Country Roads of Switzerland (Classic, 14 Days)
Description
Summary
Description
Embark on a 14-day journey through the enchanting landscapes of Switzerland. This multi-day tour offers an immersive experience into the country's rich history, vibrant culture, and stunning natural beauty. From the romantic lakes and snow-capped summits of Zurich to the charming alpine village of Grindelwald, each day presents a new adventure. Explore historical sites, enjoy local cuisine, and marvel at the breathtaking views from mountain peaks. Whether you're a history enthusiast, a nature lover, or a foodie, this tour has something for everyone.
Included
3 Dinner with Wine (DW)
13 Breakfast (B)
2 Dinner (D)
Lucerne: Join your Travel Director and fellow travellers for your dinner served with wine.
Zermatt: Choose between fine local restaurants for your Dine-Around evening, with the chance to indulge in traditional fondue.
Zürich: Raise your glass and enjoy a delicious dinner featuring Swiss classics at a local restaurant.
vegan, halal, vegetarian, meat, kosher, jain
From time to time, your Travel Director will delight you with an Insight Flourish, which is a local specialty representing the destination.
Gruyères: 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.
Montreux: 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.
Geneva: With your Travel Director you'll discover the Jet d'Eau and the Floral Clock.
Sion: Your Travel Director will show you the two fortress-churches, the cathedral and Old Town Hall.
Zermatt: Your Travel Director will lead you on an orientation of this picturesque village, high in the mountains.
Baveno: During your orientation with your Travel Director see the cobbled streets and 16th century square.
Grindelwald: 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.
Zürich: During your orientation of the city, your Travel Director will show you the Grossmünster, Fraumünster and elegant Bahnhofstrasse.
Montreux: Located in the heart of Montreux, the Grand Hotel Suisse Majestic of boasts luxurious facilities and spectacular views of Lake Geneva.
Zermatt: The unique Resort Hotel Alex is one of Switzerland's most original hotels, cleverly combining modern and traditional elements into a hospitality experience that’s full of fun and surprises.
St. Moritz: The elegant Crystal Hotel is located close to shops in the town centre, where all the prestigious names, including Chanel, Gucci and Louis Vuitton are lined up together.
Grindelwald: The stately Romantik Hotel Schweizerhof place you minutes away from the village center and offers a range of boutique facilities.
Personal radio headsets give you the freedom to wander during visits to famous highlights, without missing any of your Local Expert's fascinating commentary.
Hotel and restaurant tips are included - you'll never have to worry about how much to give, nor search for foreign currency. We also include all taxes and porterage charges at hotels.
We carry your bags for you and promptly deliver them to your hotel door.
Lake Geneva: Visit Chillon Castle with the Head of Collections to discover the artefacts, treasures and history of the chateau.
Bellinzona: Explore the stunning town of Bellinzona with your Local Expert. Julie will passionately share with you her insights into the three marvellous castles, and her personal stories about how she fell in love with this city and decided to move to the area.
Stanserhorn: 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. Your visit directly supports United Nations Sustainable Development Goals 7 & 15: Affordable and Clean Energy & Life on Land.
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. Savour 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.
Stanserhorn: 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.
Lucerne: See the emotive Lion Monument, Jesuit Church and Chapel Bridge.
Bern: 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.
Lake Geneva: Enjoy first-class seats as you cruise on the serene waters of the King of Lakes, inspiration to the early Romantic movement.
Martigny: View the Roman Amphitheatre during your orientation.
Zermatt: 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.
St Moritz: See the spa quarter and glacial lake of this charming alpine resort.
St Moritz: 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.
St Moritz: 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.
Lauterbrunnen: Enjoy your orientation of the village that takes its name from 'many fountains,' referring to the 72 waterfalls that are within the surrounding valley.
Staubbach Falls: In the Valley of the Waterfalls, witness these magnificent falls that plunge 300 metres.
Brienz: Learn the history of woodcarving at the Jobin Swiss Woodcarving Centre.
Hand sanitizer is freely available on board for you to use throughout the day.
Stay connected with friends and family with our complimentary coach and hotel Wi-Fi (where available).
If your arrival and/or departure flights are as per the itinerary start and end dates, then transfers are available at scheduled times. If your flights are outside these times, or you have booked additional nights accommodation with Insight Vacations, you may purchase transfers or make your own way from/to the airport.
Enjoy the comfort of Insight's luxurious, air-conditioned, 40-seat coach with double the standard legroom and onboard washroom. Our customized luxury coaches are sanitized before the start of your tour and are maintained to very high standards. Physical distancing measures have been implemented on our customized luxury coaches.
Destinations
Map
Attractions
Daily Itinerary
Day 1 – Day 1: Arrival in Zurich and Transfer to Lucerne
- Zurich
- Lucerne - Arrival day
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Welcome to Switzerland! Upon your arrival at Zurich airport, you'll be transferred to your hotel in the picturesque city of Lucerne. In the evening, meet your travel director and fellow travelers for a delightful welcome dinner at a local restaurant.
Day 2 – Day 2: Exploration of Mount Stanserhorn and Lucerne
- Lucerne
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- Stanserhorn
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Start your day with an exciting journey to Mount Stanserhorn. Ride an open-top cable car powered by solar panels to the summit, where you can enjoy panoramic views of the surrounding mountains. Afterward, return to Lucerne and explore its charming wooden bridges, baroque church, and the poignant Lion Monument.
Day 3 – Day 3: Journey to Bern, Gruyères, and Montreux
- Lucerne
- Bern
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- Castle of the counts of Gruyères
- Cathedral of Saint Ursus
- Elfenau Park
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Today, you'll travel to the capital city of Bern, where a local expert will guide you through the Cathedral of St. Vincent and the Federal Palace. Continue your journey to the charming town of Gruyères, famous for its cheese and 13th-century castle. End your day in the beautiful city of Montreux, where you'll visit a local winery and enjoy a light dinner made from locally sourced produce.
Day 4 – Day 4: Visit to Chillon Castle and Leisure Time in Montreux
Day 4: Visit to Chillon Castle and Leisure Time in Montreux
- Chillon Castle
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Begin your day with a visit to the historic Chillon Castle, the former residence of the Dukes of Savoy. After the tour, return to Montreux and enjoy the rest of the day at your leisure. You can explore the city or simply relax at your quayside hotel.
Day 5 – Day 5: Journey to Geneva and Lake Cruise
- Geneva
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- The Flower Clock
- Jardin Anglais
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Today, you'll travel to the international city of Geneva. Visit the famous Jet d’Eau and the Floral Clock, two of the city's most iconic landmarks. In the afternoon, enjoy a relaxing cruise on the beautiful Lake Geneva.
Day 6 – Day 6: Visit to Martigny, Sion, and Zermatt
- Geneva
- Martigny
- Sion
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- UCI World Cycling Centre
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Journey into the upper Rhône Valley to the town of Martigny, where you'll visit the ancient Roman Amphitheatre. Continue to the city of Sion, known for its two rocky peaks crowned with episcopal fortresses. End your day in the car-free mountain resort of Zermatt, where you'll enjoy a delightful dinner at a local restaurant.
Day 7 – Day 7: Leisure Day in Zermatt
Day 7: Leisure Day in Zermatt
Spend the day at your leisure in the charming village of Zermatt. You can choose to go swimming, hiking, or simply relax in the fresh alpine surroundings. If you're up for an adventure, consider a trip to the Klein Matterhorn or sample the delicious local cakes known as Kuchen.
Day 8 – Day 8: Journey to Brig and Lake Maggiore
Day 8: Journey to Brig and Lake Maggiore
Descend to Täsch and drive to the town of Brig. From there, you'll ascend the Simplon Pass, taking in the magnificent views over the Alps. Continue your journey to northern Italy, stopping along the shores of Lake Maggiore. The afternoon is at your leisure, with an optional visit to the stunning Isola Bella.
Day 9 – Day 9: Visit to Bellinzona and Journey to St. Moritz
- Bellinzona
- Sankt Moritz
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Journey along the shores of Lake Maggiore and head north to the city of Bellinzona. Visit the UNESCO World Heritage Site of the Three Fortifications, a stunning example of medieval architecture. Continue your journey through the Grisons Region to the glamorous resort of St. Moritz.
Day 10 – Day 10: Leisure Day in St. Moritz
- Sankt Moritz
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Enjoy a day at your leisure in the elegant resort of St. Moritz. You can choose to mingle with the jet-setters, take an exciting train journey over the Bernina pass, or explore the city using your mountain railways pass, which offers free travel on all cable cars, funiculars, and chairlifts.
Day 11 – Day 11: Glacier Express Journey and Visit to Lauterbrunnen
- Sankt Moritz
- Lauterbrunnen
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Step aboard the Glacier Express for one of the world's greatest railway journeys. Travel through the Oberalp Valley to Andermatt, then drive through the dramatic Schöllenen Gorge to Lauterbrunnen, known as the Valley of Waterfalls. Here, you'll marvel at the Staubbach Falls, which plunge from the plateau above.
Day 12 – Day 12: Journey to Grindelwald
- Lauterbrunnen
- Grindelwald
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- Jungfraujoch
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Enjoy a full day at your leisure in the charming village of Grindelwald. You can choose to take a cogwheel train ride to the summit of the Jungfrau mountain, hike one of the many trails, or simply relax and soak in the serene beauty of the area.
Day 13 – Day 13: Visit to Brienz and Return to Zurich
- Grindelwald
- Zurich
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- Titlis Glacier
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Travel to the town of Brienz, famous for its woodcarving traditions. Visit the Jobin Swiss Woodcarving Centre to learn about the history of the trade. Continue your journey to Zurich, where you'll enjoy an orientation tour of the city. In the evening, join your travel companions for a celebratory dinner at a local restaurant.
Day 14 – Day 14: Departure from Zurich
- Zurich - Departure day
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Your Swiss adventure comes to an end today. After breakfast, you'll be transferred to Zurich airport for your onward journey. We hope you leave with unforgettable memories and look forward to welcoming you back soon!
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