Sensational Switzerland Tour Length: 14  Code: SW1

Today we arrive in Zurich.

Overnight in Zurich. Meal plan: Dinner, if required.

This morning we visit the Fraumunster Cathedral, with its slender blue spire, designed in an orthodox manner. It is small in size but is richly ornamented and adorned with paintings, frescoes and stained glass windows, some of those have been executed by Marc Chagall. The site of the Cathedral was originally a Benedictine abbey established in AD 853, later converted into a Royal Cathedral in the 14th century. The chief attraction of this church are five stained glass windows, each with it's own thematic colour scheme, designed by Chagall in 1970.

This afternoon we take the three hour train journey through gorgeous countryside to Interlaken. The late afternoon and evening is free for you to explore Interlaken. The name 'Interlaken' implies "between the lakes" -- as it lies between Lake Thun and Lake Brienz, with water omnipresent throughout the area with idyllic clear mountain streams and waterfalls running off the hills and into the lakes.

Overnight in Interlaken. Meal plan: Breakfast and dinner.

Today we make a full day excursion out of Interlaken by train and cog railway to see the spectacular Jungfrau Mountain set amid the peaks and pastures of the Alps. Weather permitting, today's excursion takes us to over 3300 m (11,000 feet) and so should not be undertaken by anyone with a heart condition or breathing problems.

We pass through the pretty village of Grindelwald, which provides a panoramic vista of many mountain peaks, including the Eiger, on a clear day. Later today we pass below the Eiger Mountain and see the Eiger Glacier. After travelling 6 km (4 miles) through a tunnel in the mountains we emerge at Jungfraujoch, the highest railway station in Europe. From here, on a clear day, we can see the immense Aletsch Glacier in one direction and the whole of the Interlaken area laid out below us in the other. Returning in a circular route via Wengen we arrive back in Interlaken.

Overnight in Interlaken. Meal plan: Breakfast and dinner.

We depart Interlaken this morning and travel along the shores of Lake Brienz to the small village of Brienz. Nearby are the Reichenbach Waterfalls where Dr Moriarty pushed Sherlock Holmes to his death. Afterwards, we continue over the Brunig Pass to Lucerne.

The over 600 year old covered bridge in Lucerne is one of the most recognized symbols of Switzerland which makes the city a major destination for travellers from all over the world. However, Lucerne and the region around Lake Lucerne are also the heart and soul of this country. It was in this region that in 1291 Switzerland was founded by the oath of the representatives of the first three cantons.

Lucerne is situated on both sides of the Reuss River where it exits Lake Lucerne. The old town is charming with narrow streets and buildings in many styles. Lucerne is particularly famous for its covered wooden bridges. The watertower on the restored Kapellbrucke is a well-known landmark. The intact Spreuerbrucke features painted scenes inside illustrating "The Dance of Death". After spending the afternoon enjoying the delights of Lucerne we have our dinner in town before taking the train back to Interlaken.

Overnight in Interlaken. Meal plan: Breakfast and dinner.

We travel through the beautiful Bernese Oberland this morning aboard the famous Panoramic Express train to Montreux on Lake Geneva. Montreux is like another world. Firstly, we have left the German-speaking part of Switzerland and entered the French-speaking area. This provides a completely different cultural and historical atmosphere. Secondly, we have left the area of snow-capped mountains and entered a region with a Mediterranean climate. This area is known as the "Swiss Riviera". Montreux's lakefront boulevards are studded with palm trees. The town is a favourite get-away for rock stars and hosts one of the world's most famous jazz festivals each year. This afternoon we make an excursion to Chillon Castle in a stunning location overlooking Lake Geneva. The castle was made famous by Lord Byron's poem "The Prisoner of Chillon".

Overnight in Montreux. Meal plan: Breakfast and dinner.

This morning we take a leisurely boat ride on Lake Geneva which forms part of Switzerland's border with France -- the northern side being in Switzerland and the southern side in France.* As we sail majestically along the lake we admire the vineyard-blanketed slopes of the surrounding hills dotted with charming villages dating from the Middle Ages, many of them clustered around castles or manor houses. On a clear day Mont Blanc and its surrounding mountains can be seen in the distance. Geneva has a glorious location, situated on both sides of the River Rhone where it exits Lake Geneva.

Geneva is really an international city that happens to be located on Swiss soil. Over one third of the population is non-Swiss and over 200 international organizations are based here, including the European headquarters of the United Nations, the Red Cross and the World Health Organization. Geneva is frequently voted the best city in the world in which to live.

The old town centres around Cathedral St Pierre. One of Geneva's most famous citizens, the Protestant reformer John Calvin, preached here from 1536 to 1564. Other famous residents have included philosophers Voltaire and Rousseau. Nearby the cathedral, through the narrow streets of Medieval houses is the Place du Bourg, once the site of a Roman forum. It was here that Julius Caesar assembled his troops during one of his campaigns.

The main museum that we visit this afternoon is unique in the world. The Red Cross Museum documents the human costs of wars around the world and the role of the Red Cross in trying to alleviate them. Whether you come out of the museum with a positive or negative view of humanity, the experience is certainly thought-provoking. We will also visit the UN building, once the seat of the League of Nations.

This evening we take our dinner in Geneva before taking the train back to Montreux.

* FOR OUR MAY DEPARTURES, it is possible that the boat service on Lake Geneva will not yet be operating for the season. If this is the case, we will take a morning train from Montreux to Geneva, have our Geneva tour and time for lunch, then a one-hour pleasure cruise on the lake before dinner in Geneva and a train back to Montreux.

Overnight in Montreux. Meal plan: Breakfast and dinner.

This morning we travel by train to the picturesque town of Gruyeres in the Canton of Fribourg. The main street is lined with 15th and 17th century houses with twin windows and wide eaves. The cobbled street slopes down to the town fountain before rising again towards the castle. The 15th century castle affords excellent views of the wooded slopes and jagged mountains rising all around. We tour the castle which was formerly home to the Counts of Gruyeres.

This afternoon we visit the charming town of Lausanne on Lake Geneva. The town enjoys lovely views of the lake and the surrounding Alps. Many poets and writers, from Wordsworth to T.S. Eliot have enjoyed the flourishing artistic climate of Lausanne. Lausanne is still an important centre for art and entertainment, the Palais de Beaulieu and the Theatre Municipal frequently hosting dance and musical performances. The town is also the home of the International Olympic Committee and has a museum to the Olympic Games.

At the centre of the old town is the Place de la Palud lined by old houses and the Renaissance facade of the Town Hall. In the square is the charming 17th century Fountain of Justice. The nearby 15th century Castle St-Marie is today the seat of local government. The 12th century Cathedral is considered one of the finest Gothic buildings in Switzerland. In a 600 years old tradition, a town crier climbs the cathedral tower to call each hour between 10 pm and 2 am each night. A few years ago, when the government voted to withdraw funding for the town crier, the people of Lausanne voted to keep the tradition going through popular donation. This evening we return to Montreux.

Overnight in Montreux. Meal plan: Breakfast and dinner.

This morning travel by train into the mountains to the ski resort of Zermatt. This relaxing town has no cars (electric taxis are the only motorized transport) and sits in the shadow of the magnificent, jagged peak of the Matterhorn. The views of the 4478 m (14,692 feet) mountain are stunning. You feel so close that you could reach out your hand and touch the peak! The balance of the day is free to explore Zermatt.

Overnight in Zermatt. Meal plan: Breakfast and dinner.

For those who wish a closer view of the Matterhorn and would enjoy some gentle hiking, we make an excursion to the foot of the Matterhorn. The first section of our ascent is by cable car to Furi--1865 m (6,119 feet). From here we take a second cable car to Furgg--2434 m (7,985 feet). The views here of the Theodul Glacier and surrounding Alps are awe-inspiring. Another short cable car ride takes us to the plateau below the Matterhorn where there is a small lake called the Schwarzsee. In this flat area we walk a path around the lake drinking in the mountain vistas and savouring the fresh mountain air. There is a beautiful spot for a picnic near an old chapel by the lake. After our easy-paced walk we return by cable car to Zermatt. Please note that if the weather is poor other sightseeing will be substituted this day.

For those who do not wish to join today's excursion, the day is free to enjoy the wonderful mountain panorama and clean mountain air from the town of Zermatt itself.

Overnight in Zermatt. Meal plan: Breakfast and dinner.

Today we take the spectacular Glacier Express train ride. Round every corner are mountains and more mountains, small villages, cows with clanking bells, glaciers, blue lakes and rushing rivers. The full length of the Glacier Express route from Zermatt to St Moritz passes over 291 bridges and through 91 tunnels. For much of its journey, it also passes along and through the World Heritage Site known as the Rhaetian Railway in the Albula / Bernina Landscapes.

The train is not an "express" in the sense of being a high-speed train, but rather in the sense that it provides a one-seat ride for a long duration travel. In fact it has the reputation of being the slowest express train in the world. The entire line is metre gauge (narrow gauge railway), and large portions of it use a rack-and-pinion system both for ascending steep grades and to control the descent of the train on the back side of those grades.

We arrive in St Moritz late this afternoon and transfer to our hotel.

Overnight in St Moritz. Meal plan: Breakfast and dinner.

This region has many significant mountains and ski resorts, the most famous of which, and possibly the most famous ski resort in the world is St. Moritz. The town lies in two parts beside Lake St Moritz, and is located at 1856 m (6,089 feet) and surrounded by mountain peaks, such as Piz Nair at 3057 m (10,027 ft). The resort is still very exclusive and expensive, attracting the rich and famous, attracted to, among other things, the healing powers of its mineral waters.

While in Moritz, we will visit the Engadine Museum which showcases the history of the Engadine Region (this museum tends to close in the month of May). We'll also have an excursion to Zernez to visit the museum of the Swiss National Park.

Overnight in St Moritz. Meal plan: Breakfast and dinner.

From St Moritz we travel by train and bus to the Principality of Liechtenstein, one of the world's smallest states with one of the highest per capita incomes. Lying on the right bank of the River Rhine between Switzerland and Austria, Liechtenstein is only 160 sq km (61 sq miles) in size with a population of less than 30,000 -- one third of whom are foreigners.

Although Liechtenstein's independent status allows it to be a tax haven, the functioning of the country is heavily integrated with that of Switzerland. There are no border formalities involved in crossing between the two countries but you can get a Liechtenstein stamp in your passport.

Liechtenstein uses the Swiss phone and postal systems, the Swiss Franc is the local currency, and Liechtenstein is represented abroad by Switzerland's diplomats. However, Liechtenstein has no army, is a monarchy, and issues its own highly-collectable postage stamps. The capital city, Vaduz, is built around the castle. We explore the narrow streets and visit the National Museum. This afternoon we return to Switzerland and make our way to St Gallen.

Overnight in St Gallen. Meal plan: Breakfast and dinner.

This morning we explore the Old Town of St Gallen. The town became exceedingly prosperous in the 16th, 17th and 18th centuries due to the linen industry. In the streets leading off the Marketplatz there are many handsome 17th and 18th century houses. St Gallen's most famous attraction is its cathedral, part of which dates from the 10th century. Here we see the colourful ceiling paintings and visit the library.

From St Gallen we make our way to the delightful town of Appenzell. This is one of the most traditional towns in Switzerland. Here many folk arts flourish. Many houses have whimsical paintings on their walls. From Appenzell we make our way to Zurich.

Overnight in Zurich. Meal plan: Breakfast and dinner.

Departure from Zurich.

BON VOYAGE! Meal plan: Breakfast.