Leisurely Switzerland, the Glacier Express and Cable Car Adventures

Your tour commences this evening in Milan. Dinner tonight is included, but first enjoy a welcome drink. This is an ideal opportunity to meet your Tour Manager and fellow travellers.

This morning, we drive to the town of Como and follow the shore of the lake to Tremezzo, where we visit the striking Villa Carlotta. This wonderful Villa is set in 70,000 square metres of romantic Italianate Gardens and faces across Lake Como to the Bellagio peninsula. The classic gardens boast fountains and pergolas and in springtime is famous for its rhododendrons and azaleas. Later we board our private boat and enjoy a cruise on Lake Como, past a number of striking lakeside villas, to delightful Bellagio. This beautiful town is situated at the tip of the peninsula separating the lake’s two southern arms, with the Alps visible across the lake to the north. It’s time to relax in this delightful town which boasts peaceful villas and gardens nestled by the lakeside, elegant shops and walkways plus stylish al fresco dining at its very best. Later we continue to lakeside Lugano, in Switzerland where we stay the next two nights. Dinner tonight is included.

Lugano sits in the Italian speaking Ticino region of Switzerland, and boasts Mediterranean-style squares and arcades, lakeside parks and flower gardens and the pastel-coloured main square of Piazza della Riforma is a delight to explore. After a leisurely start we have included a guided walking tour through the historical city centre of Lugano.  Taking a delightful stroll along the lake through the gardens of Parco Ciani, we stop in a lakeside Osteria to enjoy a wine tasting, including the delicious white Merlot which is a speciality of Ticino, accompanied by a selection of antipasto specialities from the Ticino region.  Your afternoon and evening is completely free – ‘My Time’ in this beautiful, Swiss lakeside town.

Skirting the northern shores of Como, our path takes us along an Alpine valley to Tirano where we have time to enjoy lunch before boarding the famous Bernina Express to St Moritz. This is one of Europe’s classic scenic train rides, and our seats are in the panoramic carriages. As the train winds its way up over the Brusio Circular Viaduct we head into the mountains past the three lakes of Lej Pitschen, Lej Nair and Lago Bianco. Mountains now soar either side and at the Montebello curve we have striking views of the Bernina massif, and the Morteratsch glacier. Mid afternoon we arrive at the chic ski resort town of St Moritz where we stay two nights. Your hotel is located in the middle of town. Dinner tonight is a classic Fondue Bourguignonne, in your hotel's restaurant.

In the morning, your Tour Manager will accompany you on a brief orientation walking tour of the town, and then most of the day is yours to explore St Moritz. Want to be active? Maybe catch a train or cable car up to a mountain restaurant for lunch? 

In the afternoon we enjoy a delightful horse and carriage ride around the St Moritz lakeside and into the forest. Your evening is at leisure.

Along today’s train route from St Moritz to Chur, we cross the famous, 65-metre-high Landwasser Viaduct, the signature structure of the Rhaetian Railway and a UNESCO World Heritage site. 

A marvel of engineering, the complete Glacier Express and the Bernina Express route from Tirano to Chur, upon which we will have travelled over the last couple of days, passes through 55 tunnels and over 196 bridges!  Lunchtime will be enjoyed exploring Switzerland’s oldest town, Chur. The centre of this medieval gem is car free, and the perfectly narrow cobbled streets and squares are a delight to walk around. In the afternoon we will catch the train up to the Alpine resort town of Arosa.   This hour-long ride will captivate you as it clings to rock faces, and spans tumbling streams to end up in the high Alpine meadows. Arosa, where we will stay the next three nights, sits in a pretty valley and wraps its way around two lovely lakes.

For our mountain adventure today we catch the local bus to the end of the valley where we board a cable car that will glide slowly upwards, over the meadows to the Hörnlihütte, set high on a ridged peak. Here there is a charming, older style restaurant, with an exceptional outside dining terrace, and huge views. The food up here is exceptional, and we have included a Swiss rösti style lunch. (The restaurant toilets are a must see, with full glass panoramic window and binoculars for the views!) Your afternoon is at leisure, 'My Time' in Arosa.

Every mountain peak has its own unique view and individual style and character, and the 2,653m Weisshorn is no exception. Ascended by a two-stage cable car, it is the highest peak in the Arosa region, and the 360-degree views across 400 mountain peaks are breathtaking.  At the summit is a restaurant in a large, modern, futuristic style building.
Later we will descend to the middle station and a short walk away we will visit the Arosa Bärenland, a sanctuary for rescued mountain bears. You now have choices on how you get back to Arosa. Either take the cable car back down or enjoy a gentle walk via Prätschli and amble through the Red Squirrel trail just above town.

This morning back in Chur, we board the famous Glacier Express train which takes us along the ‘Valais’ through Switzerland’s finest mountain scenery. Ranked as one of the world’s top train trips, you will be seated in panoramic carriages as we cross Switzerland and follow the route high above the broad ‘Valais’ below. After stopping to take in the incredible scenery on the 2033 metre Oberalp Pass, we continue to Zermatt where we stay the next two nights.  This world-famous alpine resort of Zermatt is set at an altitude of 1620 metres (5315 feet), the village is surrounded by a dozen huge peaks and dominating all is the mighty Matterhorn. Petrol-driven vehicles are banned from the village and as such the peace and quiet enhances the beauty of the wooden chalets and small winding village streets. Stunning!

Today we have included an exciting mountain adventure. Catching one of the new giant cable cars we soar high up to the Kleine Matterhorn Mountain complex that sits at an incredible 3,883 m above sea level and is the highest mountain station in Europe. Up here you will discover the highest glacier palace in the world, and from the viewing platform you will be able to absorb the astounding views of 38 four-thousand-metre-high peaks and 14 glaciers in 3 different countries.
'My Time' to explore the fascinating Glacier Palace and the intriguing Cinema Lounge or perhaps have a bite to eat in the highest mountain restaurant, before taking the cable back to Zermatt.

Our lunchtime will be spent at leisure exploring the UNESCO World Heritage Listed landmark city of Bern. This capital city is set on a spectacular bend above the River Aare, and boasts kilometres of sheltered arcaded shopping ways, and an intriguing clock tower.
Later we continue by train to the lovely lakeside town of Luzern. After checking in to our hotel, a local guide will accompany you on a short walking tour to orientate you with the quaint old town and the famous Chapel and Mill wooden bridges which cross the river. We stay here for the next three nights right in the heart of town.
Tonight we enjoy a traditional Swiss folklore show and dinner.  Waving flags, alphorn sounds, traditional dances and yodelling creates a genuine Swiss atmosphere, accompanied by a selection of Swiss specialities.

Today we visit nearby Mt Titlis for yet another, but different mountain adventure. Soaring high we ride by cable car up to the summit of Mt Titlis at 3,020 metres where you have uninterrupted, 360-degree views of the dozens and dozens of the alpine peaks that surround you. Also at the top you will find a man-made glacier grotto you can walk through, and Europe's highest cliff top suspension bridge walk. Set 500 metres above an abyss the 150 steps across to the viewing platform will be memorable! Not so sure? Then just take photos of it!  Lunch is included today in one of the mountain restaurants.  What an amazing day!

We have included a cruise down the length of the beautiful lake to Kehrsiten-Bürgenstock where we board a short, but steep funicular railway that takes us up to the 500-metre high, exclusive Bürgenstock Resort, which stretches along a spectacular 1 km long mountain ridge overlooking Lake Lucerne. The rest of your day is ‘My Time’ back in beautiful, lakeside Luzern. There is so much to see and do exploring its historic twin wooden covered bridges, the famous ‘Dying Lion Monument’ and relaxing lakeside cafes and restaurants. 

Arriving in Zürich, we are met by a local guide for a walking tour through the old town. Zürich is set beside a pretty lake, but the main attraction is lovely old town which lines the shores of the River Limmat.  Your afternoon will be free, and the shopping here is excellent. Tonight, we will enjoy a Farewell Dinner.

Sadly, your amazing Swiss adventure tour is completed after breakfast in our hotel.