Alpine Escape: St. Moritz Luxury, Zurich Charm, and Chocolate Dreams

Arrive in the morning or afternoon, and take a cab to the Ruby Mimi Hotel in central Zurich. Housed in one of the city's oldest former cinemas, the Ruby Mimi invites you to pack your inner celebrity persona and step back into the golden age of cinema. Check-in is open from 3 pm.

For those interested, join your trip leader for an afternoon stroll to admire the beautiful Chagall Windows, an artistic marvel.

Around 6:30, we'll gather for a welcome cocktail at our hotel before heading out to dinner in a 13th-century dining room, where a traditional Swiss meal awaits. Meet your new travel companions and future friends as we toast the exciting week ahead.

Today, we’ll begin with a guided tour of old Zurich, starting with the famous Grossmünster Church. This iconic landmark dates back to the 16th century. It boasts stunning stained glass windows designed by the artist Sigmar Polke in 2009.

Around 11 am, we’ll take a river cruise and get a unique perspective of Zurich from the water. The cruise will provide breathtaking views and a sense of the city’s layout and history.

We’ll have lunch at the trendy Milch Bar, known for its contemporary cuisine and vibrant atmosphere, after the river adventure. The afternoon is free for shopping, so explore Zurich’s chic boutiques and charming shops at your own pace.

Tonight, we’ll experience something quite different. We’ll meet friends who live in Zurich for a delightful dinner at an acclaimed vegetarian restaurant, Haus Hiltl, the world's oldest vegetarian restaurant. Enjoy the exquisite vegetarian and Indian dishes as you immerse yourself in Zurich’s diverse culinary scene.

Today, we’ll turn our eyes to architecture and gardens. After breakfast, we’ll take a leisurely stroll through Zurich’s botanical gardens. Our morning continues with lunch at a cozy Swiss café. Savor the authentic Swiss flavors in a warm and inviting atmosphere.

After lunch, we’ll take a 15-minute walk to the illustrious Le Pavillon Corbusier for a guided tour. Here, we’ll delve into the life and work of Swiss architect Charles-Édouard Jeanneret, known as Le Corbusier. Many consider him the most important architect of the past century. We’ll explore his revolutionary impact on modern architecture and art.

Now it’s time to indulge! This afternoon, we're doing a chocolate safari at a small artisanal chocolate factory. We’ll learn how they transform cocoa beans into exquisite chocolate bars and enjoy delectable tastings.

Then, we’ll head to the water for drinks and snacks on a delightful terrace, soaking up the sun and Lake Zurich's stunning views. Afterward, we’ll return to the hotel for an early night, ready to adventure again tomorrow.

Today, we’ll check out and hop onto a 9:30 train to Chur, the oldest city in Switzerland. It's a 1.5-hour journey away. On arrival, we’ll drop our bags at the 4-star classic hotel, Stern, and set off on a whirlwind discovery of this charming 5,000-year-old town with a guided historical tour. Next, we’ll take the cable car from the center of town to discover alpine meadows, beautiful flowers, and a stunning panoramic view. For lunch, we’ll savor local flavors at the Fondue Beizli, a Swiss treat.

If you want a rest, head back to the hotel or explore and shop. Art enthusiasts can join us at Chur’s cutting-edge Kunstmuseum, featuring works from the early 20th century to the present day. The museum itself is an architectural masterpiece, blending 19th-century and contemporary designs.

After a rest, we’ll dine in the award-winning pine-paneled Buendner stube at the hotel. It's a cozy restaurant serving local specialties with excellent beer and wine.

Today, we’ll rise early to catch the 8 am train to St. Moritz, arriving by 10. Our guide will handle our bags so we can head straight to the Segantini Museum. We’ll explore Giovanni Segantini's works. The artist captured the stunning Alpine landscapes, becoming one of the 19th century’s most renowned artists.

In the glamorous town of St. Moritz, we’ll window shop before lunch at Hotel Steffani. Opened in 1928, this was the first hotel with a public restaurant. We’ll indulge in a delicious meal on the outdoor terrace, weather permitting.

After lunch, we’ll drive 30 minutes to the ancient town of S-Chanf, our home for the next three nights. Check-in at Villa Flor is around 2:30 pm, where vintage furniture and crisp, clean rooms await. Carolyn Falco, our guide, has deep roots here, with her family home dating back over 400 years.

After check-in, Carolyn will guide us around the charming village. We’ll conclude the day with dinner at Dorta in Zuoz, enjoying a meal of game with spaetzle and homemade Graubünden barley soup.

After a hearty breakfast, we’ll head up to the top of Muottas Muragl using the funicular while we soak in the jaw-dropping alpine views. We may walk the philosopher’s path, depending on our energy levels. It's inspired by poets, authors, and painters.

We’ll dine alfresco on the Romantik Hotel's panoramic terrace. This is an ideal spot to try local cheese, rösti with smoked salmon, or a fresh salad. After descending to the valley, if time allows, we’ll visit St. John’s Church, built in the late 19th century with support from the famous hotelier Johannes Badrutt.

This region is renowned for its lakes. The afternoon is reserved for a leisurely walk around the lake—bring your swimsuit. You may want to take a dip.

We’ll return to the hotel to rest before heading out at 5 pm for a short village stroll and a special Saturday evening surprise. Our day concludes at Carolyn’s family home, Chesa Sandri, for an interactive fondue class. After making the classic Swiss dish and touring the charming old house, we’ll sip and savor on the terrace as we watch the sunset over the river.

Today, we’ll lie in a bit before heading to the national heritage site, the quaint Guarda Village, known for its perfectly preserved Engadine houses, many dating back to the early 1600s. Guarda was also the setting for the well-known Swiss children’s book A Bell for Ursli, written by Selina Chönz and illustrated by Alois Carigiet in 1945. The story is about a boy named Ursli and his search for the perfect cowbell for the yearly Chalandamarz parade.

After a stroll around this charming town, dating to 1160, we’ll tuck in for lunch at Crusch Alba. We've reserved this afternoon for one of the greatest Swiss delights, the open-air pool and spa at Bogn Engiadina Scuol. Choose from various 20–25-minute treatments included in your package. Relax in any of the six mineral-rich pools, some with massage jets, bubbles, swim channels, or waterfalls. The outdoor pools offer gorgeous views of the Alps. There is also a brine pool and a sauna.

Once our wellness treatment is complete, we’ll head back to our hotel for a short rest. Then, drive to dinner at Venduta for our very Swiss farewell meal. We’ll toast to a week of visual, natural, and culinary delights. 

After breakfast, we'll all drive back to Saint Mortiz. Those catching flights from Zurich will board the train, carrying memories and friendships that will last a lifetime. 

For those continuing on the trip extension, onward to new adventures! 

After checking out, we'll drive to St. Moritz and board the Bernina Express for a breathtaking journey through the Alps, arriving in Tirano, Italy, at 11:30 am. We'll leave our bags at the centrally located Domus Cavour hotel before setting out on a guided tour.

Our tour will begin at the historic Palazzo Salis, a 500-year-old palace famous for its detailed frescos, stunning painted ceilings, and hidden garden. Following this, we'll enjoy a wine tasting in the Gasparotti cellar, sampling regional products from the Valtellina area to get a true taste of local cuisine.

At around 3 pm, we'll check into our hotel on the lovely Piazza Cavour in the heart of Tirano’s old town. In the evening, we'll dine at the Parravicini Restaurant & Wine Bar, enjoying homemade pasta or meats from local farms, making for a perfect end to our day.

We'll start our day with a lovely breakfast before checking out and taking the train to Milan. After a 2.5-hour journey, we'll arrive and check into the Speronari Suites, a charming hotel in a 19th-century Palazzo near the Duomo Cathedral, one of the world's largest and most impressive cathedrals.

Once settled, we'll go on a guided tour of Milan's historic center, visiting landmarks like Sforza Castle, the medieval Market Square, Duomo Square, Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II, and La Scala. We'll enjoy snacks along the way to keep us energized.

The afternoon you're free to explore or shop. In the evening, we'll gather at a trendy bar and restaurant for a proper Italian aperitivo. The restaurant is owned by three brothers from Sardinia. We'll enjoy a Negroni made with Sardinian ingredients, a Sardinian bitter orange, or a Spritz Frades, accompanied by Sardinian tapas. The Italian cheese and salami, tuna sashimi, and grilled octopus snacks bring our Milan adventure to a delightful close.

Sadly, after enjoying breakfast together, it's time to say our goodbyes. We'll promise to keep in touch and share photos of our wonderful journey. Please book your homeward-bound flight from Milan for mid-day or later to allow for a smooth departure.