agricultural practices, they source majority of their good locally. They have strict procedures about waste reduction and any waste from the production is being re-used as fertilizer or food for their animals. This experience advances UN Sustainable Development Goal 12: Responsible Production and Consumption.

Insight Experiences

• Lake Geneva: Visit Chillon Castle with the Head of Collections to discover the artefacts, treasures and history of the chateau.
• Bellinzona: Explore the stunning town of Bellinzona with your Local Expert. Julie will passionately share with you her insights into the three marvellous castles, and her personal stories about how she fell in love with this city and decided to move to the area.

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Insight Tour Itinerary

Day 1	Welcome to Lucerne
	Welcome to Switzerland, a land of snow-capped summits and romantic lakes that has attracted poets, musicians and travellers for centuries. On arrival at Zürich airport, transfers leave for your hotel in Lucerne at 09:30 and 13:30. Meet your Travel Director and travel companions at 18:00, followed by a pleasant Welcome Dinner with wine at a local restaurant.
	Visits: Zürich, Lucerne
	Meals: Dinner with Wine
	Accommodation: Hotel Astoria, Lucerne.
Day 2	Ascend the summit of Mount Stanserhorn
	Step aboard a funicular railway and open-top cable car for a spectacular journey to the summit of the stunning Mount Stanserhorn. Admire unrivalled views of the surrounding mountains and, on a clear day see as far as Alsace in France and the Black Forest in Germany. Explore Mount Stanserhorn with Insight Choice. Choose to join a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience and listen to a conservation talk by a Swiss ranger, to learn about local wildlife and flora. Alternatively, walk through the marmot park and along the Rock- Gipfelweg trail leading to the summit. At the highest point you can enjoy a breathtaking panorama. Return to the beautiful 14th century city of Lucerne to see its storybook wooden bridges, baroque church and sorrowful Lion Monument. Enjoy the rest of the afternoon at your leisure to walk along the lake or perhaps shop for a special timepiece or chocolate.
	Visits: Lucerne, Stanserhorn
	Meals: Breakfast
	Accommodation: Hotel Astoria, Lucerne.
Day 3	Bern, Gruyères and Montreux
	In Bern, your Local Expert, a local English teacher, shows you the Cathedral of St. Vincent, Federal Palace and floral displays. Gather at the clock tower to watch the mechanical procession of painted figures before viewing the Ogre Fountain. Your travels continue into the wide, green valleys of the Vaud Alps with snowy summits filling the horizon. Continue through vineyards and alpine meadows to the fortified town of Gruyères, that gives its name to the well-known cheese. Enjoy time on your own to explore the pretty main street and 13th century castle. From Montreux, travel along the shores of Lake Geneva to visit a winery. Admire the stunning panorama overlooking the lake and savour a tasting of tantalising, local wines. Delight in a delicious Farm-to-Table light dinner, made from locally sourced produce, and learn how the family is preserving the estate for future generations on this MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience.
	Visits: Lucerne, Bern, Gruyères, Montreux
	Meals: Breakfast, Dinner with Wine
	Accommodation: Grand Hôtel Suisse-Majestic, Montreux.
Day 4	Lake Geneva and the Swiss Countryside
	On the western bay of Lake Geneva, visit Chillon Castle for a special tour of the former home to the Dukes of Savoy, immortalised by Lord Byron's 'Prisoner of Chillon.' Keep a look out for where the writer is rumoured to have left his mark. Return to Montreux where the rest of the day is free for you to explore on your own or relax as you wish at your quayside hotel.
	Visits: Montreux, Chillon Castle
	Meals: Breakfast
	Accommodation: Grand Hôtel Suisse-Majestic, Montreux.
Day 5	Geneva and Scenic Lake Cruise Relaxed Start
	Follow the shores of the lake to the international city of Geneva, seeing the Jet d’Eau and Floral Clock.Next, relax in first-class comfort on the waters of Lake Geneva during a highlight cruise.This evening, enjoy time at leisure on the promenade of your lakeside resort.
	Visits: Montreux, Geneva
	Meals: Breakfast
	Accommodation: Grand Hôtel Suisse-Majestic, Montreux.
Day 6	Martigny, Sion and Zermatt Relaxed Start
	Journey into the upper Rhône Valley to Martigny to view the Roman Amphitheatre. Continue to the town of Sion, dominated by two rocky peaks, each crowned with episcopal fortresses, and see the cathedral and Old Town Hall. Complete your journey via cogwheel train to the traffic-free mountain resort of Zermatt. This evening, take your pick from a selection a local restaurants for your Dine-Around Evening. Perhaps you will delight in the typical Swiss dining experience of fondue?
	Visits: Montreux, Martigny, Sion, Zermatt
	Meals: Breakfast, Dinner with Wine
	Accommodation: Resort Hotel Alex, Zermatt.
Day 7	Zermatt at Leisure Relaxed Start
	Zermatt in the summertime offers many leisure possibilities: try swimming, hiking or relaxing in the fresh alpine surrounds. Perhaps take a trip to the Klein Matterhorn, see the Matterhorn from the church bridge or sample the delicious cakes known as Kuchen?
	Visits: Zermatt
	Meals: Breakfast
	Accommodation: Resort Hotel Alex, Zermatt.
Day 8	The Italian Lake District to Baveno
	Descend to Täsch for a scenic drive to Brig, where you'll commence your ascent of the Simplon Pass, taking in magnificent views over the Alps from the 2,000-metre summit. Cut through northern Italy, stopping along the shores of Lake Maggiore. The afternoon is at your leisure. Perhaps join an experience to the stunning Isola Bella?
	Visits: Zermatt, Simplon Pass, Baveno
	Meals: Breakfast
	Accommodation: Hotel Simplon, Baveno.
Day 9	The Glamour and Glitz of St. Moritz
	Journey along the shores of Lake Maggiore, and head north to the three fortifications at Bellinzona to meet your Local Expert, for a fascinating insight into this UNESCO World Heritage Site. These castles are enchanting examples of fortified medieval architecture of the Alps. Your travels continue through the Grisons Region, travelling via San Bernardino and the town of Tiefencastel, as you follow the young Rhine River. Head east towards the Julier Pass and the glamorous resort of St. Moritz, set in the Engadine Valley with the majestic Grisons Alps towering above.
	Visits: Baveno, Bellinzona, Saint Moritz
	Meals: Breakfast
	Accommodation: Crystal Hotel, St Moritz., Hotel Steffani, St Moritz.
Day 10	Leisure Time in St. Moritz Relaxed Start
	Enjoy a day at leisure to jostle with the jet-setters in this elegant resort or perhaps take an exciting train journey over the Bernina pass. To help you make the most of your day, your Travel Director will provide you with a mountain railways pass, offering free travel on all cable cars, funiculars and chairlifts (when available) in Engadine St. Moritz.
	Visits: Saint Moritz
	Meals: Breakfast
	Accommodation: Crystal Hotel, St Moritz., Hotel Steffani, St Moritz.
Day 11	The Glacier Express
	Step aboard the Glacier Express to experience one of the world’s great railway journeys. Cross the Landwasser Viaduct before heading down through the Oberalp Valley to rejoin the coach at Andermatt. Drive through the dramatic Schöllenen Gorge passing the Devil's Bridge. Marvel at the Wetterhorn Peaks as you travel along the Grindelwald Valley. Follow the sparkling Lütschine River to Lauterbrunnen, at the head of the Valley of Waterfalls, and see the Staubbach Falls plunge 300 metres from the plateau above.
	Visits: Saint Moritz, Lauterbrunnen, Staubbach Falls, Grindelwald
	Meals: Breakfast, Dinner with Wine
	Accommodation: Romantik Hotel Schweizerhof Grindelwald.
Day 12	Grindelwald at Leisure Relaxed Start
	Enjoy a day at your leisure to explore Grindelwald further. Perhaps take a cogwheel train ride to the summit of the Jungfrau mountain?
	Visits: Grindelwald
	Meals: Breakfast
	Accommodation: Romantik Hotel Schweizerhof Grindelwald.
Day 13	Rural Switzerland to Zürich
	Take in the spectacular lake views, as you journey to Brienz, famous for its woodcarving traditions. Visit the Jobin Swiss Woodcarving Centre to trace the history of the trade back to the early days of the 19th century. Continue over the Brünig Pass and drive alongside the lakes of Lungern and Sarnen to return to Zürich. See the Bahnhofstrasse, Grossmünster, River Limmat and Frauenmünster on an orientation of the city with your Travel Director. Join your travel companions at a local restaurant. Your Celebration Dinner is accompanied with wine - raise your glass to toast to your adventures.
	Visits: Grindelwald, Brienz, Zürich
	Meals: Breakfast, Dinner with Wine
	Accommodation: Renaissance Zurich Tower Hotel.
Day 14	Depart Zürich
	Your Swiss adventures come to and end this morning, with a transfer to Zürich airport arriving at 08:00.
	Visits: Zürich
	Meals: Breakfast

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Available Room Types: Single, Triple, Twin, Twinshare
Child: ages 5 to 17