Energizing!
This energizing itinerary features shimmering lakes, majestic mountains, romantic countrysides, Swiss cities as well as picturesque villages. Program highlights are the UNESCO Lavaux vineyards, medieval village of Gruyères, Chillon Castle, majestic Mt. Glacier 3000 and much more.
Duration: 9 nights / 10 days
Dates: all year round (except Gstaad)
Built in three tiers, Lausanne has the sparkling blue waters of Lake Geneva at its feet, deep green forests at its back and snow-capped Alps in the distance. It is a city to explore with your senses, offering everything from quaint country markets to cosmopolitan shops and shows. A climb up to the Old City will take you to Lausanne’s superb gothic cathedral, to the ancient castle of Saint Maire and to the university with its fine museums. Down by the waterside is the picturesque resort of Ouchy, where you can linger in one of the lakeside restaurants.
Discover the terraced vineyards of Lavaux, one of the most famous wine-growing regions in Western Switzerland. Whether you want to take a stroll or a hike, these paths are ideal for getting acquainted with the area, so much loved by many, many artists and royalties. Here you can enjoy a wine tasting in the middle of this wonderful scenery.
Montreux is a well-frequented resort on Lac Leman (Lake of Geneva), thanks to its location and pleasant surrounding countryside. The city stretches gently along the shore of a wide, south-facing bay lined with palm trees thanks to the mild climate and rises above the lake like a huge Amphitheatre amidst the wooded and vine-clad slopes. The main features of the city are the Vieux Montreux (the old parts of the township) and, of course, the visit of the Castle of Chillon – one of the most impressive, medieval strongholds of Switzerland, immortalized by many famous poets.
For one of Switzerland’s smartest resorts, Gstaad is a surprisingly small village, its size out of proportion to its international fame and prestige. Lying at the junction of four valleys, Gstaad has about 250 slops and numerous ski lifts on the slopes of Wispile, Eggli and Wasserngrat. In summer, Gstaad attracts numerous visitors who come here to enjoy rock climbing, hiking, cycling, tennis and extreme sports, such as rafting on the turbulent waters of the Saane. By avoiding high-rise developments and remaining faithful to traditional Swiss-style architecture, Gstaad has maintained its romantic character. Its main street, the Promenade, is well appointed with shops, cafés, restaurants and art galleries. Artisans can be seen at work on woodcarvings and decorative paper cutouts.
Welcome to Gruyères, city of the counts of Gruyères in bygone days; today, a village awaiting discovery that invites guests to stroll and partake of fine foods. An architectural jewel filled with treat-it delights the eyes and warms the heart. Here the population is glad to welcome you and to share its traditions, culture, art of cooking, and savoir-faire with its guests. The castle of Gruyères, one of Switzerland's historical monuments that attract the most visitors, boasts medieval treasures, paintings, gardens, and an exhibition of fantasy art along with all its mysteries. The whole region, home of the authentic Gruyère cheese, is also an area devoted to leisure and relaxation.
With more than 300 km of signposted and well-maintained trails and paths, the Gstaad holiday region is a genuine hiking paradise in Switzerland. The dense and far-reaching network of hiking trails is ideally accessible thanks to the many cable cars and different modes of public transport, with something to suit every taste.
Fans of equestrianism love the Saanenland as it offers many opportunities for guided hacks through the intact landscape or horse riding lessons in indoor paddocks, whether it is classic, English or Western style. There are beautiful trails with wonderful panoramic views from the Gstaad Equestrian Centre towards Schönried, Saanenmöser, as well as the Turbachtal valley and Chalberhöni. Riders unfamiliar with the area should first contact the persons listed here to find out more details about the hacks; alternatively, they can ride out as part of an accompanied hack.
The mountain station located at 3,000 meters above sea level was designed by the famous architect Mario Botta. The View Point is reached by walking a few feet to a staircase that leads to the top. It is located next to the Mountain Restaurant Botta. Once you reach the top, your view sweeps across the fabulous 360° panorama. The most beautiful Alpine peaks - from Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau to the Matterhorn and Mont Blanc - can be admired from here. No less than 24 four-thousand-meter peaks delight the visitor. An adrenaline rush awaits visitors on the Alpine Coaster, the world’s highest toboggan run. It runs over 10 curves, 6 waves, three jumps, two bridges, and down a 520-degree circle. A fast ride at up to 20 kilometers per hour is guaranteed.
Located in the heart of Switzerland on the picturesque Lake of Lucerne at the foot of the famous Rigi, idyllic Vitznau beckons you to enjoy natural surroundings and a restful vacation. Vitznau is an enchanting oasis tucked away in fascinating countryside. It's a place to discover which has retained its charm and the rustic independence of a rural area and its people. This small locality on the lakeside is the ideal staging post to discover the many sightseeing gems and attractions in the region.
The world-famous, historical city of Lucerne lies in Switzerland in the heart of Europe. Because of its central location right on Lake Lucerne, which is surrounded by grand mountains like Mount Titlis at 3000 meters high or the impressive Mount Pilatus, Lucerne is considered to be the "Switzerland in Switzerland". You will find everything here: the lake, the mountains, the city – a distinctive consonance of nature and work of man, which has been preserved and carefully developed for centuries. What do you want to see while in Lucerne? The Chapel Bridge with its gabled paintings of old battles and the adjacent quaint quarters with little streets ranging and changing from silence to abundant liveliness? The curiosities of the museums, the treasures of the many churches? Take a leisurely walk through a maze of small streets, bridges, promenades and plazas dominated by countless historical towers, fountains and frescoed buildings.
Start with a cruise by steam boat from Lucerne – relax and enjoy the magnificent view of the Rigi, Bürgenstock and Mt. Pilatus, passing through the “Nas”, the narrowest point of the lake and arrive at the “Haus zur Treib” which housed 72 meetings of the delegates of the Old Swiss Confederacy. The building dates back to 1658. Here descend the boat and take the small funicular drive-train up to Seelisberg – here, 2400 feet above sea leave, you will enjoy a fantastic view of the lake and the area. Enjoy your time in Seelisberg with hiking or taste some local food in a restaurant. Continue by postal bus through farmland to Emmetten and down to Stans, change to train back to Lucerne.
Bad Ragaz in the St. Gallen Rhine Valley at the foot of the Pizol has a long tradition as a health spa. Today it is a wellness resort with top-class hotels, thermal baths and golf courses. The warm (37°C) healing waters bubble up from inside the mountain in the deep, mysterious Tamina Gorge in nearby Pfäfers. You will love the mild climate, the stunning natural environment, the varied landscape and the thermal springs. Experience wellbeing, recreation and health through water, sport, the natural world and culture.
Switzerland’s oldest city charms visitors with its fine mountain setting, twisting alleys and historic buildings. Numerous boutiques, restaurants, bars, museums and galleries in the largely traffic-free Old Town create a Mediterranean-style atmosphere. Celts, Romans, Ostrogoths, Franks - all ruled Chur, the gateway to important trade routes and alpine passes, at one time or another. What remains today, is its 5000-year history, documented by Early Stone Age and Bronze Age finds anc artifacts from the Roman period, as well as testimonies to more recent history such as the 800-year-old Cathedral near the bishop's residence.
In this splendid place the bathing culture of former centuries can be relived. A source of hospitality at a wild, romantic site. The extremely narrow Tamina Gorge, is only penetrated by a few rays of sunshine at mid-day. It is a thermal waters fed grotto where health seekers bathed as early as 1240, which still draws vistors to submerge themselves in the salubrious waters that bubble up to Bad Pfäfers today. After bravely exploring the 70-meter-high rock faced gorge, and rejuvenation in the baths, there is also the monastery, baths museum, and neo-Gothic Baths Chapel to explore.
Heidi – a child who made a worldwide impression! The most famous Swiss author, Johanna Spyri, and the most successful and well-known fictional character, Heidi, became hugely popular and the story has been translated into almost 50 different languages and just as many million copies have been printed; it has been read, watched on television or seen in cinemas, all over the world. The Heidi Village in Maienfeld, restored under the theme "Heidi yesterday - today - tomorrow", delights children and adult Heidi fans too.
Zurich is top for leisure and pleasure. Gentle hills, peaceful woods, the unpolluted lakes and rivers, picturesque villages – and all just a stone's throw from the Alps. Zurich is the ideal starting point for all kinds of varied excursions. Enjoy the pretty old town of Zurich, the trendy new Zurich West district and the glorious lake. With opera, ballet, theater premieres, shows, musicals, art exhibitions in over 50 museums and 100 galleries, time never drags in Zurich. The famous Bahnhofstrasse and the Limmatquai are a shopper's paradise. Over 1,700 restaurants and bars serve both traditional Zurich and Swiss dishes as well as exotic specialties. The evenings will leave you spoilt for choice: indoors or outdoors, anything is possible as far as the nightlife in Zurich goes.
Departure Switzerland
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