Glorious Switzerland
Glorious Switzerland
$4495
Tour Overview
Indulge in glamour and glitz of all things Swiss. Sample rich cheese fondue, tour Chillion Castle and breathe in the Alpine air of Mt Stanserhorn and Zermatt.
Top Rated Highlights
- Geneva: With your Travel Director you'll discover the Jet d'Eau and the Floral Clock.
- Montreux: Explore one of the most beautiful walks along Lake Geneva.
- Zermatt: Ride the shuttle trains of the Matterhorn Gotthard Railway up to the traffic-free Alpine resort. Should weather permit, you may even see the majestic peak of the Matterhorn.
- Zermatt: Your Travel Director will lead you on an orientation of this picturesque village, high in the mountains.
- Lugano: With your Travel Director discover the lakeside city.
- St Moritz: See the spa quarter and glacial lake of this charming alpine resort.
- Vaduz: Admire the Royal family's residence, Vaduz Castle, which overlooks the capital and is surrounded by year-round snow peaked mountains.
- Lucerne: See the emotive Lion Monument, Jesuit Church and Chapel Bridge.
- Glacier Express: Travel along the route of the world-famous Glacier Express, through looping tunnels and dizzying viaducts, in the scenic heart of the Swiss Alps, on a regional train fully powered by hydroelectricity.
- Stanserhorn: Journey to the top of Mount Stanserhorn on a panoramic, open-top cable car powered by solar energy.
Make Travel Matter
Stanserhorn: Walk along beautiful scenic pathways, keeping an eye out for marmots and other native animals, and gain a deeper understanding of the local wildlife and flora. Your visit directly supports United Nations Sustainable Development Goals 7 & 15: Affordable and Clean Energy & Life on Land.
Authentic Dining
Geneva: What better way to start your Swiss journey than with a typical meal including cheese fondue.
Zermatt: Choose between fine local restaurants for your Dine-Around evening, with the chance to indulge in traditional fondue.
Lucerne: Toast to new friends and Swiss adventures during your dinner in Lucerne.
Itinerary
Day 1: Geneva, City of Gardens
Location: Geneva
Accommodation Name: D'Angleterre, Geneva
Meals Included: Dinner
Prepare yourself for the majesty of Switzerland's snow-capped mountains, glaciers, sparkling lakes, flower-filled meadows and rich, green valleys. Meet your Travel Director and travel companions for a short stroll to your dinner. The evening is full of Swiss delight, as you enjoy the cozy decor while being served typical Swiss specialties including cheese fondue. Return to your immaculate boutique hotel, the award-winning Hotel d'Angleterre. Enjoy British charm and the finest Swiss hospitality, with each room individually designed to reflect its elegant style.
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Day 2: Montreux, Chillon and the Matterhorn Village of Zermatt
Location: Geneva, Montreux, Chillon Castle, Zermatt
Accommodation Name: Resort Alex, Zermatt
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Start your day with highlights of Geneva, the City of Gardens. See the Jet d’Eau and Floral Clock. Then relax and enjoy the enchanting scenery as we continue to the charming town of Montreux. Situated at the foot of the Alps and boasting beautiful lakeside walks, enjoy free time to explore this pretty town. On the western bay of Lake Geneva, join your host at Chillon Castle for a special tour of the former home to the Dukes of Savoy, immortalised by Lord Byron's 'Prisoner of Chillon.' Keep a look out for where the writer is rumoured to have left his mark. Continue through the Rhone Valley, where high summer temperatures support vines and other fruits. The final stage of your journey is by cogwheel train to the traffic-free Alpine resort of Zermatt. During your orientation with your Travel Director, feast your eyes on the distinctive triangular silhouette of the Matterhorn. At night, enjoy a stroll in the fresh mountain air to your chosen restaurant for your Dine-Around evening.
Day 3: Free Time in Zermatt Relaxed Start
Location: Zermatt
Accommodation Name: Resort Alex, Zermatt
Meals Included: Breakfast
Zermatt in the summertime offers many leisure possibilities: try swimming, hiking, or spend a whole day relaxing in the fresh Alpine surroundings. Perhaps take an optional ride on Europe’s highest cable car to the snow-capped roof of the world for a magnificent panorama of the highest peaks in Switzerland, Italy and France?
Day 4: Elegant Lugano Relaxed Start
Location: Täsch, Simplon Pass, Lugano
Accommodation Name: De La Paix, Lugano
Meals Included: Breakfast
Descend to Täsch and rejoin the coach. Follow in Napoleon's footsteps as you ascend the Simplon Pass, taking in magnificent views over the Alps from the 2,000-metre summit. Continue along the gentle shores of Lake Maggiore. Perhaps take a delightful boat trip to see the stunning Isola Bella?
Day 5: Grison Alps to Chic St. Moritz
Location: Grisons, St. Moritz
Accommodation Name: Steffani, St. Moritz
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Head north into the high mountain country of the Grisons Alps today. Ascend the San Bernardino and Julier Passes to arrive in the sparkling Engadine Valley, known for its invigorating climate characterised by clear skies and its high-altitude location in the Alps. Upon arrival in the cosmopolitan resort of St. Moritz, your Travel Director will provide a brief orientation, showcasing the spa quarter and the brilliantly sparkling glacial lake. Afterwards, you'll have time to explore further on your own or perhaps embark on a train journey over the Bernina Pass.
Day 6: Scenic Train Ride, Liechtenstein and Lucerne
Location: Chur, Vaduz, Lucerne
Accommodation Name: Astoria Lucerne
Meals Included: Breakfast
Start the day with a scenic train ride along part of the route of the Glacier Express, through unforgettable scenes of ice-capped mountains, stone-built villages and lush meadows. At Chur, reboard your coach and travel along the valley of the Upper Rhine to spend some time in Vaduz, the tiny capital of the Principality of Liechtenstein, where you explore the area around the castle. Continue to Lucerne alongside the dramatic Walensee and Lake Zürich. On arrival, see the sorrowful sculpture of the wounded lion, commemorating the brave Swiss Guards who died defending King Louis XVI during the French Revolution. Your Travel Director will also show you the Jesuit Church and the Chapel Bridge.
Day 7: The Summit of Mount Stanserhorn Relaxed Start
Location: Mount Stanserhorn
Accommodation Name: Astoria Lucerne
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Commence the day with a morning stroll along lakeside promenades or shopping for fine watches while enjoying the scenery. Explore Mount Stanserhorn on a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience, as an open-top cable car powered by solar panels take you up the summit. Walk along beautiful scenic pathways, keeping an eye out for marmots and other native animals, with the chance to hear a conservation talk by a Swiss ranger, to learn about local wildlife and flora. Celebrate new friends and enjoy dinner in a restaurant at the foot of Mount Stanserhorn.
Day 8: Leave Lucerne for Zürich
Location: Lucerne, Zürich
Meals Included: Breakfast
In the morning, your adventures through Switzerland come to an end.
What's Included
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Meals
The tour includes 4 dinners and 7 breakfasts.
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Personal Radio Headsets
Personal radio headsets are provided to give you the freedom to wander during visits to famous highlights without missing any of your Local Expert's commentary.
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Hotel and Restaurant Tips
Hotel and restaurant tips are included, so you won't have to worry about how much to give or search for foreign currency.
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Baggage Handling
Your bags will be carried for you and promptly delivered to your hotel door.
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Insight Flourish
From time to time, your Travel Director will delight you with an Insight Flourish, a local specialty representing the destination.
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Wi-Fi
Stay connected with friends and family with complimentary coach and hotel Wi-Fi (where available).
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Transfers
Transfers are available at scheduled times if your arrival and/or departure flights are as per the itinerary start and end dates.
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Luxury Coach
Enjoy the comfort of Insight's luxurious, air-conditioned, 40-seat coach with double the standard legroom and onboard washroom.
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Hand Sanitizer
Hand sanitizer is freely available on board for you to use throughout the day.
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Special Meals
Special meals include a typical Swiss meal with cheese fondue in Geneva, a Dine-Around evening in Zermatt, and dinner at Restaurant Seeblick in Lucerne.
What's Not Included
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Optional Activities
Optional activities such as a ride on Europe’s highest cable car to the snow-capped roof of the world are not included.
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Additional Transfers
If your flights are outside the scheduled times, or you have booked additional nights' accommodation, you may need to purchase transfers or make your own way from/to the airport.
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Personal Expenses
Personal expenses such as souvenirs, additional meals, and drinks are not included.
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Travel Insurance
Travel insurance is not included and is recommended to be purchased separately.
Dining Summary
- 4 Dinner (D)
- 7 Breakfast (B)
Additional Included Highlights
- Personal radio headsets give you the freedom to wander during visits to famous highlights, without missing any of your Local Expert's fascinating commentary.
- Hotel and restaurant tips are included - you'll never have to worry about how much to give, nor search for foreign currency. We also include all taxes and porterage charges at hotels.
- We carry your bags for you and promptly deliver them to your hotel door.
- From time to time, your Travel Director will delight you with an Insight Flourish, which is a local specialty representing the destination.
- Stay connected with friends and family with our complimentary coach and hotel Wi-Fi (where available).
- If your arrival and/or departure flights are as per the itinerary start and end dates, then transfers are available at scheduled times. If your flights are outside these times, or you have booked additional nights accommodation with Insight Vacations, you may purchase transfers or make your own way from/to the airport.
Insight Experiences
- Lake Geneva: Visit Chillon Castle with the Head of Collections to discover the artefacts, treasures and history of the chateau.
Well-being
- Enjoy the comfort of Insight's luxurious, air-conditioned, 40-seat coach with double the standard legroom and onboard washroom. Our customized luxury coaches are sanitized before the start of your tour and are maintained to very high standards. Physical distancing measures have been implemented on our customized luxury coaches.
- Hand sanitizer is freely available on board for you to use throughout the day.
Summary
- Travel on the Matterhorn Gotthard Railway to Zermatt • Travel along part of the route of the Glacier Express.
- See Jet d'Eau and Floral Clock in Geneva • Lake Geneva and the Alps from Montreux • Matterhorn from Zermatt • Lake Maggiore • Baveno's cobbled streets • St. Moritz • Vaduz Castle • Lion Monument and Chapel Bridge in Lucerne.
- Welcome Dinner in Geneva • Dine-Around options in Zermatt • Celebration Dinner in Lucerne.
Check out our Q&As
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What unique experiences are included in the tour?
The tour includes a visit to Chillon Castle with the Head of Collections, a scenic train ride on the Glacier Express, and a journey to the top of Mount Stanserhorn on a solar-powered cable car. Additionally, there is a special Dine-Around evening in Zermatt and a conservation talk by a Swiss ranger on Mount Stanserhorn. ...more ...less
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Are there any special dining experiences during the tour?
Yes, the tour features several special dining experiences, including a typical Swiss meal with cheese fondue in Geneva, a Dine-Around evening in Zermatt, and a dinner at Restaurant Seeblick in Lucerne.
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What kind of transportation is used during the tour?
The tour uses Insight's luxurious, air-conditioned, 40-seat coach with double the standard legroom and an onboard washroom. It also includes scenic train rides, such as the Glacier Express, and cogwheel train journeys to traffic-free Alpine resorts.
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What is the accommodation like on this tour?
The tour offers luxurious accommodations, including the award-winning Hotel d'Angleterre in Geneva, Resort Alex in Zermatt, De La Paix in Lugano, Steffani in St. Moritz, and Astoria in Lucerne, each providing unique charm and comfort.
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Is there any free time during the tour for personal exploration?
Yes, there is free time allocated during the tour, such as in Montreux for exploring the town, and a whole day in Zermatt for leisure activities like swimming, hiking, or taking an optional cable car ride.
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Can I join the tour once it has departed?
We regret that no refunds can be made for absences from a tour, including experiences such as missed meals or sightseeing.
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How long has the tour company been trading?
Since 1978.
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What Ethical Travel credentials does the tour company have?
Insight Vacations is a founding member of the TreadRight Foundation, a joint initiative created by the brands within The Travel Corporation (TTC) almost 15 years ago to ensure our impact through tourism is positive. Our ethos to #MakeTravelMatter guides our decision-making at every level of our business.
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Will the accommodation included meet local health and safety regulations?
Yes
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Do you operate a “single share” option and how does it work?
You have two options as a solo traveller. Either choose to be matched with a same sex partner for a room share - at no extra cost. Or choose a room of your own with a reduced or even free private room upgrade on select tours.
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What policies are in place for Covid-19?
Please contact us for latest COVID-19 policies
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Book with Confidence
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Low Deposit
Insight Vacations requires a minimum deposit of 350 USD per person or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 90 days before departure.
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Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of insight vacations charges.
Up to 91 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.
At 90 days before tour starts: Forfeit 50% of booking price.
At 29 days before tour starts: Forfeit 80% of booking price.
At 1 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.
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Terms and Conditions
Glorious Switzerland
8 Days Starting in Geneva, Switzerland and ending in Zurich, Switzerland
Visiting: Geneva, Montreux, Chillon Castle, Zermatt, Täsch, Simplon Pass, Lugano, Grisons, St. Moritz, Chur, Vaduz, Lucerne, Mount Stanserhorn, Zürich ...more ...less
Tour operator:
Tour code:
E965N26
Guide Type:
Fully Guided