Alpine Lakes Trains
Experience Overview
Highlights
- Visit Area: Lake Maggiore,Zermatt,St. Moritz,Lucerne
- Admittance: Lake Maggiore,Zermatt,St. Moritz,Lucerne
- Meals included: 14
Trip Details
Product Code: 35508
Tour Type: Group Tour
Accommodation: Moderate
Transport: Private
Guide Language: English
Tour Operator:
Collette (CA)
Supplier Code: 16847
Starts: Lake Maggiore, Italy
Finishes: Lucerne, Switzerland
Duration: 10 days
Departures: Guaranteed
Physical Rating:
Light
Includes
- Visit Area: Lake Maggiore,Zermatt,St. Moritz,Lucerne
- Admittance: Lake Maggiore,Zermatt,St. Moritz,Lucerne
- Meals included: 14
Price
Price per person: (Double Occupancy) CAD $5,999 ($600 /day)
Itinerary
Breathtaking Alpine vistas await as you travel through Italy and Switzerland. Experience dramatic views aboard railways and lake cruises while enjoying cultural experiences in charming villages.
Hotel Name: Zacchera Hotels
Welcome to the tranquil resort area with crystal clear waters set against the backdrop of the Alps, known as Lake Maggiore. As arrival times will vary, there is no scheduled sightseeing today. Spend the day as you wish, exploring the area independently. As the evening approaches, leave your hotel to board a private boat for a cruise to Isola Dei Pescatori. On the island, toast to the start of your journey with your fellow travelers over a welcome dinner.
Dinner Included
Admittance: Bernina Express Train
This morning, set sail to Isola Bella, known as the “beautiful island.” With an expert guide beside you, journey into the Borromeo Palace — a lakeside Baroque beauty adorned with an exotic garden. The rest of the day is yours. Perhaps you’ll take time to stroll the cobbled streets of Stresa or soak up the sun along the waterfront.
Breakfast Included
Hotel Name: Resort Hotel Alex
Admittance: Glacier Express Train
This famous bright red train runs the length of southern Switzerland between Zermatt in the west and St. Moritz in the east, and is known as the “slowest express train in the world.” The trip takes about 7 ½ hours and it traverses its highest point at the Oberalp Pass at 6,700 feet (2042 meters). Some sections are steep enough to require a rack-and-pinion system on the tracks. The cars have panoramic windows and domes, and there is a restaurant car. The towns it links are among the most famous ski resorts in the world, and it gets its name from the Rhone Glacier in western Switzerland, one of the sources of Lake Geneva and the Rhone River.
Take on the day as you depart Italy and make your way to Switzerland. Visit a family-owned cow farm in Val di’ Ossola, where you’ll meet the owners and learn about life on the farm and their family business before enjoying some homemade products over lunch. Continue towards Switzerland and enjoy scenic mountain views on a drive through the Simplon Pass, used for centuries as a main trading route between northern Italy and Switzerland and by Napoleon to cross the Alps. Complete your day in the unique, car-less village of Zermatt.
Breakfast Included
Lunch Included
Dinner Included
Visit Area: Lake Maggiore
Is a large lake located on the south side of the Alps which goes through both Italy and Switzerland. The climate, both in the winter and summer is mild enough to products Mediterranean vegetation, with many gardens growing rare and exotic plants. Many islands overlook the lake, including the Borromean Islands, the Brissago Islands, Castelli di Cannero, and Isolina Partegora.
Start your morning by joining a walk with your Tour Manager to get familiar with the quaint mountain village of Zermatt. With free time for the rest of the day, perhaps you’ll follow your curiosity to uncover history in the Matterhorn Museum or follow your adventurous side to the Gornergrat Railway to experience elevated views of the Matterhorn.
Breakfast Included
Hotel Name: Hotel Steffani
Admittance: Borromeo Palace
This morning, experience the world-renowned Glacier Express train.* This iconic train route takes you through some of Switzerland’s most beautiful landscapes, offering breathtaking views of snow-capped mountains, deep valleys, dense forests, and gurgling streams. Your final stop is St. Moritz, with the afternoon at leisure to relax or stroll the lakeside boulevard.
Breakfast Included
Lunch Included
Visit Area: Zermatt
This town is located in southwest Switzerland in the canton of Valais, and is best known by the nearby 14,000ft (4267m) Matterhorn. The town began as an agricultural area and in the 19th century became famous as a ski and mountaineering resort. Most of the town now depends on tourism, and in ski season the town of 5,000 swells several times over. To keep the air clean, all vehicles are now electric and mostly silent, with only emergency access by gas-powered vehicles such as firetrucks. The famous Glacier Express train which begins in far eastern Switzerland near St. Moritz ends in Zermatt.
Take a rail journey on the Bernina Express from St. Moritz to Le Prese, soaking in striking landscapes of the Swiss Alps like the famed Morteratsch glacier. Step off the train in Le Prese, a village nestled between steep mountain slopes on the shores of Lago di Poschiavo. Spend time at a family-owned farm that cultivates aromatic herbs from the sun-drenched slopes of the Val Posciavo region. Learn about the careful processing of the organic herbs in the company’s own factory, the Erboristeria Biologica, and top off the visit with a delicious lunch featuring farm-grown products. After some time to relax, return by motorcoach to St. Moritz.
Breakfast Included
Lunch Included
Hotel Name: Hotel Astoria
Visit Area: St. Moritz
St. Moritz is a ski resort town in southeast Switzerland known as a “jet set” destination and playground of the wealthy. It is in the canton of Graubunden, not far from the Italian border, also not far from the highest peak in eastern Switzerland, Pic Bernina (13,200 feet/4023 meters). St. Moritz is named for St. Maurice, a Roman martyred there in the 3rd century, and first became popular as a pilgrimage site with healing spring waters. The 1928 and 1948 Winter Olympics were held here. The town was used in the opening scenes of Alfred Hitchcock’s original version of “The Man Who Knew Too Much” with Peter Lorre in 1934.
Today, travel to Lucerne, considered by many to be one of the most beautiful cities in the country. Make a stop at the renewed Lion Monument, carved from sandstone to commemorate heroic soldiers of the Swiss Guard. The “Swiss Paradise on the Lake,” nestled among breathtaking mountains and a picturesque lake, is yours to explore. The evening is yours to relax or you may choose to join an optional evening cruise on the lake.
Breakfast Included
Visit Area: Lucerne
This city of 80,000 people is in north-central Switzerland in the canton of Lucerne and sits on the shores of Lake Lucerne. The town began with a Benedictine monastery in the 8th century and gained importance from its location on trade routes. The most famous sights in Lucerne are the wooden Kapellbrucke (Chapel Bridge) across the Reuss River, the Hofkirche (Church of St. Leodegar) and the Swiss Museum of Transport. The city celebrates Carnival every year beginning the Thursday before Ash Wednesday. Mt Pilatus, with the world’s steepest cog railway, is visible from Lucerne.
This morning, join a locally guided tour through Lucerne’s Altstadt (Old Town), passing through the covered 14th-century Chapel Bridge. Along the way, see the famous Water Tower that once served as a prison. Then, it’s your choice! Choose to take a short funicular ride to exciting views over Lucerne and the lake from the famous Gütsch viewpoint -OR- connect with Lucerne’s natural and cultural heritage at the engaging Museum Lucerne. Later, enjoy the splendor of pure nature while gliding over a clear landscape in panoramic gondolas and spectacular cable cars. Ascend Pilatus** on a unique excursion along the steepest railway in the world. From the top, soak in the magnificent Alpine views from 7,000 feet above sea level. Enjoy leisure time at the summit, where you can stroll along the walkway for new vantage points. Venture back down the mountain by panoramic gondola for another bird’s-eye view. Gather tonight for a farewell dinner featuring Swiss specialties.
Breakfast Included
Dinner Included
Admittance: Mount Pilatus
Ascend the majestic Mount Pilatus overlooking Lucerne by cable car and descend via the world's steepest cog railway.
Your scenic journey comes to an end today in Lucerne.
Breakfast Included
Admittance: Family-Run Farm Experiences
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Tour Operator
Collette (CA)
A Story of Hard Work and a Passion for Travel “Our first office was so tiny that if you took a step backwards, you fell down an open hole that was stairs to the basement. Now we are a worldwide company with offices in the United States, Canada, Australia and the United Kingdom.” – Alice I. Sullivan, Chairperson of the Collette Board.Collette is about family As his family grew, Dan’s children took on active roles in the company – in sales, tour development, marketing, tour guiding, and in its charitable arm. Working with a team of dedicated employees, they all stayed true to the original vision of expanding travel opportunities for everyone. That tradition continued as Dan’s eldest child, Dan Sullivan Jr., took the reins as President and CEO in 1990 and the company flourished. Collette_HQ_380x250_v2 The third generation of Sullivans entered the company in the early 2000s, and in 2018 Dan Sullivan Jr.’s daughter, Jaclyn Leibl-Cote, became President & Chief Customer Experience Officer. In 2023, after she successfully steered Collette through the global pandemic, Dan proudly turned the CEO role over to Jaclyn and transitioned to Executive Chairman of the Board. Mrs. Leibl-Cote is only the 4th CEO in the company’s history and its first female leader, making Collette one of the rare companies successfully transfer to the 3rd generation of leadership.
In Business Since 1990
Reviews
Douglas McElroy - Traveled, September 2024
The scenery in Switzerland was spectacular and our tour guide was very knowledgeable and helpful.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 10/31/2024
Trusted Customer - Traveled, September 2024
Aside from arriving in Zurich 24 hours later than expected due to American Airlines mechanical problem with the plane, the trip was wonderful. Ned, our tour manager was extremely knowledgeable about the region and had a great sense of humor. Our hotel accommodations were very nice in particular, Hotel Alex in Zermatt.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 10/29/2024
Joan Fitzgibbon - Traveled, September 2024
The tour, once it commenced, was well- paced and spectacular. Our guide, Ned, was very knowledgeable and easy to interact with. Our accommodations were very fine, comfortable, in great locations.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 10/29/2024
Roberta Hamann - Traveled, September 2024
I left my wedding ring at a hotel in Switzerland & didn't discover until Italy. Our tour manager managed every detail & had it safely back on my finger in 3 days!
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 10/29/2024
Trusted Customer - Traveled, September 2024
Switzerland was breathtaking. From trains, gondolas, buses and walking paths, we were so impressed. Collette travel selected charming towns, lovely hotels and informative tours. Our guide. Vili, kept us on schedule and also provided ample time for browsing, shopping and lunch. His subtle chocolate treats and wine tasting.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 10/25/2024
Gary Hildebrandt - Traveled, September 2024
Our tour guide and bus driver were wonderful. They were so knowledgeable and helped me, with my walking and agility disability.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 10/29/2024
James/Bobl Merchant - Traveled, August 2024
The tour was definitely well- organized and our guide and even the bus driver were great. I think we were in Zermatt and I went looking for a t shirt. When I came out of the store, I was surprised by a whole herd of goats being herded down main street!
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 09/07/2024
John Reali - Traveled, June 2024
Our tour manager Marie Pillar Rocchio was outstanding. She was very good and friendly to all on our tour. She was the best tour manager I ever encountered in my more than 10 trips to Europe.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 07/02/2024
Stephen Smith - Traveled, May 2024
Tour manager was outstanding. Staying in Zermatt and Lucerne, accommodations were nice and central location, easy walking to attractions. Taking the train through the mountains. Should probably pick a different town other than St Moritz if nothing is open and going on in the town.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 06/10/2024
Maureen Merrill - Traveled, September 2024
Great trip. Tour leader was excellent, very personable, responsive to issues and great sense of humor. Driver was also very good. Nice hotels, good balance of planned activities and free time.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 10/25/2024
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