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Day 1: Zurich
Accommodation: 5 Star Dolder Grand Hotel, Zurich
Check in to the The Dolder Grand Hotel overlooking Zurich and spend an afternoon enjoying a spa treatment, strolling the Lake Zurich lakefront, or exploring the historic old town and famous shopping promenade of Bahnhofstrasse along the way.
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Day 2: Zurich to St Moritz via Fluela Pass
Accommodation: 5 Star Suvretta House, St. Moritz
We’ll deliver your car to The Dolder Grand and after a vehicle walk-through, we’ll hand you the keys and your journey begins. The route begins with a drive along the northern shore of Lake Zurich and on to Walensee, where after a short break the elevation starts to climb on the way to the Rhaetian Alps and the famous alpine town of Davos.
Leaving Davos, the scenery quickly changes as you climb the flowing bends of what is consistently rated as one of the great drives of Switzerland, Fluela Pass. Once across the pass carve your way along the western side of Fluela as sweeping bends cling to the sides of the valleys heading into the charming village of Zernez. From here you’ll make your way to St Moritz along the Engadine valley, flanked by snowcapped mountains on either side, while the turquoise Inn River flows by alongside the road.
After a memorable day of alpine driving and scenery, it’s time to put your feet up and relax in the 20,000 square foot spa (1,700 square metre) of the opulent, castle-like Suvretta House overlooking the shores of Lake Silvaplaner and surrounding Alps.
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Day3: St Moritz loop via Stelvio, Ofen & Bernina Passes (Optional)
Accommodation: 5 Star Suvretta House, St. Moritz
Today you can sit back and enjoy the facilities of Suvretta House and high-end gastronomy and shopping on offer in St. Moritz, or you can take our optional drive to the iconic Stelvio Pass. If you like to keep busy while you tour, you can easily do both. For those keen to drive, read on.
Our loop will do a quick double back over the final stretch of road you came in on yesterday, and then divert to Ofen Pass in the Swiss National Park. From here you’ll cross into Italy and lunch in the square of a charismatic, walled medieval village.
Driving on you’ll shortly arrive at the base of eastern ramp of the one and only Stelvio Pass. This famous ribbon of road is one of motoring’s must dos. After you’ve conquered the iconic switchbacks, spend some time soaking up the carnival atmosphere at the pass itself, then venture down the more modern, and arguably more driver oriented, western side of Stelvio.
Following on from Stelvio, you can enjoy the less demanding but equally scenic sweeping mountain roads and landscapes on the route to the alpine tax haven town of Livigno. Once you’ve stocked-up on bargains, take a turn south into Switzerland and follow the UNESCO World Heritage listed Bernina Express train route across the lakes and peaks of Bernina Pass, From here, it’s a short drive past the Monteratsch Glacier to St Moritz and back to Suvretta House.
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Day 4: St Moritz to Andermatt via Julier Pass
Accommodation: 5 Star The Chedi, Andermatt
Soon after leaving Suvretta House is the silky-smooth tarmac and rugged scenery of Julier Pass. This beautifully maintained road is an easy, yet rewarding drive and a great way to start the day.
Making your way off Julier, we have a couple of stops to take in some of the regions unique historic and cultural attractions before stopping for lunch. Now our default stop is a lovely restaurant overlooking the Alps, however, for those are serious about their fine dining, there is a rare Michelin 3 starred restaurant in a restored castle that we highly recommend (NB: advance booking required).
The afternoon drive will see you driving through the Rhine Valley before making your up the sinewy Oberalp Pass and onto the downward run with it’s panoramic views over the Bernese Alps and Andermatt, your base for the next 2 nights.
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Day 5: 'The Big 3' loop via Furka, Grimsel & Susten Passes
Accommodation: 5 Star The Chedi, Andermatt
By now you’d have had a good chance to bask in the luxury of the Chedi, but hopefully this isn’t enough to change your mind about today’s scheduled driving. Having said that, if a day in the spa is your preference, then you’re definitely in the right hotel.
For those keen on some more touring, now the serious driving begins as the first of the Big 3 beckons. Susten Pass was purpose built for the touring driver, and yes, it shows. The glacial views, perfect tarmac and the sublime rhythm of this road make it an experience to remember.
After a short trip through some classic Swiss pastural land, you’ll arrive at the beginning of the exquisite climb up to Grimsel Pass. This is without doubt one of the finest stretches of road in the Alps, with sweepers and hairpins broken up by flowing kinks.
The panoramic drive down the eastern side of Grimsel leads to the iconic Furka Pass, as featured in the James Bond movie Goldfinger (who could forget that Aston Martin vs Mustang scene?). It’s worth taking a break at the top of the pass to walk the tunnel carved inside the Rhone Glacier before descending the eastern ramp road back into Andermatt and The Chedi.
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Day 6: Andermatt to Zermatt via San Gotthard & Nufenen Passes
Accommodation: 5 Star Mont Cervin Palace, Zermatt
Wake up to the peaks surrounding Andermatt and prepare for another day of spectacular Swiss mountain scenery and driving some of the best roads on earth.
After enjoying the Chedi’s delicious breakfast spread, you’ll navigate the old San Gotthard Pass Road. This is one of the more unique and often less trafficked driving roads in the Alps. From San Gotthard the route links up with the lesser known (but near perfect) Nufenen Pass which at just under 2500 metres, is the highest of the 5 passes surrounding Andermatt.
Following lunch in one of the more unique restaurants on route, you will arrive in the town of Tasch and park your car in the secure parking lot alongside the platform where you’ll board the regular train that will take you the last part of the way to the car-free town of Zermatt (15-minute ride). On arrival in Zermatt you will be picked up at the station by one of the team from the Mont Cervin Palace and ‘driven’ to the hotel, which is located in the heart of this most Swiss of towns.
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Day 7: Zermatt
Accommodation: 5 Star Mont Cervin Palace, Zermatt
With no driving on the agenda, the day is yours to enjoy the Mont Cervin and it’s facilities, wander the town and sample it’s many bars and plethora of dining options, or explore the mountains surrounding the town.
Zermatt’s claim to fame is as the home of The Matterhorn, and there are views to be had all around the town. But, if you really want to get the best vistas of this unique mountain, a trip up the high-speed gondolas to the Matterhorn Glacier Paradise is the ideal option. For keen skiers, there’s glacier skiing available at the complex right across the summer months!
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Day 8: Zermatt to Lausanne via Chateau Chillon
Accommodation: 5 Star The Royal Savoy, Lausanne
Descending from the Alps, the driving today is a little more straightforward. After leaving Zermatt on the train and reuniting with your car, the route will take you to an alpine lake with a difference, before continuing to the shores of Lake Geneva and the most visited historic building in Switzerland, Chateau Chillon. A short drive from Chillon is a Montreux, home to the world’s biggest Jazz festival and one of the most scenic lakeside promenades in Switzerland.
The remainder of the journey to Lausanne is a relaxing stint, but not one you’ll forget in a hurry. Perched above the northern shore of Lac Leman, the vistas from the road across the lake to the Swiss and French Alps on the far shore are some of the most stunning panoramas Switzerland has to offer.
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Day 9: Lake Geneva
Accommodation: 5 Star The Royal Savoy, Lausanne
The Lake Geneva ‘Riviera’ has the warmest and driest micro-climate in Switzerland, so for those eager to explore the area around the lake today, there are many, many options. Activities include a ride to Geneva or other towns on the Swiss side of the lake on the restored Epoque Belle ferries, exploring the UNESCO listed terraced vineyards of Levaux, the Charlie Chaplin Museum, and the Old Town and Olympic Museum in Lausanne.
Should you wish to have a structured itinerary for your time at the lake, we will happily customise one for suit you and your travelling companions.
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Day 10: Lausanne to Luzern via Gruyeres
Accommodation: 5 Star The Schweizerhof, Luzern
Driving north from Lac Lemon the day’s first stop is the medieval hillside hamlet of Gruyeres. This walled village has a surprising number of highlights on offer, including its namesake castle and stunning gardens, chocolate makers, cheese shops and the notorious HR Giger Museum and it’s equally unusual café/bar.
Close by the walled village of Gruyeres is the factory producing the area’s namesake cheese that’s open for tours daily, as is the nearby Callier chocolate factory.
Leaving Gruyeres, the road once again takes on a more driver-oriented character, winding over the picturesque Jaun Pass to Lake Thun and on to the postcard pretty Lauterbrunnen and the Valley of the 72 Waterfalls.
The final drive of the afternoon will see you arrive on the shores of the dramatic Lake Luzern where you can spend your evening wandering the captivating Old Town and the bustling promenade alongside the Reuss River and the famously photogenic Chapel Bridge.
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Day 11; Luzern to Zurich via Walensee
Accommodation: 5 Star Dolder Grand Hotel, Zurich
Because it’s your final day behind the wheel, we’re going to take the scenic route back to Zurich. An initial drive along the southern shore of Lake Luzern will lead to one last alpine drive, and this one, with its mountainside hugging flow, is a fitting finale.
Take a well-earned break after the morning drive in the relaxing restaurant terrace perched on the hillside overlooking Walensee. The views from up here are something to savour, and we highly recommend you admire the outlook while indulging in at least one scoop of the superb locally produced ice-cream.
The day’s journey will end with a relaxed drive along the northern shore of Lake Zurich and on to the Dolder Grand where one of our team will meet you to collect your car. The evening is yours to enjoy in the Dolder’s 2 starred signature fine dining restaurant, or perhaps you want to explore more of Zurich and its lakeside.
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Day 12: Zurich
The day is yours to enjoy. Head back to the old town to take in the centuries of sights before leaving Zurich, or stay in and indulge in the Dolder Grand’s spa area.
If you wish to continue your time in Switzerland or beyond, let us know and we’ll customise an extension to your Swiss experience.
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If you wish to continue your time in Switzerland, let us know and we’ll customise an extension to your Swiss experience.
