Swiss Landscapes Castles, Lakes, and Peaks - 6 Days

Welcome to Zurich as you begin your Swiss adventure. Upon arrival, we'll arrange your transfer to the hotel, allowing you some free time to explore at your leisure or simply relax. In the afternoon, essential details regarding your tour will be available on the display boards located at the hotel reception, ensuring you are well-prepared for the exciting journey ahead. Enjoy your first day in this vibrant city, where modernity meets Swiss tradition amidst stunning alpine views. Please note: This tour may have travellers joining or departing at various points along the route, meaning group composition can change during the tour. Please also be aware that depending on group composition, guiding may be in additional languages as well as English.

On our second day, we embark on a journey to Bern, the charming capital of Switzerland and one of its most picturesque historic cities. Our visit begins at the Rose Garden viewpoint, offering a splendid view of the cityscape. You�ll then have some free time to explore the city centre at your own pace. Our journey continues along a scenic route through the magnificent high mountain landscapes, dotted with quaint villages showcasing traditional wooden architecture. As we travel through the alluring Gstaad region, renowned for its winter sports resorts, we'll include a cable car ride and lunch at Glacier 3000. Here, you'll be treated to awe-inspiring panoramic views and have the opportunity to cross the suspension bridge that uniquely links two mountaintops.

Descending the mountains, we make our way to the shores of Lake Geneva, celebrated for its gentle climate and expansive vineyards. We�ll visit the remarkable Chillon Castle, a medieval fortress seemingly floating on the lake's edge, with tickets included for your convenience. Our journey towards Geneva takes us through Montreux, an elegant town famous for its renowned jazz festival, as we follow the scenic lakefront. We'll arrive in Geneva by the end of the day, where our accommodation is typically located on the French outskirts of the city.

After breakfast, we embark on a panoramic tour of Geneva, beautifully situated on the shores of Lake Geneva and renowned as the host city for many international organisations. During our exploration, we�ll observe notable landmarks such as the impressive Palace of Nations, the picturesque English Garden�famous for its floral clock�and the Jet d�Eau, the tallest fountain in Europe. Following the tour, you'll have some free time to wander and enjoy lunch at your leisure.

Our journey continues along the scenic shores of Lake Geneva, offering splendid views of vineyards set against a backdrop of snow-capped mountains, until we reach Lausanne. This vibrant city in western Switzerland houses the headquarters of the International Olympic Committee. Here, we visit the Olympic Park by the lake, a site dedicated to the spirit of sport and Olympic history.

Next, we head to the charming walled town of Gruyeres, celebrated worldwide for its cheese. In the vicinity, some of Switzerland�s finest chocolate makers, including Cailler, operate, providing us with the perfect opportunity to visit the Cailler Chocolate Factory. Here, we indulge in a delightful tasting session. Later, we proceed to the bilingual city of Fribourg, where French and German intertwine in a city that boasts a captivating old town. Please note that occasionally accommodation may be in a nearby city.

On our fourth day, we'll embark on a picturesque drive through the Bern canton, traversing serene landscapes dotted with hills, forests, and verdant fields. We'll pause for a photo opportunity at Schwarzenburg Castle or, depending on our accommodation, at scenic viewpoints overlooking Lake Thun or Lake Brienz. Our journey continues to Interlaken, a charming resort town nestled between two idyllic lakes. From there, we'll venture to the awe-inspiring Aare Gorge, where we'll explore its dramatic ravines, with entry tickets included. After enjoying lunch, which is part of our itinerary, we'll head towards the striking Susten Pass, renowned for its perpetual snow and glacial vistas. Outstanding views await us as we journey onwards, surrounded by towering peaks, towards Switzerland's Italian-speaking region. We'll traverse the renowned Gotthard Tunnel before stopping at Gandria, a delightful village perched on Lake Lugano, famous for its quaint, narrow streets. A boat ride (tickets included) will take us to Lugano, the principal city of Italian-speaking Switzerland, celebrated for its temperate climate and stunning lakeside promenade. Our day concludes with a late afternoon arrival in Chiasso. Note: If the Susten Pass is inaccessible from late May to early October due to snow, we will take the equally picturesque Br�nig Pass instead. Occasionally, accommodations may be in the Como metropolitan area.

After breakfast, we set off for Bellinzona, the capital of Italian-speaking Switzerland, famed for its trio of medieval castles, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. You�ll have time to explore the charming streets of the town centre at your own pace. Afterwards, we return to the German-speaking region, crossing the Gotthard Pass. We�ll pause at a striking viewpoint, perfect for capturing the breathtaking scenery. Our next stop is Altdorf, the capital of the Uri canton, historically significant as the birthplace of William Tell and one of the founding cantons of independent Switzerland. You�ll have some free time to enjoy lunch here at your leisure. We then continue to Lucerne, where you can discover the renowned Kapellbr�cke, the Lion Monument, the magnificent cathedral, the Jesuit Church, and the picturesque old town. Lucerne is often hailed as the tourism capital of the country. As the day draws to a close, we�ll journey onwards to Zurich, where we�ll arrive in the evening.

After breakfast, our tour concludes, leaving you with cherished memories of your adventure.