Switerland at Leisure
Cities : Lucerne, Zermatt, St. Moritz, Lugano, Interlaken, Zurich
Day 1
Arrive Zurich - Lucerne
Welcome to Switzerland this morning. Upon arrival please make your way to the train station right below the airport and connect to your train taking you to Lucerne. Upon arrival make your way to the hotel and check in. Relax and later in the afternoon you could either walk around the city or opt for the 40 min train ride covering the Chapel Bridge, the town square, the Lion Monument and much more, or visit the Swiss Museum of Transport which has been voted the most popular museum and theme park for the whole family in any weather. The rest of the evening is free for you to walk around the city and later tonight you could enjoy authentic swiss dinner and music at the Stadtkeller dating back to the 12th century. Overnight in Lucerne.
Day 2
Lucerne
This morning you could choose to visit the glacier paradise Titlis offering an eternal snow and ice experience on the highest viewpoint in Central Switzerland all year round. Ascending the worlds first revolving gondola Rotair is like being an eagle. You change 3 different cable cars to reach the peak where you can enjoy a pizza at the highest Pizzeria in the world and much more. The ice flier is a big hit with the family. With loads to do at the peak, more than half a day is a must. Return back to Lucerne later in the afternoon or early evening and spend the rest of the time at any of the restaurants dotting the city or just walking along the lake. Else take the excursion up the Dragon mountain. We suggest that if you are traveling in May the 1 hr boat ride is quite unique, The boat takes you from Lucerne to Alpnachstad from where you hop on to the worlds steepest cogwheel railway that takes you to Pilatus Kulm, Prior to May you will need to take the train from Lucerne to Alpnachstad directly and then connect to the cogwheel train. Spend time at the peak and should you take the morning cogwheel train, you may be able to hop out at one of the stops along the way and see a real farmer bake bread and make some fresh cheese in the mountains. You could even buy some ! At the top there are some restaurants offering some mouthwatering food and soups. On the way back we recommend you take the cable car to Kriens from where Bus Nr 1 takes you to Lucerne in 15 mins. However prior to that you must stop at the Pilatus Seilpark which is Switzerlands biggest suspension rope park and a great hit with kids and adults alike. Make sure you also keep a look out for the mascot Piloo there ! Overnight in Lucerne.
Day 3
Lucerne - Zermatt
Wake up to breakfast this morning following which its time to head to the train station and board your train to the car free village of Zermatt. Upon arrival make your way to your hotel either on foot or using any of the battery operated cars zipping around town. Check in and the rest of the day is free for you to explore this unique little town. Overnight in Zermatt.
Day 4
Zermatt
The must see peak here is undoubtedly the Matterhorn. This morning following breakfast, make your way to the Gonergrat train station and board Switzerlands oldest electrified cogwheel train to the Gonergrat. Here you can see other peaks surrounding you and crowned by the glorious view of the Matterhorn. Spend time at the summit where you could also have some hot coffee or tea and some lunch. Or going and experiencing the Glacier Paradise at Matterhorn - Europes highest mountain excursion -12700 ft, a must!! It guarantees snow 365 days in Zermatt region & highest glacier palace in the world. Later in the afternoon its time to make your way back to the city. Overnight in Zermatt.
Day 5
Zermatt - Glacier Express - St Moritz
Its time to sample one of the most scenic train journeys in Switzerland today as you check out of your hotel and make your way to the train station and board the Glacier Express taking you to St Moritz. This is a 7 hr comfortable journey taking you through some of the most spectacular scenery, 291 bridges and 91 tunnels! Upon arrival, make your way to the hotel and check in. The rest of the evening is free for you. Overnight in St Moritz.
Day 6
St Moritz
Wake up to a lazy breakfast this morning as the day is yours to spend as you like. St Moritz is a lovely city with its salubrious climes and breathtaking scenery. There are several walking trails and places where you can spend some quality time. You can visit the other parts of the Engadin area on your own at leisure which is a long valley in the Swiss Alps located in the canton of Graubünden in southeast Switzerland. It follows the route of the Inn River from its headwaters at Maloja Pass running northeast until the Inn flows into Austria one hundred kilometers downstream. The Engadin is protected by high mountains on all sides and is famous for its sunny climate, beautiful landscapes and outdoor activities. The lakes in the Engadin area are Lake Sils, Lake Silvaplana, Lake St Moritz and Lake Champfer. Overnight in St Moritz
Day 7
St Moritz - postal bus - Lugano
Wake up this morning in your high altitude resort at St Moritz with its snowy peaks and travel through the Bregaglia Valley and the deep blue lakes to Lugano - Ticinos metropolis and a unique travel experience awaits you abode the Palm Express on the trademark yellow postal bus. The bus departs at around 1220 hrs from St Moritz station and arrives into Lugano train station at 1610 hrs. (Since a part of the journey passes through Italy, it is important to be in procession of a valid Schengen visa) Upon arrival, check into your hotel and relax. Overnight in Lugano.
Day 8
Lugano
A unique sight awaits you this morning as you visit the Swiss Miniatur in Melide, where you will see more than 120 important attractions of Switzerland in miniature. For this you will need to make your way to the train station and board the train to Melide. The park is open from 0900 hrs to 1800 hrs. Enjoy lunch at the park and the various sights. Following this make your way back to Lugano. We recommend you doing a sightseeing tour of the city in a little train that departs from Piazza Manzoni around 1530 hrs. and lasts 40 mins. Overnight in Lugano.
Day 9
Lugano
We recommend you taking a train to Mendrisio train station, departing Lugano at 1323 hrs and arriving Mendrisio at 1343 hrs, from where you need to connect to Fox Town by bus departing at 1401 hrs and arriving at 1403 hrs ! Enjoy shopping here ( its the largest outlet shopping outlet in the whole of Switzerland and you are assured of getting some bargain buys here ) Later in the afternoon around 1555 hrs or 1655 hrs you can take the bus back to Mendrisio station and connect to your train to Lugano. The rest of the evening is free for you. Overnight in Lugano.
Day 10
Lugano - Interlaken
Wake up this morning following which its time to take the train to Interlaken. Upon arrival make your way to the hotel and check in. Later in the evening should there be time, make your way to the Harder Kulm, which is celebrating 100 yrs of Swiss Tradition this year. Enjoy a romantic evening there with aperitif served specially for you. If you arrive here on a Thursday evening, you can also enjoy some traditional Swiss music. The trip up the mountain in the funicular is quite spectacular. Overnight in Interlaken.
Day 11
Interlaken
Following breakfast this morning its time to head to the station and head off to the Top of Europe - to the Jungfraujoch. Snow and ice is guaranteed 100% round the year. Upon arrival at the top, you can walk around on the glacier, spend time in the Sphinx there looking at all the peaks around you. On a clear day you can see as far as the Mont Blanc ( of France ) !, visit the Ice Palace and finally enjoy a hot meal in the restaurant there. Later in the afternoon take the train back to Interlaken and the rest of the evening is free for you to either walk around town, shop at Bucherer or any of the shops there else depending on the day of the week, you could also enjoy a Dinner cruise on the lake. For those who would like to gamble away, the famous Casino Kursaal awaits you. Overnight in Interlaken.
Day 12
Interlaken
Wake up to breakfast this morning following which its time to make a trip to Schilthorn by the cable car. Your first stop is the car free village of Murren where we recommend you get off, enjoy a cup of coffee and then proceed up to the peak. This is also the place where the famous James Bond movie was shot. You can enjoy some continental or Indian food at the 360 degree revolving restaurant up there. Later in the evening its time to return back to Interlaken but a strong recommendation is a stop at the Trummelbach Falls en route. Overnight in Interlaken.
Day 13
Interlaken - Zurich
Post breakfast this morning we recommend you take the boat cruise on the Lake Brienz and visit the Ballenberg Open air Museum which houses more than 100 original buildings from all over Switzerland and creates an atmosphere of how Switzerland was in the bygone days. Later in the afternoon head to the train station and board the train taking you to Zurich. Upon arrival make your way to the hotel and check in. Overnight in Zurich.
Day 14
Depart Zurich
Your Swiss holiday comes to an end today as you pack, check out of your hotel and make your way to the airport.