Itinerary Details
Swiss Escape
Day 1 ARRIVE IN ZURICH, SWITZERLAND Welcome to Zurich! At 6 pm, meet your Tour Director and traveling companions for a welcome dinner at your hotel. (D)
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Day 2 ZURICH–NEUCHaTEL–LAKE GENEVASwiss History ZURICH Orientation walk of the old town includes sights of the Fraumünsterkirche.
NEUCHaTEL Free time en route to Lake Geneva. (B) 174 mi / 280 km
TOUR HIGHLIGHT
CITY SIGHTS Fall in love with Zurich with a walk through the Altstadt – its Old Town, in the historic heart of the city. See the guild houses and historic squares that span both sides of the Limmat River. Gracing the shore is the famous Fraumünsterkirche, with its signature green steeple marking the skyline above stained-glass windows designed by masters Chagall and Giacometti.
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Day 3 LAKE GENEVAGrandeur in Geneva LAKE GENEVA Guided visit to Chillon Castle. Free time this afternoon and evening. (B)
HISTORIC SPOT
EXPLORE MORE Located on a strategic position on the banks of Lake Geneva, Chillon Castle has been a toll station for ships sailing on the lake. Learn about these fascinating stories while strolling through these serene location and take in breath-taking views of the surrounding area.
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Day 4 LAKE GENEVA–BERNE–LUCERNEAlpine Attraction BERNE [LF] Guided walking tour includes the Old Town, a stop at Bear Park, and a panoramic view of the city from Rose Garden. Free time for lunch. Free time late afternoon and evening. (B) 155 mi / 250 km
LOCAL FAVORITE
CITY SIGHTS BärenPark (Bear Park) is home to Pyrenean brown bears (after which the town is named). This hillside habitat in Berne differs greatly from the bear pit of 1191 when Duke Berthold V vowed to name the town after the first animal his hunt found in the nearby woods. The first records of bears being kept in the city date back to 1513 when soldiers brought live bears home as spoils of war. Fast forward to the modern day as the inhumane bear pit of the 16th century has evolved into a 6,000 square-meter natural habitat alongside the Aar River.
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Day 5 LUCERNEBridging History LUCERNE Walking tour includes the Lion Monument, the Old Town, and Chapel Bridge. Dinner at a local restaurant. (B,D)
TOUR HIGHLIGHT
CITY SIGHTS See the symbol of Lucerne at the famous Kapellbrücke (Chapel Bridge), the oldest wooden covered bridge in Europe. Originally built in 1365, the bridge includes the Wasserturm (water tower) that once served as a prison. Today, this the world-famous timber bridge is Lucerne’s most photographed landmark.
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Day 6 LUCERNE–LUGANOSights & Delights of Switzerland LUCERNE Scenic drive through the Swiss Alps on the way to Lugano.
LUGANO Free time. (B) 112mi/180 km
FREE TIME TIPS
EXPLORE MORE in Lugano to see its mix of Italian and Swiss style and culture reflected in its architecture and cuisine. Standing on the Lake’s northern shore, the city is surrounded by mountain peaks. Lugano’s Piazza della Riforma and pastel palazzos share the ambience of this lovely Swiss city with impressive architecture and bold and innovative street art.
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Day 7 LUGANOSwiss Celebration LUGANO Free time this morning and afternoon. Farewell dinner this evening at your hotel. (B,D)
FREE TIME TIPS
EXPLORE MORE in Lugano with an optional excursion to Bellinzona Castle. Ride the elevator to the Courtyard of Castelgrande, high on the hills above Bellinzona. Part of the fortification dates back to the Middle Ages and it is today a UNESCO World Heritage site. Enjoy spectacular panoramic views and try out local specialties and the delicious Merlot wine for which the area is famous.
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Day 8 LUGANOSafe travels until we meet again! Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning. (The nearest airport is Milan, Italy.) (B)
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