Tailor Made Switzerland
Duration: 11 days
Highlights: Geneva, Gothic Cathedral of Notre Dame in Lausanne, Gruyères Cheese Factory, Gruyères Castle, Montreux, Chateau de Chillon in Veytaux, Zermatt, Matterhorn, Lucerne
This itinerary is ideal for first time visitors to the Alps and Switzerland, and those who enjoy picturesque views.
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Itinerary
Day 1 - Arrive Geneva
Along with your guide, explore Geneva on your walking tour today. Nestled between the Jura and the Alps, on the southwestern tip of Lac Léman (Lake Geneva), Geneva was the home of the League of Nations. Soak up the medieval atmosphere as you walk through the old town’s narrow streets filled with charm; admire the boutiques, cafés and parks as your guide recalls the history of this city. Visit the St. Peter's Cathedral and climb the 157 steps up the north tower to be rewarded with breath-taking panoramic views of the city. Walk along the banks of Lake Geneva and see the magnificent water fountain in the centre of the harbour, that has been jetting water 140 metres high since 1891. Admire the stunning views over the mountains before concluding your tour.
Here your Guardian Angel assists with check-in and run through the rest of your itinerary.
Overnight: Beau-Rivage Palace
Day 2 - Lausanne Sightseeing Tour
This morning your driver and guide shows you around the Old Town of Lausanne. The Gothic Cathedral of Notre Dame, an architectural treasure, is Switzerland's largest and finest church. The Hôtel de Ville is the seat of municipal and communal councils, and the painted medieval Fontaine de la Justice draws people to lounge on its heavy rim.
This afternoon is at leisure for you to enjoy the relaxing facilities of the hotel, or pop along to the Olympic Museum, next door to the hotel. The more adventurous may like to take the ferry across the lake to the French town of Evian, famous for its water.
Overnight: Beau-Rivage Palace
Meal Plan: B
Day 3 - Chillon & Gruyeres
Today enjoy a full-day excursion to Montreux and Gruyères with your private vehicle and expert guide. Tour through some of the picturesque cheese-making villages, and visit the Gruyères Cheese Factory and Gruyères Castle. Stop in Montreux for a guided tour of Château de Chillon, a 12th-century castle that rises out of the water at Veytaux, once used as a prison. This inspired Lord Byron to write his famous poem ‘The Prisoner of Chillon’.
Overnight: Beau-Rivage Palace
Meal Plan: B
Day 4 - Lausanne – Zermatt
Today you are met at your hotel and privately transferred to Visp station. Here you are shown to your pre-reserved First Class seating and your luggage is handled on-board for you.
Upon arrival into Zermatt your Guradian Angel and driver are waiting for you and transfer you to your hotel.
CONCIERGE RAIL SERVICE
Travel by modern express rail in Europe is an excellent way of travelling between destinations in comfort, style and at speed. The benefits of rail travel in Europe are numerous, and in many instances, rail travel can be quicker than air travel so no waiting in airport departure lounges or lost luggage!
Overnight: Grand Hotel Zermatterhof
Meal Plan: B
Day 5 - Zermatt & Gornergrat
Enjoy a 4-hour sightseeing tour with your local guide. Travel up the Gornergrat by the highest open-air cogwheel rail system in Europe. From the summit station there are majestic views of the Matterhorn, Monte Rosa and Corner Glacier. The remainder of today is at leisure.
Overnight: Grand Hotel Zermatterhof
Meal Plan: B
Day 6 - Zermatt At Leisure
Today is at leisure to enjoy the Alpine scenery and hospitality. You may want to take the cable car up to the Little Matterhorn, stroll through the Alpine meadows or relax and enjoy the facilities of your hotel, which has an amazing spa with a large pool, steam room, sauna, Alpine and Ice grotto, fitness area and “Vita Borni” treatments (please pre-book).
Overnight: Grand Hotel Zermatterhof
Meal Plan: B
Day 7 - Zermatt – Glacier Express – Lucerne
This morning you are met by your Guardian Angel and privately transferred to Zermatt station. Here you board the Glacier Express train bound for Andermatt. Enjoy the breathtaking scenery from the comfort of your reserved First Class seats. Upon arrival at Andermatt train station, you are met by your driver and taken by private vehicle to your hotel in Lucerne.
Overnight: Hotel des Balances
Meal Plan: B
Day 8 - Lucerne Sightseeing Tour
After breakfast, you take a walking tour of Lucerne with your local guide. You visit the Altes Rathaus (Old Town Hall), the Hofkirche that was first part of a monastery founded in 750, and the celebrated Glacier Gardens. The afternoon is at leisure, but on a nice day we suggest enjoying a relaxing public boat cruise on the lake. One alternative option is a visit to the workshop of a professional watchmaker. As he personally introduces and explains his work you gain a fascinating insight into the kind of intricacies and precision that have made Swiss clockwork a worldwide brand. A second alternative is to immerse yourself in the art of yodelling with a private lesson from a professional singer. With its repeated and rapid changes of pitch, yodelling has been performed and entertained many since the 19th century and is used across many cultures around the world. Your expert musician comes prepared with Swiss folk music sheets and songs for you to warm up with. The lesson starts with breathing exercises, specific to the art of yodelling and ends with the performance of a well-known Swiss folk song. Weather permitting, the final performance takes place outdoors near the Chapel Bridge.
Overnight: Hotel des Balances
Meal Plan: B
Day 9 - Mount Pilatus
Meet your guide and driver this morning for your trip up Mount Pilatus. Your driver takes you to the station in Alpnachstad from where you and the guide take the world’s steepest cogwheel railway to Pilatus Kulm. During your journey, see lush meadows with Alpine flowers, mountain streams and fascinating rock faces. Make your way back down the mountain by the aerial gondola. Those interested may like to visit the exhibition at Fräkmüntegg Station that tells the story of the gondola from concept through to completion.
The remainder of today is at leisure for you to enjoy the lovely town of Lucerne, perhaps visit a museum or just sit along the promenade and watch the world go by.
Overnight: Hotel des Balances
Meal Plan: B
Day 10 - Depart
You have a private car transfer to Zurich airport.
Meal Plan: B