Skyscrapers
The Lofty Swiss Alps
August 5 - 15, 2004
HIT THE HEIGHTS !
The Swiss watch. Swiss cheese. Swiss chocolate. Secret Swiss bank accounts.
The Swiss army knife. Fondue. The yodel. Because Switzerland has so
few marketable resources other than water, the Swiss have learned to
be extremely inventive.
Switzerland, however, has never required
any special skills in one particular area—marketing itself as an
amazing tourist destination! That is because of what has been so amply
bestowed upon it by nature. This Alpine world consists of peaks reaching
nearly three miles straight up, mighty rivers, meadows of mountain flowers,
sheer granite walls, sparkling glacier lakes, and thunderous waterfalls.
The largest canton (province) in Switzerland,
Graubunden, occupies the entire southeast of the country. This
huge but sparsely populated area is also the most culturally diverse,
bordering on Liechtenstein and Austria to the east, and
Italy to the south. The canton is officially tri-lingual, speaking
German, Italian and Romansh—a direct descendant of Latin that
has survived, locked away in some mountain enclaves, ever since Roman
legions departed 1500 years ago.
Glaciers oozing between the high mountains
launch two of Europe’s great rivers—the Rhine and the
Inn—on their long journeys to the North Sea and Black Sea
respectively. The folded landscape of deep, isolated valleys (over a
hundred of them), sheer rocky summits, and thick pine forests makes
this the wildest, loneliest part of Switzerland. As a result, Graubunden
is more difficult than most places to get around in, but also more rewarding,
with some of the finest scenery in the Alps.
What better way to experience this magnificent
region than on foot, meandering down hiking paths which wind over mountain
passes, through valleys and into rustic villages. Graubunden
also has one of the world’s most scenic train systems, and the
bright yellow Swiss postal buses carry the mail and travelers to small,
far-flung villages off the train lines.
The summertime climate in Graubunden
is nearly perfect—neither too cool nor too warm. Here the sun
shines brightly more than 300 days a year! It is no wonder that the
Swiss consider this their “holiday corner.”
Toto Tours invites you to enjoy
some of nature’s highest skyscrapers on this lofty tour of Switzerland,
beginning and ending in Zurich. We’ll visit the ancient
town of Chur, see the pinnacles at Davos, take in the
jet-set resort of St. Moritz, and hop across the border to Tirano,
Italy—not to mention hiking some of the finest nature walks
in the world! Finally, we top it all of by attending what many consider
to be Europe's largest and most colorful street parade event in Zurich.
Warm up your yodel, dust off your hiking shoes and let’s go to
Switzerland!
THE ITINERARY
Thursday, August 5, 2004
USA to Zurich, Switzerland
Today is a travel day. Flights from the U.S. to Zurich usually
depart in the late afternoon or early evening, with arrival the next
morning.
Friday, August 6, 2004
Arrival / On to Chur & Lenzerheide
Since participants will be arriving on various airlines, we’ll
establish one central meeting place for pick-up at the airport in Zurich
this morning. Those who arrive a day or two early (highly recommended
so you can be adjusted to the time change) will be provided instructions
for meeting at the Zurich Train Station.
Our adventure begins as we transfer to
the train station for our rail journey to Chur, the oldest town
in Switzerland. It rests in a deep valley carved by the Rhine. Continue
on to Lenzerheide aboard a Swiss postal bus. This evening enjoy
a Welcome Dinner at our hotel. (Welcome
Dinner Included)
Saturday, August 7, 2004
Cable Car / Mountain Hike
This morning take a cable car to the top of Rothorn Mountain,
which has the most scenic views of the area. From there, hikers set
out for the town of Arosa, some four hours walk. Surrounded by
pine forests, Arosa is popular as a health resort. Non-hikers
ride back down the mountain in the cable car and transfer to Arosa
by postal bus and train. The rest of the afternoon is free to explore
this quaint village. (All Meals)
Sunday, August 8, 2004
Arosa
Today is completely at your leisure to engage in optional adventures
in Arosa. The natural Alpine landscape, at 6,000 feet above sea
level, is complimented by every imaginable leisure, cultural and entertainment
activity. Join a mountain guide for some wildlife viewing. Take an introductory
course in rock-climbing. Hike to ten different lakes in the area, go
mountain biking, take a horse-drawn carriage ride, or simply take it
easy enjoying the scenery and fresh mountain air at our hotel. (Breakfast)
Monday, August 9, 2004
Arosa to Davos
Non-hikers transfer by train to Davos late this morning. Hikers
will trek from Arosa to the wintertime ski resort of Parsenn.
From there, the group will board the Parsennbahn funicular, just below
the Weissfluh summit, for the steep descent to the Davos-Dorf
station.
The antithesis of a peaceful Alpine ski
village, bustling Davos (at more than 5,000 feet above sea level)
is famous for its toothpaste-fresh air and long hours of sunshine. Here
tuberculosis patients from around the world have taken their ease for
decades. The consumptive Robert Louis Stevenson completed Treasure
Island while a resident at a sanatorium here in 1882. The remainder
of the day is free. (All Meals)
Tuesday, August 10, 2004
Davos to St. Moritz / Hiking in the National Park
Morning train journey to the Switzerland National Park, situated in
the Engadine and Münstertal valleys of the country’s
easternmost corner. Enjoy a leisurely hike into the park with a naturalist
guide, viewing an extraordinary variety of flora and alpine animals,
such as chamois, deer, and marmots. This afternoon, continue on the
train to the very tony resort mecca of St. Moritz. The evening
is free. (Breakfast / Dinner)
Wednesday, August 11, 2004
Free Day in St. Moritz
Although it was a spa as far back as the Bronze Age, St. Moritz
is a brassy, in-your-face reminder of the world beyond the high valley
walls of the Engadine Valley. For a century or more, it has been
the prime winter retreat of the international jetset, who have created
a mini-Manhattan of Vuitton and Armani in this stunningly romantic setting
of forest, lake and mountains.
Summer is the area’s low season,
but the hoi polloi still arrive to hike and relax in the “champagne
climate” that boasts 322 days of sunshine annually. Today is completely
free to enjoy this lovely setting and engage in any number of optional
adventure activities—from panoramic hikes and cable car rides to
windsurfing, biking and (of course) shopping! (Breakfast)
Thursday, August 12, 2004
St. Moritz to Tirano, Italy / Lugano
This morning take a gorgeous, 2½-hour train journey over wild
gorges and soaring bridges, through loop tunnels, and past glaciers
close enough to touch. This world-famous Bernini Express train is an
adventure in its own right, and one of the highlights of the tour. Eventually,
bracing alpine air gives way to warm Italian breezes as we arrive in
Tirano, Italy.
After a brief city tour and an Italian
lunch, board the Swiss postal bus bound for Lugano, Switzerland,
arriving in late afternoon. The evening is free. (All
Meals)
Friday, August 13, 2004
Free Day in Lugano
Located on a marvelous lake, Lugano is the most important town
in southern Switzerland. It serves as one of the country’s financial
centers, and a bridge between the Mediterranean region and northern
Europe.
Today is completely free to explore and
enjoy optional adventures. The mild climate, luxuriant foliage, and
delightful scenery make Lugano a perfect place for romantic walks,
cable car excursions, carriage rides, sunbathing, swimming, sailing,
hiking, paddle boating, and biking. The more daring adventurers may
even choose ballooning, parasailing, or bungee jumping from the Centovallina
Bridge at Intragna. (Breakfast)
Saturday, August 14, 2004
Lugano to Zurich / Farewell Dinner
After breakfast, take the morning train back to Zurich. Whether
strolling through the charming Old Town next to the lake, pausing in
the shade of the Stussihofstatt fountain or contemplating the Alps in
the distance, Zurich provides one of the most refreshing backdrops
of any European city. Today, is the annual Street
Parade which transforms this otherwise restrained
city into one huge, jubilant carnival. We'll plunge in, enjoy the scene,
then take a break to celebrate the conclusion of our mountain-high Swiss
Holiday at a festive Farewell Dinner. (Breakfast
/ Dinner)
Sunday, August 15, 2004
Departure
The tour officially ends after breakfast this morning. There will be
one group motorcoach transfer provided to the airport. (Breakfast)
|
