Country Roads of Switzerland - Small Group
Country Roads of Switzerland - Small Group
$8975
Tour Overview
See Switzerland in all its natural splendor during this 2-week guided tour that whisks you from snow-capped mountain peaks to floral valleys. Outside Lucerne, complete with wooden bridges and baroque churches, zip to the top of Mount Stanserhorn, a pinnacle so tall you can see France and Germany. Take in beautiful Bern and its Catherdrals with a Local Expert followed by a stop in Gruyères. Glide along the Glacier Express, a glass-topped train that will carry you through the Oberalp Valley and to Grindelwald, an idyllic alpine village set to the backdrop of winding rivers and towering waterfalls. In St. Moritz, a mountain railways pass will allow you to traverse the alpine village’s cable cars, funiculars and chairlifts. Then taste the freshest cuisine in Switzerland during an intimate farm-to-table dinner experience, including cheese. ...more ...less
Top Rated Highlights
- Stanserhorn: Journey to the top of Mount Stanserhorn on a panoramic, open-top cable car powered by solar energy.
- 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.
- 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: Explore one of the most beautiful walks along Lake Geneva.
- Geneva: With your Travel Director you'll discover the Jet d'Eau and the Floral Clock.
- Lake Geneva: Enjoy first-class seats as you cruise on the serene waters of the King of Lakes.
- Martigny: View the Roman Amphitheatre during your orientation.
- Sion: Your Travel Director will show you the two fortress-churches, the cathedral and Old Town Hall.
- 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.
- Zermatt: Your Travel Director will lead you on an orientation of this picturesque village, high in the mountains.
- Lugano: With your Travel Director discover the lakeside city.
- St Moritz: See the spa quarter and glacial lake of this charming alpine resort.
- St Moritz: With your inclusive pass, travel on 13 cable cars, funiculars, chairlifts and select public transport options (when available).
- St Moritz: Travel 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.
- Grindelwald: Explore this famous glacier village. Embedded in a unique Alpine landscape at the foot of the Eiger north face.
- Brienz: Learn the history of woodcarving at the Jobin Swiss Woodcarving Centre.
- Zurich: During your orientation of the city, your Travel Director will show you the Grossmunster, Fraumunster and elegant Bahnhofstrasse.
Make Travel Matter
Stanserhorn: Ascend Mount Stanserhorn on a solar-powered cable car, enjoy breathtaking summit views, explore scenic paths, and learn about local wildlife and flora. This experience advances United Nations Sustainable Development Goals 7 & 15: Affordable and Clean Energy & Life on Land.
Lake Geneva: Visit a family-run winery overlooking the lake. Enjoy a tasting, and learn about the family's sustainable agricultural practices before your Farm-to-Table meal. This experience advances United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 12: Responsible Consumption and Production.
Authentic Dining
Lucerne: Toast to new friends and Swiss adventures during your dinner at Restaurant Seeblick.
Zermatt: Choose between fine local restaurants for your Dine-Around evening, with the chance to indulge in traditional fondue.
Zurich: Raise your glass and enjoy a delicious dinner featuring Swiss classics at a local restaurant.
Itinerary
Day 1: Welcome to Lucerne
Location: Zürich, Lucerne
Accommodation: Astoria Lucerne
Accommodation Name: Astoria Lucerne
Meals Included: Dinner
Welcome to Switzerland. On arrival at Zürich airport, transfers leave for your hotel in Lucerne. Meet your Travel Director and travel companions, followed by a pleasant dinner with wine at a local restaurant.
Day 2: Ascend the summit of Mount Stanserhorn
Location: Mount Stanserhorn, Lucerne
Accommodation: Astoria, Lucerne
Accommodation Name: Astoria Lucerne
Meals Included: Breakfast
Explore Mount Stanserhorn on a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience, as an open-top cable car powered by solar panels takes you up the summit. Return to the 14th century city of Lucerne to see its storybook wooden bridges, Baroque church and sorrowful Lion Monument. Enjoy the rest of the afternoon at leisure.
Day 3: Bern, Gruyères and Montreux
Location: Bern, Gruyères, Montreux
Accommodation: Eden Palace Au Lac, Montreux
Accommodation Name: Eden Palace Au Lac, Montreux
Meals Included: Dinner
In Bern, your Local Expert, a local English teacher, shows you the Cathedral of St. Vincent, Federal Palace and floral displays. Continue to the fortified town of Gruyères, where there is time at leisure. From Montreux, travel along the shores of Lake Geneva to visit a winery. Admire the stunning panorama overlooking the lake and savour 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.
Day 4: Lake Geneva and the Swiss Countryside
Location: Lake Geneva, Chillon Castle, Montreux
Accommodation: Eden Palace Au Lac, Montreux
Accommodation Name: Eden Palace Au Lac, Montreux
Meals Included: Breakfast
On the western bay of Lake Geneva, visit Chillon Castle for a special tour of the former home to the Dukes of Savoy, immortalised by Lord Byron's 'Prisoner of Chillon.'
Day 5: Geneva and Scenic Lake Cruise Relaxed Start
Location: Geneva, Lake Geneva
Accommodation: Eden Palace Au Lac, Montreux
Accommodation Name: Eden Palace Au Lac, Montreux
Meals Included: Breakfast
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.
Day 6: Martigny, Sion and Zermatt Relaxed Start
Location: Martigny, Sion, Zermatt
Accommodation: Resort Alex, Zermatt
Accommodation Name: Resort Alex, Zermatt
Meals Included: Dinner
Journey to Martigny to view the Roman Amphitheatre and continue to the town of Sion to 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.
Day 7: Zermatt at Leisure Relaxed Start
Location: Zermatt, Klein Matterhorn
Accommodation: Resort Alex, Zermatt
Accommodation Name: Resort Alex, Zermatt
Meals Included: Breakfast
Zermatt in the summertime offers many leisure possibilities: try swimming, hiking or relaxing in your alpine surroundings. Perhaps take a trip to the Klein Matterhorn to view the magnificent snow-capped top of the world.
Day 8: The Italian Lake District to Lugano
Location: Täsch, Brig, Simplon Pass, Lugano
Accommodation: De La Paix, Lugano
Accommodation Name: De La Paix, Lugano
Meals Included: Breakfast
Travel to Täsch for a scenic drive to Brig, where you'll commence your ascent of the Simplon Pass. The afternoon is at your leisure. Perhaps join an experience to the stunning Isola Bella?
Day 9: The Glamour and Glitz of St. Moritz
Location: Bellinzona, St. Moritz
Accommodation: Crystal, St. Moritz, Steffani, St. Moritz
Accommodation Name: Crystal, St. Moritz, Steffani, St. Moritz
Meals Included: Breakfast
Journey to the three Fortifications at Bellinzona to meet your Local Expert for a fascinating insight into this UNESCO World Heritage Site. Continue through the Grisons Region, following the Rhine River to the glamorous resort of St. Moritz.
Day 10: Leisure Time in St. Moritz Relaxed Start
Location: St. Moritz, Bernina Pass
Accommodation: Crystal, St. Moritz, Steffani, St. Moritz
Accommodation Name: Crystal, St. Moritz, Steffani, St. Moritz
Meals Included: Breakfast
Enjoy a day at leisure to mingle 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.
Day 11: The Glacier Express
Location: Landwasser Viaduct, Andermatt, Schöllenen Gorge, Grindelwald, Lauterbrunnen, Staubbach Falls
Accommodation: Romantik Schweizerhof, Grindelwald
Accommodation Name: Romantik Schweizerhof, Grindelwald
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Step aboard the Glacier Express to experience one of the world’s great railway journeys. Cross the Landwasser Viaduct and head down through the Oberalp Valley, rejoining the coach at Andermatt. Drive through the Schöllenen Gorge, along the Grindelwald Valley and follow the Lütschine River to Lauterbrunnen. See the Staubbach Falls plunge 300 metres from the plateau above.
Day 12: Grindelwald at Leisure Relaxed Start
Location: Grindelwald
Accommodation: Romantik Schweizerhof, Grindelwald
Accommodation Name: Romantik Schweizerhof, Grindelwald
Meals Included: Breakfast
Enjoy a full day at your leisure to explore Grindelwald, a charming village nestled in the Bernese Alps. Choose from a selection of Optional Experiences to complement your alpine journey.
Day 13: Rural Switzerland to Zürich
Location: Brienz, Zürich, Bahnhofstrasse, Zürich, Grossmünster, Zürich, River Limmat, Zürich, Frauenmünster, Zürich
Accommodation: Hyatt Place Zurich Airport The Circle
Accommodation Name: Hyatt Regency Zurich Airport
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Journey to Brienz to visit the Jobin Swiss Woodcarving Centre. On return to Zürich, see the Bahnhofstrasse, Grossmünster, River Limmat and Frauenmünster. Join your travel companions at a local restaurant. Your dinner is accompanied with wine - raise your glass to toast to your adventures.
Day 14: Depart Zürich
Location: Zürich
Meals Included: Breakfast
Your Swiss adventures come to an end this morning as you depart from Zürich airport.
What's Included
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Meals
The tour includes 13 breakfasts, 3 dinners with wine, and 2 additional dinners.
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Personal Radio Headsets
Personal radio headsets are provided to give you the freedom to wander during visits to famous highlights, without missing any of your Local Expert's fascinating commentary.
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Hotel and Restaurant Tips
Hotel and restaurant tips are included, so you won't have to worry about how much to give or search for foreign currency.
What's Not Included
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Flights Outside Scheduled Times
If your flights are outside the scheduled times, or you have booked additional nights accommodation with Insight Vacations, you may need to purchase transfers or make your own way from/to the airport.
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Optional Activities
Optional activities such as a trip to the Klein Matterhorn or an experience to Isola Bella are not included and may incur additional costs.
Mode of Transport
Travel in style and comfort aboard Insight's luxurious, air-conditioned 40-seat coach, featuring double the standard legroom and an onboard washroom. Enjoy the convenience of scheduled airport transfers and the scenic Glacier Express train journey.Accommodation
Experience the comfort of staying at renowned hotels such as Astoria Lucerne, Eden Palace Au Lac in Montreux, Resort Alex in Zermatt, and Hyatt Place Zurich Airport The Circle.Dining Summary
Additional Included Highlights
Insight Experiences
Well-being
Summary
Check out our Q&As
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What unique experiences are included in the tour?
The tour includes a ride on the Glacier Express, a cruise on Lake Geneva, and a journey on the Matterhorn Gotthard Railway to Zermatt. You will also visit the Jobin Swiss Woodcarving Centre in Brienz and explore the stunning town of Bellinzona with a Local Expert.
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What sustainable practices are highlighted during the tour?
The tour includes a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience at Mount Stanserhorn, where you will ascend the summit on an open-top cable car powered by solar panels. Additionally, you will visit a family-run winery overlooking Lake Geneva, where you will learn about the family's sustainable agricultural practices. ...more ...less
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What dining experiences can I expect on the tour?
You will enjoy a welcome dinner in Lucerne, dine-around options in Zermatt, and a celebration dinner in Zürich. The tour also includes a Farm-to-Table light dinner made from locally sourced produce at a winery overlooking Lake Geneva.
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What is the accommodation like during the tour?
You will stay at renowned hotels such as Astoria Lucerne, Eden Palace Au Lac in Montreux, Resort Alex in Zermatt, and Hyatt Place Zurich Airport The Circle, ensuring comfort throughout your journey.
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Are there any optional activities available during the tour?
Yes, optional activities such as a trip to the Klein Matterhorn or an experience to Isola Bella are available but may incur additional costs.
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Can I join the tour once it has departed?
We regret that no refunds can be made for absences from a tour, including experiences such as missed meals or sightseeing.
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How long has the tour company been trading?
Since 1978.
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What Ethical Travel credentials does the tour company have?
Insight Vacations is a founding member of the TreadRight Foundation, a joint initiative created by the brands within The Travel Corporation (TTC) almost 15 years ago to ensure our impact through tourism is positive. Our ethos to #MakeTravelMatter guides our decision-making at every level of our business.
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Will the accommodation included meet local health and safety regulations?
Yes
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Do you operate a “single share” option and how does it work?
You have two options as a solo traveller. Either choose to be matched with a same sex partner for a room share - at no extra cost. Or choose a room of your own with a reduced or even free private room upgrade on select tours.
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What policies are in place for Covid-19?
Please contact us for latest COVID-19 policies
Reviews of this operator
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Book with Confidence
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Low Deposit
Insight Vacations requires a minimum deposit of 350 USD per person or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 90 days before departure.
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Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of insight vacations charges.
Up to 91 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.
At 90 days before tour starts: Forfeit 50% of booking price.
At 29 days before tour starts: Forfeit 80% of booking price.
At 1 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.
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Terms and Conditions
Enquire for Extra Savings
Rated 5* on Trust Pilot & ABTA Protected.
Country Roads of Switzerland - Small Group
14 Days Starting and ending in Zurich, Switzerland
Visiting: Zürich, Lucerne, Mount Stanserhorn, Bern, Gruyères, Montreux, Lake Geneva, Chillon Castle, Geneva, Martigny, Sion, Zermatt, Klein Matterhorn, Täsch, Brig, Simplon Pass, Lugano, Bellinzona, St. Moritz, Bernina Pass, Landwasser Viaduct, Andermatt, Schöllenen Gorge, Grindelwald, Lauterbrunnen, Staubbach Falls, Brienz, Bahnhofstrasse, Zürich, Grossmünster, Zürich, River Limmat, Zürich, Frauenmünster Zürich ...more ...less
Tour operator:
Tour code:
SE728ZN20
Guide Type:
Fully Guided
Group size:
12 - 24
Age range:
5-99
Tour operated in:
EnglishTrip Styles:
Interests:
Foodie and Wine Tours, Gardens & Nature Tours, Rail Tours, Wildlife Tours
