TTN

Grand tour showcases best of Switzerland

Share  
Chillon Castle, Veytaux in Montreux

Switzerland Tourism Organisation launched The Grand Tour of Switzerland last month, a 1,600-km-long journey that takes travellers through four language regions, five Alpine passes and 11 Unesco World Heritage Sites.

'On the Grand Tour of Switzerland, the journey is the goal,' explains the tourism authority’s website www.myswitzerland.com. The journey will also cover two biospheres and 22 beautiful lakes. This tour provides a immersive insight into the country, with exquisite scenic views and cultural experiences.

'You could do this whole tour in two days if you didn’t want to sleep,' jokes GCC director of Switzerland Tourism Organisation Mattahis Albrecht, 'but ideally you would want one or two days in each city. We have partnered with tour operators in the GCC for packages of seven nights for example.'

This Grand Tour can be done by car or by train with the Swiss Travel Pass.

Albrecht says that while on the Grand Tour of Switzerland, some must-visit iconic destinations are Geneva, Lausanne, Montreux, Gstaad, Interlaken, the Jungfrau-Region, Bern, Lucerne, Zurich, St. Moritz, the Ticino/Lugano and the Matterhorn Region. 'And, of course, a stay in one of the many luxury hotels along the route will exceed all your expectations.'

'In Switzerland, driving is not standing in an endless traffic jam. Driving here is an experience in itself,' says the director. 'Drive through a big Alpine pass such as the Tremola of St. Gotthard or touch ice on the Rhone Glacier next to Furkapass. A drive along deep blue lakes on spectacular routes is not less of a treat.'

On each journey of discovery through Switzerland, there is so much to explore and admire. 'Needless to say, you don’t have to drive in order to discover the country’s gems: the Grand Train Tour of Switzerland links the country’s finest panoramic routes via many of its most attractive cities and resorts.'

The Grand Train Tour of Switzerland comprises the most attractive panorama rail routes across the country, focuses on selected scenic excursion options and can be booked at any time throughout the year. The Grand Train Tour can be started from any point and there is no prescribed travel direction or duration. And best of all, the entire tour can be travelled with a single all-in-one ticket – the Swiss Travel Pass.

Here’s a break-up of the Grand Train Tour:


From Zurich to St. Gallen: The route through eastern Switzerland passes the Rhine Falls and Schaffhausen with its historic Munot Fortress, then along Lake Constance to St Gallen.
Excursion tip: Appenzell.

From St. Gallen to Lucerne: With the Pre-Alpine Express you travel through the Toggenburg region past Rapperswil and via the Rothenthurm upland moor to the lakeside of Lucerne.
Excursion tip: Historic old town of Bern.

• From Lucerne to Montreux: The GoldenPass Line takes you over the Brünig Pass to Interlaken, then through the scenic Simmen Valley to Montreux on Lake Geneva.
Excursion tip: Jungfraujoch – Top of Europe.

• From Montreux to Zermatt: From Lake Geneva you travel to Martigny – gateway to the Great St. Bernard and Forclaz Pass – and then via Brig to Zermatt.
Excursion tip: Gornergrat (Zermatt).

• From Zermatt to St. Moritz: With the legendary Glacier Express from the Matterhorn village to Chur, then to St Mortiz.
Excursion tip: Arosa Railway from Chur to Arosa.

• From St. Moritz to Lugano: Two routes lead to Lugano in Switzerland’s sunny south. In the summer by Bernina Express train to Tirano, then by bus back to Switzerland and Lugano; and in winter by Palm Express PostBus over passes and through valleys.
Excursion tip: Centovalli Express from Locarno to Domodossola.

• From Lugano to Lucerne: The Wilhelm Tell Express combines travel by rail and waterway – first a train trip along the old Gotthard route, then a cruise on Lake Lucerne.
Excursion tip: Titlis.

• From Lucerne to Zurich: From Lucerne the train passed the picturesque lakes of Rotsee, Zug and Zurich to the centre of Switzerland’s largest and most multicultural city.


By Kim Thomson


***************************************************************************************************************************

Where to stay

A number of luxury hotels are on offer as part of The Grand Tour.  For example, in Geneva there is the very private Beau –Rivage and the La Reserve Hotel and Spa on Lake Geneva.

In Gstaad, head to the Gstaad Palace Switzerland, located on a hillside offer looking Gstaad with stunning views of the Alps.

Bern has the Bellevue Palace, the Swiss Confederations official state guest house, with a history dating back 150 years and the completely renovated, centrally located, Hotel Schweizerhof Bern.

In Zurich, Baur au Lac has its own park on the shore of Lake Zurich and Eden Au Lac Zurich, also located on the shores of Lake Zurich, is only steps away from the opera house and close to the city centre.

***************************************************************************************************************************

Spacer