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Tour 10

Switzerland's Geneva, Zermatt and St Moritz featuring the Glacier Express Panoramic Train  

TOUR SUMMARY

 SPLENDORS OF EUROPE offers this one week luxury escorted tour to Switzerland featuring Geneva, Zermatt and St Moritz.  This is a small group  tour of Switzerland that includes walking tours and excursions which highlight Switzerland’s lakes, mountains, history, architecture, art, churches, rustic villages and museums.   This tour has a regional focus and provides wonderful in-depth cultural and grand gourmet culinary experiences.   Two professional escorts ensure that everyone in our small group of 12 or less has a personally rewarding experience.   Travel in Switzerland is by first class panoramic train, cogwheel mountain train and luxury lake steamer.  The famous Glacier Express panoramic train is enjoyed across the Alps of Switzerland between Zermatt and St Moritz.  The Wilhelm Tell Express luxury lake steamer is also enjoyed the length of Lake Luzern on this exceptional tour.  This tour includes visits to all the best sights near Geneva, Zermatt and St Moritz including Lake Geneva and the Matterhorn.  Travel across the exquisite Alps and Lake Luzern of Switzerland with SPLENDORS OF EUROPE and you’ll enjoy breathtaking scenery daily.  You'll have the best vacation trip ever.  Visit the hotel, restaurant, and tour photo galleries at the end of this page.

The Alps near St Morits Switzerland

SWITZERLAND and the ALPS

Switzerland offers great beauty and diversity in a small country. Modern metropolitan centers, sophisticated resorts, and sleepy Alpine hamlets are all surrounded by the impressive beauty of the Alps with their snow peaked mountains, picturesque valleys, and clear Alpine lakes.  You will experience four of Switzerland’s most stunning locations on this exceptional tour; Geneva, Zermatt, St. Moritz, and Lake Luzern.

An exciting array of scenic transportation and excursions are included on this tour.  This tour features an unforgettable journey aboard Switzerland’s outstanding panoramic train the Glacier Express.  You’ll also enjoy scenic mountain train and cable car excursions near the Matterhorn where you’ll travel to spectacular mountain summits for incredible views of the surrounding peaks and glaciers.  You will also visit extraordinary Alpine lakes and enjoy a cruise aboard an elegant lake steamer on beautiful Lake Luzern.

The luxury world class accommodations on this tour are exceptional in every way.  The dining venues are unforgettable, often boasting award winning chefs serving gourmet cuisine in intimate settings with stunning views of spectacular scenery.

The Glacier Express panoramic train

The Glacier Express

The Glacier Express is Switzerland’s premier panoramic train excursion, offering unparalleled views from large picture windows.  Crossing central Switzerland, this fascinating seven and one half hour rail journey, passes over 291 bridges and through 91 tunnels and over the Oberalp pass at 6,670 feet.  You’ll see lush Alpine pastures, rushing mountain streams, unspoiled mountain forests and Glaciers.  On board you will enjoy first class accommodations and the haute cuisine in the elegant surroundings of the stylish dining car.

THE DESTINATIONS

walking tour of Geneva

GENEVA

Geneva is an inviting international city rich in history and culture.  It is situated at the southern tip of Lake Leman (Lake Geneva) where the Rhône exits the lake.  You’ll enjoy commanding panoramic views of the waterfront and the French Alps nearby.  In town you will visit the old historic left bank of the Rhône.  Here you’ll discover the 16th century cobbled streets with a pleasant mix of museums, churches, shops and restaurants.

THe Matterhorn near Zermatt Switzerland

ZERMATT

You will enjoy the unspoiled car free village of Zermatt. Located in a narrow mountain valley of meadows and trees, its weathered wood chalets, geranium filled flower boxes and ancient stone roofed houses contribute to its inescapable Alpine ambiance.  It’s from the twisting pedestrian streets you will first see the awe-inspiring Matterhorn, that tooth shaped icon of Switzerland.  The Gornergratbahn, a 5.5 mile cog wheel train excursion takes us up close to the Matterhorn and further up to Gornergrat station for a broader perspective of the areas expanse of 24 glaciers and the highest peaks in the Alps.

Alpine excursion near St Moritz

ST. MORITZ

Internationally acclaimed for its winter sports events and the famous Cresta run, St. Moritz is a glamorous resort town year round.  With 322 sunny days a year, St. Moritz is the sunniest place in Switzerland.  The natural mineral springs started a 500 year old reputation as a healing spa resort now offering every manner of spa experience.  There are plenty of temptations from the many upscale shops and boutiques in town too.  Here you can relax in style and enjoy a bit of pampering before continuing your journey.

Luxury lake steamer on Lake Lucern Switzerland

LAKE LUCERN

You’ll enjoy first class passage aboard an elegant lake steamer on Switzerland’s Lake Luzern.  The views of the surrounding mountains are stunning.  On board chefs serve delicious meals and refreshments which you’ll enjoy while taking in the spectacular Alpine scenery.

WHAT’S INCLUDED

1. All of "Our Special Features and Qualities" listed in the table of contents

2. Airport greeting and transfers from Geneva International Airport and to Zurich International Airport

3. Ground transportation throughout your tour

4. Two Professional Escorts

5. Seven nights in deluxe character hotels.  See the "Tour 10 Hotel Photo Gallery" at the bottom of this page.

  • Two nights in Geneva
  • Two nights in Zermatt
  • Two nights in St. Moritz
  • One night in Zurich

6. All hotel taxes and gratuities

7. Award winning dinning. See our "Gallery of Restaurants" at the bottom of this page.

8. Seven Breakfasts

9. Seven Delicious lunches

10. Six Gourmet dinners

11. Café refreshments

12. Beverages, mineral water, coffee, and dessert with all dinners

13. All restaurant gratuities

14. First class passage on all of the trains and cruise excursions described in the itinerary.

15. Admission with choice of escorted or self discovery visits to approximately 13 sites

16. Interactive discussions with authentic local experts.

9 Day Itinerary

SATURDAY - International flight to Geneva International Airport

SUNDAY - Arrive In Geneva. Quiet afternoon walk in old town.Geneva Switzerland

Your escorts greet you at the airport and check you in at our beautiful hotel.

Relax before lunch on the terrace where you’ll get acquainted with your escorts and fellow travelers. Enjoy a relaxing afternoon walk along the lake.

This evening we enjoy welcome cocktails at our hotel before we savor dinner at an exceptional restaurant.

Each evening your escorts can assist you with information about evening entertainment opportunities. L+D

 

MONDAY – Discover Geneva

This morning we take a walking tour through the cobble stone streets of old town Geneva. Here we visit Cathedral St.-Pierre. We also make a visit to the museum of Art and History.

We enjoy lunch al fresco in old town. 

This afternoon, your escorts will take you through the shopping district to explore the many fine specialty shops. We enjoy the terrace of a café or salon de tea for refreshment.

Tonight we take pleasure in a memorable dining experience in old town Geneva. B+L+D

TUESDAY - Geneva to Zermatt. Scenic train to Zermatt

We board our train and make the scenic journey to Zermatt. We cross the Forclaz Pass, and enjoy a scenic ride through the Rhône valley, with the Berner Alps to the left, and the Pennines Alps to the right.

We arrive at the resort town of Zermatt. Here we check into our charming mountain chalet hotel as we catch our first view of the famous Matterhorn.

Alpine villages near Zermatt

 

 

We enjoy a terrace lunch surrounded by the mountains. This afternoon enjoy a relaxing afternoon orientation walk through this charming Alpine village and hear about its history, and the famous Matterhorn expeditions of the past.

This evening we luxuriate at an elegant gourmet dinner in one of Zermatt’s best restaurants and marvel at the Matterhorn in anticipation of tomorrow’s excursion. B+L+D

WEDNESDAY - Zermatt, the Matterhorn, and a high Alpine excursion.

This morning we experience first hand, the fascinating world of Alpine peaks, glaciers and expansive ice fields. We make the 43 minute ascent to the Gornergrat on Europe’s highest tunnel free railway, the Gornergratbahn.Mountain train excursion near the Matterhorn

Alps in Switzerland. Pretty as a postcard

The ride offers an ever-changing panorama of glorious Alpine scenery beginning with slopes of verdant forest gradually ebbing to a rocky summit where we find the civilized Gornergrat hotel (10,286ft). From the terrace you will be able to enjoy breathtaking views and hot refreshments. From here you will see the tallest mountains in Switzerland including Monte Rosa and the Dom at 14,911ft, but the splendid isolation of the nearby Matterhorn will command your attention.

Below, a river of ice called the Gornergletscher will fascinate you with its immense size and its crystal blue icy sculptures.  For those who desire to explore further, a cable car takes us up to the Hohtalligrat, and the world of eternal snow and glaciers at Stockhorn ice station (11,178 feet).

Upon our return to earth, a memorable lunch is enjoyed where we regale about our high Alpine adventure.  This afternoon we return back to earth to further explore the car free village of Zermatt. A wide assortment of wonderfully weathered Alpine shops, restaurants, and chalet style hotels complete with geranium filled window boxes provides a pleasant afternoon of browsing.

Dinner is at your leisure tonight with a wide array choices just steps from our hotel. B+L

THURSDAY - Glacier Express from Zermatt to St. Moritz.

After a leisurely breakfast at our hotel we board the Glacier Express for an idyllic ride through central Switzerland. The Galcier Express panoramic train

You’ll see weathered timber houses with their geranium filled window boxes and green Alpine pastures surrounded by snow covered peaks. You’ll see lush Alpine pastures, rushing mountain streams, unspoiled mountain forests and glaciers. The Galcier Express panoramic train

 

 

 

Lunch is enjoyed on board in the dining car while enjoying the view of the passing countryside.  On this amazing journey the train passes over 291 bridges and through 91 tunnels.   We arrive in St. Moritz where we check into our splendid hotel.

An orientation walk around St. Moritz is our prelude to dinner at the charming restaurant. B+L+D

FRIDAY - St. Moritz

Explore St. Moritz at your leisure.St Moritz Switzerland

Plenty of possibilities including boutique shopping, lake activities, and the world famous spa facilities for some heavenly pampering.

Tonight we enjoy dinner with a spectacular view and a sunset at the Berghotel Panorama Restaurant. Located at 8000 feet we travel to the Berg via a funicular. The restaurant offers regional cuisine surrounded in genuine mountain ambiance while offering the breath-taking views of St. Moritz and the towering mountains nearby. B+D

 

SATURDAY- Scenic Journey from St. Moritz to Zurich

Lake steamer across Lake Luzern

Today we take the return journey on the Glacier Express from St. Moritz to Andermatt.  We see the mountains from the opposite direction now illuminated by the morning sun. Refreshments and lunch are enjoyed onboard while enjoying some of the world’s best scenery. On board dining

 

 

 

In Andermatt we change trains and make the scenic journey to Fluelen at the end of Lake Luzern. Here we board the romantic William Tell Lake steamer.  On board chefs serve a delicious lunch which we savor while taking in the gorgeous scenery. Arrival in Luzern Switzerland

In Zurich, we check into our conveniently located hotel. There is time for shopping and exploring in old town before dinner.

Cocktails and dinner is enjoyed tonight at one of Zurich’s outstanding restaurants where we regale about our wonderful adventure in Switzerland.

Take pleasure in a stroll around scenic old town, the river and the lake with your escorts. B+L+D

Zurich Switzerland

 

SUNDAY - Transfer to ZURICH International Airport and your return flight home or extend your stay in Europe with the next tour.  B

 

 

 

 

 

INCLUDED SITE VISITS AND EXCURSIONS

1. Escorted orientation walk through cobble stoned old town Geneva

2. Cathedral St-Pierre

3. Museum of Art and History

4. Scenic train from Geneva to Zermatt

5. Escorted orientation walk of Zermatt.

6. Dramatic Alpine train and cable car excursions near the Matterhorn in Zermatt.

7. First class passage on the Panoramic Glacier-Express from Zermatt to St. Moritz with on board dining.

8. Escorted orientation walk of St. Moritz

9. Funicular excursion in St. Moritz with mountain dining.

10. First class passage on the Panoramic Glacier-Express from St. Moritz to Andermatt with on board dining.

11. Scenic train Andermatt to Fluelen.

12. Scenic William Tell Lake Steamer cruise from Fleulen to Luzern with on board dining.

13. Train from Lucern to Zurich

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Tour Photo Gallery     Luxury Hotel Gallery   Deluxe Hotel Gallery  Restaurant Gallery  

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óóóóó  2008 Tour 10  Schedule and Prices        óóóóó

Luxury Tour Prices                                 Luxury and Deluxe Class

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óóóóó  2009 Tour 10  Schedule and Prices        óóóóó

Luxury Tour Prices                                 Luxury and Deluxe Class

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