Compare Spectacular Switzerland With Romantic Rhine by Tours4Fun vs Best of Switzerland by Intrepid Travel
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| Trip |
5 | Excellent
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4.5 | Great
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| Duration | 16 days | 8 days |
| Price From | $ 6,938 | $ 3,204 |
| Price Per Day | $ 434 | $ 401 |
| Highlights |
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| Trip Style | Group tour | Small group tour |
| Lodging Level | Standard | Standard |
| Physical Level |
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| Countries Visited | ||
| Cities and Attractions |
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| Flights & Transport | No | Ground transport included |
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| Meals Included | N/A | N/A |
| Description | Explore the highlights of following cities: Koblenz, Amsterdam, Lucerne, Basel, Cologne, Geneva, Bern, Interlaken, Heidelberg, Gruyeres, Evian Les Bains, Mainz |
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. |
Day 1 ZÜRICH, SWITZERLAND
Welcome dinner at your hotel.
Day 2 ZÜRICH - BIEL/BIENNE - NEUCHÂTEL - GENEVA
Start the day with an orientation tour of Zurich's Old Town. Stop in Biel/Bienne and explore the historical center, and in lakeside Neuchatel, before arriving in Geneva.
Day 3 GENEVA
Guided sightseeing features a visit to the Reformation Park and a walk through the Old Town.
Day 4 GENEVA - ÉVIAN LES BAINS, FRANCE - BROC - GRUYÈRE AREA, SWITZERLAND
Stop in the famous spa town of Évian-les-Bains, and see the Rhone vineyards. Arrive in Gruyeres and visit the magnificent castle, followed by lunch. Then, visit the famous Maison Cailler chocolate factory in Broc.
Day 5 GRUYÈRE AREA - GSTAAD - GRINDELWALD
Enjoy an orientation of one of Switzerland's most popular ski resorts, Gstaad, before arriving in Grindelwald.
Day 6 GRINDELWALD. EXCURSION TO THE JUNGFRAU
Highlights of the day is an unforgettable trip to Europe's highest railway station, the Jungfraujoch. Enjoy the Alpine Sensation, the Panorama 360° Experience, the Ice Palace, the Sphinx Observatory and receive your Jungfrau Passport.
Day 7 GRINDELWALD - BERNE - LUCERNE
In Berne, the guided walking tour features the Bear Park, the Old Town, and panoramic views of the city from the Rose Garden. Continue to Lucerne.
Day 8 LUCERNE
Your morning walking tour includes the Lion Monument and the Chapel Bridge. This evening a farewell dinner has been prepared for you at a local restaurant.
Day 9 LUCERNE - BASEL, SWITZERLAND (EMBARKATION)
Transfer from Lucerne to Basel. Your Suite Ship® is Ready for Boarding. Enjoy dinner and explore the ship on your first night on board.
Day 10 BREISACH, GERMANY. EXCURSION TO BLACK FOREST
7 German Winemaking and the Beautiful Black Forest Visit the Adventure Center for today's activities with your Adventure Host.You may choose to join a Guided Optional Excursion to visit the charming village of Colmar in the morning, with its half-timbered medieval and early renaissance buildings.
Day 11 STRASBOURG, FRANCE
A Grand Cathedral and La Petite France You may also choose to join a Guided Optional Excursion to the historic Maginot Line"the pre-WWII fortifications designed to protect the eastern border of France, or visit Alsace's wine country today.Alternatively, take some free time in Strasbourg to visit a museum, or stroll across the city center.
Day 12 MAINZ, GERMANY. EXCURSION TO HEIDELBERG
Castle Walls, and the World's Biggest Wine BarrelEnjoy live entertainment on board your ship this evening.
Day 13 RÜDESHEIM - RHINE GORGE
Eat, Drink, and Be Merry in Wine CountryRelax on the Sky Deck for an afternoon cruise through the spectacular Rhine Gorge to Koblenz. Sail past the legendary rock of The Lorelei"where the siren of mythology sang songs to lure ill-fated sailors. Travel Through 2000 Years Of Monumental History Enjoy free time in Koblenz before a relaxing evening on board with dinner and live entertainment.
Day 14 COLOGNE
Prost! Celebrate in the Rhineland Join your Adventure Host for today's special activities.Spend free time over a glass of Kolsch pale lager"locally brewed for over 100 years!
Day 15 AMSTERDAM, HOLLAND
Canals of Colorful AmsterdamDuring tulip season, you may take a Guided Optional Excursion to Keukenhof gardens"with more than seven million tulips, daffodils and hyacinths, as well as other bulbs, planted each year. Outside of tulip season, join a Guided Optional Excursion to Zaanse Schans to see historic windmills and charming Dutch houses. You may also choose an Optional Biking Tour to discover the countryside. Take some free time to explore Amsterdam's colorful streets and canal houses, galleries, and shops.
Day 16 AMSTERDAM (DISEMBARKATION)
Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning.
Day 1 Zurich
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.
Day 2 Lucerne
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.
Day 3 Lucerne / Mt Pilatus
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.
Day 4-5 Jungfrau region
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 valley village of Lauterbrunnen, 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. You could also visit Trummelbach Falls – Europe's largest subterranean waterfalls whose powerful glacier waters have carved a slot canyon through the mountainside. You might also opt to ride the rails from Lauterbrunnen through the villages of Wengen and 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 Grindelwald are easy day trips, too. Happy exploring!
Day 6 Bulle
This morning, catch another train to Bulle, located in La Gruyere district. Enjoy some time in this French-speaking town with an orientation walk followed by a cheese-infused picnic featuring local delicacies selected by your leader. Then, visit local chocolate shops to sample the wares. You'll have some free time later in the afternoon to wander down to Lake Gruyere to have a swim or find somewhere cosy to chill.
Day 7 Bern
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.
Day 8 Bern
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).
