Compare Best of Switzerland by Intrepid Travel vs Switzerland: Europe's Crown Jewel 2024 by Tauck

Day 1 Zurich

Welcome to Switzerland! There's much to see and do in Zurich, so we recommend you book some additional nights prior to the trip's start. This afternoon, meet your group at 5 pm in the hotel lobby for an important welcome meeting. Afterwards, take an evening orientation walk with your leader around Zurich to take in the river and lakefront by night.

Day 2 Lucerne

This morning, get a taste of the world-renowned Swiss rail system – efficient and punctual – as you head to Lucerne, a small city known for its mountainous backdrop on the pristine Lake Lucerne. The city is a popular destination for those visiting central Switzerland thanks to its proximity to many outdoor activities, its breathtaking natural beauty and historic architecture. On a walking tour with your leader, take a walk past 15th-century frescoed houses and across covered wooden bridges and climb to the top of the medieval towers along the city walls for spectacular views of this picturesque city and its surroundings. In the tiny streets of the old town (Altstadt), there’s often a craft market and dozens of shops full of unique handmade goods.

Day 3 Lucerne / Mt Pilatus

It's tour time! Hop on the Golden Pilatus tour – a roundtrip journey across Lake Lucerne to the summit of Mt Pilatus and back to town via boat, rail and gondola. From the shores of the Reuss river in Lucerne, hop on a steamboat ride along the lake to Alpnachstad, where you'll board the steepest cogwheel railway in the world, which takes you to the summit of Mt Pilatus at 2132 metres. Walk up to the various viewpoints or just park yourself on the panoramic viewing platform and enjoy some lunch (and perhaps even a yodelling or alphorn demonstration if you're lucky). From here, travel down the other side of the mountain via gondola. Opt to walk back to the city centre or hop aboard a public bus for an evening at your leisure.

Day 4-5 Jungfrau region

Today, travel to the Jungfrau Region of the Swiss Alps and enjoy a couple of free days in this picturesque mountain paradise. From your homebase in the valley village of Lauterbrunnen, you've got a tonne of optional activities to choose from. With trains and cable car routes throughout the valley, it's quite easy to access viewpoints and hikes of all levels from the valley floor to mountain peaks. You could also visit Trummelbach Falls – Europe's largest subterranean waterfalls whose powerful glacier waters have carved a slot canyon through the mountainside. You might also opt to ride the rails from Lauterbrunnen through the villages of Wengen and Kleine Scheidegg to board the train to Jungfrauroch, aka the Top of Europe, home to the highest railway station in Europe at nearly 3500 metres. Interlaken and Grindelwald are easy day trips, too. Happy exploring!

Day 6 Bulle

This morning, catch another train to Bulle, located in La Gruyere district. Enjoy some time in this French-speaking town with an orientation walk followed by a cheese-infused picnic featuring local delicacies selected by your leader. Then, visit local chocolate shops to sample the wares. You'll have some free time later in the afternoon to wander down to Lake Gruyere to have a swim or find somewhere cosy to chill.

Day 7 Bern

Travel to Bern – Switzerland's capital and arguably one of the most beautiful cities in Europe. After checking into your hotel, grab a quick lunch and follow your leader on an orientation walking tour. Head to the Old Town, explore the area where Einstein lived and developed his Theory of Relativity at the start of the 20th century and stop to check out Parliament House. Visit the famous Zytglogge - Bern Clock. On a guided tour, examine the gears and apparatus of the old clock, which dates back to the 15th century, with many original parts still in operation. Watch the perfectly timed figurines closely and don't miss out on the panoramic view of Bern from the top. In the evening, why not get some of your crew together to explore the food and drink scene in Bern – from typical Swiss dishes to worldwide cuisine, Bern is a great place for dining.

Day 8 Bern

With no activities planned for today, you are free to leave any time after breakfast. That doesn’t mean your adventure has to come to an end! If you would like to spend more time in Bern, we’ll be happy to organise additional accommodation (subject to availability).

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