Compare Magical Switzerland - Small Group, Winter 2021 2022 Small Group by Insight Vacations vs Switzerland: Europe's Crown Jewel 2024 by Tauck

Day 1: Zürich and Lovely Lucerne

Welcome to Switzerland - an enchanting winter wonderland of frozen waterfalls, peaceful cosy villages, snow-laden forests and imposing mountain ranges, crowned by famous peaks. On arrival at Zürich airport, transfers leave for your hotel in Lucerne at 09:30 and 13:30. Join your Travel Director and fellow guests at 18:00 for a Welcome Dinner with good food and wine.

Day 2: Lucerne and St. Moritz Relaxed Start

Experience Lucerne, a beautiful 14th century city still protected by medieval fortifications. Your Travel Director will reveal the covered wooden bridges, the painted gables and the sorrowful Lion Monument. Then there’s time to enjoy the excellent shops and lakeside walks before heading along the dramatic Walensee, past Chur, to the fashionable ski resort of St. Moritz. Set in the sparkling Engadine Valley, this elegant resort nestles below the awe-inspiring, majestic Grisons Alps.

Day 3: St. Moritz at Leisure Relaxed Start

T his whole day is completely at leisure, so maybe enjoy a late breakfast to start? Afterwards you may choose to explore the spa quarter of this chic resort, see the houses with their traditional sgraffito facades or indulge in the stylish boutiques? You may even consider joining the Bernina Express for a scenic rail journey of such epic proportions that it has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site?

Day 4: Aboard the Glacier Express

Board the world famous Glacier Express for a spectacular ride with lunch included, through the heart of the Swiss Alps. Descend through the tunnels of the Albula Pass and traverse the lofty Landwasser Viaduct. Your train then joins the broad Rhine Gorge and meanders beside rock-strewn rivers before climbing through snowy pastures and woodlands. Picturesque landscapes of ice-capped mountains and stone-built villages with chalet-style houses glide by. After a series of spirals, you will reach the highest point of the route, the icy Oberalp Pass. Modern, panoramic viewing cars ensure that you won’t miss a thing on your descent to Andermatt and down the Rhône Valley. Around mid-afternoon, you will disembark in Brig.

Day 5: Zermatt, Matterhorn Village

Marvel at the dramatic Swiss scenery, as you follow the narrow valley which leads to Täsch. Here, you leave the coach to board the cogwheel train that takes you to the traffic-free haven of Zermatt, at the foot of the Matterhorn. Wander along its cobbled streets to browse among the shops, explore the ancient wooden farmhouses and mazot barns in the back alleys, or visit the Matterhorn Museum to pass through the homes of yesteryear. If you have a head for heights, then you may like to board the cable car up the Klein Matterhorn. From the summit, marvel at the incredible views of the icebound Swiss Alps, should weather permit. Return to your hotel in Brig where the remainder of the day is at leisure.

Day 6: Chillon Castle and Geneva

Journey along the Lower Rhône Valley to the shores of Lake Geneva where the associations with the early European Romantic movement are very strong. With your Local Expert, visit beautiful Chillon Castle, former home to the Counts of Savoy, set on a rocky islet in the lake. In 1816, the castle inspired Lord Byron to write the poem ‘The Prisoner of Chillon,’ following his walk through the dungeons. Look out for his name, which he carved into a pillar. Close by is the sophisticated tiered town of Montreux, where it is delightful to stroll along the lakeside promenade. Enjoy a beautiful journey alongside the lake, passing Vevey and Lausanne, to reach the immaculate town of Geneva. On arrival, your orientation includes the United Nations Building, officially known as the Palais des Nations, the Old Town and the Jet d’Eau. Spend your night in Geneva, rejoicing with your newfound friends at the local restaurant, Le Petit Chalet, as you are treated to a delicious, traditional fondue Celebration Dinner complete with wine.

Day 7: Depart Geneva

Your magical journey comes to an end after breakfast. Your transfer will arrive at Geneva airport at 08:00 or 10:00.

Day 1 Arrive Geneva with included transfer to Lausanne

Tour begins: 6:00 PM, Lausanne Palace. A transfer is included from Geneva International Airport to Lausanne Palace in Lausanne; the drive takes you through the vineyard country high above Lake Geneva to your hotel in Lausanne, overlooking the north-central shore of the famous lake. Meet your fellow Alpine travelers at our welcome cocktail reception and dinner tonight at the hotel.

MEALS : D

LODGING : Lausanne Palace

PORTOFCALL : Lausanne, Switzerland

Day 2 Meadows & mountains, from Chillon to Gruyères and Zermatt

Get set for a day filled with spectacular scenery, regal lakeside châteaux, quintessential Swiss villages and snowcapped mountains! Lord Byron made Château de Chillon, a celebrated château on the shores of Lake Geneva, famous in his epic poem, The Prisoner of Chillon. Visit it today en route to Gruyères, known for its cheese, where you'll spend some free time and enjoy lunch. A cogwheel train from Taesch takes you high into the mountains to the car-free resort town of Zermatt for a two-night stay at your historic grand hotel.

MEALS : B, L, D

LODGING : Hotel Mont Cervin Palace

PORTOFCALL : Zermatt, Switzerland

Day 3 Climb to Gornergrat by cogwheel train & view the Matterhorn

Travel higher into the mountains by cogwheel train today to Gornergrat (elevation is 10,225 ft.) for spectacular views of the legendary Matterhorn. Coffee or an apéritif is sublime before heading back to Zermatt (either by train the entire way, or including a hike with a naturalist, your choice) and visiting the Matterhorn Museum. Return to your fabulous hotel to spend the rest of the day as you please.

MEALS : B

LODGING : Hotel Mont Cervin Palace

PORTOFCALL : Zermatt, Switzerland

Day 4 La dolce vita at Lake Maggiore in Italy & Lake Lugano in Switzerland

Descend by rail from Zermatt, then head through the majestic Simplon Pass en route to Italy's Lake Maggiore. After lunch in Stresa, a private water taxi to Isola Bella, owned by the noble Borromeo family, provides the opportunity to visit their impressive 17th-century palace and gardens, created in the shape of a ship. Back in Switzerland, head to Lake Lugano and a two-night stay.

MEALS : B, L, D

LODGING : Hotel Splendide Royal Lugano

PORTOFCALL : Stresa, Italy

Day 5 A lovely day in lakeside Lugano

Get to know Lugano – a gem of a lakeside resort town – first on a walking tour, then aboard a private wine tasting cruise on Lake Lugano. Following lunch at a local grotto restaurant, the rest of the afternoon and evening are yours to explore on your own. There is much to see, do and savor here in and around Lugano, and your Tauck Director will have many pleasurable activities to suggest, from checking out the Via Nassa to calling on little coastal villages like Gandria or Marcote by boat.

MEALS : B, L

LODGING : Hotel Splendide Royal Lugano

PORTOFCALL : Lugano, Switzerland

Day 6 Across the Alps to St. Moritz

Journey through an ever-changing, wonderfully scenic landscape as you cross between Italy and Switzerland along the old Roman Via Regina, relishing views of Lake Como before climbing into the mountains and crossing the Maloja Pass. A highlight is the scenic road to glamorous St. Moritz, with its lovely vistas of sparkling lakes and mighty mountains. Enjoy accommodations tonight at one of Switzerland's truly grand hotels.

MEALS : B, L, D

LODGING : Kempinski Grand Hotel des Bains

PORTOFCALL : St. Moritz, Switzerland

Day 7 Glacier Express Alps rail journey & a private funicular to a mountaintop dinner

Ride Switzerland's world-famous Glacier Express high into the Swiss Alps today and view majestic mountains from the comfort of a panoramic domed observation car, traveling past silver streams, massive peaks, lush valleys and glacial lakes. Disembark the train in Andermatt for a scenic drive leading to a two-night stay at a historic hotel surrounded by Alpine beauty in Interlaken that's rejuvenating... and a real pleasure. Late afternoon, enjoy a private ride on the Harderbahn funicular up to the Harder Kulm (or Harderkulm) viewpoint, overlooking Interlaken and Unterseen, for dinner at a restaurant with panoramic views of the spectacular scenery below.

MEALS : B, D

LODGING : Victoria-Jungfrau Grand Hotel & Spa

PORTOFCALL : Interlaken, Switzerland

Day 8 To the Top of Europe & the Jungfraujoch

In a section of the Bernese Oberland known as Switzerland's "jewel in the crown," climb through the Alps by cogwheel train, via the renowned mountain station at Kleine Scheidegg, to the Jungfraujoch... accompanied by a local guide who provides commentary during your ascent. Here, at over 11,000 feet – which truly feels like the "Top of Europe" – you'll enjoy a Tauck Exclusive... a private cocktail reception at the Ice Palace; take time to savor the astounding views of the lofty peaks of the Eiger, Jungfrau and Mönch! Spend the remainder of the day as you please back in the Alpine resort of Interlaken.

MEALS : B, D

LODGING : Victoria-Jungfrau Grand Hotel & Spa

PORTOFCALL : Interlaken, Switzerland

Day 9 Through the Bernese Oberland to Bern and on to Lucerne

Depart Interlaken and drive through more of the Bernese Oberland, bound for Bern. Switzerland's capital is noted for its charming architectural styles; explore the Old City of Berne, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. After a buffet lunch at Bern's Bellevue Palace, continue to Lucerne, one of Europe's premier cities, on the shores of Lake Lucerne. Stop at the Löwendenkmal (Lion Monument) en route to your home, Hotel Schweizerhof Luzern, for the next two nights. A historic landmark built in 1845 and ideally located in the heart of Lucerne's Old Town, the hotel was a recent recipient of The Milestone Award, Swiss tourism's top accolade. Under the project titled "Wo Luzern Geschichte(n) schreibt" (Where Lucerne writes history/stories), every guest room has been allocated a guest with a unique story. They include great personalities such as thinkers, artists, politicians, athletes, musicians and crowned heads as well as unknown guests, whose stories are part of the hotel's history.

MEALS : B, L, D

LODGING : Hotel Schweizerhof Luzern

PORTOFCALL : Lucerne, Switzerland

Day 10 Explore Lucerne and enjoy a special farewell evening

While a thoroughly modern, culturally rich city, lakeside Lucerne retains much of its Old World charm and a strong sense of its history, as you'll see for yourself on a guided walking tour and time to explore on your own today. Surrounded by an Alpine panorama, stroll over its medieval covered wooden bridges and discover the many Renaissance and Baroque fountains that dot the city – along with many wonderful galleries, shops and cafés. Late afternoon, join us for a boat ride across the lake that brings us to a special farewell dinner at the popular restaurant Seehotel Baumgarten – a fabulous way to end your Tauck Switzerland journey!

MEALS : B, D

LODGING : Hotel Schweizerhof Luzern

PORTOFCALL : Lucerne, Switzerland

Day 11 Journey home

Tour ends: Zurich. Fly home anytime. A transfer is included from Hotel Schweizerhof Luzern to Zurich Airport, an approximate travel time of 60 minutes. Allow a minimum of three hours for flight check-in.

MEALS : B

PORTOFCALL : Lucerne, Switzerland