Best of Switzerland
Experience Overview
An eight-day jaunt through the countryside and cuisine of Switzerland is the ideal way to see (and taste) all things Swiss. This small nation packs a punch with its mountainous landscapes, glacial lakes, picturesque cities and food staples that are so tough to beat. Beginning in Zurich, travel in comfort by train to lakeside Lucerne, the stunning Swiss Alps and cheese-obsessed and chocolate-stuffed Bulle before finishing in the nation's quaint capital, Bern. Here, the outdoors has never looked so good and the chocolate has never tasted so smooth, so it’s time to sample it all yourself.
Highlights
- Choose your own adventure with two free days in the Jungfrau Region of the Swiss Alps. You can take these days as relaxed or as thrill-seeking as you want from your hotel homebase surrounded by mountain views.
- Find out why the Swiss are known around the world for their cheese and chocolate, with opportunities to sample both in La Gruyere region.
- Your locally based group leader will provide expert advice on how to make the most of your free time, as well as giving you orientation walks around each place so you can get your bearings.
- Take in the breathtaking alpine views from the summit of Mt Pilatus with your small group, reached via the steepest cogwheel railway in the world.
- With plenty of free time to explore at your own pace in Bern, you’ll discover why this city is considered one of the most beautiful and laidback capital cities in the world.
Trip Details
Product Code: 1616
Tour Type: Small Group
Accommodation: Moderate
Transport: Train,Public bus,Boat,Cable car,Cog railway
Guide Language: English
Tour Operator:
Intrepid Travel
Supplier Code: AMSS
Starts: Zurich, Switzerland
Finishes: Bern, Switzerland
Duration: 8 days
Departures: Guaranteed
Physical Rating:
Light
Includes
Meals: Breakfasts (7),Accommodation: Hotel (7 nights)
Price
Price per person: (Double Occupancy) CAD $4,420 ($552 /day)
Itinerary
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.
Accommodation:
- Hotel (Number of Nights: 1)
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.
Optional Activities:
- Lucerne - Spreuer Bridge - Free
- Lucerne - Church of St Leodegar - Free
- Lucerne - Swiss Museum of Transport (35 CHF)
Accommodation:
- Hotel (Number of Nights: 1)
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:
- Lucerne - Boat Cruise & Mt Pilatus Golden Circle Tour
Accommodation:
- Hotel (Number of Nights: 1)
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:
- Lauterbrunnen - Jungfraujoch (The Top of Europe) (250 CHF)
- Lauterbrunnen - Schilthorn Mountain (86 CHF)
- Lauterbrunnen - Trummelbach Falls (12 CHF)
- Grindelwald - Grindelwald First Cable Car (return ticket) (60 CHF)
Accommodation:
- Hotel (Number of Nights: 2)
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:
- Bulle - Cheese tasting in a local fromagerie
- Bulle - Chocolate tasting in local chocolate shop
- Bulle - La Maison du Gruyère visit
Accommodation:
- Hotel (Number of Nights: 1)
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 - Leader-led orientation walk
- Bern - Zytglogge (Clock tower) tour
Optional Activities:
- Bern - Rose Garden - Free
- Bern - History and Einstein Museum (18 CHF)
- Bern - Minster (Cathedral) - Free
- Bern - Museum of Fine Arts (10 CHF)
Accommodation:
- Hotel (Number of Nights: 1)
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).
Similar Tours
Tour Operator
Intrepid Travel
Intrepid Travel is a global adventure travel company, dedicated to providing sustainable, experience-rich travel opportunities. They’ve been the leader in ethical, small-group travel since 1989 - taking people around the world for more than 30 years. They’re the world’s largest travel B Corporation - dedicated to being the best travel company for the world. In 2002, they established The Intrepid Foundation so their travellers could make a lasting impact on the communities they had visited. Although Intrepid Travel absorbs all administrative costs of The Intrepid Foundation, they are separate legal entities, allowing The Intrepid Foundation to grow independently. Intrepid Travel is made up of a collection of tour operator brands and 28 destination management companies all united by one vision: To change the way we all see the world.
In Business Since 1989
Reviews
Vanessa - Traveled, May 2023
Switzerland itself is a beautiful place and we saw some wonderful places. Not many inclusions and no local guide as advertised. Shared bathroom not expected and although clean, still not ideal. Compared to previous trips with G Adventures, Intrepid was subpar. We learned more facts and history from a wonderful waiter in Bern. Unlikely to use Intrepid again, our guide was lovely and this review should not reflect on her personally.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 05/31/2023
Natalie - Traveled, August 2023
Great way to introduce yourself to the wonders of Switzerland. It is fast paced, adventurous and beautiful. All accommodations are clean and comfortable and easily within walking distance to train stations.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 09/11/2023
Ieda - Traveled, August 2023
Unfortunately Intrepid's selection of accommodations were very poor for this trip and in this tour we did not have a local guide. I don't believe I would use Intrepid again.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 08/20/2023
Robert - Traveled, August 2023
A short tour which gave a good introduction to Switzerland, albeit focussing on tourist 'hotspots'. Its success for me personally lay largely on the excellent organisational skills, supportive and personable nature of our leader, Serena. We all opted for Jungfraujoch so this should really be an included activity rather than an optional extra.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 08/19/2023
Bradley - Traveled, August 2023
Great trip with good pacing. Many options for activities with varied levels of physicalness. Smooth train rides between destinations with a beautiful view of the Swiss countryside and nature.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 08/16/2023
Megan - Traveled, June 2023
The cows really do wear bells, the hills are rolling and green, the trains run exactly on time, and the mountains are as majestic as they are made out to be-Switzerland is a beautiful place. This trip is a great way to see many parts of this picturesque country!
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 07/05/2023
Raymond - Traveled, August 2023
Our first time to both Europe and Switzerland was excellent. Our tour guide Luisa was wonderful and brought a lot of enthusiasm to our group. The places we went too were spectacular. It’s a trip we will never forget.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 08/17/2023
Sethuraman - Traveled, July 2023
Our trip Leader Luisa was very helpful and knowledgeable. Offered many suggestions on what we can do in our free time. Also planned with us to make it happen. We could have skipped Bulle and instead stayed in Bern did Cheese factory and Chocolate factory tour. Bern offers many things to see
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 07/27/2023
Emma - Traveled, June 2023
Really great way to see a lot of Switzerland in a short space of time. Big days, make sure you're well rested before the trip stats. The Bernese Oberland was a particular highlight. The day trip to Gruyere is a delight but if you're not into super touristy experiences maybe skip the chocolate factory and go for a swim instead. Simone our leader was a delight and Switzerland is truly impressive destination.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 06/22/2023
Jennifwr - Traveled, May 2023
Experiencing this spectacularly beautiful country by train left me constantly awestruck. There's nothing I didn't like and 100% will go back. Do recommend this trip!!!
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 05/19/2023
Ella - Traveled, June 2023
Fantastic trip. The mountains, Lucerne and Bern are particular highlights
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 06/19/2023
Aysha - Traveled, June 2022
The Best of Switzerland was an amazing trip me and my husband took. We enjoyed every part of from the beautiful country to their amazing transport system. I think it’s an excellent trip for an introduction to Switzerland as it gives you a taste of a little bit of everything of this amazing country.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 06/28/2022
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