Insight > Country Roads of Switzerland

Country Roads of Switzerland
15 Days starting from $2,965

Countries Visited:
Switzerland, Italy

 

Length: 15 Days
Type: First Class Tour
Category: The Alps and Central Europe
Operator: Insight
Tour Code: E728
   
 
About This Tour


Well paced tour with three nights in Villars, two-night stays in most of the other cities and no excessively long driving days. There is also the added bonus of travelling on the Glacier Express train.

 
  • What's Included
  • Itinerary
  • Dates & Prices
  • Sightseeing
  • SPECIALS

Insight's First Class Services

  • Escorted by a professional Tour DirectorLuxury air-conditioned 40 seat coach with onboard toilet
  • Insight Hotels include all service charges, taxes and porterage
  • Insight Traveler document wallet, map book journal and information pack
  • Complimentary arrival transfer on Day 2 and departure transfer on Day 15

Quality Dining

  • Highlight Dinner of typical Swiss cuisine in Zermatt (HD)
  • 13 Buffet Breakfasts (BB) and 5 three-course table d’hôte Dinners, or Buffets, plus tea or coffee (D)

15 Days ~ Switzerland & Italy

Tour Pace
Well paced tour with three nights in Villars, two-night stays in most of the other cities and no excessively long driving days. There is also the added bonus of travelling on the Glacier Express train to admire the scenery from a completely different perspective, with yet more wonderful photo opportunities.

DAY 1 – DEPART USA
Overnight flight to Zurich.

DAY 2 – MON – ZURICH AT LEISURE
Welcome to Switzerland, a land of snow capped summits and romantic lakes that has always attracted poets, musicians and travelers! Upon arrival at Zurich Airport there is a complimentary shuttle service to your tour hotel, where your Tour Director will be available to assist with checking in. An orientation tour of the city includes the Fraumünster, with its stained glass windows, as well as the elegant Bahnhofstrasse. In the evening, join your fellow travelers for a Welcome Drink.
Hotel: Moevenpick Airport.

DAY 3 – TUE – ZURICH – VILLARS
After a short drive to Berne, see the Bear Pits, Cathedral of St Vincent, the Federal Palace and the floral displays and fountains. Gather at the clock tower to watch the mechanical procession of painted figures before viewing the grim Ogre Fountain. Visit Murten with its ramparts, towers and yachts, and see the main street with its arcaded houses and the 13th century castle which affords splendid views of the lake. Now to the shores of Lake Geneva for a visit to Chillon Castle, which sits on a rocky islet, immortalised by Byron’s ‘Prisoner of Chillon’. Continue up the scenic road into the mountains to the Alpine village of Villars.
Hotel: Du Golf. (BB,D)

DAY 4 – WED – SWISS COUNTRY EXCURSION
Drive through vineyards and alpine meadows to the fortified town of Gruyères, renowned for its cheese. Spend time exploring its picturesque main street and castle before returning to the hotel via Gstaad, one of Europe’s most fashionable ski resorts. (BB)

DAY 5 – THU – LAKE GENEVA EXCURSION
Follow the shores of Lac Leman to the international city of Geneva, seeing the Jet D’Eau, Floral Clock and Reformation Monument. Before returning to your alpine hotel, embark on a highlight cruise on Lake Geneva past the cultural resort of Montreux. (BB,D)

DAY 6 – FRI – VILLARS – ZERMATT
Journey into the upper Rhône valley to Martigny to view the Roman Amphitheatre. Continue to the town of Sion which is dominated by two rocky peaks, each crowned with episcopal fortresses, and see the cathedral and Old Town Hall. The final stage of the journey to the traffic-free mountain resort of Zermatt is by mini-bus and electric taxi. Enjoy a Highlight Dinner of Swiss cuisine.
Hotel: Alpen Resort. (BB,HD)

DAY 7 – SAT – ZERMATT AT LEISURE
Spend a whole day relaxing in the clean mountain air. Perhaps take an excursion on the Gornergrat rack railway (the highest in Europe), or conquer a mountain by cable-car. (BB)

DAY 8 – SUN – ZERMATT – LUGANO
Descend to Tasch and re-join the coach. Drive through Brig and ascend the Simplon Pass, taking in magnificent views over the Alps from the 2,000-metre summit. Cut through northern Italy, stopping on the gentle shores of Lake Maggiore. Back in Switzerland, drive on to the lakeside resort Lugano.
Hotel: De la Paix. (BB)

DAY 9 – MON – LUGANO – ST MORITZ
Head north, passing by the three castles at Bellinzona en route to the Grisons region. See the evocative Misox Castle, and travel via San Bernardino and the town of Tiefencastel. Head east to the ancient Roman Julier Pass and the chic resort of St Moritz, set in the Engadine Valley with the majestic Grisons Alps towering above.
Hotel: Monopol. (BB,D)

DAY 10 – TUE – ST MORITZ AT LEISURE
Today is free to enjoy at your own pace. Jostle with the jet-set in the elegant boutiques, or perhaps take a horse-drawn carriage ride through a nearby valley for spectacular views? (BB)

DAY 11 – WED – ST MORITZ – INTERLAKEN
All aboard for the Glacier Express – one of the world’s great railway journeys. Ascend through the spiral tunnels of the Albula Pass and cross the Landwasser Viaduct before heading down through the Oberalp Valley to rejoin the coach at Andermatt. Drive through the dramatic Schöllenen Gorge past the Devils Bridge. On through William Tell Country to stay ‘between the lakes’ in the charming resort of Interlaken.
Hotel: Royal St Georges. (BB,D)

DAY 12 – THU – THE ‘VALLEY OF WATERFALLS’
Marvel at the Wetterhorn Peaks as you travel along the Grindelwald Valley. Follow the sparkling Lutschine River to Lauterbrunnen at the head of the ‘Valley of Waterfalls’, and see the Staubbach Falls plunge 300 metres. Consider taking the funicular up to the tumbling Trummelbach Falls. (BB)

DAY 13 – FRI – INTERLAKEN – LUCERNE
A delightful drive along the shores of Lake Brienz leads to a wood-carving workshop. Next, experience Swiss rural life throughout the ages at the Ballenberg Open-Air Museum. Now continue over the Brunig Pass and drive along side the lakes of Lungern and Sarnen to the beautiful 14th century city of Lucerne.
Hotel: Astoria. (BB,D)

DAY 14 – SAT – MT PILATUS EXCURSION
Take an excursion by cog-wheel railway to the summit of Mount Pilatus, which offers a stunning view of Lucerne, as well as the lakes, countryside and hills surrounding it. Return to Lucerne to see the covered wooden bridge, together with the famous Lion Monument carved from a limestone cliff. Spend the afternoon browsing in the shops. (BB)

DAY 15 – SUN – RETURN TO USA
Last chance to buy fine watches, cuckoo clocks or delicious chocolate! The tour ends with transfers to Zurich Airport. (BB)


To speak to one of our live, experienced travel consultants, Call us now at 1-800-942-3301.

Airfare Disclaimer
A NOTE ABOUT AIRFARE: We encourage you to buy your airfare from the tour operator, because if your tour cancels then your airlines tickets will be covered. Purchasing flights separately at a lesser rate and incorporating it with a Non-Guaranteed Departure Date can result in loss of total cost of your flight investment. Depending on the fare rules, flights may be Non-Refundable and/or Non-Transferable. Neither the tour operator and/or Atlas Cruises & Tours will be held responsible for loss if a tour is cancelled for Lack of Participation. If you would like to check for discounted fares on Guaranteed Departures or for competitive pricing on air and hotel packages, we invite you to follow this link.

Documents
TRAVEL DOCUMENTS: Necessary Travel Documents such as Passports and Visas is the responsibility of the traveler. Passports must be valid six months from your return travel date.

         
Touring Date
Land Only
Land + Air
Single
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Single
(Land + Air)
4/27/2008 - 5/11/2008
$2,965
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5/4/2008 - 5/18/2008
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5/11/2008 - 5/25/2008
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5/18/2008 - 6/1/2008
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5/25/2008 - 6/8/2008
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6/1/2008 - 6/15/2008
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6/8/2008 - 6/22/2008
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6/15/2008 - 6/29/2008
$2,965
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6/22/2008 - 7/6/2008
$2,975
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6/29/2008 - 7/13/2008
$2,975
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7/6/2008 - 7/20/2008
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7/13/2008 - 7/27/2008
$2,975
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7/20/2008 - 8/3/2008
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7/27/2008 - 8/10/2008
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8/3/2008 - 8/17/2008
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8/10/2008 - 8/24/2008
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8/17/2008 - 8/31/2008
$2,975
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8/24/2008 - 9/7/2008
$2,975
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8/31/2008 - 9/14/2008
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9/7/2008 - 9/21/2008
$2,999
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9/14/2008 - 9/28/2008
$2,999
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9/21/2008 - 10/5/2008
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9/28/2008 - 10/12/2008
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10/5/2008 - 10/19/2008
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Hotels
There is a good selection of modern and traditional hotels which reflect the local styles of the Swiss regions. The traditional style of accommodation in Zermatt and Villars – the Alpen Resort and Du Golf, contrasts nicely with the more sedate resort hotels of Interlaken and Lugano.

Fellow Passengers
This tour attracts both the experienced traveler who wants to look at Switzerland in depth and the first-time traveler who is attracted to the beauty and tradition of this unique country. A must for those who enjoy Alpine scenery, and those who adore Swiss cheese and chocolate.

Highlights
Every day the beauty of the changing scenery is a highlight – whether it be the magnificent lakeside scenery of Lake Geneva or the Alpine vistas from the mountain passes. Perhaps, for many, their first glimpse of the Matterhorn in Zermatt is the unforgettable highlight.

Enjoy our Premium Highlights plus these extra tour features

Excursions & Sights

  • See the Frauenmünster and elegant Bahnhofstrasse in Zurich
  • See the Clock Tower, bear pits, Federal Palace & Cathedral of St Vincent in Berne
  • Visit the walled town of Murten and inner court of the castle for fine views of the lake
  • See Geneva’s Jet d’Eau, Floral Clock & Reformation Monument
  • View the Roman Amphitheatre in Martigny
  • See the two fortress-churches of Sion, Our Lady of Glarier Cathedral & Town Hall
  • See the majestic peak of the Matterhorn from the resort of Zermatt (weather permitting)
  • See Bellinzona’s three castles
  • See the castle ruins in Misox Travel through the spiral tunnels of the Abula pass and cross the Landwasser Viaduct
  • Drive through the dramatic Schöllenen Gorge past the Devils Bridge
  • See the Grindelwald Valley, visit Lauterbrunnen and the Staubbach Falls
  • Visit a wood carving workshop in Brienz & nearby Ballenberg open-air museum
  • See Lucerne’s Lion Monument and the reconstructed Chapel Bridge
  • Scenic Drives – Italian Lakes, Broye Valley, Simplon, San Bernadino, Julier, Brunig & Susten Passes

Guided City Tours

  • Orientation tours in Zurich, Berne, Geneva, Lugano, St Moritz, Interlaken & Lucerne

Insight's First Class Services

  • Escorted by a professional Tour DirectorLuxury air-conditioned 40 seat coach with onboard toilet
  • Insight Hotels include all service charges, taxes and porterage
  • Insight Traveler document wallet, map book journal and information pack
  • Complimentary arrival transfer on Day 2 and departure transfer on Day 15

Quality Dining

  • Highlight Dinner of typical Swiss cuisine in Zermatt (HD)
  • 13 Buffet Breakfasts (BB) and 5 three-course table d’hôte Dinners, or Buffets, plus tea or coffee (D)

CURRENT SPECIALS:

Great Savings and Discounts

EARLY PAYMENT DISCOUNTS

SAVE UP TO 10%: Insight sells its tours in many countries worldwide so the most popular tours fill very quickly. Don’t be disappointed, book early! You’ll be assured of the tours you want, andthe earlier you pay, the more you SAVE!

Here’s how...

Pay 4 months prior to tour departure date to SAVE 2.5%

Pay 7 months prior to tour departure date to SAVE 5%

Pay 10 months prior to tour departure date to SAVE 7.5%

Pay 12 months prior to tour departure date to SAVE 10%

Tours must be paid in full for this discount to apply. Discounts apply to the land-only portion of your tour. Tour prices may change in future brochures. Exceptions: 1. Does not apply to additional accommodation, airfares or flight supplements, Easy Pace London & Countryside, Easy Pace London & Paris, Easy Pace London, Paris & Rome, Egypt tours, Israel tours, Jordan tours, the 3 Night Greek Island Cruise & Athens Extension, and Greek tours which include a Mediterranean cruise. 2. Does not apply to tours with River Cruises.

FAMILY SAVINGS

YOUNG TRAVELLERS SAVE 10% AGED 5-17 YEARS :Travel broadens the mind and enhances those special relationships. Insight offers you the opportunity of

sharing your happy holiday memories with your children or grandchildren. This discount applies to the Land Only portion of your tour. Young Travellers must be under the age of 18 years old on the tour departure date, and MUST be accompanied by an adult (limit of one Young Traveller Discount per room). On all escorted tours, children under 5 years old are NOT accepted. The Young Traveller must be the specified age at the time of travel to be eligible for this discount. This discount cannot be combined with our Groups Discount. Exceptions: 1. Does not apply to additional accommodation, airfares or flight supplements, Easy Pace London & Countryside, Easy Pace London & Paris, Easy Pace London, Paris & Rome, Egypt tours, Israel tours, Jordan tours, the 3 Night Greek Island Cruise & Athens Extension,

and Greek tours which include a Mediterranean cruise. 2. Does not apply to tours with River Cruises.

GROUP DISCOUNTS

5 OR MORE – SAVE 5%: If a group of 5 to 8 people travel together a discount of 5% per person applies to the Land Only portion of your tour. So it pays to get together with your family and friends!

SAVE $$$ FOR 9 OR MORE : If you have a group of 9 or more people travelling together on the same scheduled tour, then you automatically qualify for big savings! Your savings will be determined by the number of people travelling so ask call for details. You may also reserve a tour departure exclusively for your group! Some restrictions apply. Please contact our Groups Department 1-866-475-7023.

These discounts cannot be combined with Frequent Traveller, Family Savings or Triple Room Discounts. To qualify, names of all passengers travelling must be advised to Insight at the time of booking. Exceptions: 1. Does not apply to additional accommodation, airfares or flight supplements, Easy Pace London & Countryside, Easy Pace London & Paris, Easy Pace London, Paris & Rome, Egypt tours, Israel tours, Jordan tours, the 3 Night Greek Island Cruise & Athens Extension,

and Greek tours which include a Mediterranean cruise. 2. Does not apply to tours with River Cruises.  

SINGLE TRAVELLER SAVING

SAVE UP TO $2850 PER PERSON with Insight’s Room Mate Matching service Insight believes travelling solo should not cost you more! That’s why for people travelling alone on an Insight coach tour, we'll match you with someone of the same gender, so you don't have to pay the single room supplement. If we fail to match you, we'll provide a single room at no extra cost. Please note there is a no-smoking policy in all shared rooms. Exceptions: 1. Does not apply to additional accommodation, airfares or flight supplements, Easy Pace London & Countryside, Easy Pace London & Paris, Easy Pace London, Paris & Rome, Egypt tours, Israel tours, Jordan tours, the 3 Night Greek Island Cruise & Athens Extension, and Greek tours which include a Mediterranean cruise. 2. Does not apply to tours with River Cruises. 3. Does not apply to Irish Elegance.

TRIPLE ROOM DISCOUNTS: When three people travel together and share one room,

each of the three enjoys a discount off the tour price. See the Triple Room Reductions on the itinerary of your choice. This discount only applies to tours featuring the “Share a Triple Room” reduction on the itinerary pages. Note the third bed will, on occasions, be a foldaway.

FREQUENT TRAVELLER SAVING

SAVE 5% OFF YOUR NEXT TOUR: Most first-time travellers go on vacation with Insight again and again. In recognition of our loyal customers, Insight now extends to all clients automatic membership into our Premier Plus Club, as well as a 5% Discount off the Land portion of their next Insight trip. Insight’s Premier Plus Club & 5% Discount is not available retroactively. Only one voucher is available per person, per tour, per year and only one voucher can be redeemed against each further tour

booking. This discount cannot be combined with our Groups Discount.  Exceptions: 1. Does not apply to additional accommodation, airfares or flight supplements, Easy Pace London & Countryside, Easy Pace London & Paris, Easy Pace London, Paris & Rome, Egypt tours, Israel tours, Jordan tours, the 3 Night Greek Island Cruise & Athens Extension, and Greek tours which include a Mediterranean cruise.

EXTRA TOUR DISCOUNTS

SAVE $$$ON YOUR 2ND TOUR: Book two Insight vacations, each 7 days or longer and you will receive a reduction of 5%off the cheaper of the two tours. Both tours must be booked at the same time. This discount is per person.

COMPLIMENTARY TRANSFERS: Save up to $135 per couple on LONDON taxi fares

FREE LONDON RETURN : Passengers taking the 'Land only' option on our Discovery

tours may return to London by Insight motorcoach at NO EXTRA CHARGE, instead of departing from Paris. Offer applies to the final day of the following Discovery tours:  E920, E910, E933, E914, E912, E913, E916 & G916. Accommodations will be

required, as arrival in London is late afternoon/early evening.

SMALL GROUPS ADVANTAGE : Many tour operators fill their tours with up to 53 passengers. This means more congestion and less leg room on the coach as seats are configured more closely. At Insight we have a

maximum of only 40 guests per tour.

INSIGHT'S GUARANTEES

PRICE GUARANTEE: With Insight, you don’t need to worry about currency fluctuations. Once we receive your full deposit, your land tour price is guaranteed and protected against any increases. (Excludes pre-registration for tours in future brochures and any imposed fuel surcharges or Government Taxes.

TOUR GUARANTEE FOR LAND TRAVEL: To assist you when booking our airline offers and taking our great early payment savings, Insight has designated a large number of tours which we guarantee will operate on the scheduled date, unless circumstances occur beyond our control. Look for Tour Guarantee (TG symbol) on the itinerary of your choice indicating applicable dates. All other featured departures are planned to operate however, for operational reasons, may be subject to re- scheduling with at least 50 days notice (between May 1st & September 30th).


   
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