Insight's First Class Services

• Escorted by a professional Tour Director
• Luxury 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 10

Quality Dining

• Highlight Dinner of typical Swiss cuisine in Zermatt (HD)
• 8 Buffet Breakfasts (BB) and 4 three-course table d’hôte Dinners, or Buffets, plus tea or coffee (D)

10 Days ~ Switzerland ~ France ~ Italy ~ Liechtenstein

Tour Pace
A majority of two-night stays, a free day in Zermatt, the Glacier Express train, lake cruise, mountain-top cable car and the relatively short driving distances, means you are never on the coach for too long. Consequently, this tour is feature packed, but with an unhurried air.

DAY 1 – FRI – DEPART USA
Overnight flight to Geneva.

DAY 2 – SAT – GENEVA AT LEISURE
Welcome to a land of contrasting scenery, people, language and religion, offering an extraordinary kaleidoscope of interests and wonders – many of which are revealed on this tour! Upon arrival at Geneva Airport there are complimentary transfers to your tour hotel, where your Tour Director will be available to assist with check in. This evening, join your fellow travelers for a Welcome Drink.
Hotel: Cornavin. (D)

DAY 3 – SUN – LAKE GENEVA EXCURSION
Your morning orientation tour of Geneva shows you the Jet D’Eau, Floral Clock and Reformation Monument. Then follow the shores of Lake Geneva to visit Chillon Castle, which sits on a rocky islet on the lake, immortalised by Byron’s ‘Prisoner of Chillon’. Before returning to your hotel, embark on a highlight cruise on the serene waters of Lake Geneva, the ‘king of Europe's lakes’. Ever since Jean-Jacques Rousseau stayed on these shores in the 18C it has been a refuge of the Romantics and an attraction for travelers worldwide. (BB)

DAY 4 – MON – GENEVA – ZERMATT
Today’s route takes you into France (remember your passport) for a scenic drive through the picturesque Arve Valley to Chamonix, at the foot of Western Europe’s highest peak, Mont-Blanc. Take the excursion by cable-car to the summit of the Aiguille du Midi, where the panoramic views of the French, Swiss and Italian Alps are spectacular! Return to Switzerland by the Forclaz Pass Road, one of the great international routes of the Alps. Descend to Martigny in the southern Swiss canton of Valais, and follow the Rhone valley, whose high summer temperatures support vines and other fruits. The final stage of the journey is by mini-bus and electric taxi to the traffic-free mountain resort of Zermatt. Tonight, enjoy a Highlight Dinner of Swiss cuisine.
Hotel: National. (BB,HD)

DAY 5 – TUE – ZERMATT AT LEISURE
Zermatt in summertime is an Shangri-la of leisure-time possibilities: try swimming or hiking or spend a whole day relaxing in the clean mountain air. 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? (BB)

DAY 6 – WED – 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 Lugano, one of the most popular resorts in Switzerland with a high proportion of sunny days and a spectacular setting among towering mountains beside the clear lake. Browse beneath the arcades of the Via Nassa and stroll beneath the trees in the glorious Municipal Park and along the lakeside promenade.
Hotel: De la Paix. (BB,D)

DAY 7 – THU – LUGANO – ST MORITZ
Bid farewell to this elegant lakeside resort and 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 8 – FRI – ST MORITZ – ZURICH
Start the day with one of the world's great train rides, the Glacier Express across the Grisons Mountains through unforgettable scenes of ice-capped mountains, stone-built villages and lush meadows. At Chur, re-board your coach and drive along the valley of the Upper Rhine to the Principality of Liechtenstein to spend a while in the tiny capital, Vaduz. Then cross back into Switzerland where a beautiful drive takes you alongside the dramatic Walensee and Lake Zurich to the commercial heart of the country, Zurich.
Hotel: Moevenpick Airport. (BB)

DAY 9 – SAT – LUCERNE EXCURSION
Today’s excursion is to the beautiful 14th century city of Lucerne with its covered wooden bridges, painted gables, medieval walls and watch towers, Lion monument and baroque church. Stroll along the lakeside promenades or shop for fine watches, cuckoo clocks or delicious chocolate. (BB,D)

DAY 10 – SUN – RETURN TO USA
The tour ends with the complimentary shuttle to Zurich Airport. (BB)

Hotels
Hotel De La Paix Lugano was stylishly transformed from an 18C villa and now offers excellent modern facilities. The cosy Hotel National will make you feel right at home, while the elegant Hotel Monopol is located in the heart of St. Moritz, right in the pedestrian area.

Fellow Passengers
A relatively short tour means that this is very accessible for guests from the northern hemisphere. Suitable for first time visitors to Europe, as well as repeat customers who want to focus on this stunning Alpine region, with it’s wealth of scenery and diverse culture.

Highlights
The majesty of the snow capped mountains, the glaciers, sparkling lakes, the beauty of the rich green valleys and the flower filled meadows are the true stars of this tour. The Glacier Express, cable car ride up the Aiguille du Midi and Lake Geneva cruise complete the enjoyment.

Enjoy our Premium Highlights plus these extra tour features

Excursions & Sights

• See Geneva’s Jet d’Eau, Floral Clock & Reformation Monument
• Visit France’s mountaineering capital of Chamonix
• See the majestic peak of the Matterhorn from traffic-free Zermatt (weather permitting)
• Experience beautiful Lake Maggiore in the Italian Lake District
• Visit the elegant lakeside resort of Lugano
• See Bellinzona’s three castles
• See the castle ruins in Misox
• Visit Vaduz, the tiny capital of Liechtenstein and see the castle
• See the dramatic scenery of Walensee and Lake Zurich
• See the emotive Lion Monument, Jesuit Church & Chapel Bridge in Lucerne
• Scenic Drives – Arve Valley, Italian Lake District, Forclaz, Simplon, San Bernadino & Julier Passes

Guided City Tours

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

Insight's First Class Services

• Escorted by a professional Tour Director
• Luxury 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 10

Quality Dining

• Highlight Dinner of typical Swiss cuisine in Zermatt (HD)
• 8 Buffet Breakfasts (BB) and 4 three-course table d’hôte Dinners, or Buffets, plus tea or coffee (D)