THE GREAT
SWISS TRAIN TOUR

The only tour through Switzerland exclusively by train

September 21 - Oct. 7, 2013

 ITINERARY
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Day 1 - Depart USA for your transatlantic flight to Zurich.

Day 2 - After arrival transfer to the hotel to spend the first night in Zurich to have a rest before the tour begins the next day. In the afternoon you can opt to join us for a stroll through Zurich.

Day 3 - After breakfast we shuttle to the airport for a short ride to Zürich and 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. After arrival in Vitznau get settled and relax a while, maybe have lunch in the lakeside beer garden before we meet to ride aboard Vitznau's historic cog-rail train to the top of the Rig Mounatin from where you have spectacular view over the lake. In the evening we meet for a dinner of fresh caught lake fish (don't eat fish, not problem, just let us know.) B D

Day 4 - 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.  On the return you can get off in Brunnen, a lake-side resort with numerous shops and restaurants or join a optional lunch at an old inn at the Ruetli, a historic spot along the Lake where Switzerland had its beginnings in 1391. In the evening dinner is on your own.  B 

Day 5  - 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 relax before we meet for dinner at the chalet which has one of the best restaurants in Grindelwald. B D

Day 6 -  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 back the valley but will make a stop halfway to pause for lunch in the hamlet of Gimmelwald. On the way back to Lauterbrunnesn we visit the imposing Truemmelbach Falls,** a massive water fall inside the mountain which is the drainage for the Eiger, Moench and Jungfrau glaciers.  B 
** The visit to Truemmelbach Falls is optional as it is an uphill walk to the falls. The entrance fee is 12 Swiss Francs.

Day 7 -  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 aboard one of the Lake Steamers. Your Swiss Pass is valid on the lake steamers and  a offers a discount on the Jungfrau train. Dinner is at the Chalet this evening. B D

Day 8 -  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, our abode for three nights, is a short 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.  B D

Day 9 -  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 in Furi, halfway down the mountain,  we pause for a hardy lunch after which those inclined to do so, can walk down the rest of the way through wildflower meadows and through a very old mountain hamlet. The remainder of the day is on your own. B L

Day 10 - In the morning we take a walk through the oldest part of Zermatt ending at the Zermatt Museum where you get an insight in what life in Zermatt was like a long time ago. In the afternoon 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. The evening is today is on your own. B

Day 11 -  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.  B L

Day 12 -  The morning is at leisure to go shopping in Chur. At noon we meet to take the train to the spa town of Bad Ragaz just a short 20 minute train ride from Chur.  In Bad Ragaz a horse-drawn carriage will await us to take us to the old romantic spa of Bad Pfeffers where we visit the dramatic Tamina Gorge at whose end a huge spring of hot water gushes from the mountain which is then piped to the spa hotels in Bad Ragaz. In the evening a dinner of unique and tasty local specialties awaits us in one of the old Guild Houses of Chur.  B D

Day 13 - Today excursion will take us to Tirano in Italy. 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 which dates to the 15th and 16th century. In the evening a short walk will take us to the Osteria dell Angelo, known for its exceptional  northern Italian cuisine which is accompanied by the wines of this region. B D

Day 14 - The morning is at leisure. Early in the afternoon we board the Bernina Express Bus which is the continuation of the train ride to Lake Lugano. 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 15 - After breakfast board one of the lake steamers to cruise to Lugano where we have a stroll through the old section of the city. Afterwards we board another boat to Morcote, a small town hugging the steep Cypruss-lad slopes where you can climb up to the 13th century Sanctuary of Madonna del Sasso. After returning to Gandria there is time to relax before we meet for dinner on the lakeside terrace of a nearby inn B D

Day 16 - 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 Moevenpick 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.  This way you can plan the evening as it is most convenient for you.  B 

Day 17 - This morning transfer to the airport for your homeward flight. B

LAND TOUR COST:  $4650.00 per person sharing a double room if paid by check
$4975.00 if paid by credit card
SINGLE COST: Please contact us as we have two options if you are a single traveler
DEPOSIT AND PAYMENT:  To secure a space on the tour a $500.00 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.  Please contact us for a brochure if you would like to sign up.

INCLUDED: 15-nights first class hotel accommodations, daily breakfast, dinner or lunch as per itinerary, first class 15-day First Class Swiss Train Pass, all reservation fees for trains, 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 as your host and guides. 

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 we can offer. We are passing our air fares on at cost but there is a $25 service charge per ticket. If you prefer you can do your own air but check with us before hand to make sure you have the correct arrival and return dates.

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