DESCRIPTION :

A crossing of the Swiss Alps by public transport from Milan to Geneva that

offers the most beautiful views of Switzerland.

For individuals, departures based on tailor made.

INTRODUCTION :

You don't want to or can't cross the Swiss Alps like the famous trail runner Diego Pazos, because has he had time to admire them?

You don't want to or can't hike the Via Alpina, because 20 days is a long time?

So go on the Swiss Trans-Alpina between Milan and Geneva, only by public transport, because you are also green! So you can reach these 2 cities via Lugano, Interlaken, Gstaad, Gruyères, Montreux et Lausanne by crossing the Alps all linked by train, post bus and steam boat and also with the opportunity to reach mountain summits by cable car or cogwheel train. It will take you 9 days, or more if you want to stay for a while at one or two wonderful historic 5* palaces on the way.

The reachable peaks are the Gornergrat, the Jungfraujoch and Glacier 3000 (Diablerets).

In addition, you pass through some UNESCO World Heritage sites: the Jungfrau-Aletsch Region and the Vineyard Terraces of Lavaux.

For visitors from all over the world, it is planned to visit the 2 most popular museums in Switzerland: The Chaplin Museum in Vevey and the Olympic Museum in Lausanne. 

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HIGHLIGHTS :

• An extremely varied program allowing you to appreciate the most scenic regions of Switzerland 

• Comfortable hotels, mostly historic, always ideally located

• Varied and adapted means of transport depending on the route (train, cogwheel train, post bus, steam boat, cable car)

• Journeys on the most legendary cogwheel trains: Jungfraujoch, and Gornergrat

• Exceptional discovers at the Olympic, Chaplin and Tibet Art Museums

• The assistance from lecture tour guides at each stage

 

PROGRAM :

Day 1 - Milano (Malpensa) – Lugano

Today you will leave Italy Milan Malpensa International Airport by local coach to reach Lugano (80 km, 1 hour)

In Lugano, enjoy a walking tour with a local guide.

This will be an opportunity to stroll through the streets of the picturesque old town. Among other things, you will pass by Piazza Riforma, with its bars and open-air restaurants giving a touch of "dolce vita" to the city, Lake Lugano.

In addition to its old town with its narrow streets, you can discover the new LAC cultural center, the church of Santa Maria degli Angeli with its beautiful Renaissance frescoes as well as Via Nassa, a mecca for luxury shopping.
In the afternoon, you can set off to conquer the Swiss "sugar loaf": Mount San Salvatore by funicular. The San Salvatore is a mountain at the origin of several legends. One of them dates back to the 13th century, when pilgrims began to walk there to honor the Son of God who would have made a brief stop there during his ascent to heaven. But what continues to attract visitors to the "mountain of the Luganese" is above all the 360° panorama which extends over the entire region of Lake Lugano, the Lombard plain and the chain of the Swiss Alps.
Overnight at hotel Villa Castagnola 5*: Set on the shores of Lake Lugano, this magnificent resort is a property of immense charm, nestled within a private, subtropical park. Once the home of a noble Russian family, the impressive mansion was transformed into a hotel in 1885.

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Day 2: Lugano – Locarno – Domodossola – Zermatt

In the morning, depart to Lugano towards Locarno and take the opportunity to walk into to city. Southern plants such as palm trees or lemon trees flourish in Locarno and give the city its special charm. The heart of the city is the Piazza Grande, well-known for its annual film festival. The narrow lanes of the Old Town all lead to the Piazza. Castello Visconteo, a castle dating back to the 12th century, lies at the edge of the Old Town. About a fifth of the castle has been preserved in its original state. Splendid upper-town palazzi house, fine art collections and the lake promenade offers relaxed strolling.

You will continue your journey boarding the famous foliage train, also known as the “Blue train” or the Centovalli train, passes through wild chestnut forests and vine-covered slopes. You could enjoy a lunch in Domodossola and take a chance to explore the Sacro Monte Calvario, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. 

At the end of the day, you will board a train to Zermatt via Brig.

No car comes to disturb the tranquility, the pure air and the alpine idyll of this intimate setting. Take rue de la Gare, cross the romantic historic heart of the village and you are just a stone's throw from enchanting nature, under the protective gaze of the Matterhorn.
Overnight at Mont Cervin Palace 5* in Zermatt.

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Day 3: Zermatt: excursion to Gornergrat 

Today, a new rail experience of this trip: the Gornergrat train. Built in 1898, it is the first 100% electric rack railway in Switzerland and the second in the world. The journey takes about 30 minutes and allows you to reach the summit of the Gornergrat located at 3,089 m above sea level.
From the platform, you can admire 29 summits culminating at more than 4,000 meters above sea level (out of the 48 existing in Switzerland). And of course, you will enjoy a breathtaking view of the Matterhorn, which rises to 4,478 meters...

Take the time to marvel at the sight of these high peaks and descend by train via the same route.

Overnight at Mont Cervin Palace 5* in Zermatt.

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Day 4: Zermatt – Interlaken - Lauterbrunnen – Junfraujoch – Grindelwald - Gstaad

You will take the train to Interlaken via Visp and Spiez. Then descend by cable car to Lauterbrunnen, from where you will take the train to the Jungfraujoch.

The construction of the Jungfrau Railway is a pioneering project in the development of the Alps. It is accompanied by setbacks and dramas, yet it overcomes every barrier in the end. Step by step, the visionaries fought their way, first through Eiger and Mönch, then on to Jungfraujoch.
You will make a brief stopover at an altitude of 3,000 meters, in order to acclimatize yourself but also to observe a typical high mountain landscape. 

The train will then make a final ascent along the steep walls of the Eiger, reaching Europe's highest railway station, at 3,454 meters above sea level.

A magnificent panorama will be offered to you, with the Aletsch Glacier in particular in the background.

The Jungfrau-Aletsch Region was chosen as the first Alpine UNESCO World Natural Heritage Site in 2001. At its heart lies the mighty rock massif of the Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau and the glacial landscape around the Great Aletsch Glacier.
On the return, you will stop at the Kleine Scheidegg pass to embark on a bright new cable car which will drop you directly at Grindelwald, then again by train to Gstaad via Interlaken.

Arrival in Gstaad and transfer to your Palace, a luxury hotel from the very start. 
Overnight at the Gstaad Palace 5*.

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Day 5: Gstaad - Excursion to Glacier 3000 

Today, you will reach the top of the Diablerets peaks by cable car, call also Glacier 3000. 

Once you dismount from the cable car, enjoy a deep breath of fresh air on the Peak Walk, the suspension bridge at the summit of the Alpes Vaudoises. 
To find some peace and quiet, you can set off on the Glacier Walk trail, a hike in the snow that is accessible for everyone, to arrive at the Refuge de l'Espace restaurant in a recent construction design by the world’s famous architect Mario Botta and its breathtaking viewing point.  
If you like balloon, it’s quite possible to make a beautiful flight early morning above Gstaad and Saanen (optional).
Overnight at the Gstaad Palace 5*.

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Day 6:  Gstaad - Gruyeres – Montreux

Departure with the famous 1 metric gauge train, the famous Montreux-Oberland- Bernois (MOB) first to Gruyeres with a change at Montbovon. 

There you will assist at the fabrication of the famous Gruyere cheese, then you will have a visit of the castle set amidst a magnificent landscape. Gruyères Castle takes you on a journey through eight centuries of history and legends.
Amongst various attractions, the wonderful Tibetan Art Museum. One of the most important in the world, might interest you. The countryside is beautiful, with the villages of Rossinière. The painter Balthus was living there at the Grand Chalet dated 1754. Then you have Chateau-d’Oex and Rougemont with some wood constructions also dated of 18th-century.

Overnight at hotel Montreux Palace 5*, very famous because the Russian writer Vladimir Nabokov lived here from 1966 up to his death in 1977.

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Day 7: Montreux - Exc. Chillon, Vevey and Lavaux

Today, you will have time to visit this charming city, the nearby castle of Chillon and to make an excursion to visit the successful Chaplin Museum in Vevey.

Chillon Castle is located on a rock on the banks of Lake Geneva. The water castle is the most visited historic building in Switzerland. Continuing towards Vevey, on the former country estate of the Chaplin family, "Manoir de Ban" in Corsier-sur-Vevey, a whole new world around the man with the bowler hat has been opened. And it’s here in the manor house with huge park that visitors learn of his private life while in the new building focus is on Chaplin’s artistic works.
After this good time, the view on the Lavaux vineyards will take your breath away. World Heritage Site on the Unesco list, the Lavaux Vineyard Terraces, stretching for about 30 km along the south-facing northern shores of Lake Geneva from the Château de Chillon to the eastern outskirts of Lausanne in the Vaud region, cover the lower slopes of the mountainside between the villages and the lake. 
Always on secondary roads, you will take "La Corniche" balcony overlooking Lake Léman and on which are hung the beautiful villages of Riex, Epesses and Chexbres. In one of these villages, a winegrower will present his estate and his production to you with supporting tastings.

Overnight at hotel Montreux Palace 5*

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Day 8: Montreux - Lausanne

Today, you will cruise on a steamboat to Lausanne. The setting of Lausanne is extremely picturesque. The town is built on three hills, surrounded by vineyard-covered slopes, with Lake Geneva at its feet. Rising impressively from the opposing French lakeshore are the Savoy Alps. The attractive old town is largely car-free. Small alleyways with cafes and boutiques shape the streetscape in the medieval city centre.

Even lovers of culture won’t feel short changed in Lausanne: the collection of marginal art (“Art Brut”) in Beaulieu Castle, the Fondation de l'Hermitage, the Musée de l'Elysée photo museum, and many others merit a visit. Not forgetting Aquatis, the largest freshwater aquarium in Europe, a veritable living museum. 
By metro you reach the shore of the lake where a visit of the Olympic Museum is a must. To experience the Olympics at close quarters and feel the Olympic spirit the way the athletes felt it, to study the history of the Games from antiquity to today - thanks to the latest computer technology and audiovisual media, all of this can be accomplished in the Olympic Museum in Lausanne.
Overnight at hotel Beau Rivage 5*: The panoramic view over the lake, the elegant hotel in the style of bygone times, and the all-around luxury are sure to tempt you to take a break from the cares of everyday life. The Beau-Rivage Palace’s 66 rooms and suites have been designed to exacting standards. Regional dishes and cuisine from around the world are served at the restaurants and on the veranda. Enjoy time at the spa or the hammam. 
 

Day 9: Lausanne – Le Brassus - Geneva

From Lausanne, you will reach the Vallée the Joux. Today's visit takes you to the nest of watchmaking. The Vallée de Joux with its long watchmaking tradition is a world of its own in rugged and unspoilt countryside nestling between Jura Mountain Ranges.

In the museum, immerse yourself in the world of fine timekeepers and learn about the history of the mastery of time since the 15th century.

Lunch will take place in the dazzling setting of the Hotel des Horlogers opened by Audemars Piguet in 2022.
Continue your day towards Geneva where your journey will end.

 

Note

This itinerary is tailor-made and can be adapted according to your wishes and the time that you want to spend for your holidays.

              

Price is on request.

 

This itinerary can be organized on tailor made basis from 2 pax onwards with dates of your choice, in one direction ou v.v. and in case of less time at disposal, the following suitable options are:

3 days: Milan - Zermatt / Zermatt - Montreux / Montreux – 

              Lausanne by boat - Geneva

4 days: Milan - Zermatt / Zermatt exc Gornergrat - Montreux / 

              Montreux exc. Chaplin, Chillon / Montreux – 

              Lausanne by boat - Geneva

4 days: Milan - Lugano / Lugano - Locarno - Domodossola – 

              Interlaken / Interlaken - Jungfraujoch - Interlaken - Montreux /

              Montreux - Lausanne - Geneva

5 days: idem 4 days with 1 night at Lausanne