Switzerland: Europe's Crown Jewel

Arrive Geneva & on to Lausanne Location Information Description

Lausanne, Switzerland

The tour begins at 6:00 PM at the Lausanne Palace Hotel. A transfer is included from Geneva International Airport to Lausanne Palace in Lausanne. The drive takes you through the vineyard country high above Lake Geneva to your hotel in Lausanne, overlooking the north-central shore of the famous lake.

Meet your fellow Alpine travelers at the welcome cocktail reception and dinner tonight at the hotel.

Dinner

Lausanne Palace Hotel

From Chillon & Gruyères to Alpine Zermatt Location Information Description

Chillon, Switzerland

Get set for a day filled with spectacular scenery, regal lakeside châteaux, quintessential Swiss villages and snowcapped mountains! Lord Byron made Château de Chillon, a celebrated château on the shores of Lake Geneva, famous in his epic poem, The Prisoner of Chillon.

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Gruyères, Switzerland

Visit Chillon today en route to Gruyères, known for its cheese, where you'll spend some free time and enjoy lunch.

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Zermatt, Switzerland

A cogwheel train from Taesch takes you high into the mountains to the car-free resort town of Zermatt for a two-night stay at your historic grand hotel.

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Hotel Mont Cervin Palace

Via cogwheel train to view the Matterhorn Location Information Description

Matterhorn, Switzerland

Travel higher into the mountains by cogwheel train today to Gornergrat (elevation is 10,225 ft.) for spectacular views of the legendary Matterhorn. Coffee or an apéritif is sublime before heading back to Zermatt (either by train the entire way, or including a hike with a naturalist, your choice) and visiting the Matterhorn Museum.

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Zermatt, Switzerland

Return to your fabulous hotel to spend the rest of the day as you please.

Breakfast

: Hotel Mont Cervin Palace

La dolce vita at Lakes Maggiore & Lugano Location Information Description

Zermatt, Switzerland

Descend by rail from Zermatt, then head through the majestic Simplon Pass en route to Italy's Lake Maggiore

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Stresa, Italy

After lunch in Stresa, a private water taxi to Isola Bella, owned by the noble Borromeo family, provides the opportunity to visit their impressive 17th-century palace and gardens, created in the shape of a ship.

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Lake Lugano, Switzerland

Back in Switzerland, head to Lake Lugano and a two-night stay.

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Hotel Splendide Royal Lugano

A lovely day in lakeside Lugano Location Information Description

Lugano, Switzerland

Get to know Lugano – a gem of a lakeside resort town – first on a walking tour, then aboard a private wine tasting cruise on Lake Lugano. Following lunch at a local grotto restaurant, the rest of the afternoon and evening are yours to explore on your own. There is much to see, do and savor here in and around Lugano, and your Tauck Director will have many pleasurable activities to suggest, from checking out the Via Nassa to calling on little coastal villages like Gandria or Marcote by boat.

Breakfast, Lunch

Hotel Splendide Royal Lugano

Across the Alps to St. Moritz Location Information Description

Saint Moritz, Switzerland

Journey through an ever-changing, wonderfully scenic landscape as you cross between Italy and Switzerland along the old Roman Via Regina, relishing views of Lake Como before climbing into the mountains and crossing the Maloja Pass. A highlight is the scenic road to glamorous St. Moritz, with its lovely vistas of sparkling lakes and mighty mountains.

Enjoy accommodations tonight at one of Switzerland's truly grand hotels.

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Grand Hotel des Bains Kempinski St. Moritz

Glacier Express Alps rail journey & a Private Funicular to a Mountaintop Dinner Location Information Description

Interlaken, Switzerland

Ride Switzerland's world-famous Glacier Express high into the Swiss Alps today and view majestic mountains from the comfort of a panoramic domed observation car, traveling past silver streams, massive peaks, lush valleys and glacial lakes. Disembark the train in Andermatt for a scenic drive leading to a two-night stay at a historic hotel surrounded by Alpine beauty in Interlaken that's rejuvenating... and a real pleasure.

Late afternoon, enjoy another Tauck Exclusive – a private ride on the Harderbahn funicular up to the Harder Kulm (or Harderkulm) viewpoint, overlooking Interlaken and Unterseen, for dinner at a restaurant with panoramic views of the spectacular scenery below.

Breakfast, Dinner

Victoria-Jungfrau Grand Hotel & Spa

To the Top of Europe & the Jungfraujoch Location Information Description

Kleine Sceidegg, Switzerland

In a section of the Bernese Oberland known as Switzerland's "jewel in the crown," climb through the Alps by cogwheel train, via the renowned mountain station at Kleine Scheidegg, to the Jungfraujoch accompanied by a local guide who provides commentary during your ascent. Here, at over 11,000 feet – which truly feels like the "Top of Europe" –

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Interlaken, Switzerland

You'll enjoy a Tauck Exclusive... a private cocktail reception at the Ice Palace; take time to savor the astounding views of the lofty peaks of the Eiger, Jungfrau and Mönch! Spend the remainder of the day as you please back in the Alpine resort of Interlaken.

Breakfast, Dinner

Victoria-Jungfrau Grand Hotel & Spa

Sophisticated Bern & Lucerne Location Information Description

Bernese Oberland, Switzerland

Depart Interlaken and drive through more of the Bernese Oberland, bound for Bern. Switzerland's capital is noted for its charming architectural styles; explore the Old City of Berne, a UNESCO World Heritage Site

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Lucerne, Switzerland

After a "Taste of Switzerland" buffet lunch at Bern's Bellevue Palace, continue to Lucerne, one of Europe's premier cities, on the shores of Lake Lucerne. Stop at the Löwendenkmal (Lion Monument) en route to your home, Hotel Schweizerhof Luzern, for the next two nights. A historic landmark built in 1845 and ideally located in the heart of Lucerne's Old Town, the hotel was a recent recipient of The Milestone Award, Swiss tourism's top accolade. Under the project titled "Wo Luzern Geschichte(n) schreibt" (Where Lucerne writes history/stories), every guest room has been allocated a guest with a unique story. They include great personalities such as thinkers, artists, politicians, athletes, musicians and crowned heads as well as unknown guests, whose stories are part of the hotel's history.

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Hotel Schweizerhof Luzern

A Lake Cruise & more in Lucerne Location Information Description

Lucerne, Switzerland

While a thoroughly modern, culturally rich city, lakeside Lucerne retains much of its Old World charm and a strong sense of its history, as you'll see for yourself on a guided walking tour and time to explore on your own today. Surrounded by an Alpine panorama, stroll over its medieval covered wooden bridges and discover the many Renaissance and Baroque fountains that dot the city – along with many wonderful galleries, shops and cafés.

Late afternoon, join us for a boat ride across the lake that brings us to a special farewell dinner at the popular restaurant Seehotel Baumgarten – a fabulous way to end your Tauck Switzerland journey!

Breakfast, Dinner

Hotel Schweizerhof Luzern

Journey Home Location Information Description

Zurich, Switzerland

The tour ends in Zurich. Fly home anytime. A transfer is included from Hotel Schweizerhof Luzern to Zurich Airport, an approximate travel time of 60 minutes. Allow a minimum of three hours for flight check-in.

Breakfast