Country Roads of Switzerland

Explore the Rural Wonders of Switzerland on a 2-Week Guided Tour

See Switzerland in all its natural splendour 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.

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Day 1 WELCOME TO LUCERNE

Welcome to Switzerland, a land of snow-capped summits and romantic lakes that has attracted poets, musicians and travellers 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.

Meals:  Dinner with Wine

Hotel: Hotel Astoria

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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 unrivalled 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.

Meals:  Breakfast

Hotel:  Hotel Astoria

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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 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 is preserving the estate for future generations on this MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience.

Meals:  Breakfast, Dinner with Wine

Hotel: Grand Hôtel Suisse-Majestic

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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, immortalised 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.

Meals: Breakfast

Hotel: Grand Hôtel Suisse-Majestic

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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.

Meals:  Breakfast

Hotel: Grand Hôtel Suisse-Majestic

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Day 6 MARTIGNY, SION AND ZERMATT

Journey into the upper Rhône Valley to Martigny to view the Roman Amphitheatre. 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?

Meals:  Breakfast, Dinner with Wine

Hotel: Resort Hotel Alex

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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?

Meals:  Breakfast

Hotel: Resort Hotel Alex

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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-metre 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?

Meals:  Breakfast

Hotel: Hotel Simplon

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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, travelling 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.

Meals:  Breakfast

Hotel: Crystal Hotel |  Hotel Steffani

*Your hotel will be dependent on your departure date

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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.

Meals:  Breakfast

Hotel : Crystal Hotel |  Hotel Steffani

*Your hotel will be dependent on your departure date

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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 metres from the plateau above.

Meals:  Breakfast, Dinner with Wine

Hotel: Romantik Hotel Schweizerhof Grindelwald

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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?

Meals:  Breakfast

Hotel: Romantik Hotel Schweizerhof Grindelwald

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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 Centre 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.

Meals:  Breakfast, Dinner with Wine

Hotel: Renaissance Zurich Tower Hotel |  Opera Hotel

*Your hotel will be dependent on your departure date

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Day 14 DEPART ZÜRICH

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

Meals: Breakfast