Get swept up in the charm of Switzerland's lively cities and soul-stirring landscapes on this perfect winter break filled with magical Christmas markets, delicious food and plenty of opportunities to shop.
Highlights
Dining Summary
- 4 Dinner (D)
- 8 Breakfast (B)
- 1 Lunch (L)
Must-see Highlights
- Explore Geneva, Montreux, Lucerne and Zürich
- Scenic Drive along Lake Lucerne and through the Alps
- Discover Geneva, Lausanne, Montreux, Gruyères, Lucerne, Colmar, Basel, Freiburg and Zürich
- Scenic Train Ride from Montreaux to Gstaad
- View the Swiss Alps in Andermatt, the Lion Monument and Chapel Bridge in Lucerne
Iconic Experience
- Montreux: In this town at the foot of the Alps, boasting one of the most beautiful walks along Lake Geneva, enjoy an introduction to the town from your Travel Director before time at leisure this evening.
- Geneva: Spend the day taking in the spectacular views of Geneva.
- Lucerne: During an orientation with your Travel Director, see the Lion Monument, Old Town Hall and Chapel Bridge, the oldest wooden covered bridge in Europe.
- Colmar: Join your Travel Director to explore the heart of Colmar, where colorful half-timbered houses, canal-lined lanes and flower-filled squares give the town its storybook charm. As you walk, you’ll discover why this Alsatian gem has inspired artists, winemakers and visitors for centuries.
- Basel: Join your Travel Director for an orientation of Basel, a city where Swiss, French and German influences meet. Discover elegant streets, river views and a blend of historic and modern architecture in this vibrant cultural hub on the Rhine.
- Freiburg im Breisgau: Join your Travel Director for an orientation of Freiburg, a lively town on the edge of the Black Forest. Discover its old quarter, learn about its unique features and enjoy the atmosphere that makes this southern German gem so inviting.
- Black Forest: This morning, visit Hofgut Sternen, a historic estate nestled in the heart of the Black Forest, where tradition meets sustainability. Enjoy time to browse the charming cuckoo clock shop and witness a demonstration of this beloved German craft.
Be My Guest
- Bourg-en-Lavaux: Enjoy Swiss hospitality with a vineyard owner and savor the flavors of local wines, cheeses and breads, all set against the enchanting views of the Lake Geneva.
MAKE TRAVEL MATTER®
- Zürich: Join Diana and her team of socially engaged local guides as you uncover the old town of Zürich on a walking tour that’s as fun as it is eye-opening. Along the way, you’ll hear local stories that spotlight issues like food insecurity and introduce you to the community change makers driving meaningful, lasting impact. Your visit directly supports United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 10: Reduced Inequalities.
Trip Details
Product Code: 19305
Tour Type: Group Tour
Accommodation: Deluxe
Transport: Private
Guide Language: English
Travel Styles: Explorer, Budget
Tour Operator: Trafalgar (CA)
Supplier Code: 651.1781A
Starts: Geneva, Switzerland
Finishes: Zurich, Switzerland
Duration: 9 days
Departures: Not Guaranteed
Physical Rating: Easy
Includes
Whats Included
- An expert Travel Director and professional Driver
- Cherry-picked hotels, all tried and trusted
- All porterage and restaurant gratuities
- All hotel tips, charges and local taxes
- Breakfast daily and up to half of your evening meals
- Must-see sightseeing
- Audio headsets for flexible sightseeing
- Luxury air-conditioned coach with Wi-Fi in most countries or alternative transportation (such as rail journeys)
- Optional Experiences and free time
- On occasion, hotels of similar standard and location may be utilized
Price
Price per person: (Double Occupancy) CAD $5450 ($606 /day)
Itinerary
Launch your love affair with Switzerland in the sophisticated lakeside city of Geneva, an international city with all the charm of its Swiss traditions. After checking in to your hotel you'll have time to relax after your flight, or explore and discover the city. This evening, make your way to a dinner at a local restaurant to meet your Travel Director and fellow travelers to get a taste of the adventures to come.
Accommodation: Warwick Geneva
Meals: Dinner
Start your day with a morning orientation of the city, after it's just a short hop along the lake and you're in vibey Lausanne where you'll have some free time. You might choose to visit the Olympic museum dedicated to the spirit of olympism or take a stroll through the old town to admire the majestic 12th-century Gothic cathedral. Next, we venture to Montreux, nestled between steep hills. Enjoy an orientation tour and the evening is yours to spend as you wish. Perhaps enjoy a cruise to Lake Geneva, including a visit to the Charlie Chaplin museum?
Accommodation: Mona Montreux
Meals: Breakfast
The fromage heartland of Switzerland beckons this morning. You'll head to the picture-perfect town of Gruyères where you can enjoy some free time. The 13th-century castle dominates the medieval town as you stroll down its cobblestone streets. Don't forget to sample the famous local cheese before we leave. Lunch is in the heart of Lavaux with views of the vineyards, Lake Geneva and the beautiful Alps. If you can tear your eyes away from the stunning setting, you'll Connect With Locals on this exclusive Be My Guest experience. Afterwards, we return to Montreux. You could choose to relax this afternoon, but we know you won't be able to resist an Optional Experience to the enchanting Chillon Castle on the shores of Lake Geneva.
Accommodation: Mona Montreux
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Board the train this morning and take in the Alpine scenery as you journey to Gstaad. Continue to lakeside Lucerne and enjoy your orientation through the Old Town’s cobbled streets. Cross the famous wooden Chapel Bridge and view the Lion Monument, a moving tribute to the Swiss Guards who died during the French Revolution. Then explore at your own pace, taking in the relaxed lakeside atmosphere or browsing the shops for Swiss souvenirs and chocolate.
Accommodation: Astoria
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Today is yours to explore Lucerne your way. Whether you're strolling along the lake, shopping for Swiss chocolate or choosing that perfect watch, your Travel Director is on hand with local tips to help you make the most of it. Embrace the festive charm of the Old Town or simply soak up the crisp Alpine air. You can also choose an Optional Experience to Mount Titlis, ascending by revolving cable car for 360-degree views of the Swiss Alps.
Accommodation: Astoria
Meals: Breakfast
Cross the Rhine River into France and visit the Alsatian town of Colmar, known for its colorful half-timbered houses and cobbled streets. Explore at your own pace, taking in the town’s fairytale charm. Return to Switzerland and the cultural capital of Basel. Join your Travel Director for an orientation of the Old Town, where medieval squares, historic fountains and modern art blend together. Spend time at leisure exploring Basel’s famous museums or browsing the boutiques and riverside cafes.
Accommodation: Pullman Basel Europe
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Travel into the heart of Germany’s Black Forest and visit Hofgut Sternen at the entrance to the Ravenna Gorge, where you’ll learn about local craftsmanship, including the famous cuckoo clocks. Continue to Freiburg im Breisgau and enjoy an orientation of the Old Town, seeing the Historical Merchants' Hall, the Old Town Hall and Freiburg’s striking red sandstone Münster cathedral. Spend time at leisure discovering the city’s cobbled squares or sampling regional specialties and wines before returning to Basel.
Accommodation: Pullman Basel Europe
Meals: Breakfast
Continue to Zürich and explore its historic center, crossing the Münster Bridge and visiting Paradeplatz, Lindenhof Square and other highlights of the Old Town. Join a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience on a walking tour raising awareness of social issues and supporting community change makers. As your tour comes to a close, toast to your unforgettable journey through Switzerland over dinner with your Travel Director and traveling companions.
Accommodation: Hyatt Place Zurich Airport The Circle
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Say a fond farewell to Switzerland and your newfound friends at the end of an unforgettable journey. Your final hotel is located at the airport, just a short walk from the terminal, so there’s no need to arrange a transfer.
Meals: Breakfast
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Tour Operator
Trafalgar (CA)
Family owned and run since 1920, The Travel Corporation (TTC) is the world leader in immersive travel experiences across an extensive range of travel categories. Each year TTC's 40 award winning hospitality and travel brands connect over 1 million happy travellers to the world. We give you access to the 12 DMC’s behind these brands, so you can build your business by capitalizing on the extensive experience, local expertise, and financial assurance of TTC. LOCAL EXPERTISE The world leaders in travel for over 100 years, we offer unparalleled local expertise with a global footprint. Our 12 DMCs, led by experienced in-destination teams, deliver experience rich travel solutions in more than 80 countries. Additionally, our market based teams are on hand to support across our 40 offices worldwide
In Business Since 1931
Reviews
Trusted Customer - Traveled, April 2024
Would recommend Trafalgar. Hope to enjoy their services again. Good guidance in tours. Would have liked more suggestions for free times, i.e.. Where to eat, shop, night entertainment. Great airport pick ups. Great, busy. Saw so much.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 05/23/2024
Chris Milton - Traveled, April 2024
Super Swiss Trip to a very friendly country. Questions answered and luggage ported and accounted for. Extra things I needed help with was handled quickly and everyone was super friendly. The most amazing scenery and the hotels were great and staying 2 nights in each was most comfortable. The areas we visited were also great, high- end shopping available but also local grocery chain across the country could get you fresh food to go if necessary. I would recommend arriving in Geneva a couple days early to walk the old town since the hotel is easily reached on short train ride(10min)from bottom of airport and you arrive across from hotel(Warwick) and they provided me with a transit pass for my stay on my own.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 05/27/2024
Joel Tiefel - Traveled, July 2023
Very comfortable bus, great hotels, great bus driver and tour director. Great selection of places to visit. Great places to visit, time allowed at places was very good. Great idea to spend two nights at 3 different hotels.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 08/18/2023
Eloisa Caliolio - Traveled, January 2023
We love the hotels and the optional experience! The reception of the guests, the safety of the group and the success of the trip are all professionally handled by the Travel Director and by the Driver. The Trafalgar in Singapore is fast in replying to our travel search while the GSA in Manila is a bit slow.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 02/25/2023
Jane Nixon - Traveled, April 2023
Trafalgar is top rated in my book! Stephanie, our guide, made our Switzerland trip very unique and personalized to each of us. All we needed to worry about was having fun! Our itinerary covered everything we wanted plus experiences with the locals. The carriage ride along the Swiss countryside was amazing. The schedule was fast paced yet relaxing. We saw and did more than we could have ever done on our own. Our group was from all over the world which I loved. We left Switzerland with great friends and Amazing memories.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 05/25/2023
Juan Vega - Traveled, April 2024
Great Trip thru Switzerland. They were on top of the whole trip and the many details. The itinerary is great, the coach is very good, and the hotels are mostly ok. I asked for room service at the hotel in Lucerne, the Astoria Lucerne, and I was told there was no room service. Then I went down to the only open restaurant at 1:30 PM in the afternoon, their Coffee Shop, and I was told the kitchen was closed until 6 PM; not even a sandwich was available. For a fairly fancy and large hotel, this was borderline not acceptable.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 05/21/2024
Trusted Customer - Traveled, April 2024
Generally well- planned and comfortable trip. Coach trips between cities was smooth and comfortable. Although free time was given, having it split into short 1 and 2 hour sessions made it difficult to decide what to do, especially if there was a long queue at a shop or a popular spot for photo-taking. More free time (3-4hours) at each point would have made it easier to take our time shopping or enjoying the scenery.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 06/15/2024
Michele Horan - Traveled, August 2023
Switzerland I’ve been on many other escorted trips. Trafalgar out does all of them. I’ve been on 3 Trafalgar best by far. Stephanie was outstanding, so knowledgeable and a very Fun tour guide. Best places and unexpected surprises not listed.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 09/10/2023
Carol Pesce - Traveled, September 2023
Switzerland is for all to see! Stephine Bahr , the travel director, was very pleasant knowledgeable and helpful. Maria, our driver, was always on time and drove us safely everywhere we needed to go. Anna, our Zurich travel guide, was very impressive with her information and pleasant demeanor. The hotels were fine and the places we visited were very good. My only complaint is that most of the excursions were optional rather than included in the price of the trip. I would have preferred to have some of them such as Jungfrau included since going to that mountain is what most of us wanted to see.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 10/26/2023
Everett Pratt - Traveled, August 2023
Swiss Delight. Everything was well organized and on time. Stephanie was professional, knowledgeable, and friendly! We really enjoyed Switzerland and everything we got to see! It’s was an excellent tour! We got to see so many things and the weather on October was terrific! Stephanie was a great guide!
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 09/23/2023
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