ABD/NGT June, 2024 Trip Report – Swiss Trains and the Italian Lake District

[WvT3rd]

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Part One

Foreword: Some of you may wonder why I’m posting this under Adventures by Disney. Well, that’s where we found it when we started planning this last year!

The Swiss Trains and the Italian Lake District was a ten-day tour guided by an Expedition Leader (read tour leader) and a National Geographic expert – in our case, a photographer with 30 years’ experience with National Geographic. As the itinerary was taking us to Areas of Switzerland I hadn’t travelled, riding on classic trains, I was looking forward to this. I was not to be disappointed!

Traveling party was me, Age 67 and my DGF. Both experienced travelers (in fact, part of my sordid work experience includes being a travel professional). If you’ve read any of my trip reports in the past, you’ll know they tend to be long. So, buckle your lap strap, and let’s get started!



Day -2 We departed on United Airlines (premium economy) from San Francisco (SFO) non-stop for Zurich.

Day-1 We land! And spend the next hour and a half trying to get our shuttle to the hotel we booked near the airport (the DGF had decided on the hotel. It was two stops by tram from the airport. But the website of the hotel boosted a free shuttle. The shuttle is third party who basically was in another city having a huge convention. One of the competing shuttles took pity on us and took us to the hotel

We were staying at the Dorint Airport–Hotel. A nice enough hotel, popular with tours. The Dorint is five stories plus the lobby level (or five stories European, Six stories American). It is shaped in an “X”, with a circle in the middle the short hallways with the elevator bank shoots off with. This means only a short walk to the elevators. Breakfast is an extra, but was included in our overnight stay. Otherwise, it was 30 Swiss francs per person. As it is near the Airport the planes can be seen and heard taking off/landing. Thankfully, not from inside.



We were still two hours before check-in once we arrived, so we placed our bags in storage and walked one and a half blocks to the nearest tram stop (when I say one and a half blocks is was basically three quarter of a block up, go to next street, one half block down.). Figuring out the ticket machine for the tram was fun, even if it offered an English translation, but we were soon on the number 10 tram, which took us on a one-hour tour through Zurich to the HauptBahnhof, aka main train station. As it was about one p.m. local time, we wandered around until we found a restaurant that we fancied the menu and had lunch.

By the time lunch was over (and very good it was) we walked back to the train station and stocked up on sodas for our night’s stay and tomorrow’s train ride, as well as a light snack for the night. We got back to the hotel, checked in, did light unpacking/moving things around, and slept.

Next, the official day one of our trip.

 

[WvT3rd]

​

View attachment 871537View attachment 871537


Part One

Foreword: Some of you may wonder why I’m posting this under Adventures by Disney. Well, that’s where we found it when we started planning this last year!

The Swiss Trains and the Italian Lake District was a ten-day tour guided by an Expedition Leader (read tour leader) and a National Geographic expert – in our case, a photographer with 30 years’ experience with National Geographic. As the itinerary was taking us to Areas of Switzerland I hadn’t travelled, riding on classic trains, I was looking forward to this. I was not to be disappointed!

Traveling party was me, Age 67 and my DGF. Both experienced travelers (in fact, part of my sordid work experience includes being a travel professional). If you’ve read any of my trip reports in the past, you’ll know they tend to be long. So, buckle your lap strap, and let’s get started!



Day -2 We departed on United Airlines (premium economy) from San Francisco (SFO) non-stop for Zurich.

Day-1 We land! And spend the next hour and a half trying to get our shuttle to the hotel we booked near the airport (the DGF had decided on the hotel. It was two stops by tram from the airport. But the website of the hotel boosted a free shuttle. The shuttle is third party who basically was in another city having a huge convention. One of the competing shuttles took pity on us and took us to the hotel

We were staying at the Dorint Airport–Hotel. A nice enough hotel, popular with tours. The Dorint is five stories plus the lobby level (or five stories European, Six stories American). It is shaped in an “X”, with a circle in the middle the short hallways with the elevator bank shoots off with. This means only a short walk to the elevators. Breakfast is an extra, but was included in our overnight stay. Otherwise, it was 30 Swiss francs per person. As it is near the Airport the planes can be seen and heard taking off/landing. Thankfully, not from inside.



We were still two hours before check-in once we arrived, so we placed our bags in storage and walked one and a half blocks to the nearest tram stop (when I say one and a half blocks is was basically three quarter of a block up, go to next street, one half block down.). Figuring out the ticket machine for the tram was fun, even if it offered an English translation, but we were soon on the number 10 tram, which took us on a one-hour tour through Zurich to the HauptBahnhof, aka main train station. As it was about one p.m. local time, we wandered around until we found a restaurant that we fancied the menu and had lunch.

By the time lunch was over (and very good it was) we walked back to the train station and stocked up on sodas for our night’s stay and tomorrow’s train ride, as well as a light snack for the night. We got back to the hotel, checked in, did light unpacking/moving things around, and slept.

Next, the official day one of our trip.

Day one!
Part Two – Day one, part one

The next morning we rose at about 8:30, repacked, and went to the restaurant for their buffet breakfast. Not a bad selection. DGF went back up while I checked on a shuttle to the airport. Guess what. Free from the airport, but going to the airport costs 5 Swiss francs EACH, and a reservation. I coughed up the dough and our time was 10:00.

We arrived at the Arrivals Terminal 2, and quickly found where we would be meeting at 11:15. We walked across the way to the Main terminal which was a combination of mall, train station, and check-in for flights. I picked up a Swiss knife, just in case I needed a screwdriver, and some more soda, and generally had a look around for a half hour before heading back to the meeting spot.

People were arriving who were on the tour. You could tell by the luggage strap, lol

The tour (or expedition, as National Geographic likes to call it) was limited to 25 people. We had 24, all adults, all over 30, all from the USA. It was overall a good group, and we were soon introducing ourselves. Our EL soon arrived, Nicolo, and a very friendly Italian who was probably in his mid-thirties. He quickly and quietly checked our names off the list he had, and by our official time of 11:15, we were all present and accounted for. He had us huddle up, introduced himself and Massimo, another Italian, I liked him immediately.

Nicolo explained where we would be leaving our luggage to travel independently of us, and to just bring our (official) National Geographic Backpacks and any daypacks with us. He also explained to get from Zurich to Zermatt, we would be taking three trains, and not to panic, we would have time to change trains.

We then took our Luggage across the street and dropped it off where Massimo would wait for the shuttle to pick it up, we continued inside the terminal with the Mall. As our first train was still an hour off, we decided on a meeting place and had time to eat at the food court. I played it safe and had pizza. After one bite, I realized something. In most European states, Pizza in polite company is eaten with a knife and fork. When in Rome, I thought and grabbed my utensils.

We all managed to get back to the meeting point on time, including Massimo. Nicolo later said he was happy that our group was so prompt.

We followed him down to the trains and found our car – labeled for us – a comfy first class carriage.

Thus with everyone aboard, we started to Zermatt, and that mountain that it’s famous for.


Our Leader, Nicolo, pointing out where we transfer one more time before Zermatt.



Next : Zermatt Days

 

[Eastridge]

Thanks for doing this report! Sounds very different from the ABD Italy / Switzerland trip.

There was a report that Zermatt is cut off due to flood risk. I assume your trip occurred before that happened?

 

[WvT3rd]

Thanks for doing this report! Sounds very different from the ABD Italy / Switzerland trip.

There was a report that Zermatt is cut off due to flood risk. I assume your trip occurred before that happened?

yes, Our tour started Day one was on June 9th. Heard about Zermatt! We chose the dates based on the National Geographic expert (a photographer) and it was early so some schools might still be in session, to cut down on the chance of children. I shouldn't have worried, lol.

 

[WvT3rd]

Part Three: Zermatt!

Let me tell you how the tour is laid out – Day one, everyone met in Zurich and spent the rest of the day getting to Zermatt, about four hours or so away. Then we walked to our Hotel (The National), was assigned our rooms, and very soon our luggage, settled in and met for a welcome reception in the area around the lobby, followed by dinner at the hotel restaurant. Three nights in Zermatt, Three Nights in St. Moritz (our next destination) and the three final nights in Varenna, on Lake Como.

So Zermatt is most famous for it’s place near the Matterhorn. Apparently, Zermatt has the most hotels in Switzerland (Hotels rather than Hotel rooms available). The National where we were was along the river that flows thru Zermatt (which recently flooded!) and we were given a room on the first floor. This was our view from our balcony:



And yes, that’s the Matterhorn.


Not a bad view. The top was usually in the low clouds


Have I mentioned the swag?

Like ABD, a few weeks before the trip we received our backpacks, luggage strap, water bottle, and a National Geographic guide to Switzerland (a $25.95 value book) and two maps, on of the Alps, and one of Switzerland.
And then there’s the chocolate. Did you know Swiss makes chocolate?

In fact, Toblerone’s shape comes from the Matterhorn. During this trip, we got free chocolate at the hotel, on the train, and at a chocolate factory in St. Moritz, we had a chocolate tasting! The trip is not for the lactose intolerant!

Back to the hotel.


Zermatt itself is a small village, easily walkable with some variation in height, nothing that we found to require stairs. It would be hard to get lost here, as the main street is the Hauptbahnstrasse, or Main train station street. That’s where you’ll find your main shops, for clothing, pharmacy, and restaurants, or course. The other main plaza is centered around the church, the
Pfarrkirche St. Mauritius. Across from the church you’ll find the Matterhorn Museum and the old climbers cemetery, as well some shops and restaurants. The last main point of reference in getting around has to be the Gornera River, which flows thru the town.

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Next Time – Zermatt Excursions!

 

[WvT3rd]

I suppose, somewhere along the way, I should tell you that all pictures shown were taken with my camera or phone!

 

[WvT3rd]

Part Four – On the way to the top! Day 2 – a lot of pictures today! Be warned!


The first full day of the tour, and did we tour! Breakfast was in the restaurant of the hotel, buffet style, followed by a lecture (one of three during the trip) by Massimo, this one of the history of National Geographic (did you know, btw, the logo of the National Geographic is the Yellow Border seen on its magazines?), which took place in the lobby/lounge/bar area.

Nicolo then introduced us to our local expert and guide Beat Truffner, director of the Matterhorn Museum and author of the book, “The History of Zermatt”. We gathered together and took a walking tour of Zermatt,



As we ambled towards the church (see last entry) we passed through the oldest part of Zermatt, still being used! The street may be narrow and the wood may be old, but a very interesting sight to see.


On the far side of the church is a small cemetery, where the early unfortunates who died climbing the Matterhorn are buried.

We finally made it to the first of three gondolas to take us up to the Glacier Paradise, altitude 12,740 feet above sea level. The first gondola from Zermatt to Furri was nice. The second gondola from Furri to Trocknener Steg, however was crammed to standing room only.




Left, at the 2nd transfer point, Trockener Steg. The 2nd leg of our trip. Gondola to Trockener Steg. Hint: Don’t look down.

.
Next - Top of the world,Ma!

 

[WvT3rd]

Part Five - from the top down, Day 2, part 2


Upper left, the third style of Gondola for the final trek up the mountain. This one was rather fun, as shown by the upper right pic, this Gondola did not stop, We had to jump out like paratroopers – Go! Go! Go!, lol. Same way when it came time to go back down. The Gondola only held about thirty, so our group and a couple more. We all made it with losing anyone!
Our destination finally reached. Lower left – the long trek thru the mountain to the restaurant, ski lockers, and platform outside.

– Me, at 12,740 feet, feeling fine, btw, wearing four layers of clothing. Notice the cloud behind me.
Did you know as of last year (2023) you can now take a gondola across the other side? Basically, crossing the border and landing in Italy!
Don’t forget your passport!

After getting a hot chocolate or drink at the restaurant we gathered everyone at the pre-arranged time and went back to the first junction at Furri. The second gondola down wasn’t jam packed this time, thank goodness.
We walked from the Gondola station to the Restaurant Furri, where lunch was going to be served.
Our lunch consisted of Rösti and a main (veal sausage,or eggs, or cheese and fried eggs... The best way, I guess, to describe Rösti is a Swiss version of hash browns made with potatoes, onions, and cheese. Very tasty.
During lunch, we had Masimo and Nicolo tell us about the rest of today’s schedule. The choice was either take the gondola back down, or you could have a very nice two hour walk. I love an amble through nature, taking my time. Thus I was the slowest one on the hike.


Above, our intrepid leaders. One of the easy signposts, telling us how long it is to Zermatt, one of them at least….
Perfect place to literally get away from it all – including cars.
Below, left, going thru the oldest Hamlet in the valley. Apparently still habituated!




We reached the village around 4:00, with the rest of the day to ourselves. We shopped around the village (the DisneyGF is a diet/zero sugar addict, had to pick some up at the local market.) then went to the Du Pont restaurant (at the lower right of the picture, just beyond the church) for a dinner of raclette –
What is raclette, you ask?

after dinner was a nice walk back along the river to the hotel, a nice hot shower, and early bedtime.
Tomorrow is another day!

 

[sayhello]

DGF? Dear Girl Friend? Dear Grand Father? Dear God Father?

Thanks for doing this report. It does look like an interesting itinerary (I do love trains!) Looking forward to more.

I was wondering if "the old climbers cemetery" was an old cemetery for climbers, or a cemetery for old climbers!

And I did know that about the Nat Geo logo! My Dad had a subscription and kept EVERY issue he got of the magazine for decades. It took up most of an entire closet in one of the bedrooms. I loved looking through some of those old magazines!

Sayhello

 

[Jason Martin]

This is a nice summary. We have this trip booked for August 2025