Switzerland Culture, History Tours & Trip Packages

Switzerland Culture, History Tours & Trips

684 Switzerland trips. Tours from 111 tour companies. 1,443 reviews. 4.7/5 avg rating.

130 trips exactly matchall of the the filters you selected.
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Culture
History
The Switzerland - Heartland Untour
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5/5 Excellent
100 reviews
Self-Guided / Independent Tour
Lodging level
Standard - 3 star
Physical level
Easy
Trip pace
Flexible schedule

Visits

Alps, Basel, Bern, Geneva, Lucerne, Mt. Pilatus, Zurich

Highlights

  • Discover Basel, Luzern, Zürich, Geneva
  • Visit Ballenberg Open-Air Museum
  • Explore Montreux, St. Gallen, Locarno and Lugano
  • Visit famous Rhine River

Themes

Cultural, National Parks, Nature & Wildlife

What travelers are saying

"Rented two bikes in May 2019. Excellent service from Xavier from start to finish. He was extremely responsive and delivered the (brand new Orbea) bikes to our villa and recommended some great cycling routes around the beautiful Basque Country. Will definitely use Bike Basque again - highly recommended."

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France, Switzerland and Italy Adventure Tour
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1/5 Terrible
16 reviews
Private Guided
Lodging level
Premium - 4 star
Physical level
Easy
Trip pace
Flexible schedule

Visits

Doge’s Palace, Florence, Lucerne, Paris, Rome, St. Peter's Basilica, Venice

Highlights

  • Check out Paris from the top of the Eiffel Tower
  • Visit to the Doge's Palace & St. Mark's Basilica in Venice
  • Explore Florence on a walking tour and visit Uffizi Gallery
  • Discover Rome, see Piazza Venezia, Trevi Fountain, Pantheon & Piazza Navona
  • Visit St. Peter's Basilica in the Vatican City

Themes

Cultural, Family Friendly, Train & Rail Journeys, Transformative

What travelers are saying

"I recently took the Best of Australia and New Zealand tour...added on Fiji and a day in Auckland...with Discovery Nomads. During the booking process they were attentive and helpful. However, the nightmare began after paying for the tour! They told us we would receive our itinerary 10 to 20 days before our trip. It was sent 4 days before departure. We booked a tour for the trans alpine train from Christchurch to Queensland which we were told after the fact, that it did not exist. Furthermore, they failed to make a transfer reservation from the airport to our hotel in Christchurch. It took a week of constant sending of emails to get credit. They never answered them! Credit was finally issued almost 25 days later. The nightmare continues...we had to call each shuttle ride to confirm as their confirmation numbers were wrong and the local company could never find our reservations. So now add the cost of all the phone calls! Furthermore, when we reached out to Discover Nomads to help us while traveling, they NEVER answered their phone or a request for refund by email. We were completely ignored and left on our own. The only saving grace was we were traveling in English speaking countries. Can you imagine this happening to you in a country that doesn't speak English? Nightmare!!!!! And no assist from this horrible company. The only communication from them was for flight delays which we found out first by checking into the airport and one response asking for how much I paid for my transfer and proof of payment. I explained that it was all electronic and requested a refund of my original payment...heard nothing again from them until seven days later they sent an email stating that a meeting point had changed. So they had my email, just refused to deal with refunds or help. In addition, they had us waiting 15 hours for a hotel room in two flights. We were not allowed to stay in hotel lobby for so long and we arrived at 1:00am. We ended up paying for an early check in. Also, all internal flights were booked with 7.5 kg cabin luggage only. We had to pay baggage fees of $45 per bag. The costs of this trip were way higher then we anticipated. We had quotes for private tours just $2,000 higher...we should have booked that as we probably spent close to that amount in other fees!! TAKE MY WARNING...DO NOT USE THIS COMPANY!!!!!"

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Bernese Highlands, and Italy’s Majestic Heritage
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4/5 Great
10 reviews
Small Group Tour
Lodging level
Premium - 4 star
Physical level
Very Easy
Trip pace
Balanced schedule

Visits

Bern, Florence, Milan, Rome, Venice

Highlights

  • Explore the UNESCO World Heritage of southern Switzerland aboard the Bernina Express
  • Amble through the breathtaking sites of Oeschinensee and Blausee
  • Savor the flavors of Italy and learn how to cook the Italian way
  • Uncover the lyrical landscapes of Tuscany.

Themes

Culinary & Wine, Cultural, Family Friendly, Nature & Wildlife, Train & Rail Journeys, Photography

What travelers are saying

"Nice itinerary, seeing the swiss alps was always on by bucket list and to learn about the swiss culture was a good complement, the food was great, the hotels were well located, and the cities were small but cozy, a nice 2 weeks spent"

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Grand River Cruise and Tour April
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4.2/5 Great
100+ reviews
River Cruise
Lodging level
Standard - 3 star
Physical level
Moderate
Trip pace
Flexible schedule

Visits

Amsterdam, Basel, Berlin, Budapest, Heidelberg, Munich, Potsdam, Prague, Strasbourg, Vienna

Highlights

  • Explore Highlights in seven European countries
  • Glide along the scenic Rhine Valley and enjoy the views of the many castles along the way
  • Visit many of the ‘must see’ cities of Europe in one trip: Munich, Berlin, Dresden, Amsterdam, Prague, Budapest, Vienna and more
  • See two of the King Ludwig fairytale castles

Themes

50 plus, Cultural, National Parks, Nature & Wildlife, Small Ship Cruise

What travelers are saying

"Tour is advertised as an "active" tour. However, YMT sold the tours to seniors and others who were unable to walk more than 1/8 mile, unable to navigate stairs or had to walk with the aid of walkers. As a result, 80 percent of the "explorations" were to visitor centers, look out points, stores or washrooms, that were within 100 feet or less of the bus. This tour should be categorized as "relaxed". A big disappointment! The bus driver was friendly and accommodating and drove us safely from one site to another. He sold water to the guests in small bottles for $1 each. I think YMT should be more conscientious of the environment and at least offer bottle refills, especially since the guide practically demanded that each person drink one gallon of water per day. The tour guide was marginally knowledgeable about the area and spent too much time telling us about her private life and friends. She led one hike, but talked mostly about how the rains had changed the landscape. One day she left two guests at the hotel and wanted the people on the bus to take responsibility for not letting her know that people were missing. We were encouraged to find hikes to take on our own, which I felt compromised safety, especially when we had an hour or so to "explore" - there was no safety or backup plan, especially if something untoward happened on a hike. She opted out of taking us to the sunset tour of the Grand Canyon telling us that it was raining and we wouldn't be able to see anything. So a couple of us went to the site on our own and it was possibly one of the best experiences I had on the entire tour (and not a drop of rain!). I often felt bullied into purchasing lunches or meals "offered" by the guide, who made it sound like there were no other options. It was difficult to listen to her brag about how well she was doing and how happy everyone was, when many people were complaining that the tour was not what they expected - mostly because it was too active!!! The accommodations were mostly good - a couple of anomalies (one with a plugged sink and no hot water for a shower, another with a pervasive bad odor). The excursions offered at the time of booking were mostly unavailable later (except for the over-priced meals). Another disappointment because I booked the tour partly because of one of the excursions offered at the time of booking. I would not recommend this tour, because I don't think it is advertised correctly."

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Sardinia Off The Beaten Path
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5/5 Excellent
100+ reviews
Small Group Tour
Lodging level
Premium - 4 star
Physical level
Easy
Trip pace
Balanced schedule

Highlights

  • Arrive Cagliari and visit the National Archaeological Museum and admire the Giants of Mont’e Prama
  • Explore Barumini nuragic complex
  • See the Nora and Tharros runs
  • Visit Molentargius natural reserve
  • Opportunity to Boat trip to Neptune Caves
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Themes

Culinary & Wine, Cultural

What travelers are saying

"We were very happy with the trip and how we worked together with you to plan everything. All of the places we went were amazing. Rome had amazing ancient history, art, and architecture as did Pompeii, and Florence had amazing Renaissance history, art, and architecture, while Milan had a little of both but also with the feel of a modern city. The Amalfi Coast and Lake Como were beautiful. We loved Positano (where we stayed) and Ravello best of the places of the places we visited in The Amalfi Coast because they had the most charm and beauty and the least people. In Lake Como, we stayed in Bellagio, but everyplace we visited in Lake Como was beautiful and charming. However, Bellagio, drinking wine and watching the sunset in Varenna, and the boat tour of the lake stood out as our favorite activities. The food was also amazing everywhere, from local places to fine dining the food was fantastic and memorable. We loved Italy. It’s beautiful, and we’ll definitely come back. All of the travel arrangements were excellent and everything was easy. The drivers were friendly and spoke good to excellent English as well as Italian. And having the extra phone was a nice convenience. We didn’t have any stress or difficulties during the trip about the details as they were all taken care of with excellent results. Our favorite drivers: Naples to Positano and back (and Pompeii) Salvatore was excellent. Driving with him was like being with a friend or family member. He was very concerned with our comfort and always suggested places to stop for pictures or a view and had great knowledge of the Naples and The Amalfi Coast. He was also a gentle driver and never made us uncomfortable. Florence Day Trip – I apologize but his name escapes me (maybe Giorgio?), but he was excellent for all the same reasons we liked Salvatore. He even took us to his favorite Gelato shop near his home town and it was so much better than most of what we tried, and since he grew up there he had lots of really interesting local history Milan to Bellagio – I apologize I also forgot this gentleman’s name, but he was a good driver especially around all the curves to and from Bellagio. Not as talkative as the other two, but very friendly and a gentle driver Our favorite guides: Vatican / Franchesca – Interesting personality and very different that the usual guide experience, but we enjoyed her character. She did what we were interested in doing and never let anyone forget that we (and she) were VIP! Pompeii – I apologize I forget her name, but she was very nice and attentive and very interested in what we wanted to know and see and learn more about. It felt tailored to us and what we wanted, which is why you hire a private guide! All of the other guides and drivers were good but the ones above were the best and most memorable. Thanks again for the great trip! We would definitely recommend you to friends, and in fact we already did recommend our friends Derrick and Lorena to you."

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Adventurous Europe
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4.6/5 Excellent
66 reviews
Group Tour
Lodging level
Standard - 3 star
Physical level
Easy
Trip pace
Full schedule

Visits

Eiffel Tower, Florence, Geneva, Grindelwald, Innsbruck, Lucerne, Lyon, Milan, Paris, Pisa, Rome, Salzburg, St. Wolfgang, Venice, Vienna, Zurich

Highlights

  • Explore Rome, heading north, this route has beautiful landscapes
  • Visit Zurich, the financial and cultural capital of the country
  • Explore Vineyards in Beaune and Bourgogne region
  • Visit at the Eiffel Tower
  • See the Innsbruck, stroll in the historic centre
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Themes

Cultural, Local Immersion & Homestays, National Parks, Nature & Wildlife, Overland Journeys

What travelers are saying

"No travel with then completely desaster First and last Hotel accommodations really cheap, they mix you with 40 people in the same bus"

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A time to remember
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4.6/5 Excellent
66 reviews
Group Tour
Lodging level
Standard - 3 star
Physical level
Easy
Trip pace
Flexible schedule

Visits

Alps, Bern, Eiffel Tower, Florence, Grindelwald, Lucerne, Paris, The Louvre, Vatican City, Venice, Verona, Zurich

Highlights

  • Explore centre of Paris, the area of the Louvre Museum.
  • Enjoy the evening transfer to “Quartier Latin
  • Visit a spectacular cruise on the river Seine
  • Opportunity to Boat ride along the Seine
  • Explore Zurich
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Themes

Cultural, Local Immersion & Homestays, National Parks, Nature & Wildlife

What travelers are saying

"No travel with then completely desaster First and last Hotel accommodations really cheap, they mix you with 40 people in the same bus"

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First Class Glacier Express at New Year
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4.2/5 Great
55 reviews
Group Tour
Lodging level
Premium - 4 star
Physical level
Easy
Trip pace
Full schedule

Visits

Paris, Strasbourg, Zermatt

Highlights

  • Historic Brig
  • Zermatt & the Matterhorn
  • New Year's Eve on the Glacier Express
  • Lunch on board the Glacier Express
  • Chur, Switzerland's oldest town
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Themes

50 plus, Climbing & Mountaineering, Cultural, National Parks, Nature & Wildlife, Train & Rail Journeys, Festivals & Special Events

What travelers are saying

"This was their July 22 Cruise “Delights if the Danube” Absolutely awful company, great at taking your bookings and money but it then ends there. We paid a premium rate for what they listed as “Delights of The Danube” river cruise. They changed our ship, so we did not get what we paid for, and no pool as we originally specified. The drinks in the drinks package had very little choice. One draft beer is all that is available, and that is pretty poor as it is, you can’t even buy bottled beers or any other draught beer as that one is your only choice. Wines at meal times are either red, white or Rosa, no choice, just those three.The ship they put us on “boasted” a new wine bar, it didn’t serve any wines or beers at all the entire week, it wasn’t even stocked or manned, but it did have a kettle and tea or coffee !!!. The trips ashore are advertised to deceive you, this is appalling. Some of the trips are over two and a half hours each way on a coach, and the shorter ones are rushed, don’t be fooled by their misleading advertising. The train journeys are an absolute nightmare, even though we booked first class there and back. You have to rush between connecting trains while dragging your luggage with you, and the connecting times are tight, we felt so sorry for those less able who were severely stressed. On part of the journey we were told that 1st class was not available, we were put in filthy overcrowded carriages, with our luggage carriages away, and professional thieves operate on these trains. Some of our fellow passengers, on our cruise, were robbed on the way to the cruise and the way home. Great Rail offered us the paltry sum of £30 compensation for this. Once we got on the cruise we were excited, but that quickly changed, we spent the first two days moored up overlooking an industrial estate, yes an industrial estate, that’s what Great Rail advertise as a “Delight of the Danube”. When we complained and asked why are we on an industrial estate,we were told “because it’s cheaper than mooring up in a city or town”. We complained to the reps on the cruise, as did numerous others, only to be told that they don’t actually work for Great Rail, they are sub contracted free lancers, and that we would have to take it up with Great Rail upon our return. After numerous phone calls and e-mails we have been offered a derisory amount on one of their vouchers, which only benefits Great Rail, why would we want to go back with such an incompetent company? The communication with Great Rail is appalling once they have your money, be warned. Overall I have to say that Great Rail are appalling, amateurs playing in a market they simply don’t understand, their advertising is very misleading, that’s putting it politely!! The tone of their responses are arrogant, they simply ignore many of the points raised, and they honestly don’t seem to care, they are all image and no substance."

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130 trips exactly matchall of the the filters you selected.
My selections:
Culture
History

Switzerland Reviews & Ratings

4.7/5  Excellent
1,443  Reviews
See all Switzerland tour reviews
Excellent
524
Great
154
Average
23
Disappointing
9
Terrible
6
T

Trusted Customer

May 2024

Written on

Contrasts of Switzerland

Yes! The range of locations was perfect for someone who isn’t planning on going back to Switzerland but still feeling fulfilled that I’ve seen the important sites. S...

C

Christine Cox

May 2024

Written on

Contrasts of Switzerland

This was an amazing trip. Touring Switzerland by train, seeing all the beautiful sights, just WOW! Our tour director, Sofia Peacock, was a gem. She was personable...

R

Ronald Campbell

May 2024

Written on

Contrasts of Switzerland

Marvelous scenery, great train rides, interesting tunnels and bridges throughout the whole trip. This was done with the great travel director Sophie Peacock looking ...

T

Trusted Customer

May 2024

Written on

Contrasts of Switzerland

Train transportation was definitely unique and fun! The portage...

A

Aparna

May 2024

Written on

Contrasts of Switzerland

Excellently curated trip by Trafalgar. Our tour director Sophie was wonderful, she handled everything so professionally and with utmost care. This was my trip travel...

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Switzerland Tour Selection Trips

  • If you want to experience the best of Switzerland, look for tours that include several different types of transportation, including trains, scenic boat rides, and mountain funiculars, all spectacular.
  • Be sure to bring a cell phone or accurate watch: everything leaves on time in Switzerland.
  • If you’re planning on doing some hiking - which you absolutely should, as Switzerland is second to none when it comes to hiking trails and views -  Pack some hiking sticks.
  • Switzerland is not a member of the EU, and still uses Swiss francs as its currency, not the euro.
  • Switzerland is expensive, but a guided tour should ease the cost somewhat – and it’s worth the price in any event.
  • Some tours include side trips to tiny Liechtenstein – a nice, quick stop.
  • Many longer Switzerland tours also visit France, Italy, Austria, and Germany.
  • Lodge stays are a common accommodation type on Switzerland tours. Because it is a mountainous country, prepare accordingly for temperature fluctuations!
  • One often overlooked – but gorgeous -- area of Switzerland is the Interlaken-Wengen region, in the shadow of the Jungfrau; if you see a tour there, grab it.
  • Keep in mind that Switzerland is culturally and linguistically divided into three regions: German, French and Italian, so you may choose tours that visit all three or focus on one or two.

Additional details

Currency in Switzerland

Switzerland uses the Swiss franc. 1 Swiss franc is equal to 1.02 US dollars.

Is Switzerland expensive?

Switzerland has been rated the most expensive country in the world to visit. That said, a budget trip to Switzerland is far from impossible-- there are many nice, clean hostels and smaller hotels for inexpensive accommodation, and train travel is relatively cheap.

If you’re planning on skiing, there are many discounts for ski pass and hotel combinations. Keep on the lookout for train and hotel deals and avoid expensive activities like paragliding and helicopter tours to save money in Switzerland. 

Who will enjoy traveling in Switzerland?

Switzerland is a great travel destination for all ages, but the perfect itinerary will depend on age, travel style, and physical abilities. Outdoor enthusiasts will never run out of opportunities for hiking, skiing, kayaking, and other activities in Switzerland, but there are also many nice museums, restaurants, spas, and resorts for those who prefer to take it easy.

Families will benefit from the never-ending list of things to do and the ease of transportation. Despite Switzerland’s reputation for being expensive, it is also a very popular destination for young students and backpackers who want a safe, beautiful, and accessible destination. Because of its safety and ease of travel, it is very popular among solo female travelers.

Winter Vacations in Switzerland

Best Cross Country Ski Trips in Switzerland

If you are interested in cross country skiing, consider a guided tour that will take you off a basic trail, and lead you from country to country. For example, ski the Jura mountains from Switzerland to France in 8 days. If you’re a competitive cross country skier and don’t want to worry about logistics on top of your physical preparation, Stride can connect you with trips that include the Engadin Ski Marathon.

If you’re not into skiing, get your Winter thrill at the Bergün toboggan run - one of the unique opportunities to experience this classic Olympic sport. There are also dozens of other activities -- for example, have a meal in the Parsenn igloo village, go ice skating, or head to Schönbühl Spa, the largest brine spa in the world, to warm up.

Switzerland’s Winter Weather

Despite all of the snow, Switzerland’s winters are known for being very palatable, just hovering around freezing in the lowlands. Although colder in the mountains, it is actually sunnier in the winter in Switzerland. For this reason, many skiers and hikers know the delight of stripping off a jacket and hitting the slopes in nothing but a few layers and a wool sweater. The experience is like no other.

Summer Activities in Switzerland

Summer Skiing

If you missed the winter ski season, don’t worry too! Switzerland is one of the only countries where you can continue to ski the Alps in the summer. Several resorts in Switzerland, including Zermaat, Saas Fee, and Verbier, all offer summer skiing packages. Although it’s still warm out, glaciers keep the ground cool and prevent the winter snow from melting away the way. And if you thought it was warm skiing in the winter, imagine being able to ski while wearing a T shirt!

Just remember to pack a good pair of goggles and some sunscreen, the light reflecting off the snow can be very strong.

Electric Biking

If you think Switzerland’s hilly outcrops may not seem like the best place for a bike tour, think again. With the invention of electric bikes, which help give you a significant boost when pedalling, biking Switzerland’s beautiful hills and valleys is a lot more doable and accessible for everyone. Maximize your time in the Alps by going on an E-Bike Tour

Discounted Switzerland Vacations

Yes, Switzerland is one of the expensive countries in the world. With that being said, there is also more than one way to travel Switzerland on a budget. One of the best ways to save money is to cut back on your lodging. Rather staying in the fanciest Swiss chalet, give up your sauna and check out the tours that offer Basic accommodation.

There are also many free attractions in Switzerland’s cities. Take the free time on your tours to see Bern’s old town, Bellinzona’s three castles, and the permanent collection in Künsthaus Zurich.

Choosing your Switzerland Tour

Switzerland is a destination that appeals to outdoor types, however it’s also famous for resorts and Premium or Luxury travel. Sometimes these are even combined! So there is a fantastic variety of tours to choose from for traveling in Switzerland, in a wide range of budgets.

If you enjoy walking and hiking, especially in the Easy to Moderate realm, you’re sure to find a Switzerland tour to your liking. Most Switzerland tours are active yet easy. And you’ll enjoy beautiful invigorating mountain air, and delightful hospitality throughout your tour.

Always Find the Best

On Travelstride you can find 684 trips to Switzerland and more than 20,000 trips worldwide ranging from budget to luxury and private guided to group tours and everything in between. Only on Stride can you find and compare expert-planned trips from 1,000+ tour operators, cruise lines and local experts. Read traveler and professional reviews so you can confidently find your perfect trip.

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