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ITINERARY
This morning, your flight brings you into the commercial capital of Switzerland – Zurich. Right under the airport is the fantastic and well planned Swiss transport system. Simply validate your Swiss pass and you are good to go. Board your train to Bern.
On arrival in Bern, proceed to your hotel on own and check in.
Freshen up and relax, before you head out to explore the capital city of Switzerland. The beautifully preserved architecture is one of the reasons why the entire Old Town of Berne has been declared as a UNESCO World Heritage site. Bern’s compact size makes it ideal to cover all the main attractions on foot at an easy, enjoyable pace. Head across Nydggbrucke in the east and Kornhausbruke in the north outskirts for incredible views over Bernese rooftops by the Aare River. Stare in awe at the beautiful detail of Zytglogge, the 15th century astronomical clock tower. Walk beneath the winding medieval arcades, admire the grandeur and ritz of Bellevue Palace Hotel and Parliament buildings. Pay a visit to the city’s living emblems at the Bear Pit or Barnpark. Go on a 16th century fountain hunt. Bern is also known as the city of fountains. See if you can locate the 11 interesting characters towering above the fountains dotted throughout the old town – all characters of Swiss folklore.
Finally, walk uphill to the rose garden for some fantastic views of the city.
Overnight in Bern
A quick breakfast in your hotel, and another day to explore beautiful Switzerland. Board your train to bring you into Geneva, home to the International headquarters and straddling the border with France, Geneva is one of the more well-known Swiss cities and is well worth a visit. The old town of Geneva dates back to the Roman Empire. Geneva is home to many political and global organisations such as United Nations, World Health Organisation, to name a few, due to its “neutral nation” status.
Just a short walk from the train station, is the Water Jet or Jet d’Eau, the large water fountain on lake Geneva – iconic to the city. Appreciate the l’horloge fleurie or the Flower Clock inside the English Garden along the west of the lake. Head to Place du Bourg-de-Four to marvel at St Piere Cathedral. Take a stroll along the Reformation Wall, the figures carved into Geneva’s old city walls depict important people from the Protestant Reformation. Play an oversized game of chess in Bastions Park or shop up a storm on Rue Du Marche in the Old Town.
Return to Bern by train.
Overnight in Bern.
Enjoy a quick breakfast and board your train for a day of scenic journey as you travel towards Zermatt on your day excursion. The area is surrounded by 38 mountain peaks all over 4000 meters high. Zermatt has inherited the nickname of the “Sunniest Corner of Switzerland”, as few clouds tend to form here. Which also means, the Matterhorn is clearly visible almost 62% of the time.
Marvel at the Matterhorn by taking the Gornergrat Bahn up to the spectacular Gornergrat Lookout. The entire train journey is absolutely stunning with the Matterhorn popping in and out of view along the way.
Wander around the quaint little town which is carfree. Time permitting do visit the Matterhorn Museum. Pick up some hand made souvenirs made by local artesans or hunt for Swiss Army knives, Swiss textiles, crafts and decors.
Make sure you have your camera ready for some postcard-worthy shots of traditional wooden chalets complete with stunning mountain ranges as backdrop.
Overnight in Bern.
The day begins with a sumptuous breakfast in your hotel, after which time to visit “Top of Europe”. Jungfraujoch is the jewel in the Bernes Oberlands’ crown and boasts the highest railway station in all of Europe. Hence the nickname. As an added bonus, you will come face to face with Eiger, Europe’s most notorious mountain when you arrive at Kleine Scheidegg. After a morning well spent on the glacier with its attractions, enjoy a champagne lunch (on own).
In the afternoon, stop by beautiful Interlaken, on your way back to Bern. Venue to many Bollywood films, Interlaken is a pretty little town, lined with boutiques, grand hotels, parks all against a jagged mountain backdrop. Romantic, complete with a horse-drawn carriage ride.
If time permits, head up the funicular to HarderKulm lookout for amazing views over the town below and a fantastic sunset over the Eiger, Monch and Jungfraujoch.
Overnight in Bern.
Post breakfast this morning, check out and take a train to your next destination – Lucerne. On arrival, proceed to your hotel on own and check in.
Situated on Lake Lucerne, it has been a huge drawcard for tourists visiting the region and easy to see why. No trip is complete without adding this bucket list city to your Switzerland itinerary.
A day to relax and explore Lucerne. Kappelbrucke or Chapel Bridge is said to the oldest covered wooden bridge in Europe, the Church of St Leodegar with its twin spires is iconic to Lucerne’s skyline. Don’t miss the Lion Monument, an emotional tribute to the Swiss Guards killed by revolutionaries at Tuileries Palace, France. Admire the Town Hall Clock, visit the Swiss Transport Museum, and spoil yourself with some famous Laderdach handmade chocolates. Lastly take a leisurely cruise on Lake Lucerne.
Overnight in Lucerne
Enjoy a leisurely breakfast and then ride the world’s first fully rotating cable car to a world of ice and snow as the snow-capped mountain peaks and the precipitous rocks welcome you to the amazing Mt Titlis. Feel the excitement, as you cross Europe’s highest suspension bridge, the Cliff Walk and enjoy high-speed fun in Glacier Park as you slide down the slope on a rubber tire. A must do is the ice flyer and feel the wind in your hair as you glide down.
Rest of the day is at leisure to explore on your own.
Overnight in Lucerne.
After breakfast, a quick series of train rides will bring you to Europes largest waterfall in Schaffhausen – the Rhine Falls bordering Switzerland and Germany. Take a cruise on the river and view the falls up close with a running commentary giving you more information and interesting stories related to the falls.
On your return from the falls, stop at Zurich to stroll along Bahnhopfstrasse, considered the most expensive shopping street in Europe! Explore the narrow backstreets in the Schipfe district, one of Zurich’s oldest neighbourhoods. Head to Lindenhof for sweeping panoramic views of the city and Limmat River.
Overnight in Lucerne
After breakfast, time to check out and bid farewell to the Swiss Alps as you board your train to Zurich airport for your flight back home with unforgettable memories of your Swiss Vacation with AirTours Holidays!