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Country Roads of Switzerland

Two Week Swiss Tour from Lucerne to St. Moritz | Operated by InsightVacations

  • 14 Days

  • 2 Countries

    Switzerland, Italy

  • 19 Cities

    Zürich, Lucerne, Stanserhorn, Bern, Gruyères, Montreux, Chillon Castle, Geneva, Martigny, Sion, Zermatt, Simplon Pass, Baveno, Bellinzona, Saint Moritz, Lauterbrunnen, Staubbach Falls, Grindelwald, Brienz

  • 18 Meals

    5 Dinner with Wines, 13 Breakfasts

  • Pace: Active

    Faster paces with mix of 1–2-night stays in each location. Typically features 4+ miles of walking on some days and may involve steep hills and uneven surfaces, such as cobblestones.

Trip Itinerary

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 Welcome Dinner with wine at a local restaurant.

Hotel: Hotel Astoria
Included Meals: Dinner with Wine
Authentic Dining: Lucerne Welcome Dinner Join your Travel Director and fellow travelers for your Welcome Dinner served with wine.
Notes
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 take 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.

Hotel: Hotel Astoria
Included Meals: Breakfast
Make Travel Matter: Mount Stanserhorn Experience 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.
Top Rated Highlights: Visit Mount Stanserhorn Summit Journey to the top of Mount Stanserhorn on a panoramic, open-top cable car powered by solar energy, and enjoy spectacular views from the summit.
Top Rated Highlights: Lucerne Orientation During your orientation with your Travel Director, see the emotive Lion Monument, Jesuit Church and Chapel Bridge.
Notes
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 is preserving the estate for future generations on this MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience.

Hotel: Grand Hôtel Suisse-Majestic
Included Meals: Breakfast, Dinner with Wine
Top Rated Highlights: Bern City Tour Your exploration with a local historian through Switzerland's capital includes seeing the floral displays, Cathedral of St. Vincent, Federal Palace, clock tower and Ogre Fountain.
Top Rated Highlights: Gruyeres Orientation Travel along valley floors covered with rich meadowland, to the pretty town of Gruyeres. Your Travel Director leads an orientation tour where you will see the main street and 13th century castle.
Top Rated Highlights: Montreux Orientation At the foot of the Alps this town boasts one of the most beautiful walks along Lake Geneva, join your Travel Director for an orientation before there is free time to explore.
Make Travel Matter: Lake Geneva Visit a family-run winery overlooking Lake Geneva. Enjoy a tasting, and learn how the family is preserving the estate for future generations. Savor delicious farm-to-table fare, made from locally sourced produce. Alongside using sustainable agricultural practices, they source majority of their good locally. They have strict procedures about waste reduction and any waste from the production is being re-used as fertilizer or food for their animals. This experience advances UN Sustainable Development Goal 12: Responsible Production and Consumption.
Notes
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.

Hotel: Grand Hôtel Suisse-Majestic
Included Meals: Breakfast
Insight Experiences: Chillon Castle Visit Visit Chillon Castle with the Head of Collections to discover the artefacts, treasures and history of the chateau.
Notes
Day 5: Geneva and Scenic Lake Cruise

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.

Hotel: Grand Hôtel Suisse-Majestic
Included Meals: Breakfast
Top Rated Highlights: Geneva Orientation During your orientation, your Travel Director will show you the Jet d'Eau and Floral Clock.
Top Rated Highlights: Lake Geneva Scenic Cruise Enjoy first-class seats as you cruise on the serene waters of the King of Lakes, inspiration to the early Romantic movement.
Notes
Day 6: Martigny, Sion and Zermatt 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. Perhaps you will delight in the typical Swiss dining experience of fondue?
Hotel: Resort Hotel Alex
Included Meals: Breakfast, Dinner with Wine
Top Rated Highlights: See the Martigny Roman Amphitheater View the Roman Amphitheater during your orientation.
Top Rated Highlights: See the Churches of Sion Your Travel Director will show you the two fortress-churches, the cathedral and Old Town Hall.
Top Rated Highlights: Travel to Zermatt via Cogwheel Train Ride the shuttle trains of the Matterhorn Gotthard Railway up to the traffic-free Alpine resort. Should weather permit, you may even see the majestic peak of the Matterhorn.
Top Rated Highlights: Zermatt Orientation Your Travel Director will lead you on an orientation of this picturesque village, high in the mountains.
Authentic Dining: Zermatt Dine-Around Evening Choose between fine local restaurants.
Notes
Day 7: Zermatt at Leisure

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?

Hotel: Resort Hotel Alex
Included Meals: Breakfast
Notes
Day 8: The Italian Lake District to Baveno

Descend 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?

Hotel: Hotel Simplon
Included Meals: Breakfast
Top Rated Highlights: Baveno Orientation During your orientation with your Travel Director see the cobbled streets and 16th century square.
Notes
Day 9: The Glamour and Glitz of St. Moritz

Journey along the shores of Lake Maggiore, and head north 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.

Hotel: Crystal Hotel
Included Meals: Breakfast
Insight Experiences: Bellinzona City Tour Explore the stunning town of Bellinzona with your Local Expert. Julie will passionately share with you her insights into the three marvelous castles, and her personal stories about how she fell in love with this city and decided to move to the area.
Top Rated Highlights: St Moritz Orientation During your orientation of this alpine resort see the spa quarter and glacial lake.
Notes
Day 10: Leisure Time in St. Moritz

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.

Hotel: Crystal Hotel
Included Meals: Breakfast
Top Rated Highlights: Travel in St Moritz with your Included Pass If you think there's no such thing as a free ride, you'd be mistaken! With your inclusive pass, travel on 13 cable cars, funiculars, chairlifts and select public transport options (when available). The crisp Alpine air is included in the deal.
Notes
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.
Hotel: Romantik Hotel Schweizerhof Grindelwald
Included Meals: Breakfast, Dinner with Wine
Top Rated Highlights: Glacier Express Scenic Train Travel along the route of the world-famous Glacier Express, through looping tunnels and dizzying viaducts, in the scenic heart of the Swiss Alps, on a regional train fully powered by hydroelectricity.
Top Rated Highlights: Lauterbrunnen Orientation Enjoy your orientation of the village that takes its name from 'many fountains,' referring to the 72 waterfalls that are within the surrounding valley.
Top Rated Highlights: Visit Staubbach Falls In the Valley of the Waterfalls, witness these magnificent falls that plunge 300 meters.
Top Rated Highlights: Grindelwald Orientation Explore this famous glacier village with your Travel Director. Embedded in a unique Alpine landscape at the foot of the Eiger north face, Grindelwald is one of Switzerland’s most beautiful Alpine towns.
Notes
Day 12: Grindelwald at Leisure

Enjoy a day at your leisure to explore Grindelwald further. Perhaps take a cogwheel train ride to the summit of the Jungfrau mountain?

Hotel: Romantik Hotel Schweizerhof Grindelwald
Included Meals: Breakfast
Notes
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 Celebration Dinner is accompanied with wine - raise your glass to toast to your adventures.
Hotel: Renaissance Zurich Tower Hotel
Included Meals: Breakfast, Dinner with Wine
Top Rated Highlights: Brienz Woodcarving Center Visit Learn the history of woodcarving at the Jobin Swiss Woodcarving Center.
Top Rated Highlights: Zürich Orientation During your orientation of the city, your Travel Director will show you the Grossmünster, Fraumünster and elegant Bahnhofstrasse.
Authentic Dining: Zurich Celebration Dinner Raise your glass and enjoy a delicious dinner at a local restaurant for your Celebration Dinner.
Notes
Day 14: Depart Zürich

Your Swiss adventures come to and end this morning, with a transfer to Zürich airport.

Included Meals: Breakfast
Notes
This itinerary is for reference only. Upon booking with GET, guests will receive tour documents which will list all confirmed hotels and itineraries based upon the guest's departure date.

Price Includes

Dining Summary
  • - 5 Dinner with Wines (DW)
  • - 13 Breakfasts (B)
Authentic Dining
  • Join your Travel Director and fellow travelers for your Welcome Dinner served with wine.
  • Choose between fine local restaurants.
  • Raise your glass and enjoy a delicious dinner at a local restaurant for your Celebration Dinner.
Make Travel Matter
  • 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.
  • Visit a family-run winery overlooking Lake Geneva. Enjoy a tasting, and learn how the family is preserving the estate for future generations. Savor delicious farm-to-table fare, made from locally sourced produce. Alongside using sustainable agricultural practices, they source majority of their good locally. They have strict procedures about waste reduction and any waste from the production is being re-used as fertilizer or food for their animals. This experience advances UN Sustainable Development Goal 12: Responsible Production and Consumption.
Top Rated Highlights
  • Journey to the top of Mount Stanserhorn on a panoramic, open-top cable car powered by solar energy, and enjoy spectacular views from the summit.
  • During your orientation with your Travel Director, see the emotive Lion Monument, Jesuit Church and Chapel Bridge.
  • Your exploration with a local historian through Switzerland's capital includes seeing the floral displays, Cathedral of St. Vincent, Federal Palace, clock tower and Ogre Fountain.
  • Travel along valley floors covered with rich meadowland, to the pretty town of Gruyeres. Your Travel Director leads an orientation tour where you will see the main street and 13th century castle.
  • At the foot of the Alps this town boasts one of the most beautiful walks along Lake Geneva, join your Travel Director for an orientation before there is free time to explore.
  • During your orientation, your Travel Director will show you the Jet d'Eau and Floral Clock.
  • Enjoy first-class seats as you cruise on the serene waters of the King of Lakes, inspiration to the early Romantic movement.
  • View the Roman Amphitheater during your orientation.
  • Your Travel Director will show you the two fortress-churches, the cathedral and Old Town Hall.
  • Ride the shuttle trains of the Matterhorn Gotthard Railway up to the traffic-free Alpine resort. Should weather permit, you may even see the majestic peak of the Matterhorn.
  • Your Travel Director will lead you on an orientation of this picturesque village, high in the mountains.
  • During your orientation with your Travel Director see the cobbled streets and 16th century square.
  • During your orientation of this alpine resort see the spa quarter and glacial lake.
  • If you think there's no such thing as a free ride, you'd be mistaken! With your inclusive pass, travel on 13 cable cars, funiculars, chairlifts and select public transport options (when available). The crisp Alpine air is included in the deal.
  • Travel along the route of the world-famous Glacier Express, through looping tunnels and dizzying viaducts, in the scenic heart of the Swiss Alps, on a regional train fully powered by hydroelectricity.
  • Enjoy your orientation of the village that takes its name from 'many fountains,' referring to the 72 waterfalls that are within the surrounding valley.
  • In the Valley of the Waterfalls, witness these magnificent falls that plunge 300 meters.
  • Explore this famous glacier village with your Travel Director. Embedded in a unique Alpine landscape at the foot of the Eiger north face, Grindelwald is one of Switzerland’s most beautiful Alpine towns.
  • Learn the history of woodcarving at the Jobin Swiss Woodcarving Center.
  • During your orientation of the city, your Travel Director will show you the Grossmünster, Fraumünster and elegant Bahnhofstrasse.
Insight Experiences
  • Visit Chillon Castle with the Head of Collections to discover the artefacts, treasures and history of the chateau.
  • Explore the stunning town of Bellinzona with your Local Expert. Julie will passionately share with you her insights into the three marvelous castles, and her personal stories about how she fell in love with this city and decided to move to the area.

Optional Experiences

Optional Experiences are subject to change. Your Travel Director will supply you with a final list of Optional Experiences available on your trip. Optional Experiences cannot be booked online; they can be purchased during your trip through your Travel Director.

Carriages & Countryside (Available on Day 2)

In a typical rural community, meet local farmers for a delightful horse-drawn ride. Clip-clop your way through bright green pasture, where the angular spire of a traditional white church shoots skyward and rickety old wooden storehouses still dot the landscape. Call in at a local farm where a wonderful spread of homemade drinks and snacks is served.

Adult Price: ₣77 Lake Lucerne Cruise (Available on Day 2)

A chance to take in the wonderful mountain scenery from a different perspective. Enjoy a leisurely lake cruise, for fine views of the town and it's surroundings. The serene beauty of Lake Lucerne on a summer's day is a joy to behold, made even more enjoyable by the encompassing snow-capped mountains, green pastures and dense forests.

Adult Price: ₣47 Swiss Evening (Available on Day 2)

There's nothing better than convening with friends around a pot of bubbling fondue with a glass of chilled white wine and having a good yodel! Join us for a tasty Swiss meal in a typical restaurant. While you dine, enjoy a lively folklore show of flag throwing, yodelling, Alpenhorn blowing and other great Swiss entertainment.

Adult Price: ₣111 Secret Switzerland (Available on Day 3)

Incredibly, Switzerland provides all its citizens protection in case of nuclear disaster or war. Go behind the scenes for a unique tour of one of the world's biggest civilian fallout shelters! Cold War secrets of the Swiss will be revealed by our expert guide.

Adult Price: ₣51 Charlie Chaplin's World (Available on Day 4)

Tread in the footsteps of the “Little Tramp” at the genius’s former mansion, perched breathtakingly amongst the vineyards over Lac Leman. All our senses are indulged as we take a journey through replica sets of his greatest films at the Hollywood-style studio. Then, we'll spend time in his family home and round it off with a peaceful walk in the glorious gardens.

Adult Price: ₣64 Lausanne Fondue Evening (Available on Day 4)

First we'll enjoy a drive along the Swiss Riviera, pausing at the stunning Olympic Museum Gardens in Ouchy. Next, the ancient city center of Lausanne, with its huge gothic cathedral and quaint old town square featuring the "Scales of Justice" fountain. Finally, our hosts Willy and Heike treat us to a wonderful Swiss feast, including Fondue Bourguignonne in lively company.

Adult Price: ₣106 Klein Matterhorn Excursion (Available on Day 7)

A unique electric taxi service will drive us to the foot of Zermatt's highest and most spectacular mountain ride. You’ll enjoy stunning views as we ascend to Furi and Trockener Steg, before boarding Europe's highest cable car to 3883m (12,740ft) to view the magnificent snow-capped top of the world.

Adult Price: ₣130 Lake Maggiore Experience (Available on Day 8)

A short hop on our private motor launch brings us to the world-renowned hanging gardens of Isola Bella, where white peacocks preen. In the Borromean Palace, our local expert reveals the grottoes and masterpieces lovingly nurtured by this wealthy Italian dynasty. Our island hopping continues to the quaint Fisherman’s Island where we are treated to a typically local Italian meal - Buon Appetito!

Adult Price: €99 Bernina - Express Excursion (Available on Day 10)

Enjoy one of the most exciting train rides in Switzerland as you cross the Bernina Pass to the Alp Grum. Spectacular views of the Alpine peaks, glaciers, waterfalls, green valleys and mountain villages. We then descend to Poschiavo to reboard our touring coach.

Adult Price: ₣58 Jungfrau Excursion by Cogwheel (Available on Day 12)

A once in a lifetime chance to travel to the Top of Europe. Our round trip cog railway trip will take us from Grindelwald, through the world famous Eiger Mountain, to Europe's highest railway station at 3,454 m (11,332 ft)! Enjoy spectacular views and explore the Ice Palace which is carved inside the biggest glacier in Europe!

Adult Price: ₣229