Contrasts of Switzerland

8 Days Zurich Return
Contrasts of Switzerland
Contrasts of Switzerland
Contrasts of Switzerland
Coach Rail Scenic Glacier Express

Overview

Trafalgar
Trip Operated By:
 (1,025) Reviews
Total No. of Tours & Cruises 280
All aboard the world’s first-ever ‘Swisstainable’ tour. Experience the local culture and delight in regional produce as you support the ecology and economy of Switzerland. Every hotel, experience, meal and transport is accredited as ‘Swisstainable’ - Switzerland’s national benchmark certificate for sustainability.
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Trip Length
8 Days
Trip Starts
Zurich
Trip Ends
Zurich
8 Trip Reviews
Trip Style
Rail Journey
Accommodation
4 Star
Budget
Premium
Age Range
5-99 Years
Max. Group Size
52
Guide Style
Fully Guided
Tour Code
STGV
Countries Visited:

Itinerary

Zürich is your springboard to a spectacular journey through Switzerland. Meet your Travel Director and fellow travellers to explore the city's ancient heritage and modern verve during your orientation tour this afternoon.

This evening, meet your Travel Director and fellow travellers to launch your Swiss experience for dinner.

Accommodation: Hyatt Place Zurich Airport The Circle, Hyatt Regency Zurich Airport The Circle
Included Meals: Dinner

Your love affair with the snow-capped peaks of Switzerland begins on a scenic train journey via Chur to the stylish resort of St. Moritz, set against the beautiful backdrop of Lake St. Moritz. Admire the inspiring natural setting and perhaps travel on one of Switzerland's most spectacular rail routes across the Bernina pass this afternoon, enjoy dinner at your hotel this evening.

Accommodation: Reine Victoria
Included Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Embrace the glamour and romance of a bygone era. Watch the epic alpine landscapes drift past as you chug along one of the world's most unforgettable rail journeys from the comfort of the Glacier Express. Cross hundreds of bridges and the Oberalp Pass at 2,044 m (6,700 ft) above sea level. Enjoy an included lunch on board as you journey past lakes and glaciers bound for the resort town of Zermatt, at the foothills of the imposing Matterhorn. Upon arrival, your Travel Director will take you on an orientation of the town.

Accommodation: Ambassador Zermatt
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

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.

Included Meals: Breakfast

Travel by train to Geneva and continue to La Ferme Enchantée for a memorable Be My Guest experience over lunch. This sustainable farm also hosts beehives, and you'll even meet the beekeeper during a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience. This afternoon, return to Geneva where the orientation will include views of the Old Town, Jet d'Eau and the Flower Clock.

Later, explore the city on your own. Stroll through the ancient maze of medieval streets and quiet squares or consider a cruise – enjoying views of the lakeside villages.

Accommodation: Warwick Geneva
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Picture-perfect landscapes are your constant companion as you journey from Geneva along the Golden Pass route. Stop at Interlaken in the heart of the Swiss Alps, located at the foot of a trio of famous peaks — the Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau. Spend some time at leisure and enjoy superb views of the peaks of the Bernese Oberland.

Follow the Brünig Pass to the lakeside town of Lucerne in central Switzerland, where you'll stay for the next two nights. See the Iconic Chapel bridge and the poignant Lion Monument, built in memory of the Swiss Guards who bravely defended Louis XVI during the French Revolution on your orientation tour.

The evening is free to spend as you wish, but you could choose to show off your vocal talents and learn how to yodel during an optional fun-packed Swiss folklore show with fondue dinner.

Accommodation: Radisson Blu
Included Meals: Breakfast

Mountain peaks surround you as you spend a day at leisure in beautiful lakeside Lucerne. Consider an Optional Experience to a nearby Mountain Peak, explore the medieval streets and shop for delicious Swiss Chocolate. Before we enjoy our Farewell dinner together, you might want to enjoy an Optional Experience riding a carriage through one of Switzerland's most beautiful mountain villages.

Included Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Say a fond farewell to Switzerland and newfound friends at the end of a remarkable holiday. Your Travel Director will give you tickets for the short train journey from Lucerne to Zürich Airport, which can be used at your convenience for your onward journey on the final day of your tour. Alternatively, join a coach transfer to Zürich Airport.

Included Meals: Breakfast

Trip Inclusions

  • Discover Zürich, St. Moritz, Zermatt, Geneva and Lucerne
  • View the Matterhorn (weather permitting), the Jet d'Eau in Geneva, the Swiss Alps in Interlaken, the Lion Monument and Chapel Bridge in Lucerne
  • Scenic Train Ride on the Glacier Express from St. Moritz to Zermatt and a train journey from Geneva to Lucerne

Be My Guest

  • Lake Geneva: In the green pastures overlooking Lake Geneva, enjoy Swiss hospitality and local wines, cheeses and breads with the owner of a local vineyard.

Iconic Experience

  • St Moritz: Enjoy the views of St. Moritz by travelling along the most spectacular rail routes of Switzerland.
  • Saint Moritz: Hop aboard the Glacier Express and take in the magical views of the alpine landscapes.
  • Zermatt: Enjoy the tranquil atmosphere of Zermatt.
  • Geneva: Spend the day taking in the spectacular views of Geneva.
  • Switzerland: Take in Alpine views as you travel the Brünig Pass, passing turquoise lakes, pine forests and the dramatic peaks of the Bernese Oberland.
  • Lucerne: During an orientation with your Travel Director, see the Lion Monument, Old Town Hall and Chapel Bridge, the oldest wooden covered bridge in Europe.

Make Travel Matter®

  • Switzerland: Meet the passionate beekeeper of Apidae, a local organisation raising awareness and promoting education on bees, wildflowers and pollinators, for a talk on bees and biodiversity in Geneva County. Your visit directly supports United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 15: Life on Land.

Stays With Stories

  • Zermatt: Enjoy panoramic views of the unique mountain landscape of the Alps at the Hotel Ambassador in Zermatt. The view of the majestic Matterhorn peak accompanies you into a world of comfort: luxurious beds, state-of-the-art facilities and personalised service.

  • An expert Travel Director and professional Driver
  • Cherry-picked hotels, all tried and trusted
  • All porterage and restaurant gratuities
  • All hotel tips, charges and local taxes
  • Breakfast daily and up to half of your evening meals
  • Must-see sightseeing
  • Audio headsets for flexible sightseeing
  • Luxury air-conditioned coach with Wi-Fi in most countries or alternative transportation (such as rail journeys)
  • Train from Zürich to St. Moritz
  • Glacier Express Train from St. Moritz to Zermatt
  • High-speed train from Zermatt to Vevey
  • Golden Pass route train journey from Geneva to Lucerne
  • Optional Experiences (Additional Cost) and free time
  • On occasion, hotels of similar standard and location may be utilised

  • 3 Dinners (D)
  • 7 Breakfasts (B)
  • 2 Lunches (L)

  • Itinerary and inclusions are subject to change
  • Price is for land, cruise and internal flights as specified. Flights not specified are not included
Must-sees to Local Secrets
Must-sees to Local Secrets

You’ll enjoy the icons and hidden gems with a Local Specialist by your side. Read more

Connect with Locals
Connect with Locals

With one on every itinerary, Be My Guest ensures your journey is truly one-of-a-kind, wherever it takes you. Read more

Stay With Stories
Stay With Stories

Find yourself overnighting in accommodations with stories as rich as the destinations you’re exploring. Read more

Trip Reviews (8)

Trafalgar Reviews
Reviews 8 Reviews
Average Rating 4.6 out of 5
5 Star
63%
4 Star
38%
3 Star
2 Star
1 Star
Travel by Train in Switzerland - WOW 1 , NSW, Australia, Sep 2023
Well organised tour. The logistics of moving 47 people on and off trains to a strict timetable would be a nightmare, but Carolyn our guide, handled all aspects in a professional and friendly manner. This tour is not relaxing, but you do get to see some magnificent scenery throughout the Swiss Alps. Early mornings and punctuality is a must, but totally worth it!
Scenic Switzerland   5 , QLD, Australia, Jun 2018
This is the first train journey we have done and we weren't disappointed! It was amazing! Our tour director Agnes managed our group of 48 on and off trains without loosing anyone which was a feat in itself. The accommodation was of a high standard and it was great that we would put our bags out and they would be transported to our next destination and read more be waiting for us in our new room when we arrived. Finally, Switzerland scenery is amazing and we got to enjoy it from the comfort of our specially reserved train carriages gently rocking through the countryside.... it doesn’t get any better then this!
Fantastic holiday by train throughout Switzerland 6 , WA, Australia, Sep 2017
Had a fantastic time travelling around Switzerland on all the major scenic railways. An organised and knowledgeable tour leader, great travel companions and magnificent mountainous scenery has left us with great memories and fantastic photos. Glad we participated in all the optional experiences, every one was memorable. Thank you!
Very good rail tour of Switzerland 10 , VIC, Australia, Aug 2017
The trip in general was very good. All accommodation with the exception of Lucerne, where we were obviously treated as second class guests, was very good. St Moritz and Zermatt very extremely accommodating. Zermatt was a lovely place with it's "no cars" and great shops and food and drink outlets. I thought 43 on the tour was too many. We had some problems read more with train bookings being spread around different carriages which caused some angst with people having to move during the trip. Most of the travel was on normal commuter trains which although the standard of trains in Switzerland in very good was a bit of a hassle at times.

Got on well with all of the fellow travellers we had a chance to get to know and will keep in touch with some. There were few inclusions on this tour. Most of the Optional Excursions were a must or the tour wouldn't fulfill it's purpose. They were mostly reasonable value with the exception of the lake cruise and dinner in Geneva which was a rip off. It was the excursion we were most looking forward to but was very disappointing primarily because it was at night but the substandard meal a service would have spoiled even a day trip. This type of trip is quite dependent on the weather. We were lucky for the most part particularly the time on the Glacier Express and in Zermatt when viewing the Matterhorn. We were not so lucky when we visited Interlaken. The Tour Director was very personable, knowledgeable and competent.
Contrasts of Switzerland 7 , NSW, Australia, May 2017
The train journeys through Switzerland highlighted the spectacular scenery of the mountains, lakes and countryside. Stopping at cities like St. Moritz and Zermatt gave the most beautiful sights of snow-capped mountains, including the Matterhorn, while Lucerne showcased the beauty of the lakes as well as the history of the country with its incredible read more buildings. It was a wonderful and unforgettable journey. Travelling on the train allowed us to to stand and wander, giving us the opportunity to view the landscapes from either side and behind the train. The only drawbacks were having to change trains and not having enough time to explore Geneva. But otherwise, a great experience!
A well-paced tour with a good mix of travel modes 7 , Australia, Aug 2013
A well-paced tour with a good mix of travel modes - train, coach, boat - and plenty of time for walking around the cities and towns visited. Tour organisation was very good and flexible enough to handle contingencies (e.g route variation because of railway works) without unnecessary disruption to the schedule.
A great rail journey 4 , Australia, May 2013
Great travelling by train as we were able to move around freely. Our Tour director was very friendly and knowledgeable and the hotels used were in good convenient locations and meals provided were tasty.
A wonderful journey through Switzerland 5 , Australia, May 2013
The train travel including the Glacier Express gave great views of the beautiful countryside. Our tour guide was very knowledgeable about Switzerland and was available & helpful at all times. The accommodation and meals were excellent and the option trips added to the enjoyment & understanding of Swiss history & culture. We would recommend this tour.
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Was: $8,250
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Save $1,242
Twin Share (Per Personpp)
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