Compare The Best of Switzerland by Globus vs Glorious Switzerland - Small Group by Insight Vacations
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| Trip |
5 | Excellent
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5 | Excellent
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| Duration | 8 days | 9 days |
| Price From | $ 3,359 | $ 4,025 |
| Price Per Day | $ 420 | $ 447 |
| Highlights |
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| Trip Style | Small group tour | Group tour |
| Lodging Level | Premium | Premium |
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| Countries Visited | ||
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| Flights & Transport | No | Airfare included |
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| Meals Included | N/A | N/A |
| Description | If you have dreamed of taking in storybook-setting vistas, breathing in fresh Alpine air, and tasting mouth-watering Swiss chocolates, this enchanting tour of Switzerland has you covered from A to Zurich. Bustling cities, chalet-dotted hillsides, and pastoral valleys welcome you to the land of lush green farmland, glorious fondue, and glitzy fun. Join the capricious and carefree in the posh playgrounds of swanky St. Moritz, sparkling Lake Geneva, charming car-free Zermatt, and Italy’s celebrated and celebrity-full Lake Como. As you near lively Lugano and the Italian border, the scenery delightfully changes from mountainous panoramas to a Mediterranean paradise complete with chestnut groves, olive and fig trees, and fruitful vineyards. Dinner at a shady and cool grotto and lunch on a traditional Swiss farm provide local, delectable dining experiences like no other. | Take a once in a lifetime trip across Switzerland, dipping fresh fruit in Swiss chocolate fondue in Geneva, breathing in the Alpine air of Zermatt and relaxing in luxury—at lakeside Lucerne. In the shadow of the mighty Mount Matterhorn, the car free ski resort of Zermatt is a wonder to behold, bettered only by the chic fashionista surrounds of St. Moritz in the Grison Alps. In Lucerne, explore nearby Stanserhorn with the Insight Choice between meeting a Swiss Ranger to learn about the local flora and fauna, or take a stroll through the magnificent surrounds of Marmott Park. A Celebration Dinner in Lucerne at the foot of Mount Stanserhorn offers glorious views over Lake Lucerne from restaurant Seeblick and draws the sojourn across Switzerland to a close. |
Day 1: ARRIVE IN ZURICH, SWITZERLAND
Welcome to Zurich! At 6 pm, meet your Tour Director and travel companions for a welcome dinner at your hotel. (Dinner)
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Day 2: ZURICH–VADUZ, LIECHTENSTEIN–ST. MORITZ, SWITZERLAND
Swiss Chocolates & Sweet Views ZURICH Orientation walk in the Old Town includes a [LF] Sprüngli chocolate-praline tasting. Take a scenic drive along Lake Zurich and Lake Walen into the high Alps en route to the Principality of Liechtenstein.VADUZ Spend free time to browse and for lunch.ST. MORITZ Enjoy free time this afternoon. (Breakfast,Dinner) 137 mi / 220 km
LOCAL FAVORITE LOCAL TASTES Since chocolatier David Sprüngli opened Confiserie Sprüngli & Fils on Zurich’s Marktgasse in 1836, its irresistible confections have been tempting many a sweet tooth for generations. Today Confiserie Sprüngli continues its tradition as a pioneer of Swiss chocolate making, whipping up sweet temptations from truffles to pralines in the many chocolate shops bearing its name throughout Switzerland.
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Day 3: ST. MORITZ–LAKE COMO, ITALY–LUGANO, SWITZERLAND
Legendary Lakes of Italy & Switzerland LAKE COMO See the stunning lake en route to Lugano.LUGANO Enjoy free time this afternoon and evening. (Breakfast) 87 mi / 140 km
FREE TIME TIPSEXPLORE MORE in Lugano to see its mix of Italian and Swiss style and culture reflected in its architecture and cuisine. Standing on the Lake’s northern shore, the city is surrounded by mountain peaks. Lugano’s Piazza della Riforma and pastel palazzos share the ambience of this lovely Swiss city with impressive architecture and bold and innovative street art.
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Day 4: LUGANO–STRESA, ITALY–TÄSCH, SWITZERLAND–ZERMATT
The Heights of Beauty STRESA Enjoy free time.TÄSCH Take a scenic mountain train ride to Zermatt. (Breakfast) 165 mi / 265 km
TOUR HIGHLIGHTCULTURAL GEMS Stresa is an example of Italy’s splendid elegance on Lake Maggiore, overlooking the surrounding islands. With natural beauty, ornamental gardens, and grand architecture, Stresa is a study in sophistication. Luxury villas and art nouveau hotels along the shores make for a perfect place to stroll.
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Day 5: ZERMATT–LAKE GENEVA
Life on the Lake ZERMATT Spend free time this morning before returning to Täsch. Take a scenic drive through the vineyards and apricot groves of the lower Rhône Valley en route to Lake Geneva. (Breakfast,Dinner)93 mi / 150km
TOUR HIGHLIGHT PICTURE PERFECT The glistening waters of Lake Geneva lap against its French and Swiss shores in the serene surroundings of sublime vineyards and countryside. Belle Epoque sailboats traverse the lakeshores amid castles, museums, and resort towns as they have for over a century.
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Day 6: LAKE GENEVA–BERNE–LUCERNE
Coming Up Roses in Berne BERNE Guided walking tour. Enjoy [LF] lunch at a traditional Swiss working farm before continuing to Lucerne. (Breakfast,Lunch) 162 mi / 260 km
TOUR HIGHLIGHT CITY SIGHTS Explore the “City of Fountains,” Berne - the capital city of Switzerland, dating back to the 12th century. Take in the medieval architecture in the Altstadt (Old Town) with its 6 kilometers of arcades and animated clocktower, then indulge in lunch at a local farm.
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Day 7: LUCERNE
Lion Hearted in Lucerne LUCERNE Walking tour includes the Lion monument, the Old Town, and Chapel Bridge. [LF] Scenic railway ride to the top of Mount Pilatus and receive a special souvenir cap. Enjoy a farewell dinner this evening. (Breakfast,Dinner)
LOCAL FAVORITE EPIC RIDE Feel your heart soar as you ascend to the summit of magnificent Mount Pilatus, home to the world’s steepest cogwheel railway. Look out for the legendary dragon and take in the heavenly vistas. Direct your gaze as far as the eye can see with views as far as the Eiger, Mönch, and Jungfrau. Down below, sparkling lakes catch the sun for a view unlike any other.
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Day 8: LUCERNE–ZURICH AIRPORT
Safe travels until we meet again! Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning. A morning complimentary transfer to Zurich Airport in time for homebound flights leaving no earlier than 10 am. Extra nights are available in Zurich. (Breakfast) 42 mi / 68 km
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Day 1: Geneva, City of Gardens
Prepare yourself for the majesty of Switzerland's snow-capped mountains, glaciers, sparkling lakes, flower-filled meadows and rich, green valleys. Transfers from Geneva airport to your hotel depart at 11:00, 13:00 and 16:00. Meet your Travel Director and travel companions at 18:00, for a short stroll to your Welcome Dinner. The evening is full of Swiss delight, as you enjoy the cozy decor while being served typical Swiss specialties including cheese fondue. Return to your immaculate boutique hotel, the award winning Hotel d'Angleterre. Enjoy British charm combined with the finest Swiss hospitality, and elegant, individually designed rooms. Hotel d'Angleterre highlights British charm and the finest Swiss hospitality, with each room individually designed to reflect its elegant style.
Hotel d'Angleterre, Geneva.
Dinner with Wine
Day 2: Montreux, Chillon and the Matterhorn Village of Zermatt
Start your day with the highlights of Geneva, the City of Gardens. See the Jet d’Eau and Floral Clock. Then relax and enjoy the enchanting scenery as we continue to the charming town of Montreux. Situated at the foot of the Alps and boasting beautiful lakeside walks, enjoy free time to explore this pretty town. On the western bay of Lake Geneva, join Maud, head of collections at 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.Continue through the Rhone Valley, where high summer temperatures support vines and other fruits. The final stage of your journey is by cogwheel train to the traffic-free Alpine resort of Zermatt. During your orientation with your Travel Director, feast your eyes on the distinctive triangular silhouette of the Matterhorn. At night, enjoy a stroll in the fresh mountain air to your chosen restaurant for your Dine-Around Evening. Perhaps try a delicious cheese fondue?
Resort Hotel Alex, Zermatt.
Breakfast, Dinner with Wine
Day 3: Free Time in Zermatt Relaxed Start
Zermatt in the summertime offers many leisure possibilities: try swimming, hiking, or spend a whole day relaxing in the fresh alpine surrounds. Perhaps take an optional ride on Europe’s highest cable car to the snow-capped roof of the world for a magnificent panorama of the highest peaks in Switzerland, Italy and France?
Resort Hotel Alex, Zermatt.
Breakfast
Day 4: Elegant Baveno Relaxed Start
Descend to Täsch and rejoin the coach. Follow in Napoleon's footsteps as you ascend the Simplon Pass, taking in magnificent views over the Alps from the 2,000-metre summit. Continue along the gentle shores of Lake Maggiore. Perhaps take a delightful boat trip to see the stunning Isola Bella?
Hotel Simplon, Baveno
Breakfast
Day 5: Grison Alps to Chic St. Moritz
Head north back into the high mountain country of the Grisons Alps today. Ascend the Julier Pass to arrive in the sparkling Engadine Valley with an invigorating climate characterised by clear skies and its location high in the Alps. On arrival in the cosmopolitan resort of St. Moritz, a brief orientation with your Travel Director will show you the spa quarter and the brilliantly sparkling glacial lake, before there is time to explore further on your own or mingle with the jet-set in the elegant boutiques.
Crystal Hotel, St Moritz., Hotel Steffani, St Moritz.
Breakfast, Dinner with Wine
Day 6: Scenic Train Ride, Liechtenstein and Lucerne
Start the day with a scenic train ride along part of the route of the Glacier Express, through unforgettable scenes of ice-capped mountains, stone-built villages and lush meadows. At Chur, reboard your coach and travel along the valley of the Upper Rhine to spend some time in Vaduz, the tiny capital of the Principality of Liechtenstein, where you explore the area around the castle. Continue to Lucerne alongside the dramatic Walensee and Lake Zürich. On arrival, see the sorrowful sculpture of the wounded lion, commemorating the brave Swiss Guards who died defending King Louis XVI during the French Revolution. Your Travel Director will also show you the Jesuit Church and the Chapel Bridge.
Hotel Astoria, Lucerne.
Breakfast
Day 7: The Summit of Mount Stanserhorn Relaxed Start
Commence the day with a morning stroll along lakeside promenades or shopping for fine watches while enjoying the scenery. Then, from the town of Stans, embark on a scenic journey by funicular railway and open-top cable car to the summit of the stunning Mount Stanserhorn. Explore Mount Stanserhorn with Insight Choice. Choose to join a MAKE TRAVEL® Experience and listen to a conservation talk by a Swiss ranger, to learn about local wildlife and flora. Alternatively, walk through the Stanserhorn marmot park. Celebrate new friends and enjoy a Celebration Dinner at the foot of Mount Stanserhorn with magnificent views over Lake Lucerne at Restaurant Seeblick.
Hotel Astoria, Lucerne.
Breakfast, Dinner with Wine
Day 8: Leave Lucerne for Zürich
In the morning, your departure transfer will arrive at Zürich airport at 08:00.
Breakfast
