This tour encompasses Switzerland’s most famous cities and most handsome rural areas. The inclusion of a trip on the Glacier Express is a real bonus. This train travels a picturesque route between the Graubünden holiday region, the sunny Valais region with its glacier landscape, and the regions of the South. It takes you through a landscape rich in ancient mountain forests, peaceful alpine meadows, rushing mountain streams and mountain valleys.

It was on June 25, 1930 that the Glacier Express started summer operations from Zermatt to St.Moritz, but it was to take more than 50 years before the trains were able to also cross the impassable Furka alpine route in winter. Construction work on the Furka tunnel, begun in 1973 and was completed in 1972, now enabling services to run year-round.

Day 1 Zurich – Lucerne– Mt. Titlis – Interlaken
Depart Zurich at 8.30 a.m. A short drive takes you to the city of Lucerne where you visit the Lion Monument and walk over the 14th century wooden bridge. Time available for shopping and sightseeing. At noon you go to the mountain resort of Engelberg. A cable-car ride to the summit of Mount Titlis brings you up into the high alpine region with its glaciers and permanent ice. Enjoy a magnificent ride in the world’s innovative revolving “ROTAIR” gondola. In the afternoon you cross Brunig Pass to the Bernese Oberland and reach the village Brienz, where you will see woodcarvers at work. Continue to Interlaken at the foot of Jungfrau mountain.

Day 2 Interlaken – Bern– Gruyères – Geneva (B)
Depart Interlaken and drive along the beautiful Lake Thun to the Swiss capital, Bern. A city tour to the Old Town includes the Clock Tower, Kramgasse, and the 15th C Cathedral of St. Vincent. A drive south takes you to Gruyères, a beautiful hilltop town with its impressive, medieval castle. An informative visit to a factory of delicious milk products is a further highlight of your day. Continue to the Vaud Riviera and reach Geneva, the most cosmopolitan city of Switzerland.

Day 3 Geneva – Montreux – Zermatt (B,D)
The day begins with a city tour of Geneva this morning. You will see beautiful parks along the lake, the old town with its cathedral, the unique town hall, the European seat of the United Nations. In the late morning you will leave Geneva and drive to Lausanne and Montreux. You will pass by Chillon Castle, the 13thC fortress made famous by Lord Byron’s poem. In the afternoon proceed through the Valais, the valley of the river Rhone with its orchards and vineyards. At Täsch you will board a cogwheel train that takes you to the mountain resort of Zermatt at the foot of the mighty Matterhorn.

Day 4 Zermatt (B,D)
Full day at leisure in Zermatt – admire the quaint farm houses and barns in their unique style, do some shopping, relax or take an optional cogwheel train up to Gornergrat for a spectacular view of the surrounding snow-covered peaks.

Day 5 (unescorted) Zermatt –Glacier Express Train – St. Moritz (B,D)
You will travel on the legendary “Glacier Express Train”. You board the train in Zermatt in the morning in a comfortable 2nd class compartment. You will pass by breathtaking mountain scenery, snow-covered peaks and tiny old villages. In the late afternoon you will arrive at the world-renowned mountain resort of St. Moritz.

Day 6 St. Moritz – Principality of Liechtenstein – Zurich (B)
Depart St. Moritz and cross the Fluela Pass to reach Davos. In the capital of Principality of Liechtenstein, In Vaduz, there will be time for lunch and for sightseeing. This tiny country is the home of the present Prince and his family and it attracts visitors from all over the world. In the afternoon you will return to Zurich through the Toggenburg region with its picturesque farmhouses. Arrive in Zurich at approx. 5PM..

Included:
• 5 nights accommodation in first-class hotels with private facilities
• Breakfast daily and 3 dinners
• Touring in deluxe air-conditioned coaches
• 2nd class ticket on Glacier Express
• Services of a multilingual tour director
• Porterage and baggage handling (1 piece per person)
• Service charges, taxes and VAT

Additional information: Glacier Express upgrade to 1st class rail is an additional AUD161 per person.