Glorious Switzerland
8 Day Switzerland Tour from Zermatt to Lucerne | Operated by InsightVacations
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8 Days
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3 Countries
Switzerland, Italy, Liechtenstein -
11 Cities
Geneva, Montreux, Chillon Castle, Zermatt, Lake Maggiore, Baveno, Saint Moritz, Vaduz, Lucerne, Stanserhorn, Zürich -
11 Meals
4 Dinner with Wines, 7 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
Prepare yourself for the majesty of Switzerland's snow-capped mountains, glaciers, sparkling lakes, flower-filled meadows and rich, green valleys. Meet your Travel Director and travel companions for a short stroll to your Welcome Dinner. The evening is full of Swiss delight, as you enjoy the cozy decor while being served typical Swiss specialties including cheese fondue. Return to your immaculate boutique hotel, the award-winning Hotel d'Angleterre. Enjoy British charm and the finest Swiss hospitality, with each room individually designed to reflect its elegant style.
Start your day with highlights of Geneva, the City of Gardens. See the Jet d’Eau and Floral Clock. Then relax and enjoy the enchanting scenery as we continue to the charming town of Montreux. Situated at the foot of the Alps and boasting beautiful lakeside walks, enjoy free time to explore this pretty town. On the western bay of Lake Geneva, join Maud, head of collections at 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. Continue through the Rhone Valley, where high summer temperatures support vines and other fruits. The final stage of your journey is by cogwheel train to the traffic-free Alpine resort of Zermatt. During your orientation with your Travel Director, feast your eyes on the distinctive triangular silhouette of the Matterhorn. At night, enjoy a stroll in the fresh mountain air to your chosen restaurant for your Dine-Around Evening.
Zermatt in the summertime offers many leisure possibilities: try swimming, hiking, or spend a whole day relaxing in the fresh Alpine surroundings. Perhaps take an optional ride on Europe’s highest cable car to the snow-capped roof of the world for a magnificent panorama of the highest peaks in Switzerland, Italy and France?
Descend to Täsch and rejoin the coach. Follow in Napoleon's footsteps as you ascend the Simplon Pass, taking in magnificent views over the Alps from the 2,000-meter summit. Continue along the gentle shores of Lake Maggiore. Perhaps take a delightful boat trip to see the stunning Isola Bella?
Head north back into the high mountain country of the Grisons Alps today. Ascend the San Bernardino and the Julier Passes to arrive in the sparkling Engadine Valley with an invigorating climate characterized by clear skies and its location high in the Alps. On arrival in the cosmopolitan resort of St. Moritz, a brief orientation with your Travel Director will show you the spa quarter and the brilliantly sparkling glacial lake, before there is time to explore further on your own, or perhaps step aboard the Bernina Express to experience one of Europe's most outstanding train journeys?
Start the day with a scenic train ride along part of the route of the Glacier Express, through unforgettable scenes of ice-capped mountains, stone-built villages and lush meadows. At Chur, reboard your coach and travel along the valley of the Upper Rhine to spend some time in Vaduz, the tiny capital of the Principality of Liechtenstein, where you explore the area around the castle. Continue to Lucerne alongside the dramatic Walensee and Lake Zürich. On arrival, see the sorrowful sculpture of the wounded lion, commemorating the brave Swiss Guards who died defending King Louis XVI during the French Revolution. Your Travel Director will also show you the Jesuit Church and the Chapel Bridge.
Commence the day with a morning stroll along lakeside promenades or shopping for fine watches while enjoying the scenery. Explore Mount Stanserhorn on a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience, as an open-top cable car powered by solar panels take you up the summit. 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. Celebrate new friends and enjoy a Celebration Dinner at the foot of Mount Stanserhorn with magnificent views over Lake Lucerne at Restaurant Seeblick.
In the morning, your adventures through Switzerland come to an end.
Price Includes
Dining Summary- - 4 Dinner with Wines (DW)
- - 7 Breakfasts (B)
- What better way to start your Swiss journey than with a typical meal including cheese fondue.
- Choose between fine local restaurants.
- Toast to new friends and Swiss adventures during your Celebration Dinner at Restaurant Seeblick.
- Visit Chillon Castle with the Head of Collections to discover the artefacts, treasures and history of the chateau.
- During your orientation, your Travel Director will show you the Jet d'Eau and Floral Clock.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- Admire the Royal family's residence, Vaduz Castle, which overlooks the capital and is surrounded by year-round snow peaked mountains.
- During your orientation with your Travel Director, see the emotive Lion Monument, Jesuit Church and Chapel Bridge.
- 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.
- 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.
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.
Klein Matterhorn Excursion (Available on Day 3)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 4)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 5)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 Lake Lucerne Cruise (Available on Day 6)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 Secret Switzerland (Available on Day 6)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 Swiss Evening (Available on Day 6)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 Carriages & Countryside (Available on Day 7)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