THE BEST OF SWITZERLAND - 2010

9 days incl. travel, or 8 days from Zürich to Zürich (ZG)

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Vacation Overview

For mountain lovers, this vacation is a dream come true. Begin in German-speaking Zürich with a guided orientation of the Old Town and a chocolate factory visit. On to the Principality of Liechtenstein, then south over Julier Pass to St. Moritz in the Alps. South through Italy to beautiful Lake Como, then spend the night in Switzerland’s subtropical, Italian-speaking Lugano. Continue to Stresa and Simplon Pass to Täsch, where you’ll board the mountain train bound for Zermatt at the foot of the Matterhorn. Drive through the lovely Rhône Valley to Lake Geneva and Gruyères, where a cheese factory visit is included. Next, stop in the capital of Berne for a guided walking tour and in Interlaken for scenic alpine views. Your vacation ends in picture-perfect Lucerne, where you can admire the famous Lion Monument and Chapel Bridge.

Notes:

On arrival at Zürich’s airport, a complimentary transfer by hotel shuttle bus is available.
Certain departures can be combined with a river cruise.

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Add a River Cruise to Your Vacation (WZA)

Things to see on your vacation: View Vacation Photo Slideshow

A Vacation Story Lion Monument

“The Lion of Lucerne” (Lowendenkmal) is a compelling statue in the north section of Old Town dedicated to the 42 members of the Swiss Guard who were assigned to protect Louis the XVI, Maria Antoinette and their family at the Royal Palace. When the Tuileries was stormed on August 10, 1792 by rioting Parisians at the start of the French Revolution, the king ordered the soldiers to lay down their arms. They were subsequently slaughtered by the crowd and the royal family was captured. Louis had made a big mistake. In 1821 Danish sculpture Berthel Thorwaldsen finished the sculpture, a 30-foot likeness of a wounded and dying lion with a broken lance in its heart and his paw resting atop the fleur-de-lys shield of the Bourbon king. The Latin inscription translated “To the bravery and fidelity of the Swiss.”