Switzerland, the Matterhorn and the Glacier Express

Seven nights from only £1,119 per person

Selected departures from August to October 2012

Spectacular mountain scenery … the iconic and unmistakeable Matterhorn … dramatic rides on railways, chair lifts and cable cars … awe-inspiring views of glaciers and summits … gentle valley slopes and lush meadows disturbed only by cowbells and chalets … this is Switzerland at its most wonderful. And you’ll enjoy the very best that this unique country has to offer during eight remarkable days that will stay with you forever.

Switzerland is world famous for its cleanliness, its clockwork efficiency and its welcoming, friendly people – as well of course as for its astonishingly beautiful Alpine landscapes. But this tour also takes us into the seductive arms of Italy ... to Lake Maggiore, and the charming lakeside resort of Stresa, where you can walk in the footsteps of Europe’s 19th century aristocracy who first crossed the border to experience their first taste of Italy in the days of the ‘Grand Tour’.

You’ll have so much to look forward to on this spectacular tour, so much to take in and enjoy. And as always with Riviera tours, we aim to create the perfect balance between organised visits in the experienced hands of our knowledgeable guides, and free time for you to choose what you want to do and explore at your leisure.

There’s little to compare anywhere in the world with the mighty Matterhorn – the ultimate Alpine peak and Swiss national symbol. You can admire it from a quiet café or a horse-drawn carriage in the little town of Zermatt – or get up close if you take the dramatic cog railway to the Gornergrat at over 10,000 feet. A gentler train ride on the Centovalli Railway carries you through a “hundred valleys”, with deep ravines, chestnut forests and tiny villages all around you. A private launch will take you on an unforgettable cruise over the shimmering Lake Maggiore. The legendary ‘Glacier Express’ will transport you 120 kilometres past stunning mountain scenery, waterfalls, ravines and rivers. But many visitors will also relish just as much the chance to stroll along lakeside and wooded footpaths, or relax in worldfamous Klosters ... the ski playground of royalty.

Fully escorted price includes:

• Return scheduled flights
• Seven nights’ accommodation in three and four-star hotels with breakfast and dinner
• Visit Zermatt and the iconic Matterhorn, probably the world’s most instantly recognisable peak
• Travel on the breathtaking Glacier Express, one of the world’s greatest travel experiences
• Enjoy a trip on the Bernina Express, another world-class railway journey
• Visit Montreux on the shores of Lake Geneva, known as the ‘Swiss Riviera’
• Travel on the charming Centovalli railway, across a ‘hundred scenic valley’s’ to Locarno
• Cross Italy’s fabulous Lake Maggiore by private launch visiting delightful Stresa
• Stay in the picturesque Swiss alpine village of Klosters
• Escorted throughout by our experienced tour manager

Terms and conditions:

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Prices are per person, based on two sharing and subject to availability. Operated by Riviera Travel Atol 3430 protected, Abta V4744, a company independent of Independent Print Ltd. Single rooms are subject to availability and at a supplement. Optional insurance available at a supplement. When you respond to offers we may use your information to contact you with offers/services that we believe will be of interest. Please give your mobile or email details if you wish to receive offers by sms or email. We will not give your data to other companies without your permission; please let us know if you are happy for us to to so. Prices are correct at the time of publishing. Please call or email for details. 0844 calls charged at 5ppm from BT landlines

Supplier info: Riviera Travel

Since their inception 25 years ago, Riviera Travel have endeavoured to exceed the expectations of the discerning traveller, on their fascinating and innovative European and Worldwide escorted tours.

They have passion for quality and looking after all their guests in the most personal manner possible and really ‘go the extra mile'. Over the years they have received many commendations from many household names in the publishing industry. They have recently been voted by the members of one of the country's most respected consumer organisations in their biannual survey of travel companies, as one of the UK's top two Tour Operators and the most outstanding of all in terms of value for money - by some considerable margin.

Riviera Travel offers European and Worldwide Escorted Tours by Eurostar and by Air.

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Call: 0844 571 1980

Offer Code: The Independent website

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independent@rivieratravel.co.uk