FOU R- DAY SW IT Z E RL A N D E X T E NS I O N 4 days / 3 nights from only $1,129pp Departing May to October 2020
SO MUCH IS INCLUDED • 3 nights in charming hotels with breakfast • Explore Switzerland by train • Visit historic Chur, spectacularly located at the heart of this magical Alpine landscape • Experience the legendary Glacier Express, Europe’s most scenic rail journey • Stay in world-famous Zermatt, home to the iconic Matterhorn and a perfect base for exploring the breathtaking Alpine scenery
Extension Itinerary
DAY 8/DAY 1 EXTENSION – CHUR Journey by InterCity train from Basel to Chur, Switzerland’s oldest city with a magnificent cathedral at the heart of its Old Town. Stay one night at the historic Hotel Stern or the Hotel Drei Könige hotel on selected dates. DAY 9/DAY 2 EXTENSION – GLACIER EXPRESS Board the legendary Glacier Express to Zermatt. See the iconic Matterhorn. Stay two nights at the Hotel Simi in the heart of this idyllic village. DAY 10/DAY 3 EXTENSION – ZERMATT Option to ride the highest open-air cog railway to the Gornergrat for astounding views. Or simply explore Zermatt under your own steam. DAY 11/DAY 4 EXTENSION – CHECK-OUT Check out at the appropriate time. You may wish to take the included train journey to Zürich airport. 50
DAY 8/DAY 1 EXTENSION – CHUR We leave our cruise ship and take the train to historic Chur at the heart of Graubünden, the largest canton in Switzerland. As we leave behind Basel’s city skyline the scenery becomes ever more picturesque – a wild landscape of deep isolated valleys, sheer rocky summits and thick pine forests. Glittering sunlight pours from the blue skies above on to sparkling glaciers oozing from the lofty summits; this is truly some of the most awe-inspiring mountain scenery in the world. We arrive in Switzerland’s oldest city, nestled in a forested valley with the Alps rising like an amphitheatre around it. Chur has been inhabited for over 5,000 years; the Celts, Romans, Ostrogoths and Franks have all ruled here due to its strategic position as a gateway to high alpine passes and important trade routes. Its characterful old town is a maze of winding cobbled alleys, handsome townhouses, refreshing fountains and quiet courtyards. Set high above the streets, its rising spires puncturing the sky, is the magnificent Cathedral of Saint Mary’s Ascension, a fascinating mix of Gothic and Romanesque styles with a fantastically ornate interior.
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Officially trilingual, Chur has a distinctly cosmopolitan, almost Mediterranean ambience. It’s a center for outdoor activities such as hiking and skiing, but also a spot to indulge in the more leisurely pastimes of eating and windowshopping – its streets are lined with restaurants, boutiques and traditional shops. If you’re feeling hungry, look out for the regional speciality of Bündnerfleisch – prime beef traditionally airdried in the eaves of a barn or open attic, then carved into wafer-thin slices. It’s usually enjoyed with other cold meats and washed down with a cooling glass of the purest local mineral water. For something stronger, enjoy a refreshing drink in your choice of the city’s many atmospheric bars and cafés. There’s free time to explore the city at your leisure. We stay one night with breakfast at the Hotel Drei Könige, superbly situated in the heart of the old town. The hotel enjoys a history dating back to 1793 and all the rooms are comfortably furnished in a traditional style. Some dates stay at the historic Hotel Stern Chur, with breakfast. Centrally located, this charming former inn dates back over 300 years and has a welcoming atmosphere, with echoes of a typical Swiss chalet in its authentic wooden beams and floors. All the rooms are comfortably furnished in warm, relaxing tones. This evening you can choose to dine in the hotel’s excellent traditional restaurant serving seasonal dishes, or sample one of the city’s many local establishments. DAY 9/DAY 2 EXTENSION – GLACIER EXPRESS After breakfast we embark on an unforgettably scenic and spectacular rail journey – the legendary Glacier Express. Our starting point at Chur is the lowest point of the route to Zermatt
