Mountains, Valleys and Lakes of Switzerland

Visit Switzerland

HIGHLIGHTS:

Zurich - Appenzell - Lucerne Region - Bern - Bern - Jungfrau Region

Day 1 Zurich (Switzerland)

Velvety milk chocolate, pristine alpine landscapes, intricately crafted timepieces – say hallo to Switzerland! You’ll meet your Tour Leader and the friendly small group you’ll be sharing this adventure with in Zurich: one of the world’s most impressive, and supposedly happiest, cities.

Once you’ve settled into your central hotel, we’ll get to know one another further over a delicious welcome meal featuring several regional specialties like creamy veal stew and golden potato rösti. Guten appetit! 

Day 2 Zurich – Schaffhausen – Appenzell

Step into a real-life fairytale this morning as we venture onwards to Schaffhausen; a charming town sprawled out along the banks of the Rhine River.

Prepare to be mesmerised by its pedestrianised Old Town on a welcome walk with your Tour Leader – strolling past medieval guild houses and seeing how many of the town’s famed 171 bay windows you can spot! You’ll then have the chance to delve a little deeper at your own pace before we board our luxury minicoach and continue on to Appenzell. Yodelling, cheese-making and the soft clang of cowbells are just some of the things you can expect to encounter during your two-night stay in this picture-perfect mountain village! We’ll get acquainted with Appenzell’s prettily decorated houses and soaring scenery on a locally guided walking tour. It’ll end with a tantalising tasting of spiced biberli: an almond-filled, gingerbread pastry that's been baked (and happily devoured) by the town’s locals since the 14th century.  The rest of the day is yours to enjoy even more Appenzeller delights or to simply relax at your hotel before another full day of soaking up Switzerland's many charms. 

Day 3 Appenzell – St Gallen – Appenzell

After tucking into bowls of traditional Bircher muesli for breakfast, we’ll make our way to another enchanting Old Town.

This time, it’s in charming St Gallen: a city known for its rich textile-making heritage and for housing a particularly prestigious monastic library.  You’ll zigzag down cobbled lanes and past half-timbered houses during an introductory walking tour of its UNESCO World Heritage-listed Abbey District before enjoying a little free time. Consider spending it among the treasured tombs and centuries-old curios of the ancient Abbey Library. Or you may want to seek out the locals’ favourite snack for lunch: cardamom and nutmeg spiced bratwurst stuffed inside a crusty bürli bread roll.  Just make sure you save some room for this afternoon’s activity: a brewery tour and tasting back in Appenzell. You'll sample a selection of refreshing local beers before getting the lowdown on the brewing process on a tour of the manufacturing room. We’ll also discover all about the brewery’s sustainability credentials – including how they turn their by-products into tasty treats like crisps, muesli and even balsamic vinegar! 

Day 4 Appenzell – Lucerne – Lucerne Region

We’ll say auf wiedersehen to Appenzell today as we weave our way past glistening lakes and soaring peaks to a city with a rich history in chocolate making.

Our first port of call when we arrive in Lucerne will, of course, be a local chocolatier who’ll reveal all about this sumptuous Swiss craft. There’ll be a chance to savour all manner of delights – including fulfilling your childhood dreams of sampling a selection of decadent chocolate fountains. You’ll even be able to create your very own chocolate bar to take home (or snack on back in the minicoach!).  Afterwards, Lucerne’s colourful Altstadt (Old Town) is yours explore. Don’t miss ambling across the Kapellbrücke (Chapel Bridge): a reconstruction of a covered wooden bridge that’s straddled the River Reuss since medieval times. If you can manage lunch after all that chocolate, you’ll discover plenty of local cafes serving up fondue and moreish alplermagronen (Switzerland’s answer to macaroni cheese). We’ll then swap our minicoach for a scenic boat ride as we glide across the turquoise shores of Lake Lucerne. Inhale fresh mountain air and keep your eyes peeled for dustings of snow on the surrounding peaks. An idyllic resort at the foot of Mount Rigi is our final setting – where we’ll end the day with a wholesome included dinner.  

Day 5 Lucerne Region – Einsiedeln and Mount Rigi – Lucerne Region

More Swiss delicacies are on the menu today, so make sure you don’t fill up too much at breakfast! Those who prefer savoury to sweet will be in heaven as we make our way to our first stop: a local cheese factory in Einsiedeln.

As well as nibbling on rich Einsiedler – a mature mountain cheese churned from the milk of those attractive alpine cows you may have spotted on your journey here – you’ll try your hand at creating your very own variety.  Later, we’ll swap culinary secrets for a magical cogwheel train ride. This particular railway was Europe’s first ever mountain line and it scales the undulating slopes of Mount Rigi – with views of deep blue lakes, cosy wooden cabins and snow-capped peaks everywhere you gaze. You’ll likely have a big appetite after all that mountain air, so we’ll return to our hotel where a choice of local restaurants is only a short stroll away. 

Day 6 Lucerne Region – Eggiwil – Bern

Have you ever heard the deep rumble of a traditional alphorn? Today’s your chance as we venture into the enchanting village of Eggiwil (pronounced ‘eggy-ville’).

Set within the pristine rolling Emmental hills and lined with neat wooden houses, it seems as if it’s been plucked straight out of a children’s book. Here, we’ll meet one of its friendly residents: a local alphorn maker who’ll give us a masterclass in creating this iconic (and comically long) Swiss wind instrument that’s been played by alpine herdsmen for centuries. Then from the countryside to the cosmopolitan! Switzerland's captivating capital, Bern, is today’s final destination. We’ll get a brief introduction into its impeccably preserved medieval streets on a welcome walk with our knowledge-filled Tour Leader before enjoying a free evening to wander. The Old Town is teeming with traditional eateries where you can sample more gschmackig (lip-smacking) Swiss delights like stretchy melted raclette or flavoursome smoked meats served with stacks of crispy potatoes and sauerkraut. 

Day 7 Bern

Did you know that bears have been a symbol of Bern since the early 12th century? It’s just one of the facts you might uncover during your free day in the city – especially if you choose to explore the huge array of museums.

  If science piques your curiosity, a trip to the home of Albert Einstein – who developed his Theory of Relativity in Bern – is a must. Or consider seeking out the 13th-century Zytglogge (Clock Tower): a key landmark that’s well-worth climbing its 130 steps for panoramic vistas across the city’s tiled rooftops. Visit as the hours change to watch the tower’s astronomical clock face transform into a mesmerising puppet show featuring a jester, a bear and the God of Time himself, Cronos. You’ll then have another evening free to masquerade as a Bernese local in the Old Town or to relax ahead of tomorrow, when we’ll be swapping the bustling city for the quiet beauty of the majestic Jungfrau Region... 

Day 8 Bern – Thun and Interlaken – Jungfrau Region

Storybook castles, tumbling waterfalls and another incredibly scenic cogwheel rail journey are all on today’s agenda as we wave goodbye to Bern and meander towards the glorious Bernese Oberland.

Our first encounter will be with the medieval castle of Thun – a Swiss Heritage Site of National Significance featuring a cluster of towers and commanding views across the Aare River. Our journey will then weave its way to Interlaken: the gateway to the dazzling Jungfrau region. Sandwiched snugly between two shimmering lakes and with a backdrop of the snow-capped Bernese Alps, it’s no surprise that it’s considered one of the best places in Europe for an adventure. Soak it all in with a gentle amble around the city centre before we traverse the scenic Lauterbrunnen Valley in search of the Staubbach Falls. Romantically described as a ‘pure stream’ gushing down ‘in billowing clouds’ by poet Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, Switzerland’s highest free-falling waterfall will undoubtedly take your breath away!  After a day that's already been packed with scenic sights, we’ll top it off with a cogwheel train ride that will plunge us even deeper into the picture-perfect Jungfrau Region. You'll then disembark in the lofty and very lovely village of Wengen: your home for the next two nights. 

Day 9 Jungfrau Region – Jungfraujoch – Jungfrau Region

If you thought your recent cog railway rides were pretty spectacular, you’re in for a treat today! Prepare for intoxicatingly beautiful vistas as we climb nearly 3,500 metres above sea level to Mount Jungfrau’s summit aboard the Jungfrau Railway.

  This towering peak has long been nicknamed the ‘Top of Europe’ and it’ll become clear why as you step foot on the 360-degree Sphinx Observation Deck. Stare out across miles of otherworldly landscapes – from the glistening Aletsch Glacier (the largest glacier in the Alps) to Germany’s bewitching Black Forest region. Make sure you wrap up as Jungfraujoch is continuously submerged in snow and prone to refreshing-yet-icy breezes! There’s plenty of other activities to revel in up here, too. You could marvel at fantastical frozen sculptures of woodland creatures in the Ice Palace, visit the world’s highest Lindt chocolate shop or peruse the Alpine Sensation exhibition to learn all about the construction of the mountain railway. Later, we'll begin our slow descent back to Wengen where we’ll tuck into a tasty farewell dinner and toast heartily to our superb Swiss adventure! 

Day 10 Jungfrau Region – Lauterbrunnen – Zurich

After one last breakfast together, we’ll ride the picturesque cog railway back to tranquil Lauterbrunnen: a secluded village nestled in a valley surrounded by vast, rocky cliffs.

But before we wind our way through idyllic alpine scenery back to Zurich in our minicoach, there’s time for one more experience.  This time, we’ll be tapping into our creative sides at a local glassblowing museum where we’ll see up close how local artisans work their magic warping glass into all manner of intricate items. Finally, it’ll be time to bid farewell to our small group of new friends as we arrive back in the big city. The only question now is: where will you venture to next? 

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