Experience the best of Switzerland with a delightful side trip to Italy. Begin your journey at Lake Geneva, indulging in local wine, cheese, and delectable desserts in Lavaux. Explore Lord Byron's captivating Chillon Castle and immerse yourself in the art of Swiss wood carving in the picturesque town of Brienz.
Includes
9 Day Trafalgar Guided Holiday
8 Nights in cherry-picked hotels, all tried and trusted
8 Breakfasts, 1 Lunch, 3 Dinners
Transport by luxury air-conditioned coach with Wi-Fi in most countries or alternative transportation (such as rail journeys)
All porterage and restaurant gratuities
All hotel tips, charges and local taxes
Must-see sightseeing and surprise extras
Audio headsets for flexible sightseeing
Optional Experiences at an additional cost during your free time
Sightseeing Highlights
Visit Bern, Chillon Castle, Montreux, Zermatt, St. Moritz, Interlaken and Brienz
Discover Zürich and Lucerne
Scenic Train Ride from Tirano to Pontresina
View the Chapel Bridge and Lion Monument in Lucerne, the Jungfrau and Matterhorn mountains (weather permitting), Lake Maggiore and Lake Como and much more!
Excludes
Flights
Arrival/ departure transfers
Visas
Travel Insurance
Spending money and items of a personal nature
Extras
On occasion, hotels of similar standard and location may be utilised
Optional Experiences available at an additional cost
Not all departure dates are definite at time of loading, please enquire with one of our agents
Highlights
8 Nights in cherry-picked hotels
12 Meals
Must-see sightseeing and surprise extras
Itinerary
Day 1: Welcome to Zürich
Zürich is your springboard to a spectacular journey through Switzerland. This afternoon, join a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience for a social impact guided walking tour of old town Zurich and sustainable chocolate tasting. This experience addresses SDG goals 10 & 12 - Reduced Inequalities & Responsible Consumption and Production. This evening, attend a Welcome Dinner to launch your Swiss experience.
Accommodation: Hyatt Place Zurich Airport The Circle
Included Meals: Dinner
Day 2: Journey to Lake Geneva
We leave the bright lights of Zürich behind and stop in Bern with its Old Town, admiring its medieval streets, ornate fountains and arcaded walkways. Journeying to Lake Geneva, we arrive in the resort town of Montreux, set against the pristine backdrop of snow-covered peaks and vineyards. After lunch, consider joining an Optional Experience to cruise Lake Geneva, including a visit to the Charlie Chaplin museum in his former estate, Manoir de Ban.
Accommodation: Eurotel Montreux
Included Meals: Breakfast
Day 3: Onwards to Chillon Castle and Zermatt
This morning, we visit Chillon Castle, immortalised by Lord Byron's 'Prisoner of Chillon'. For nearly four centuries, this water fortress was the residence of the Counts of Savoy and an important stop for traders. Our next stop is the Lavaux region, a charming wine village above Lake Geneva, where we’ll Connect With Locals over lunch at our Be My Guest experience. Continue your journey to the resort town of Zermatt, set against the backdrop of the snow-capped Matterhorn.
Accommodation: Le Mirabeau Zermatt
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Day 4: Zermatt Your Way
Spend a full free day soaking up Zermatt's crisp mountain air and panoramic vistas. Relax in beautiful surroundings or consider an Optional Experience to the Klein Matterhorn for the most spectacular mountain views.
Accommodation: Le Mirabeau Zermatt
Included Meals: Breakfast
Day 5: Venture to the Italian Lake Maggiore
Departing Switzerland, we travel to the lakeside town of Baveno on Italy's Lake Maggiore. Spend the rest of the day indulging in the laid-back lakeside atmosphere or consider joining an Optional Experience to Isola Bella, one of the lake's Borromean islands, with its palazzo and exquisite gardens.
Accommodation: Hotel Simplon Baveno
Included Meals: Breakfast
Day 6: Off to Alpine St. Moritz
We travel through the scenic Italian countryside to the fortified town of Tirano. Here, we board the UNESCO World Heritage Listed Rhaetian Railway to cross the Bernina Pass and wind our way through scenic landscapes en route to the stylish resort town of St. Moritz. This evening, enjoy dinner with your fellow travellers.
Accommodation: Hotel Reine Victoria by Laudinella St. Moritz
Included Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 7: Journey to Lakeside Lucerne
Journeying through lush green landscapes, past Lake Zürich, we arrive in lakeside Lucerne. Pay tribute to the brave Swiss Guards, who lost their lives defending King Louis XVI at the Lion Monument, and admire the iconic wooden Chapel Bridge before strolling past the city's colourful façades. Consider joining a cruise on the tranquil lake waters and then ride the world's first double deck 'CabriO' cable car to the top of Mount Stanserhorn.
Accommodation: Grand Hotel Europe Lucerne
Included Meals: Breakfast
Day 8: Admire Scenic Brienz and Interlaken
We travel to Interlaken at the heart of Switzerland, which lies in the shadow of the Jungfrau Mountain. Stopping in the village of Brienz en route, we’ll Dive Into Culture and gain insights into the centuries-old tradition of wood carving for which this village is so famous. Spend some time on your own and enjoy superb views of the peaks of the Bernese Oberland. This evening, we enjoy a Farewell Dinner with our fellow travellers and Travel Director toasting the highlights of Switzerland we've enjoyed along the way.
Accommodation: Grand Hotel Europe Lucerne
Included Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 9: Homeward Bound
As our journey through the Best of Switzerland comes to an end, we bid our newfound friends a fond farewell.
Departure Transfer: Arrive at the airport at 08:00
Included Meals: Breakfast
Terms & conditions
Prices are per person twin share, include discounts, and are subject to availability and rate of exchange changes. Offers above are a guide only and will vary depending on departure date, our guide price is based on the cheapest departure within the stipulated season and availability is correct at time of loading. Visas may be necessary and insurance is essential. Pentravel and Tour Operator terms and conditions apply, and may be found on our website. Subject to availability and may be withdrawn at any time without notice. High season supplements and block out dates may apply, pricing varies pending departure date. Package excludes flights. You can do optional free-time add-on experiences in your free time and pay for them as you travel (additional costs apply). Tour operator reserves the right to withdraw promotional offers and adjust savings anytime. Full payment due 120 days prior to departure or at time of booking if booked within 120 days of departure; whichever comes first. R3000 per person deposit required at time of booking for Level 1 tours to hold space; some trips require payment in full at time of booking. Savings are subject to availability and may be withdrawn at any time without notice. At time of loading this may not be a definite departure, please contact a travel consultant for more info. Advertised price is based on 29 March 2025 departure. At time of loading this may not be a definite departure. Other conditions may apply. These packages are based on CASH price. E&OE;.