This route leads you through 1600 kilometers of the country’s most beautiful regions. You will travel through four linguistic regions, over five Alpine passes, to eleven UNESCO World Heritage Sites and two biosphere reserves and along 22 lakes.
Inclusions
- 8 night accommodation
(1 night in Zurich, 1 night in St. Gallen, 1 night in Davos, 1 night in Lugano, 1 night in Zermatt, 1 night in Montreux, 1 night in Gstaad, and 1 night in Lucerne) - Breakfast daily
- Rental Car for 9 days with pick‐up and drop‐off at Zurich Airport
- Return train journey in 2nd class between Tasch and Zermatt
- Grand Tour of Switzerland road map and travel guide
- Swiss Coupon Pass
| 2024 Departures | 3-star hotels Compact Automatic |
4-star hotels Full Size Automatic |
| Jun 1-30 | from $3099 | from $4199 |
| Jul 1-Aug 31 | from $3599 | from $4559 |
| Sep 1-30 | from $3099 | from $4199 |
| Oct 1-31 | from $2899 | from $3739 |
| Single Supplement | on request | on request |
Not included: Flights – Meals other than those specified in the itinerary – Optional excursions – City taxes to be paid locally at the hotels – Car parking or refueling costs – Any other items not mentioned in the Inclusions.
Additional Information
Note:
-All activities mentioned on this tour that are not listed in the “Inclusions” section are suggestions only and not included
-Book the Swiss Half Fare Card and save up to 50% for most trains, buses, boats and mountain railways, as well as public transport in 75 Swiss towns and cities.
-Additional days of rental or car categories on request.
-Possibility to rent a Tesla (on request) – with your e-car you save more than CHF 350 of gas cost.
Day 1: ARRIVAL ZURICH
Upon arrival, pick-up your car at the airport and drive to your hotel to check-in. Individual travel to Zurich. It offers a unique mixture of attractions that you can enjoy by yourself on your first day. As a «metropolis of experiences» by the water, with a magnificent view of the snow-capped Alps on the horizon, Zürich offers a unique mixture of attractions – over 50 museums and more than 100 art galleries, international fashion labels and Zurich designs, and the most flamboyant and lively nightlife in Switzerland. Recreational activities range from a visit to the riverside and lakeside bathing areas in the very heart of the city, to a spectacular hike on the Uetliberg Mountain. One of the recommended Grand Tour attractions is the Grossmünster, which is an Evangelical Protestant church in the Old Town of Zürich, and is one of Zürich‘s most famous landmarks. Construction of this Romanesque church begun in 1100 and it has since been rebuilt and renovated several times.
Accommodation: Zurich for 1 night
Day 2: ZURICH – ST. GALLEN (approx. 150km)(B)
Drive to St. Gallen with a stopover at the Rhine Falls, Europe‘s largest waterfall, feeling the roar and vibration of the water over one‘s entire body – this can be experienced at the Rhine Falls near Schaffhaus. Continue to St. Gallen, the compact metropolis of eastern Switzerland between Lake Constance and Appenzellerland has a charming, traffic-free old town. Colourfully-painted oriel windows are a town feature. The Abbey precinct with the cathedral and Abbey Library has been accorded UNESCO World Heritage listing and belongs to the top attractions along the Grand Tour of Switzerland.
Accommodation: St. Gallen for 1 night
Day 3: ST. GALLEN – DAVOS (approx. 160km)(B)
Today you will drive from St. Gallen to Davos. On your way you will pass the village of Appenzell that is situated in a singularly beautiful landscape of rolling hills. The Appenzell region is known for rural customs and traditions such as the ceremonial descent of the cattle in autumn and cultural events such as folk music and rustic dances, as well as hiking tours in the Alpstein region. Continue your drive and have a stopover at Heidi’s Village in Maienfeld. The town lies in the distinctive Bündner Herrschaft region of Graubünden and inspired the poetess Johanna Spyri to write her novel Heidi. In the Heidi village, the story of this cheerful, nature-loving little orphan girl comes to life at the original locales of the story. Continue your drive to Davos.
Accommodation: Davos for 1 night
Day 4: DAVOS – LUGANO (approx. 290km)(B)
On your way to Lugano in the south of Switzerland you have several possibilities to experience the Grand Tour attractions. Tip: relax on a train ride on the most beautiful Alpine train, the Bernina Express. The cross-border Albula and Bernina Lines between Thusis and Tirano owe their 2008 inscription into the UNESCO World Heritage list to stunning scenery such as the Schyn Gorge, Morteratsch Glacier and Brusio spiral viaduct. If you prefer to be active, do the hike on Mount Muottas Muragl near Pontresina. The entire Upper Engadine region lies at your feet when you are perched on the hiking mountain high above the Inn River Valley. The breathtaking views of the four lakes and the world-famous resort town of St. Moritz extend far beyond the mountain ranges into the distant horizon. Continue to Lugano.
Accommodation: Lugano for 1 night
Day 5: LUGANO – ZERMATT (approx. 215km)(B)
Leaving Lugano for Zermatt, we suggest a visit of Monte Brè. On your way lies Ascona. The city is famous for its mild climate, its Old Town and a lake promenade which is dotted with street cafés. Continue your journey and arrive in the region Valais. Here lies the Aletsch Glacier- the biggest glacier in the Alps. Continue moving down to Tasch which is your last stop by car before you continue your journey by train on to Zermatt (Zermatt is a city without cars).
Accommodation : Zermatt for 1 night
Day 6: ZERMATT – MONTREUX (approx. 150km)(B)
A morning trip to the exhilarating open-air Gornergrat railway is not to be missed, for unrivalled views over the 4000 m peaks surrounding Zermatt. After making you way back down to Tasch to collect your car, your route begins with a stunning drive up through the Valais, heading through Sierre, Sion, Martigny and Aigle. Continue along the shores of Lake Geneva to Montreux.
Accommodation: Montreux for 1 night
Day 7: MONTREUX – GSTAAD (approx. 330km)
Drive through the orchards and terraced vineyards of the Lavaux to Lausanne and from here continue your drive to Freiburg. Further on your way, you will pass the Greyerzer region, with its rolling green landscape.
Accommodation : Gstaad for 1 night
Day 8: GSTAAD – LUCERNE (approx. 315km)(B)
You will spend your day in one of the nicest cities in Switzerland. Lucerne is the gateway to central Switzerland at Lake Lucerne and it is embedded within an impressive mountainous panorama. Thanks to its attractions, its souvenir and watch shops, the beautiful lakeside setting and the nearby excursion mountain of Rigi, Pilatus and Stanserhorn, the town is a destination for many travel groups and individuals on their journey through central Switzerland. One of the highlights along the Grand Tour lies in Lucerne, the Chapel Bridge. The covered, wooden pedestrian walkway on the Chapel Bridge was built in the 14th century. In 1993 the bridge burned down but it was reconstructed true to the original. This large fire hit the international headlines. Do visit this landmark bridge.
Accommodation: Lucerne for 1 night
Day 9: LUCERNE – ZURICH (approx. 140km)(B)
You will spend your last day in one of the most beautiful cities in Switzerland. One of the highlights of Lucerne is the Chapel Bridge. Drive back to Zurich for rental car drop-off at the airport and return journey.
