Country Roads of Switzerland (Small Groups, 14 Days)
Description
Summary
Description
Embark on a 14-day journey through the breathtaking landscapes of Switzerland. This multi-day tour offers a unique blend of natural beauty, historical charm, and cultural richness. From the snow-capped peaks of Zürich to the romantic lakes of Lucerne, the tour promises an unforgettable experience. Explore the majestic Mount Stanserhorn, the storybook city of Lucerne, the fortified town of Gruyères, and the international city of Geneva. Enjoy a scenic cruise on Lake Geneva, visit the Roman Amphitheatre in Martigny, and marvel at the panoramic views from the Jungfrau mountain. This tour is designed to provide a comprehensive exploration of Switzerland's most iconic destinations and hidden gems.
Included
13 nights in twin-share rooms at hand-picked hotels
5 Dinner with Wine (DW)
13 Breakfast (B)
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.
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.
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: Zürich to Lucerne
- Lucerne
- Zurich - Arrival day
- More
Welcome to Switzerland! Your journey begins in Zürich, from where you'll be transferred to your hotel in the picturesque city of Lucerne. In the evening, meet your Travel Director and fellow travellers for a delightful Welcome Dinner at a local restaurant.
Day 2 – Day 2: Exploring Lucerne and Mount Stanserhorn
- Lucerne
- More
- Stanserhorn
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Today, you'll explore the majestic Mount Stanserhorn. A solar-powered cable car will take you to the summit, offering unrivalled views of the surrounding mountains. Afterward, return to Lucerne to see its iconic wooden bridges, baroque church, and the poignant Lion Monument. The rest of the day is at your leisure.
Day 3 – Day 3: Lucerne to Bern, Gruyères, and Montreux
- Bern
- Gruyères
- Montreux
- Lucerne
- More
- Castle of the counts of Gruyères
- Cathedral of Saint Ursus
- Elfenau Park
- Oberhofen Castle
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Today, you'll travel to Bern, where a local English teacher will guide you through the city's landmarks, including the Cathedral of St. Vincent, Federal Palace, and the Ogre Fountain. From Bern, you'll journey to the fortified town of Gruyères, famous for its cheese. After exploring Gruyères, continue to Montreux, where you'll visit a local winery and enjoy a Farm-to-Table light dinner.
Day 4 – Day 4: Exploring Montreux and Chillon Castle
Day 4: Exploring Montreux and Chillon Castle
- Chillon Castle
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On the western bay of Lake Geneva, you'll visit the historic Chillon Castle, the former residence of the Dukes of Savoy. After the castle tour, return to Montreux and spend the rest of the day at your leisure, exploring the city or relaxing at your quayside hotel.
Day 5 – Day 5: Montreux to Geneva
- Geneva
- More
- The Flower Clock
- Jardin Anglais
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Today, you'll journey to the international city of Geneva. Here, you'll see the iconic Jet d’Eau and Floral Clock. Later, enjoy a scenic cruise on Lake Geneva. The evening is free for you to explore or relax at your lakeside resort.
Day 6 – Day 6: Geneva to Martigny, Sion, and Zermatt
- Martigny
- Sion
- Zermatt
- Geneva
- More
- UCI World Cycling Centre
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Journey into the upper Rhône Valley to Martigny, where you'll visit the Roman Amphitheatre. Continue to the town of Sion, known for its episcopal fortresses and Old Town Hall. Your journey concludes in Zermatt, a traffic-free mountain resort. In the evening, choose from a selection of local restaurants for your Dine-Around Evening.
Day 7 – Day 7: Exploring Zermatt
- Zermatt
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Spend the day at your leisure in Zermatt. The town offers a range of activities, from swimming and hiking to simply relaxing in the fresh alpine air. You might also want to visit the Klein Matterhorn, see the Matterhorn from the church bridge, or sample the delicious local cakes known as Kuchen.
Day 8 – Day 8: Zermatt to Brig and Lake Maggiore
Day 8: Zermatt to Brig and Lake Maggiore
Descend to Täsch for a scenic drive to Brig, where you'll commence your ascent of the Simplon Pass. Enjoy the stunning views over the Alps from the summit. Continue to northern Italy, stopping along the shores of Lake Maggiore. The afternoon is at your leisure. You might want to join an optional experience to the beautiful Isola Bella.
Day 9 – Day 9: Lake Maggiore to Bellinzona and St. Moritz
- Bellinzona
- Sankt Moritz
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- Castelgrande
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Journey along the shores of Lake Maggiore, heading north to the three Fortifications at Bellinzona. A Local Expert will provide a fascinating insight into this UNESCO World Heritage Site. Continue through the Grisons Region, travelling via San Bernardino and Tiefencastel, to the glamorous resort of St. Moritz.
Day 10 – Day 10: Exploring St. Moritz
- Sankt Moritz
- More
Enjoy a day at leisure in the elegant resort of St. Moritz. You might want to join the jet-setters in this glamorous town or take an exciting train journey over the Bernina pass. Your Travel Director will provide you with a mountain railways pass, offering free travel on all cable cars, funiculars, and chairlifts in Engadine St. Moritz.
Day 11 – Day 11: St. Moritz to Andermatt and Lauterbrunnen
- Andermatt
- Sankt Moritz
- Lauterbrunnen
- More
- Landwasser Viaduct
- More
Step aboard the Glacier Express for 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 to Lauterbrunnen, at the head of the Valley of Waterfalls, and see the Staubbach Falls.
Day 12 – Day 12: Lauterbrunnen to Grindelwald
- Grindelwald
- Lauterbrunnen
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- Jungfraujoch
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Enjoy a full day at your leisure to explore Grindelwald, a charming village nestled in the Bernese Alps. You might want to take a cogwheel train ride to the summit of the Jungfrau mountain, known as the 'Top of Europe,' or hike one of the many trails that wind through the lush valleys and high mountains.
Day 13 – Day 13: Grindelwald to Brienz and Zürich
- Grindelwald
- Zurich
- More
- Titlis Glacier
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Today, you'll journey to Brienz, known for its woodcarving traditions. Visit the Jobin Swiss Woodcarving Centre before continuing over the Brünig Pass to Zürich. On an orientation tour of the city, you'll see the Bahnhofstrasse, Grossmünster, River Limmat, and Frauenmünster. In the evening, join your travel companions for a Celebration Dinner at a local restaurant.
Day 14 – Day 14: Departure from Zürich
- Zurich - Departure day
- More
Your Swiss adventures come to an end this morning. You'll be transferred to Zürich airport for your onward journey.
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