Itinerary Details
Insight Vacations: Country Roads of Switzerland - Classic Group
Day 1 - Welcome to Lucerne
Welcome to Switzerland, a land of snow-capped summits and romantic lakes that has attracted poets, musicians and travelers for centuries. Arrive into Zürich airport and transfer to your hotel in Lucerne. Meet your Travel Director and travel companions for a pleasant dinner at a local restaurant.
Accommodations: Astoria Lucerne
Meals: Dinner with Wine
Day 2 - Ascend the summit of Mount Stanserhorn
Explore Mount Stanserhorn on a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience, as an open-top cable car powered by solar panels takes you up the summit. Admire unrivaled views of the surrounding mountains and, on a clear day see as far as Alsace in France and the Black Forest in Germany. Walk along beautiful scenic pathways, keeping an eye out for marmots and other native animals, with the chance to hear a conservation talk by a Swiss ranger, to learn about local wildlife and flora. Return to the beautiful 14th century city of Lucerne to see its storybook wooden bridges, Baroque church and sorrowful Lion Monument. Enjoy the rest of the afternoon at your leisure to walk along the lake or perhaps shop for a special timepiece or chocolate.
Accommodations: Astoria Lucerne
Meals: Breakfast
Day 3 - Bern, Gruyères and Montreux
In Bern, your Local Expert, a local English teacher, shows you the Cathedral of St. Vincent, Federal Palace and floral displays. Gather at the clock tower to watch the mechanical procession of painted figures before viewing the Ogre Fountain. Your travels continue into the wide, green valleys of the Vaud Alps with snowy summits filling the horizon. Continue through vineyards and alpine meadows to the fortified town of Gruyères, that gives its name to the well-known cheese. Enjoy time on your own to explore the pretty main street and 13th century castle. From Montreux, travel along the shores of Lake Geneva to visit a winery. Admire the stunning panorama overlooking the lake and savor a tasting of tantalising, local wines. Delight in a delicious Farm-to-Table light dinner, made from locally sourced produce, and learn how the family that owns the farm is preserving the estate for future generations on this MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience.
Accommodations: Eden Palace Au Lac, Montreux
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner with Wine
Day 4 - Lake Geneva and the Swiss Countryside
On the western bay of Lake Geneva, visit Chillon Castle for a special tour of the former home to the Dukes of Savoy, immortalized by Lord Byron's 'Prisoner of Chillon.' Keep a look out for where the writer is rumoured to have left his mark. Return to Montreux where the rest of the day is free for you to explore on your own or relax as you wish at your quayside hotel.
Accommodations: Eden Palace Au Lac, Montreux
Meals: Breakfast
Day 5 - Geneva and Scenic Lake Cruise Relaxed Start
Follow the shores of the lake to the international city of Geneva, seeing the Jet d’Eau and Floral Clock. Next, relax in first-class comfort on the waters of Lake Geneva during a highlight cruise. This evening, enjoy time at leisure on the promenade of your lakeside resort.
Accommodations: Eden Palace Au Lac, Montreux
Meals: Breakfast
Day 6 - Martigny, Sion and Zermatt Relaxed Start
Journey into the upper Rhône Valley to Martigny to view the Roman Amphitheater. Continue to the town of Sion, dominated by two rocky peaks, each crowned with episcopal fortresses, and see the cathedral and Old Town Hall. Complete your journey via cogwheel train to the traffic-free mountain resort of Zermatt. This evening, take your pick from a selection a local restaurants for your Dine-Around evening, with a chance to delight in traditional fondue.
Accommodations: Resort Alex, Zermatt
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner with Wine
Day 7 - Zermatt at Leisure Relaxed Start
Zermatt in the summertime offers many leisure possibilities: try swimming, hiking or relaxing in the fresh alpine surrounds. Perhaps take a trip to the Klein Matterhorn, see the Matterhorn from the church bridge or sample the delicious cakes known as Kuchen?
Accommodations: Resort Alex, Zermatt
Meals: Breakfast
Day 8 - The Italian Lake District to Lugano
Travel to Täsch for a scenic drive to Brig, where you'll commence your ascent of the Simplon Pass, taking in magnificent views over the Alps from the 2,000-meter summit. Cut through northern Italy, stopping along the shores of Lake Maggiore. The afternoon is at your leisure. Perhaps join an experience to the stunning Isola Bella?
Accommodations: De La Paix, Lugano
Meals: Breakfast
Day 9 - The Glamour and Glitz of St. Moritz
Journey to the three Fortifications at Bellinzona to meet your Local Expert, for a fascinating insight into this UNESCO World Heritage Site. These castles are enchanting examples of fortified medieval architecture of the Alps. Your travels continue through the Grisons Region, traveling via San Bernardino and the town of Tiefencastel, as you follow the young Rhine River. Head east towards the Julier Pass and the glamorous resort of St. Moritz, set in the Engadine Valley with the majestic Grisons Alps towering above.
Accommodations: Crystal, St. Moritz, Steffani, St. Moritz
Meals: Breakfast
Day 10 - Leisure Time in St. Moritz Relaxed Start
Enjoy a day at leisure to jostle with the jet-setters in this elegant resort or perhaps take an exciting train journey over the Bernina pass. To help you make the most of your day, your Travel Director will provide you with a mountain railways pass, offering free travel on all cable cars, funiculars and chairlifts (when available) in Engadine St. Moritz.
Accommodations: Crystal, St. Moritz, Steffani, St. Moritz
Meals: Breakfast
Day 11 - The Glacier Express
Step aboard the Glacier Express to experience one of the world’s great railway journeys. Cross the Landwasser Viaduct before heading down through the Oberalp Valley to rejoin the coach at Andermatt. Drive through the dramatic Schöllenen Gorge passing the Devil's Bridge. Marvel at the Wetterhorn Peaks as you travel along the Grindelwald Valley. Follow the sparkling Lütschine River to Lauterbrunnen, at the head of the Valley of Waterfalls, and see the Staubbach Falls plunge 300 meters from the plateau above.
Accommodations: Romantik Schweizerhof, Grindelwald
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 12 - Grindelwald at Leisure Relaxed Start
Enjoy a full day at your leisure to explore Grindelwald, a charming village nestled in the Bernese Alps. Perhaps take a cogwheel train ride to the summit of the Jungfrau mountain, where you can marvel at the panoramic views of the surrounding alpine splendour. The Jungfraujoch, known as the "Top of Europe," offers stunning vistas and a chance to explore the Ice Palace and the Sphinx Observation Deck. Alternatively, hike one of the many trails that wind through the lush valleys and up into the high mountains, where the diverse flora and fauna are a delight for nature enthusiasts. If you prefer a more relaxed pace, spend your day shopping in the quaint village shops or simply soaking in the serene beauty of the area.
Accommodations: Romantik Schweizerhof, Grindelwald
Meals: Breakfast
Day 13 - Rural Switzerland to Zürich
Take in the spectacular lake views, as you journey to Brienz, famous for its woodcarving traditions. Visit the Jobin Swiss Woodcarving Center to trace the history of the trade back to the early days of the 19th century. Continue over the Brünig Pass and drive alongside the lakes of Lungern and Sarnen to return to Zürich. See the Bahnhofstrasse, Grossmünster, River Limmat and Frauenmünster on an orientation of the city with your Travel Director. Join your travel companions at a local restaurant. Your dinner is accompanied with wine - raise your glass to toast to your adventures.
Accommodations: Hyatt Regency Zurich Airport
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 14 - Depart Zürich
Your Swiss adventures come to an end this morning as you depart from Zürich airport.
Meals: Breakfast
