11 Day Classic Switzerland

DAY 1, Tuesday - Depart for Switzerland
Depart for Switzerland

DAY 2, Wednesday - Arrive in Zurich
Arrive in Zurich, Switzerland's financial center and home to many of the world's leading banks. Transfer to your hotel and spend the rest of the day at leisure. Your tour will begin with an orientation meeting with your Tour Manager at approximately 6 PM, followed by dinner. We recommend that you select flights which arrive no later than 4 PM
Overnight: Zurich
Meals: Dinner

DAY 3, Thursday - Zurich City Tour
Begin the day with a tour of the Old Town of Zurich. View Fraumunster Church, St Peter's Church, historic Limmatquai, Bahnhofstrasse, and the National Museum. Spend the afternoon at leisure, or join the optional Rhine Falls & Stein am Rhein Tour. Travel to the Rhine Falls, Europe's largest waterfall. Marvel at the sight of the cascading waters plunging over rugged cliffs. Later, head to the town of Stein am Rhein, renowned for its preserved medieval half-timbered houses decorated with ornate frescoes. On arrival, take an orientation walk through the cobblestone streets and view the imposing Town Hall and St. George's Abbey. Afterward, return to Zurich
Optional: Rhine Falls & Stein am Rhein Tour (PM)
Overnight: Zurich
Meals: Breakfast

DAY 4, Friday - Walking Tour of Bern, Brienz, Travel to Lucerne
This morning, depart Zurich and head to Bern, the capital of Switzerland and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. On arrival, take a stroll through the Old Town. View the iconic Zytglogge clock tower and the late Gothic Cathedral, the Muenster, with its stunning portal and its depiction of the Last Judgment. In the afternoon, continue to the village of Brienz on the shores of Lake Brienz. Walk along the streets lined with wooden chalets, decorated with intricately carved balconies, and view local artisan workshops showcasing the craft of woodworking. Afterward, continue the drive to Lucerne. Arrive in the late afternoon and check into the hotel with time at leisure
Overnight: Lucerne
Meals: Breakfast

DAY 5, Saturday - Lucerne Orientation Tour
Today, take an orientation drive through Lucerne starting at the Lion Monument. View the 14th century medieval Chapel Bridge forming the centerpiece of Lucerne's townscape, and the covered Spreuer Bridge with its macabre paintings of skeletons and reapers, depicting the "Dance of Death." The remainder of the day is at leisure. Consider joining the optional tour to Mount Pilatus. Board a cogwheel railway* which takes you to the summit of Mt. Pilatus at nearly 7,000 feet. Later, descend by aerial cableway and return to Lucerne. Tonight, dinner is at the hotel
*From November to May and in the event of adverse weather, the cogwheel will be replaced by the aerial cable car.
Optional: Mount Pilatus Tour (AM)
Overnight: Lucerne
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

DAY 6, Sunday - Bellinzona City Tour, Travel to Lugano
Your day of exploration begins with a drive to the city of Bellinzona, in the heart of the Ticino region. Visit Castelgrande Castle located atop a rocky hill overlooking the city. View its ancient walls, ramparts, towers, and courtyards, and gain insight into the castle's history. Next, explore the Old Town with its cobblestone streets and historic buildings. In the afternoon, travel to Lugano, a city with a Mediterranean flair. Arrive and check into the hotel. Afterward, enjoy a stroll along the lakefront promenade with views of Lake Lugano, followed by dinner
Overnight: Lugano
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

DAY 7, Monday - Baveno en route to Stresa, Zermatt
Embark on a journey through the Italian Lakes District, stopping in the town of Baveno. Board a boat for a leisurely cruise on Lake Maggiore, where you will be treated to panoramic views of the Borromean Islands. Return to Stresa by boat and spend free time to explore and for lunch on your own. In the afternoon, head to Taesch from where you board a cogwheel train into the heart of the mountain resort of Zermatt, dominated by the iconic pyramid-shaped Matterhorn. Arrive and check into the hotel with free time to settle in before an orientation walk of Zermatt. Tonight, dinner is at the hotel
Overnight: Zermatt
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

DAY 8, Tuesday - Full Day in Zermatt
Spend the day discovering Zermatt on your own. Take a leisurely stroll through the traffic-free village and explore the bountiful gift shops and fashionable boutiques. Or take one of the many alpine cars, gondolas, or cog railways to further admire the views of glaciers and summits
Overnight: Zermatt
Meals: Breakfast

DAY 9, Wednesday - Tour of Chillon Castle
Depart Zermatt and drive through the vineyard region to the landmark castle of Chillon. Originally built in the 9th century to protect one of the main roads to the Great St. Bernard pass to Italy. Explore the turrets, corridors, and vaulted dungeons on a guided tour. In the afternoon, depart for Geneva. Upon arrival take an orientation tour, and view the emblematic Jet d'Eau, Floral Clock and Reformation Monument. Check into the hotel with free time
Overnight: Geneva
Meals: Breakfast

DAY 10, Thursday - Full Day in Geneva
Today is free to explore Geneva on your own. Perhaps, join the optional Lake Geneva Cruise & Yvoire tour. Take a scenic cruise on Lake Geneva, passing by rolling hillsides. Cross over to the French side of the lake and visit the village of Yvoire, well known for its medieval buildings. Stroll through the narrow streets lined with picturesque houses and admire the views of the lake. Return to Geneva in late afternoon. This evening during dinner, bid farewell to your Tour Manager
Optional: Lake Geneva Cruise & Yvoire (AM)
Overnight: Geneva
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

DAY 11, Friday - Depart Switzerland
Transfer to the airport for your departure flight
Meals: Breakfast