Insight > Glorious Switzerland

Glorious Switzerland
10 Days starting from $2,175

Countries Visited:
Switzerland

 

Length: 10 Days
Type: First Class Tour
Category: The Alps and Central Europe
Operator: Insight
Tour Code: E965
   
 
About This Tour


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.

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

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)


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
(Land Only)
Single
(Land + Air)
5/1/2009 - 5/10/2009
$2,550
Call Us
Call Us
Call Us
5/8/2009 - 5/17/2009
$2,550
Call Us
Call Us
Call Us
5/15/2009 - 5/24/2009
$2,599
Call Us
Call Us
Call Us
5/22/2009 - 5/31/2009
$2,599
Call Us
Call Us
Call Us
5/29/2009 - 6/7/2009
$2,599
Call Us
Call Us
Call Us
6/5/2009 - 6/14/2009
$2,599
Call Us
Call Us
Call Us
6/12/2009 - 6/21/2009
$2,599
Call Us
Call Us
Call Us
6/19/2009 - 6/28/2009
$2,650
Call Us
Call Us
Call Us
6/26/2009 - 7/5/2009
$2,650
Call Us
Call Us
Call Us
7/3/2009 - 7/12/2009
$2,650
Call Us
Call Us
Call Us
7/10/2009 - 7/19/2009
$2,650
Call Us
Call Us
Call Us
7/17/2009 - 7/26/2009
$2,650
Call Us
Call Us
Call Us
7/24/2009 - 8/2/2009
$2,650
Call Us
Call Us
Call Us
7/31/2009 - 8/9/2009
$2,650
Call Us
Call Us
Call Us
8/7/2009 - 8/16/2009
$2,650
Call Us
Call Us
Call Us
8/14/2009 - 8/23/2009
$2,650
Call Us
Call Us
Call Us
8/21/2009 - 8/30/2009
$2,650
Call Us
Call Us
Call Us
8/28/2009 - 9/6/2009
$2,650
Call Us
Call Us
Call Us
9/4/2009 - 9/13/2009
$2,625
Call Us
Call Us
Call Us
9/11/2009 - 9/20/2009
$2,625
Call Us
Call Us
Call Us
9/18/2009 - 9/27/2009
$2,625
Call Us
Call Us
Call Us
9/25/2009 - 10/4/2009
$2,625
Call Us
Call Us
Call Us
         

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)

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).


   
Send This Tour to a Friend:
   
Your Name: Required.
Your E-Mail Address: Required.Invalid format.
   
Your Friend's Name: Required.
Your Friend's E-Mail Address: Required.Invalid format.
   
Comments:  
Required.