Country Roads of Switzerland
with Insight Vacations
- Discover 20 cities in 2 countries
- Glacier Express scenic train ride
- 13 breakfasts & 5 dinners with wine
- Save 10%^
See Switzerland in all its natural splendour during this 2-week guided tour that whisks you from snow-capped mountain peaks to floral valleys.
Outside Lucerne, complete with wooden bridges and baroque churches, zip to the top of Mount Stanserhorn, a pinnacle so tall you can see France and Germany. Take in beautiful Bern and its Catherdrals with a Local Expert followed by a stop in Gruyères. Glide along the Glacier Express, a glass-topped train that will carry you through the Oberalp Valley and to Grindelwald, an idyllic alpine village set to the backdrop of winding rivers and towering waterfalls. In St. Moritz, a mountain railways pass will allow you to traverse the alpine village’s cable cars, funiculars and chairlifts. Then taste the freshest cuisine in Switzerland during an intimate farm-to-table dinner experience, including cheese.
MAKE TRAVEL MATTER Experience:
- 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.
- Visit a family-run winery overlooking Lake Geneva. Enjoy a tasting, and learn how the family is preserving the estate for future generations. Savour delicious farm-to-table fare, made from locally sourced produce. Alongside using sustainable agricultural practices, they source majority of their good locally. They have strict procedures about waste reduction and any waste from the production is being re-used as fertilizer or food for their animals. This experience advances UN Sustainable Development Goal 12: Responsible Production and Consumption.
UNIQUE INSIGHT Experience:
- Visit Chillon Castle with the Head of Collections to discover the artefacts, treasures and history of the chateau.
- Explore the stunning town of Bellinzona with your Local Expert. Julie will passionately share with you her insights into the three marvellous castles, and her personal stories about how she fell in love with this city and decided to move to the area.
Highlights:
- Chillon Castle Visit
- Bellinzona City Tour
- Visit Mount Stanserhorn Summit
- Bern City Tour
- Lake Geneva Scenic Cruise
- See the Martigny Roman Amphitheatre
- See the Churches of Sion
- Travel to Zermatt via Cogwheel Train
- Travel in St Moritz with your Included Pass
- Glacier Express Scenic Train
- Visit Staubbach Falls
- Brienz Woodcarving Centre Visit
Inclusions
- 14 days itinerary trip
- Visiting 2 countries and 20 cities.
- 13 nights accommodation at highly rated hotels in desirable locations offering superb service, superior rooms with comfy beds to rest in.
- 13 Breakfasts, 5 Dinners with Wine
- The itinerary includes an expert Travel Director and professional Driver and all the must-see sightseeing and surprise extras.
Day 1: Welcome to Lucerne
Welcome to Switzerland, a land of snow-capped summits and romantic lakes that has attracted poets, musicians and travellers for centuries. Arrive into Zürich airport and transfer to your hotel in Lucerne. Meet your Travel Director and travel companions for a pleasant Welcome Dinner with wine at a local restaurant.
Meals: Dinner with wine
Day 2: Ascend the summit of Mount Stanserhorn
Explore Mount Stanserhorn on a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience, as an open-top cable car powered by solar panels take you up the summit. Admire unrivalled views of the surrounding mountains and, on a clear day see as far as Alsace in France and the Black Forest in Germany. 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.
Return to the beautiful 14th century city of Lucerne to see its storybook wooden bridges, baroque church and sorrowful Lion Monument. Enjoy the rest of the afternoon at your leisure to walk along the lake or perhaps shop for a special timepiece or chocolate.
Meals: Breakfast
Day 3: Bern, Gruyères and Montreux
In Bern, your Local Expert, a local English teacher, shows you the Cathedral of St. Vincent, Federal Palace and floral displays. Gather at the clock tower to watch the mechanical procession of painted figures before viewing the Ogre Fountain. Your travels continue into the wide, green valleys of the Vaud Alps with snowy summits filling the horizon. Continue through vineyards and alpine meadows to the fortified town of Gruyères, that gives its name to the well-known cheese. Enjoy time on your own to explore the pretty main street and 13th century castle.
From Montreux, travel along the shores of Lake Geneva to visit a winery. Admire the stunning panorama overlooking the lake and savour a tasting of tantalising, local wines. Delight in a delicious Farm-to-Table light dinner, made from locally sourced produce, and learn how the family is preserving the estate for future generations on this MAKE TRAVEL MATTER Experience.
Meals: Breakfast, dinner with wine
Day 4: Lake Geneva and the Swiss Countryside
On the western bay of Lake Geneva, visit 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. Return to Montreux where the rest of the day is free for you to explore on your own or relax as you wish at your quayside hotel.
Meals: Breakfast
Day 5: Geneva and Scenic Lake Cruise
Follow the shores of the lake to the international city of Geneva, seeing the Jet d’Eau and Floral Clock. Next, relax in first-class comfort on the waters of Lake Geneva during a highlight cruise. This evening, enjoy time at leisure on the promenade of your lakeside resort.
Meals: Breakfast
Day 6: Martigny, Sion and Zermatt
Journey into the upper Rhône Valley to Martigny to view the Roman Amphitheatre. Continue to the town of Sion, dominated by two rocky peaks, each crowned with episcopal fortresses, and see the cathedral and Old Town Hall. Complete your journey via cogwheel train to the traffic-free mountain resort of Zermatt. This evening, take your pick from a selection a local restaurants for your Dine-Around Evening. Perhaps you will delight in the typical Swiss dining experience of fondue?
Meals: Breakfast, dinner with wine
Day 7: Zermatt at leisure
Zermatt in the summertime offers many leisure possibilities: try swimming, hiking or relaxing in the fresh alpine surrounds. Perhaps take a trip to the Klein Matterhorn, see the Matterhorn from the church bridge or sample the delicious cakes known as Kuchen?
Meals: Breakfast
Day 8: The Italian Lake District to Baveno
Descend to Täsch for a scenic drive to Brig, where you'll commence your ascent of the Simplon Pass, taking in magnificent views over the Alps from the 2,000-metre summit. Cut through northern Italy, stopping along the shores of Lake Maggiore. The afternoon is at your leisure. Perhaps join an experience to the stunning Isola Bella?
Meals: Breakfast
Day 9: The glamour and glitz of St. Moritz
Journey along the shores of Lake Maggiore, and head north to the three Fortifications at Bellinzona to meet your Local Expert, for a fascinating insight into this UNESCO World Heritage Site. These castles are enchanting examples of fortified medieval architecture of the Alps.
Your travels continue through the Grisons Region, travelling via San Bernardino and the town of Tiefencastel, as you follow the young Rhine River. Head east towards the Julier Pass and the glamorous resort of St. Moritz, set in the Engadine Valley with the majestic Grisons Alps towering above.
Meals: Breakfast
Day 10: Leisure time in St. Moritz
Enjoy a day at leisure to jostle with the jet-setters in this elegant resort or perhaps take an exciting train journey over the Bernina pass. To help you make the most of your day, your Travel Director will provide you with a mountain railways pass, offering free travel on all cable cars, funiculars and chairlifts (when available) in Engadine St. Moritz.
Meals: Breakfast
Day 11: The Glacier Express
Step aboard the Glacier Express to experience one of the world’s great railway journeys. Cross the Landwasser Viaduct before heading down through the Oberalp Valley to rejoin the coach at Andermatt. Drive through the dramatic Schöllenen Gorge passing the Devil's Bridge. Marvel at the Wetterhorn Peaks as you travel along the Grindelwald Valley. Follow the sparkling Lütschine River to Lauterbrunnen, at the head of the Valley of Waterfalls, and see the Staubbach Falls plunge 300 metres from the plateau above.
Meals: Breakfast, dinner with wine
Day 12: Grindelwald at leisure
Enjoy a day at your leisure to explore Grindelwald further. Perhaps take a cogwheel train ride to the summit of the Jungfrau mountain?
Meals: Breakfast
Day 13: Rural Switzerland to Zürich
Take in the spectacular lake views, as you journey to Brienz, famous for its woodcarving traditions. Visit the Jobin Swiss Woodcarving Centre to trace the history of the trade back to the early days of the 19th century. Continue over the Brünig Pass and drive alongside the lakes of Lungern and Sarnen to return to Zürich. See the Bahnhofstrasse, Grossmünster, River Limmat and Frauenmünster on an orientation of the city with your Travel Director. Join your travel companions at a local restaurant. Your Celebration Dinner is accompanied with wine - raise your glass to toast to your adventures.
Meals: Breakfast, dinner with wine
Day 14: Depart Zürich
Your Swiss adventures come to and end this morning, with a transfer to Zürich airport.
Meals: Breakfast
Prices
| Standard Price per person, twin share |
Sale Price per person, twin share |
|---|---|
| From $10,850 | From $9765 |
Dates
| Departs |
|---|
| Multiple departure dates in 2024 & 2025 |
*Advertised price is based on twin share and is based on 06 July 2025 departure. Other travel dates available at seasonal surcharge. Please enquire with your RAC travel consultant for current availability and pricing.
*Advertised price is based on 06 July 2025 departure and is subject to availability and change at any time. Please enquire with your RAC travel consultant for current availability and pricing. Other departure dates available at seasonal surcharge. Further conditions apply, please check with your RAC travel consultant at time of booking.
^Save 10%: Save on select Insight Vacations tours. New bookings only made from 31 May 2024 onwards. Savings are subject to availability and may be withdrawn at any time without notice. Deposit is required at time of booking to lock in savings. Full payment due 120 days prior to departure or at time of booking if booked within 120 days of departure; whichever comes first. Prices are in Australian Dollar ($), are per person, land only, based on double occupancy and are subject to availability. If guests change to another tour or date not on sale, they are responsible to pay the difference and adhere to different payment conditions. S. May be combined with 5% Global Tour Rewards savings only, not combinable with group discounts or custom group bookings, Future Travel Credit carry forward discount or any other discount or promotion. Other conditions may apply.
General RAC Travel terms and conditions apply.
