Swiss Mountains and Italian Lakes A Journey by Rail

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ITINERARYDay 1 Welcome to SwitzerlandDay 2 Glacier ParadiseDay 3 The Peaks of ZermattDay 4 All Aboard the Glacier ExpressDay 5 Pontresina and St. MoritzDay 6 The Bernina ExpressDay 7 Bellinzona’s CastelgrandeDay 8 The Hundred Valleys to LocarnoDay 9 Jewels of Lake MaggioreDay 10 Ciao, Italia

Enjoy the highlights of Swiss and Italian scenery in style on this 10-day

journey by rail that carries you from the peaks of the Alps to the

island-dotted waters of Lake Maggiore. Board your first train in Zürich

for a picturesque ascent into the mountains of Zermatt. Explore this

quaint mountain town, and ride cable cars high into the peaks to the

dramatic Matterhorn Glacier Paradise for unparalleled views of the sur-

rounding mountain ranges. From Zermatt, journey east to Pontresina

on the iconic Glacier Express. Spend several days here in the canton of

Graubünden, venturing out to the towns of St. Moritz and Tirano, just

across the border in Italy. Continue south to Bellinzona, and come to

rest along the shores of Lake Maggiore in Stresa. The final days of the

trip are spent enjoying lakeside Locarno and the charming Borromean

Islands. Swiss hospitality and Italian dolce vita come together in this

unforgettable trip.

Swiss Mountains and Italian LakesA Journey by Rail

3Call 855-890-5298 or visit LATexpeditions.com

DAY 1 Welcome to SwitzerlandArrive at Zürich Airport. Meet with fellow passengers, and board your first Swiss train for a ride to Zermatt, in the canton of Valais. This mountain town was nearly unknown until the mid-1800s, when adventurous climbers seeking to conquer the peak of the Matterhorn made it a popular destination. Arrive in Zermatt and check in to your hotel. Enjoy a welcome reception this evening, followed by dinner. (R, D)

DAY 2 Glacier ParadiseBegin today with a walking tour of Zermatt. This car-free town is a bustling ski destination in winter but in summer attracts hikers and those seeking the unrivaled views the mountain peaks offer. Board one of Zermatt’s iconic red cable cars and ascend to Matterhorn Glacier Paradise, at 12,740 feet Europe’s highest cable car station. Ride back down the mountain to Schwarzsee for a leisurely hike, then continue by cable car back to Zermatt. (B)

DAY 3 The Peaks of Zermatt Return to the peaks today. Board a train on the Gornergrat Bahn, Europe’s second-highest railway. At the end of the line, take in a picturesque view of the Matterhorn in the distance. Descend again to Riffelberg for a short hike and views of more than a dozen nearby peaks. Back in town, pay a visit to the Matterhorn Museum, which recounts the history of the first dramatic attempts to conquer the mountain. Dinner will be at leisure. (B)

DAY 4 All Aboard the Glacier Express Rise early today to catch one of Switzerland’s most famous trains, the Glacier Express. Its eight-hour journey offers spectacular views as you pass through three cantons (Valais, Uri and Graubünden). Enjoy an onboard three-course lunch, accompanied by wine. Arrive at the end of the line in St. Moritz, then make a short transfer to your hotel in the mountain village of Pontresina — renowned for its Belle Epoque hotels. Check in to the Sporthotel Pontresina, and have dinner as a group. (B, L, D)

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DAY 5 Pontresina and St. MoritzStroll through Pontresina on a walking tour this morning, then visit a local museum on a private guided tour. Your stay includes a pass that provides access to all public transportation in the area — the afternoon is yours to explore. (B)

DAY 6 The Bernina ExpressToday includes another iconic Swiss train, the Bernina Express. This sightseeing train runs along the Rhaetian Railway, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Travel to the town of Tirano, just over the border in Italy. Explore Tirano on a guided walking tour before returning to Pontresina for the evening. (B)

DAY 7 Bellinzona’s Castelgrande Depart Pontresina this morning by private coach to head south toward Italy’s lake region. Stop in Bellinzona for

lunch, then explore the UNESCO World Heritage site of Castelgrande. The site of Castelgrande has been fortified for more than 2,000 years, although the human presence there dates back to the Neolithic. Continue to the town of Stresa, bordering Lake Maggiore, and check in to your hotel. (B, L)

DAY 8 The Hundred Valleys to Locarno Take the Centovalli Express today. Board the train in Domodossola, and pass through the Centovalli — whose name means “the hundred valleys” — to picturesque Locarno. Along the way, you’ll pass by waterfalls and over steep viaducts on the narrow-gauge railway. In Locarno, a guide will lead the group on a walking tour of the city’s highlights. Although Locarno is part of the Swiss canton of Ticino, Italian is the primary language, and Italy’s influence is apparent. At the end of your visit, board a local ferry for a boat ride back to Stresa. (B)

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DAY 9 Jewels of Lake Maggiore Today is dedicated to two of Lake Maggiore’s famous Borromean Islands — Isola Bella and Isola Madre. Board a boat bound for Isola Bella, which is just a few hundred meters from shore. Until the 17th century, only a small fishing village occupied the island. Then members of the House of Borromeo — which still owns many of the Borromean Islands — began constructing summer palaces there. Visit an elegant palace and gardens, then continue to Isola Madre, the largest of the Borromean Islands, to stroll its lush botanical gardens. Return to Stresa for a farewell reception and dinner. (B, R ,D)

DAY 10 Ciao, ItaliaDepart the hotel early this morning by private coach to transfer to Milan-Malpensa airport for your flights home. (B)

The group will travel on Switzerland and Italy’s most famous railways. Trains include the Glacier Express, the Gornergrat Bahn (part of the Rhaetian Railway), the Bernina Express and Italy’s Centovalli Express. A block of comfortable, second-class seats will be reserved for the group.

EXPEDITION EXPERTSChris ErskineJuly Departure

Chris Erskine is a nationally known humor columnist and editor for the Los Angeles Times. He writes for the Sports, Travel and

Saturday sections and edits on the paper’s Features staff. As an editor, he has been a part of two Pulitzer Prize-winning teams at The Times (for his graphics work on the Northridge quake and the North Hollywood bank robbery). He is best known to readers for his weekly humor pieces on life in suburban Los Angeles. His latest book,

“Daditude,” released in 2018, is a collection of his favorite Times columns on fatherhood. He has written two other books, “Man of the House” and “Surviving Suburbia,” which reached the Los Angeles Times bestseller list. The Chicago native has also worked for papers in New Orleans and Miami.

Catherine HammAugust Departure

Catharine Hamm is the Travel editor for the Los Angeles Times. She was born in Syracuse, N.Y., to a peripatetic family whose

stops included Washington, D.C.; Honolulu; and Manila. Her varied media career has taken her from McPherson, Kan., to Kansas City, Mo., San Bernardino, Salinas and L.A. Hamm has twice received individual Lowell Thomas Awards, and the Travel section has been recognized seven times during her tenure as editor.

ACCOMMODATIONS

3 NIGHTS Hotel National The Hotel National is a four-star property in the center of Zermatt. Its beautifully remodeled guest rooms feature modern amenities. The hotel offers a restaurant, bar, fitness center, pool and exceptional hospitality. The hotel is a five-minute walk from Zermatt’s train station.

3 NIGHTS Sporthotel Pontresina The Sporthotel Pontresina is a family-owned hotel in the heart of the Engadine Valley. It offers a fitness center, sauna, spa and Turkish baths. There are two restaurants within the hotel that offer both international and local cuisine.

3 NIGHTS Grand Hotel Bristol The Grand Hotel Bristol sits on the shores of Lake Maggiore at the foot of the Alps. From its excellent location, guests can enjoy views of nearby Isola Bella. Formerly a noble residence, the Bristol has maintained its air of refinement coupled with modern amenities. Guests can enjoy manicured gardens, a large outdoor pool, an indoor pool and multiple hot tubs.

DATES PRICING SINGLE SUPPLEMENT DEPOSIT

July 1-10, 2019 $7,395 $925 $500Aug. 12-21, 2019 $7,395 $925 $500

DATES & PRICING

WHAT IS INCLUDEDComprehensive educational program by content experts and professional on-site guidesAll accommodations and meals as outlined in the itineraryAll ground transportation within the itinerary unless otherwise indicatedAll sightseeing as specified in the itineraryEntrance feesGratuities to porters, drivers and guides for all included arrangementsThe assistance of an ATA expedition manager for comprehensive logistical and customer service management on the expeditionWireless listening devicesThe assistance of an ATA professional travel team to assist with pre-trip questions, travel arrangements, including flights, extra hotel nights or other servicesComprehensive pre-departure information about the destination and what to expect on the expedition, including a suggested reading listTransfers to and from airports for those arriving or departing according to the designated itinerary (exceptions may apply)

WHAT IS NOT INCLUDEDU.S. domestic or international airfare or other transportation from your home to the departure point of the trip and from the end point of the trip to your homeTravel and trip cancellation insurancePassport, visa, airport departure and baggage feesMeals not specified in the itinerary, and food and beverages not part of the included mealsPersonal items such as telephone, fax and internet charges, laundry, room service and alcoholic or other beverages not specified as includedGratuities for non-group servicesExpenses you may incur resulting from delays due to bad weather, road conditions, sickness, government action and flight delaysExpenses incurred in making individual travel arrangements in conjunction with the trip, and sightseeing not included in the itinerary

LAND COSTPrices are listed in U.S. dollars and are based on a person sharing a room with another. Although we do our best to maintain the listed price, because our prices are set over a year in advance, we reserve the right to increase costs due to circumstances beyond our control, tariffs, taxes and VAT received after prices are published and to reflect fluctuations in foreign exchange markets. The land cost is based on a minimum number of guests as described on the trip page.

BOOK NOW 855-890-5298 LATexpeditions.com (Monday-Friday, 7 a.m. -5 p.m. PT)

See complete Terms and Conditions at LATexpeditions.com. The Los Angeles Times’ travel programs are managed by Academic Travel Abroad Inc. (ATA), a professional travel company hired as an independent contractor.