Explore Switzerland in a GRAND way, self drive through scenic landscapes and stunning locations

Now you can experience the best of Switzerland in one go through the “Grand” tour of Switzerland – cover over 1600 kilometres in 9 days featuring beautiful regions, diverse landscapes, spectacular scenery – fascinating Switzerland, the experiential way. Traverse through 4 regions speaking different languages, 5 Alpine passes, 11 UNESCO World Heritage Sites, 2 Biosphere Reserves and 22 lakes – the best of Swiss scenic and cultural highlights.

ITINERARY :

Day 1: Arrival Zürich

Luxury Vignettes Recommendations:

• Visit a riverside or lakeside bathing area in the heart of the city
• Take a spectacular hike on the Uetliberg Mountain
• Visit Grossmünster – Evangelical Protestant Church and one of the famous icons of Zurich

Overnight in Zurich.

Day 2: Zürich – St. Gallen (approximately 150 kilometres)

Luxury Vignettes Recommendations:

• Feel the roar and vibration of the water at the Rhine Falls – Europe’s largest waterfall
• Visit St. Gallen, a compact metropolis and a traffic-free old town which features houses with colourfully-painted oriel windows
• Visit Baroque Cathedral and Abbey Library – A UNESCO World Heritage listing

Overnight in St. Gallen.

Day 3: St. Gallen – Davos (approximately 160 km)

Luxury Vignettes Recommendations:

• Witness cultural events such as folk music and rustic dances in The Appenzell region
• Stopover at Heidi’s Village which inspired the poetess Johanna Spyri to write her novel Heidi

Overnight in Davos.

Day 4: Davos – Lugano (approximately 290 km)

Luxury Vignettes Recommendations:

• If you prefer to be active do the hike on Mount Muottas Muragl near Pontresina to have breathtaking views of the four lakes and the world-famous resort town of St. Moritz

Overnight in Lugano.

Day 5: Lugano – Zermatt (approximately 215 km)

Luxury Vignettes Recommendations:

• Visit the romantic little Brè village for its numerous works of art and Ascona which is famous for its mild climate
• Visit Bellinzona which is famous for its three castles (Castelgrande, Montebello, Sasso Corbaro) that have been UNESCO World Heritage Sites since 2000
• Explore Aletsch Glacier – Biggest glacier in the Alps

Overnight in Zermatt.

Day 6: Zermatt – Montreux (approximately 150 km)

Luxury Vignettes Recommendations:

• A trip on Gornergrat railway is a must for unrivalled views over the 4000m peaks surrounding Zermatt
• Visiting the famous Castle Chillon (Island Castle) located on Lake Geneva is also a must

Overnight in Montreux.

Day 7: Montreux – Gstaad (approximately 330 km)

Luxury Vignettes Recommendations:

• Visit Olympic Museum. With more than 10,000 artifacts, the museum is the largest archive of Olympic Games in the world

Overnight in Gstaad.

Day 8: Gstaad – Lucerne (approximately 315 km)

Luxury Vignettes Recommendations:

• Enjoy a lake cruise on Lake Brienz and Lake Thun
• Take a trip on The Jungfrau railway to Jungfraujoch- the highest railway station in Europe
• The old town of Bern is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. If time permits visit Bern, the capital of Switzerland

Overnight in Lucerne.

Day 9: Departure Lucerne – Zürich (approximately 140 km)

Luxury Vignettes Recommendations:

• Visit the Chapel Bridge built in the 14th century and reconstructed to its original, after it was almost burned down in 1993

Overnight in Lucerne.

Drive back to Zürich for rental car drop-off at the airport.

Inclusions:

• 3* / 4* /5* + Accommodation as per itinerary (subject to availability) at the time of booking or similar.
• Includes 8 Breakfasts and city tax in Zürich, St.Gallen, Davos, Lugano, Zermatt, Montreux, Gstaad, Lucerne (1 night per destination).
• VW Golf 5 rental OR Audi A3 or Audi A4 (5 door, manual, A/C) for 9 days with pick-up and drop-off at Zürich Airport. Prices vary based on model of the car.
• Free parking at all hotels (except Zermatt/ Täsch and Montreux 3*).
• Train ticket Täsch – Zermatt in 2nd class.
• Grand Tour of Switzerland Road Map from Hallwag.
• Grand Tour of Switzerland Travel Guide.
• Swiss Coupon Pass 2 for 1 Dine & Discover*.

Exclusions:

• All flights, excess baggage fees, airport departure taxes and other relevant taxes.
• All meals and drinks not specified in inclusions.
• Porterage at airport and hotels.
• Items of a personal nature (i.e. internet, curio, laundry, beverages, etc.) unless specifically quoted for above.
• Tips and gratuities.
• Visa fees.
• Optional Tours.
• Anything not specifically quoted in the inclusions.