Universal Travel presents…
                            Scott and Sheila's Tour of Switzerland
                                         A Musical - Comedy Tour     
                                    August 30 – September 11, 2025
                                          
HIGHLIGHTS… 
Zurich, Glacier Express Train, Zermatt, Lake Maggiore, Borromeo Palace, Choice on Tour: Villa Taranto or Pallanza Art Museum, Island Dinner, Bernina Express Train, St. Moritz, Lucerne, Mount Pilatus

13 Days ● 16 Meals: 11 Breakfasts, 1 Lunches, 4 Dinners

ITINERARY AT A CLANGE
  

Day 1  Overnight Flight

Days 2 - 3   Hotel Krone Unterstrass, Zurich 

Days 4 - 5  Hotel Alex, Zermatt

Days 6 – 8 Zacchera Hotels, Lake Maggiore 

Day 9 Hotel Steffani, St. Moritz

Days 10– 12 Radisson Blu Hotel, Lucerne, Lucerne

On some dates alternate hotels may be used.
 

Day 1: Sturday, August 30, 2025 Overnight Flight

Breathtaking Alpine vistas await as you travel through Switzerland and Italy. Experience dramatic views aboard railways and lake cruises while enjoying cultural experiences in charming villages.

Day 2: Sunday, August 31, 2025 Arrive Zurich, Switzerland

Your tourbegins today in Switzerland’s largest city – Zurich. Enjoy time to get to know the place where your journey begins.

Day 3: Monday, September 1, 2025 Zurich

Enjoy some free time exploring its charming Old Town or one of its many museums on your own. This evening, get to know your fellow travellers over a welcome dinner. (B, D)

Day 4: Tuesday, September 2, 2025 Zurich - Andermatt - Zermatt

Say “good morning” to Zurich with a walking tour of the city. A local guide will teach you the city’s history and make a few sweet stops along the way. Learn the history behind the chocolate shops and taste some delicacies for yourself. Treat your taste buds to even more flavours of Zurich with free time for lunch on your own. After that, it’s all aboard! You’re off to Andermatt to experience the world-renowned Glacier Express train. Natural backdrops of the Swiss Alps, thick forests, gurgling streams, and deep valleys bring this mountain dream to life. Complete your day in the unique, car-less village of Zermatt. (B, D)

Day 5: Wednesday, September 3, 2025 Zermatt

Start your morning with a Tour Manager-led walk to get familiar with the quaint mountain village of Zermatt. With free time for the rest of the day, let your curiosity get the best of you while uncovering history in the Matterhorn Museum. Perhaps your adventurous side will bring you on the Gornergrat Railway to experience elevated views of the Matterhorn. (B)

Day 6: Thursday, September 4, 2025 Zermatt - Lake Maggiore, Italy

Take on the day as you depart Zermatt and head towards Italy. Enjoy scenic mountain views on a drive through the Simplon Pass, used for centuries as a main trading route between northern Italy and Switzerland. Learn how Napoleon used the Simplon Pass to cross the Alps into Italy and gain control of Milan and Venice. Soak in spectacular views travelling through Val di’ Ossola and visit a local family-owned cow farm. Meet the owners and learn about life on the farm, and their family business before enjoying some of their home-made products over lunch.

Continue to a tranquil resort area with crystal clear waters set against the backdrop of the Alps, known as Lake Maggiore. Take time this afternoon to stroll the cobbled streets of Stresa. Long- favored by European aristocracy because of its blend of elegance, Stresa has inspired artists and writers since the late 1800s. As the day draws to a close, settle in for a 3-night stay at your hotel. (B, L)

Day 7: Friday, September 5, 2025 Lake Maggiore

The entire day is yours. You might want to soak up the sun along the waterfront, relax in an outdoor café, or head out on the waves by boat. Perhaps you’ll take an optional tour to picture-perfect Lake Orta – a hidden gem surrounded by romantic villages and filled with quaint islands. As the evening approaches, board a private boat for a cruise to Isola dei Pescatori. On the island, toast to your Italian experiences during dinner at a local restaurant. (B, D)

Day 8: Saturday, September 6, 2025 Lake Maggiore

Today, explore the twin towns of Verbania and Pallanza where it’s your choice! In Verbania, wander through the enchanted gardens of Villa Taranto. Among the dreamy landscapes and captivating reflections are mysterious flowers from the farthest corners of the world -OR- visit Pallanza and tour the Troubetzkoy statuary collection housed in the town’s museum, Museo del Paesaggio.

This afternoon, set sail to Isola Bella – known as the “beautiful island.” With an expert guide beside you, journey into the Borromeo Palace – a lakeside Baroque beauty adorned with an exotic garden. (B)

Day 9: Sunday, September 7, 2025 Lake Maggiore - St. Moritz, Switzerland

Experience sweeping coastal views on your drive along the picturesque shores of Lake Como during your full morning bus transfer to Tirano. Enjoy free time and lunch in this charming town before travelling along one of the world’s most scenic railways. Take a journey through the Bernina Express en route to St. Moritz, Switzerland. Witness the striking landscapes of the Swiss Alps throughout your voyage – including the famed Morteratsch Glacier. Make your final stop in St. Moritz and enjoy the evening at leisure to relax or stroll the lakeside boulevard. (B)

Day 10: Monday, September 8, 2025 St. Moritz - Lucerne

Slow and steady wins the race today. Enjoy a leisurely start in St. Moritz before heading to Lucerne, the “Swiss Paradise on the Lake.” Follow the ancient pathways of the city on a walking tour through an Altstadt (Old Town), passing through the covered 14th-century Chapel Bridge. Along the way, see the famous Water Tower that once served as a prison. Pause at the renowned Lion Monument, carved from sandstone to commemorate heroic soldiers. The evening is yours to relax or explore. (B)

Day 11: Tuesday, September 9, 2025 Lucerne

Today, enjoy the splendour of pure nature while gliding over a clear landscape in panoramic gondolas and spectacular cable cars. Ascend Pilatus* on a unique excursion along the steepest railway in the world. From the top, soak in the magnificent Alpine views from 7,000 ft. above sea level. Enjoy leisure time at the summit, where you can stroll the walkway for new vantage points. Venture back down the mountain by panoramic gondola for another bird’s eye view. Gather tonight for a farewell dinner featuring Swiss specialties. (B, D)

  Day 12: Wednesday, September 10, 2025 Lucerne

Take advantage of seeing more on your own. (B)

 Day 13: Thursday, September 11, 2025 Lucerne - Tour Ends

Your time on tour comes to a close today, but there’s more of the world to see. Now it’s off to make new memories. (B)

PLEASE NOTE:

The overall activity level of this tour is a level 2. This means you like a balanced approach to travel. Walking two to three miles over the course of a day is no problem for you. You can partake in a two-hour leisurely walking tour, covering up to two miles (with included breaks). You can handle a variety of terrains, from cobblestone streets to moderate hills with relative ease and without assistance. You can climb two flights of stairs with ease. There may be 1 to 2 days on this tour when walking tours can cover 3 to 4 miles over uneven terrain. Expect some full days balanced with free time to recharge or set out on your own adventure. You can handle altitudes up to 6,000 feet. While this level is appropriate for travellers that require mobility assistance devices, there could be times when you may have to sit out on some of the included activities.

Travel with an average of 37 people (maximum of 44).

 If you require any special assistance while on tour, please make us aware at time of reservation so the necessary request form can be sent to your attention.

On the last tour day, you will have an included experience at Mount Pilatus that reaches heights of 6,800 feet.

On the days you travel to a new city to overnight, you will likely have an early morning start time and evening arrival due to the distances travelled and stops along the way.

The days and order of sightseeing may change to best utilize your time on tour.

Zacchera Hotels is a hotel chain in Lake Maggiore. The exact hotel to be used will be available 15 days prior to the tour departure date.

Single accommodations are limited and are available on a first come, first served basis. Single rate subject to change based on availability. Triple rooms are not available.

*On some departures, the cogwheel train may be unavailable, and both the ascent and descent will be by panorama gondolas and aerial cableway.

PROOF OF CITIZENSHIP: PASSPORTS AND VISAS

Documentation is required by foreign governments for all trips outside Canada. You should visit Global Affairs Canada at https://travel.gc.ca/ for general information about passports and visa requirements. Some countries require a visa in addition to a valid passport for entry, so it is important that you check with the appropriate foreign consulate or embassy for specific entry requirements and details you need to know regarding how and when to obtain the visa. Please remember the possession of valid passports and necessary visas are the responsibility of each client/passenger. If you would like assistance in ensuring you have the proper visa(s) for your trip outside of Canada, we would be happy to refer you to a company that can assist you.

INSURANCE

When travelling outside Canada, health,cancellation and trip interruption insurance is required. Contact your booking agent for more details.

TRAVEL CONDITIONS

There may be different living standards and practices and different standards and conditions with respect to the provision of services and accommodations outside of Canada.

Effective for travel in May 2025, all visitors who do not need a visa to enter Europe will be expected to apply for an ETIAS visa waiver, for a fee, when visiting a Schengen Area Country. To identify Schengen Area Countries and to complete the ETIAS application, please visit https://www.etiasvisa.com/

Deposits:

First Non-Refundable Deposit:

A $4500.00 CAD per person non-refundable deposit is required for reservations at time of booking. There must be a minimum of 30 people to be a private & escorted departure anything below this would result in cancellation of the tour. 

Final Non-Refundable Payment:

Final Payment is due May 25 2025 (130 days) prior to departure. Bookings made and accepted within 130 days of departure is payable in full at the time of booking.

Failure to comply with these requirements will result in automatic cancellation of reservations and forfeiture of deposits. 

Cancellation Penalties: 

All cancellations are 100% non-refundable from the time of initial deposit. Any cancellations must be made in writing to Universal Travel. 

Methods of Payment:

Mastercard, Visa, Certified Check, Bank Draft or Money Order are all acceptable forms of payment for your Greece Tour. Check or money order should be made payable to "Universal Travel”.

Additional Information:

The itinerary is based on scheduled flights, the airlines can change or modify without notice, Hotel check in are for the most part 3:00pm onwards and Hotel check out is usually 11:00am. This may vary depending on each hotel. The order of the touring may vary at the time of operation and certain areas may be substituted without notice. Canadians must present a valid passport and must be valid for at least 6 months after your return date back to Canada. 

Currency and Price Fluctuations:

Should there be considerable currency fluctuations, we reserve the right to adjust your

costings accordingly.  In calculating your tour cost, we have used the current exchange. 

rate(s), valid on the date of advertising this tour. The exchange rate(s) will be monitored.

closely prior to departure of the tour. We will advise you of any increases. Should there be 

any additional fuel surcharges by our Suppliers we reserve the right to add this to the cost

of the tour package.

Insurance and Documentation:

Please ensure you have proper travel insurance in place to adequately protect your 

investment from time of initial deposit. Normally air tickets and travel documents are issued

30 days prior to departure which will be done at our get together. Passport copies, client

information form and credit card authorization are required at time of initial booking.

Package is not confirmed until this information is provided at time of booking. 

Per Person Rates^*:

Double $8,995 CAD 

Single $11,995 CAD 

Included in Price:

Meet & Greet:

• Approximately 30 days prior to departure we will have a meet and greet afternoon tea to go over documentation and meet your fellow travellers.

Flights :

•  From St. John’s to Zurich (return) in economy- Lowest basic fare class.   

Accommodations :

• 11 nights in 4-stars hotels, breakfast included. (Please note hotels listed may change without notice).

Meals:

• 11 breakfasts
• 1 lunches
• 4 Dinners

Visits:

• As listed in itinerary.

Other:

• English-speaking tour guide.
• Entrance fees were listed in itinerary.
• Personal earbuds for the duration of the tour.
  
  
  Not included in price: 
  
  • Meals & Beverages not stated in itinerary.
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• •Tour Director/ Driver Gratuities (Required $275.00 CAD, due at final payment in addition to tour cost).
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• •Single Room Supplement.
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• • Tourist Tax paid directly to hotels - IMPORTANT NOTICE!! A new tax will apply from January 2023 on all hotels paid on the spot upon guest’s arrival. Tax per night/ per room 0.50 cents-4 euros depending on the hotel’s category.

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• • Luggage/Porterage
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• • Gratuities for Local Guides (Varies at discretion).
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• •Travel Insurance (Medical, Trip Interruption, Cancellation, etc.).
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• • Any personal expenses such baggage charge, excess baggage fees, airline seat   assignment, phone bills, postage, laundry, beverages, maid, etc.
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• • All extras not listed in this itinerary.

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• ** Rates arebased on a minimum of 38 travelers in your group.

• * All Rates are Per Person and are subject to change, based on air inclusive package from YYT

•