Best of Switzerland
Best of Switzerland
$3795
Best of Switzerland
8 Days Starting in Zurich, Switzerland and ending in Bern, Switzerland
Visiting: Zurich, Lucerne, Lake Lucerne, Mt Pilatus, Grindelwald, Grindelwald First, Jungfraujoch, Interlaken, Lauterbrunnen, Trummelbach Falls, Jungfrau, Bulle, Gruyere, La Maison du Gruyère, Bern, Old Town, Bern, Zytglogge Bern
Tour operator:
Tour code:
AMSS
Guide Type:
Fully Guided
Group size:
1 - 12
Age range:
15-99
Special diets catered:
Vegetarians
Tour operated in:
EnglishTrip Styles:
Interests:
Cultural, Foodie and Wine Tours, Gardens & Nature Tours, Rail Tours
Activities:
Tour Overview
Embark on the "Best of Switzerland" tour and experience the breathtaking beauty and cultural richness of this stunning country. Begin your journey in Zurich with an evening orientation walk, then travel by the renowned Swiss rail system to Lucerne, where you'll explore its historic architecture and enjoy a boat cruise to Mt Pilatus. Spend two free days in the Jungfrau Region, choosing your own adventure amidst the Swiss Alps. Delight in the culinary wonders of La Gruyere with cheese and chocolate tastings in Bulle. Conclude your adventure in Bern, exploring its charming Old Town and the iconic Zytglogge clock tower. With expert guidance and ample free time, this tour offers a perfect blend of exploration and relaxation.
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1: Zurich
Location: Zurich
Accommodation: Hotel
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 6 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.
Included Activities:
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Day 2: Lucerne
Location: Lucerne
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast
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.
Included Activities:
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Optional Activities:
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Day 3: Lucerne / Mt Pilatus
Location: Lucerne, Lake Lucerne, Mt Pilatus
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast
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.
Included Activities:
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Day 4-5: Jungfrau region
Location: Grindelwald, Grindelwald First, Jungfraujoch, Interlaken, Lauterbrunnen, Trummelbach Falls
Accommodation: Hotel
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 village of Grindelwald, 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. One of the popular spots is Grindelwald First, accessible by a cable car ride, you can embark on the First Cliff Walk, an adrenaline-pumping walkway that clings to the side of the mountain. You might also opt to ride the rails from Grindelwald through the village of 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 Lauterbrunnen are easy day trips, too. In Lauterbrunnen, you could also visit Trummelbach Falls – Europe's largest subterranean waterfalls whose powerful glacier waters have carved a slot canyon through the mountainside. Happy exploring!
Optional Activities:
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Day 6: Bulle
Location: Bulle, Gruyere, La Maison du Gruyère
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast
This morning, catch another train to Bulle, located in La Gruyere district. After lunch, hop on a quick local train to Gruyere, where you will first visit La Maison du Gruyère, a renowned cheese factory where you can learn about the traditional methods of making the famous Gruyère cheese. Then, head to a local fromagerie to savour delicious cheeses during a tasting session. Conclude your culinary excursion with a visit to a local chocolate shop, where you can treat yourself to a delightful tasting of Swiss chocolates.
Included Activities:
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Day 7: Bern
Location: Bern, Old Town, Bern, Zytglogge, Bern
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast
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.Included Activities:-Bern: Orientation Walk-Bern: Zytgoggle Guided TourOptional Activities:-Bern - Rose Garden - Free-Bern - History and Einstein Museum-Bern - Minster (Cathedral) - Free-Bern - Museum of Fine Arts
Day 8: Bern
Location: Bern
Meals Included: Breakfast
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).
What's Included
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Zurich - Orientation walk
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Lucerne - Orientation Walk
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Lucerne - Boat Cruise & Mt Pilatus Golden Circle Tour
What's Not Included
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Optional Activities
Optional activities such as visits to the Swiss Museum of Transport, Jungfraujoch, and Trummelbach Falls are not included.
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Pre/Post Trip Accommodation
Accommodation before or after the trip is not included unless specifically purchased.
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Personal Expenses
Personal expenses such as souvenirs, additional meals, and drinks are not included.
Transport
- TRANSPORT IN EUROPE
- Half the fun of travel is the travelling itself, that's why we like to travel the local way – whether that means mingling with commuters on a local train, watching the scenery roll by from the window of a long distance bus, arriving on a high speed train in the city centre of your next destination, or navigating each city's public transport system. In Europe, you are guaranteed to travel by genuine local public transport wherever possible, which puts you right in the centre of the action.
- SWISS TRAINS
- On this trip you will be predominantly travelling by train. Swiss trains are most likely the best in Europe, clean, comfortable, and, you guessed it, punctual. Some of them will have restaurant carriages, but all of them have toilets. You will also be able to charge your phone or camera on the train as well (as long as you have the right adapter with you). And what is guaranteed, are the best views you can ever imagine.
Included Activities
- St Gallen - Abbey of St Gall & Library
- Lucerne - Boat Cruise & Mt Pilatus Golden Circle Tour
- Gruyeres - Maison Cailler Chocolate Factory
- Gruyeres - Maison de Gruyere Fromagerie Cheese Factory
- Bern - E-Bike Tour
Accommodation
- The style of accommodation indicated in the day-to-day itinerary is a guideline only and may change. On some occasions, alternative arrangements may need to be made due to the lack of availability of rooms in our preferred accommodation. In these cases, we will use a similar standard of accommodation.
- Throughout the trip, we request that our properties prepare rooms in time for our arrival, especially if we're arriving prior to normal check-in time. However, this isn't always possible which means we won't be able to check-in immediately on arrival at some hotels. Instead, we can store our luggage and explore our new destination or on some trips, have use of shared day rooms until all rooms are available.
- OCCASIONAL ALTERNATIVE ACCOMMODATION
- The style of accommodation indicated in the day-to-day itinerary is a guideline. On rare occasions, alternative arrangements may need to be made due to the lack of availability of rooms in our usual accommodation. A similar standard of accommodation will be used in these instances.
- TWIN SHARE BASIS
- Accommodation on this trip is on a twin/multishare basis. We pair up solo travellers with another traveller of the same gender as per the gender marker on each of their passports. Please note there may be times where facilities will be shared rather than ensuite and rare occasions when you share a room with passengers travelling on different Intrepid trips than your own.
- CHECK-IN TIME
- Throughout the trip we request that our hotels prepare rooms in time for our arrival, especially if we're arriving prior to normal check-in time. However this isn't always possible which means we won't be able to check-in immediately on arrival at some hotels. Instead, we can store our luggage and explore our new destination.
- PRE/POST TRIP ACCOMMODATION
- If you've purchased pre-trip or post-trip accommodation (if available), you may be required to change rooms from your trip accommodation for these extra nights.
- FACILITIES
- Your accommodation may not always have private en suite facilities or air-conditioning. European hotels generally don't provide kettles or fridges.
Important Information
- 1. A single supplement is bookable on this trip. Availability is limited due to small properties we use. Please speak to your agent for further information.
Mode of Transport
Travel throughout Switzerland is predominantly by train, utilizing the efficient and punctual Swiss rail system. Experience local public transport, including high-speed trains and city public transport systems, ensuring a genuine local travel experience with breathtaking views and convenient amenities.Accommodation
Accommodation on this tour is primarily on a twin/multishare basis, with solo travelers paired with others of the same gender. Facilities may be shared, and alternative arrangements may be made if preferred accommodations are unavailable. European hotels typically lack private en suite facilities, kettles, or fridges.Check out our Q&As
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What type of transportation is used during the tour?
The tour predominantly uses Swiss trains, which are known for being clean, comfortable, and punctual. You will also travel by local public transport, including buses and boats, to ensure an authentic experience.
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What can I expect during the visit to Mt Pilatus?
During the visit to Mt Pilatus, you will embark on the Golden Pilatus tour, which includes a steamboat ride across Lake Lucerne, a journey on the steepest cogwheel railway in the world to the summit, and a descent via gondola. You can enjoy panoramic views and possibly witness a yodelling or alphorn demonstration.
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Are there any culinary experiences included in the tour?
Yes, the tour includes cheese tasting at a local fromagerie and chocolate tasting at a local chocolate shop in the La Gruyere region.
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What kind of accommodation can I expect on this tour?
Accommodation is on a twin/multishare basis, and solo travelers are paired with another traveler of the same gender. Facilities may be shared rather than ensuite, and European hotels generally do not provide kettles or fridges.
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What activities are available during the free days in the Jungfrau Region?
During the free days in the Jungfrau Region, you can choose from various activities such as hiking, visiting Grindelwald First for the First Cliff Walk, or taking a train to Jungfraujoch, the highest railway station in Europe. Day trips to Interlaken and Lauterbrunnen, including a visit to Trummelbach Falls, are also possible.
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What policies are in place for Covid-19?
Please contact us for latest COVID-19 policies
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How long has the tour company been trading?
Intrepid Travel has been taking travellers around the world for over 30 years
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Will the accommodation included meet local health and safety regulations?
Yes
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What Ethical Travel credentials does the tour company have?
Since 2002, The Intrepid Foundation has supported over 130 organisations across the world. We’re creating positive impact through the joy of travel, community and connection.
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Do you operate a “single share” option and how does it work?
Over 50% of traveller travel solo with Intrepid. You can choose to share a room with another solo travelle of the same sex for no additional charge, or choose to pay a single supplement if you’d like your own room. Please request this when booking, and we will secure you a single supplement wherever possible. Please note, if you are booking a last-minute trip, it may be harder for us to secure a single room
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Free Date Changes
Intrepid Travel allows you to make 10 free date changes, as long as the change is made at least 56 days before the start of the tour.
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Transfer as credit for future tours
Intrepid Travel allows you to transfer existing payments to a future tour to avoid cancellation fees if you can't travel and inform intrepid travel, 56 days before departure.
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Low Deposit
Intrepid Travel requires a minimum deposit of 400 USD per person or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 56 days before departure.
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Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of intrepid travel charges.
Up to 56 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.
At 55 days before tour starts: Forfeit 30% of booking price.
At 30 days before tour starts: Forfeit 60% of booking price.
At 14 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.
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