THE GREAT
SWISS TRAIN TOUR

The only tour through Switzerland exclusively by trains

September 26 - October 11, 2009

ITINERARY:

Day 1 - Depart USA for your transatlantic flight to Zurich to embark on one of our most favorite tours. The scenery is spectacular, the train rides exciting as you travel over and through Switzerland's most scenic mountains, the hotels are as good as it gets and the food and wine, and beer are delicious.

Day 2 - After arrival in Zürich you will be met by your Posh Journeys tour hosts who will whisk you to the train station underneath the terminal. After a short ride to Zürich Hauptbahnhof, we continue on to Lucerne where we transfer to a lake steamer for the cruise to our hotel in dreamy little Vitznau, a lake-side resort since the turn of the century. Here we are met by a luggage van to either ride or walk  to the pretty Hotel Floralpina where your room overlooks the lake.  Get settled, relax on the spectacular hotel terrace, or take a walk before we meet for a dinner of local cuisine which has been especially prepared for us by the chef.  D

Day 3 - Wake up to a grand view over Lake Lucerne.  Then head for breakfast, perhaps on the lakeside terrace if it is a sunny day. Afterwards we embark on an all day lake cruise amidst the splendid scenery of the Vierwaldstättersee, the Swiss name for Lake Lucerne, which translates to the lake of the four cantons.  The cruise will take you to Fluehelen on the southern end of the lake where the scenery is at its most spectacular.  In the evening dinner is in a lakeside restaurant in Vitznau.  BD

Day 4  - After breakfast we return by lake steamer to Lucerne from where we travel aboard the small Bruenig Meiringen railroad to Interlaken through postcard perfect alpine scenery. In Interlaken you will change to the Berner Oberalpbahn for the 40-minute ride to glacier village of Grindelwald where your will stay in a scenic alpine chalet where your room looks out to at the north face of the famous Eiger Mountain  which rises almost vertical above the village. There is time to explore the village before we meet for dinner at the chalet which has one of the best restaurants in Grindelwald. BD

Day 5 -  This morning we embark on a day trip to the Murren set on a sunny ledge a thousand feet above the Lauterbrunnen Valley.  In Muerren the views of the Jungfrau, the Moench and the Eiger Mountains are nothing short of spectacular. After Muerren we descend by cable car into the valley where we visit the imposing Truemmelbach Falls, a massive water fall inside the mountain which is the drainage for the Eiger, Moench and Jungfrau glaciers. Dinner this evening  is again at the chalet.  BL

Day 6 -  The day is free to pursue your own interests. Perhaps you may want to take an excursion to the Jungfrau Mountain, or take the train to Interlaken to take cruise Lake Thun on one of the Lake Steamers. Your Swiss Pass is valid on the lake steamers and for a discount on the Jungfrau train. Dinner is on your own this evening. B

Day 7 -  Today we return to Interlaken to travel through some of Switzerland's most spectacular scenery to Brig in the valley of the Rhone an on to Zermatt. After arriving in Zermatt we will be met by a electric hotel buggy - yes it is a buggy, there are no cars in Zermatt.  Luggage, and those not willing to take a short walk, are transported from the train station to the hotel by electric buggy. However, the walk to the Hotel Eden, our abode for three nights, is a short and scenic one, leading us through the center of the village of Zermatt. After getting settled at the hotel where the view from your balcony looks out at the Matterhorn, we meet for a dinner of Swiss Fondue, accompanied by the fresh, dry wines of the Valais.  BD

Day 8-  This morning we meet to take one of the mountain trams to the very foot of the Matterhorn, a spectacular outing which will take you in the midst of the stupendous alpine glacier world.  Afterwards we pause lunch in a cozy mountain inn in Furi halfway down the mountain  where those inclined to do so can walk down the rest of the way through wildflower meadows and an ancient mountain village. The remainder of the day is on your own. BL

Day 9 - The day is free to do as you please. You might want to join us on an optional outing to the Sunegga, from where you have a spectacular view of the Matterhorn, the Weisshorn and the icy colossus of Monte Rosa.  Those into hiking can walk down through mountain meadows and tiny stone hamlets.  Or you may want to take the day to go shopping, or perhaps you want to just laze on your balcony amidst spectacular alpine scenery. In the evening we meet a dinner of Alpermakaroni, a Swiss specialty, accompanied by of Swiss musicians.   BD

Day 10 -  You may not want to leave Zermatt, but today we are boarding the Glacier Express to travel on a six hour journey through the Rhone Valley and over the Oberalp Pass to Chur. A dinner aboard is included. Chur is an ancient city, dating to Roman times. Here, the local language is Romansh, a dialect derived from Latin which is the fourth official language of Switzerland. We have not included a dinner this evening since it is our experience that, after dinner on the train, no one is ever hungry enough for another meal. Since our hotel in Chur is in the old center of the city, there are many sidewalk cafes and small restaurants to have a snack should you want one.  BL

Day 11 - Today an overnight excursion will take us to Tirano in Italy aboard the Bernina Express. The dramatic train ride over the 2000-meter high Bernina Pass is one of the most spectacular train journeys in Europe. In Tirano the Albergo Bernina across the piazza in front of the tiny train station will be your abode for the night. After arrival there is time for a stroll through the old section of Tirano most of it dating to the 15th and 16th century. In the evening a short walk will take us to Angelo's, a local Osteria known for its exceptional  northern Italian cuisine which is accompanied by the wines of this region. BD

Day 12 - The morning is at leisure. At noon enjoy a pasta lunch accompanied by  local wine before continuing on the Bernina Express to Lake Lugano. The ride will be aboard a bus which is the continuation of the train.  After a scenic ride through  a section of Italy and Switzerland's lake region you will arrive in Lugano where we have a transfer to the tiny lakeside town of Gandria to check into the Hotel Moosman set on the shore of Lake Lugano. After getting settled the evening is on your own. B L

Day 13 - After breakfast board one of the lake steamers for a cruise on Lake Lugano. After returning to Gandria the afternoon is at leisure to explore the romantic little town of Gandria on your own.  In the evening enjoy a late dinner in a nearby local inn. BD

Day 14 - This morning hop one of the lake steamers for an excursion to Lugano. A stroll will take us through the old section after which the  remainder of the day is on your own. Dinner this evening is on the terrace of the hotel. BD

Day 15 - Relax over breakfast before being transferred to the train station in Lugano where you board one of the express trains to Zurich. After arrival we check into the Hilton Hotel at the Zurich Airport. We have chosen this hotel for ease of transfers to the airport the next morning for your return flight home.  After getting settled at the hotel we take the train to downtown Zurich for a leisurely walk down the Bahnhofstrasse to the old town where we have dinner in one of the oldest local restaurants in the city. BD

Day 16 -  This morning transfer to the airport for your homeward flight. B

LAND TOUR COST:  $3980 per person sharing a double room
SINGLE SUPPLEMENT:  $410.00

DEPOSIT AND PAYMENT:  To secure a space on the tour a $400.00 deposit per person is applicable. The remainder of the balance is due 60 days before departure. Deposits are refundable until 60 days before departure minus a $100 service fee per reservation. Payments can be made by personal check or credit card (Visa or MC). Please contact us for a brochure if you would like to sign up.

INCLUDED: 14-nights first class hotel accommodations, daily breakfast, daily dinner or lunch as per itinerary, first class *15-day Swiss Train Pass, all transportation by lake steamer and mountain trams as per itinerary, all sightseeing as per itinerary, private transfers as per itinerary and the services of Posh Journeys. * The Swiss Pass can be extended if you would like to come early or stay longer.

NOT INCLUDED;  Air Fare, additional food, alcoholic drinks if  not part of an included meal, bottled water or soft drinks with meals - although we are making sure a carafe of ice water is always on the table - additional sightseeing and any item not mentioned in this itinerary. 

AIR FARE: Contact us for lowest applicable air fares.

POSH JOURNEYS
530 E. PATRIOT BLVD. #172
RENO NV. 89511
TEL. / FAX 775-852-5105
E-mail: contact@poshjourneys.com