Welcome to my first official Ticket To Roam blog!
About this Blog
This blog is a recap of my COSMOS Grand Tour of Switzerland trip in June 2018.
Switzerland is known for:
- Yodeling
- Alps
- Cheese
- Watches
- Chocolate
- Heidi
Additional pictures from this trip can be found in the Photo Gallery tab.
Day 1 – Zurich
Our tour begins in Zurich, the largest city in Switzerland. After an overnight flight and a transfer to our hotel, we are ready to explore the city. We hopped on a tram that took us into old town Zurich.
The Limmat River in Old Town Zurich
Grossmunster, the Twin Tower Church
Highspire First Church of God
A sightseeing boat on the Limmat River
Stopped at Cafe Wühre along the waterfront to take in the scenery and then headed back to the hotel. Tonight we will have our Welcome Dinner and meet our Tour Director and fellow travel companions for the next ten days.
Our COSMOS Tour Director is Mihaela Lacko from Croatia. Our 44 fellow travelers are from Australia, Scotland, England, Malaysia, Canada, and the US (California, Florida, Indiana, Michigan, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Virginia, and West Virginia represented).
Day 2 – Zurich – Appenzell – Liechtenstein – St. Moritz
Off to an early start today. We meet our bus driver, Giovanni, and our mode of transportation for this tour.
Giovanni’s Magic Bus
Giovanni and Mihaela
First stop is the quaint little village of Appenzell complete with its Town Hall and own Brewery.
The village of Appenzell
The Brauerei Locher Ag in Appenzell
On to the Principality of Liechtenstein and a visit to the capital, Vaduz.
Vaduz Town Hall and Town Square
Vaduz Town Hall 
Vaduz Castle, residence of the Prince of Liechtenstein
After a brief rest stop at “Heidiland”, we began our ascent up Julier Pass.
Taken at “Heidiland” – notice the Burger King sign!
Ascending Julier Pass
Ascending Julier Pass
We made it to the top of Julier Pass!
Elevation – 7,943 feet
The Pass connects the Engadin valley with the rest of Graubünden
Scenic views from the top
Last stop of the day is St. Moritz, host to the 1928 and 1948 Winter Olympics. Checked into Hotel Bären for the next two nights.
Charming hotel with an alpine atmosphere…
Day 3 – St. Moritz
Today is a day of leisure on our tour. Our tour guide suggested that we check out two different Alps in the nearby vicinity. Hopped on a bus (Number 2) at the bus stop right outside of our hotel. First stop was at the bus stop, Punt Muragl Talstation. Then we took the funicular up to Muottas Muragl. The views were awesome.
Entrance to Funicular
Top of Muottas Muragl – 8,058 ft.
Back on the Number 2 Bus again to the bus stop, Pontresina Bahnhof. Then boarded a train in the direction of Tirano to the train stop, Bernina Diavolezza. Now it’s time for a cable car ride to the top of Diavolezza, the she-devil. What a contrast between the two Alps!
Elevation – 9,770 ft.
All snow up here. Windy and cold, too!
Back on the train in the direction of St. Moritz and got off at the train station in town. Took the Number 3 bus into the center of town and had lunch at the Hauser Restaurant. Enjoyed an excellent lunch consisting of a Hauser Plättli snack tray – local salami, two regional mountain cheeses, and homemade pear bread. Also enjoyed a Ciabotta Crudo. – filled with cep cream, parma ham, ricola and Swiss cheese. Yum! Back to the hotel on the Number 6 bus.
Day 4 – St. Moritz – Bernina Express Train to Tirano, Italy – Lugano, Switzerland
After a slight delay for electrical problems, we rode on the Bernina Express. Lovely views along the Bernina Pass ending in Tirano in the Italian Valtellina in the Lombardy region of northern Italy. The stop at Alp Grum was amazing! Our tour group will always remember this stop!!
The Bernina Express train – bur it makes stops!
Along the Bernina Pass
View from Alp Grum
View from Alp Grum
After a lunch of pizza and wine, we headed to Lake Como in the Lombardy region of northern Italy. The lake is shaped like an upside down Y. Alas, no sign of George…
Overlooking Lake Como and a view of the island, Bellagio
Picturesque Lake Como
Lake Como
Lake Como
Headed back into Switzerland to spend the night in Lugano. A boat cruise on Lake Lugano and a dinner excursion completed the evening. Fortunately, we were inside when the skies opened up and heavy downpours occurred.
If it’s Tuesday, this must be Lugano!
Day 5 – Lugano – Lake Maggiore – Täsch – Zermatt
Left Lugano this morning and headed back to Italy to Lake Maggiore. Took a boat ride to Isola Bella for an excursion to the Palazzo (palace) Borromeo.
On the way to Isola Bella
Overlooking Lake Maggiore from the palace at Isola Bella
The palace and gardens are beautiful – especially the white peacocks!
Miniature replica of the palace
Palace was built in the seventeenth century
Inside the Grotto
Looking out to the gardens
Old Camphor Tree in Gardens
One of the White Peacocks showing his stuff
In the gardens of the palace
View of Lake Maggiore from the palace
After the palace visit and lunch at Caffé Lago on Isola Bella, we took the boat back to the town of Stresa and boarded our bus again. Heading back to Switzerland via the Simplon Pass.
On the Simplon Pass
Simplon Pass
Simplon Pass
Stopped in Täsch to board a train for a fifteen minute ride to car-free Zermatt for our overnight stay.
Täsch Train Station waiting to catch the train to Zermatt
Best Western Butterfly in Zermatt – wonderful alpine feel
Main street in Zermatt – no cars, but lots of open air trucks used to cart the luggage to the hotels
Day 6 – Zermatt – Lausanne Area
Today was the highlight of our tour. Fortunately, we were blessed with a crystal clear blue sky day! We took a short walk from our hotel to board the cogwheel train from Zermatt to Gornergrat. The ride takes about 30 minutes. The Gornergrat ridge provides one of the most gorgeous panoramas of the Swiss Alps with a view of the Matterhorn.
As we ascended, there were very scenic views. Suddenly, the Matterhorn appeared through the clouds!
Overlooking Zermatt on the ascent to Gornergrat
Peeking through the clouds!
One of the train stops on the ascent to Gornergrat
And then we arrived at one of the most jaw dropping, spectacular sights that I have ever witnessed. The Matterhorn in all of its splendor!
End of the line in Gornergrat
Viewing the Matterhorn from Gornergrat
Gornergrat – 10,138 ft. — Matterhorn – 14,692 ft.
Definitely taller than The Matterhorn at Disney Land!
Panoramic View of the Alps
Anyone up for Paragliding???
Headed back down the mountain to Zermatt and had lunch at The Swiss Chalet. Of course, we had cheese fondue!
Remember our avocado and harvest gold fondue sets from the 1970s?
After lunch, we boarded the train back to Täsch and then hopped back on the bus to head to Lausanne for a two night stay.
Day 7 – Geneva – Lausanne
Took an optional excursion to Geneva this morning. Saw the United Nations Building, the Broken Chair, the Jet Stream, and the Reformation Wall Monument.
United Nations Office
Broken Chair
Jet Stream
Reformation Wall Monument
Lunch at Au Grand Chalet in Geneva. Then back to Lausanne for some shopping.
Day 9 – Lausanna Area – Gruyéres – Berne – Interlaken – Lucerne Area
Lots of stops today…
-
A cheese factory in Gruyéres and a stop in the picturesque village
-
Berne, the capital of Switzerland, to see the landmark Zytglogge (clock tower)
-
Interlaken, the renowned resort
-
Lucerne
Touring the Cheese Factory
Picturesque Gruyéres
Picturesque Gruyéres
Our Tour Group Photo taken in the Town Square of Gruyéres
Clock Tower in Berne
Clever artwork in Interlaken
Lion Monument in Lucerne
Day 9 – Lucerne Area – Zurich
Some free time this morning to explore Lucerne. Then a late morning excursion to the Stanserhorn mountain. We had to take a funiculaire and a rooftop deck open-air cable car to get to the top. Unfortunately, it was a cloudy day and the views weren’t as spectacular as we were hoping. However, the clouds diminished on our descent.
Boarding the Funiculaire for the Stanserhof – 6,227 ft.
World’s first CabriO Open Air Cable Car
View on the descent
Back to Lucerne for some free time, shopping, and lunch.
Lucerne
Chapel Bridge – Lucerne
Lake Lucerne