Best of Switzerland

Italy Switzerland

All the Best of Switzerland with a side visit to Italy. What could be better? Your travels will take you to Lake Geneva for local wine, cheese and delicious desserts in Lavaux, Lord Byron’s enchanting Chillon Castle and the pretty town of Brienz for a masterclass in Swiss wood carving. All hotel tips, charges and local taxes.

All porterage and restaurant gratuities.

An expert Travel Director and professional Driver.

Audio headsets for flexible sightseeing.

Breakfast daily and up to half of your evening meals.

Cherry-picked hotels, all tried and trusted.

Luxury air-conditioned coach with Wi-Fi in most countries or alternative transportation (such as rail journeys).

Must-see sightseeing and surprise extras.

On occasion, hotels of similar standard and location may be utilised..

Optional Experiences and free time.

Train from Tirano to Pontresina
Best of Switzerland

Accommodation

DAY 1: Hyatt Place Airport - Meals: Dinner
DAY 2: Mona Montreux - Meals: Breakfast
DAY 3: Mirabeau - Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
DAY 4: Mirabeau - Meals: Breakfast
DAY 5: Simplon - Meals: Breakfast
DAY 6: Reine Victoria - Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
DAY 7: Grand Europe - Meals: Breakfast
DAY 8: Grand Europe - Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Experiences

Bern: Explore Switzerland's capital and see the Cathedral of St. Vincent, clock tower and Ogre Fountain.

Bernina Express: UNESCO World Heritage Listed Rhaetian RailwayTravel by train over the Bernina Pass through stunning landscapes en route to St. Moritz.

Chillon Castle: The beautiful fortress of Chillon Castle, set on a rocky islet on Lake Geneva, is widely regarded as one of the best-preserved medieval castles in Europe. Following his walk through the dungeons in 1816, Lord Byron wrote the poem 'The Prisoner of Chillon'. Look out for his name, which he carved into a pillar.

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.

Zürich: During an orientation, your Travel Director will show you some of the highlights of this beautiful lakeside city.

DAY 1: Welcome to Zürich

Zürich is your springboard to a spectacular journey through Switzerland. Join a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience for a social-impact guided walking tour. This evening, attend a dinner to launch your Swiss experience.

DAY 2: Journey to Lake Geneva

We leave the bright lights of Zürich behind and stop in Bern with its Old Town, admiring its medieval streets, ornate fountains and arcaded walkways. Journeying to Lake Geneva, we arrive in the resort town of Montreux, set against the pristine backdrop of snow-covered peaks and vineyards. After lunch, consider joining an Optional Experience to cruise Lake Geneva, including a visit to the Charlie Chaplin museum in his former estate, Manoir de Ban.

DAY 3: Onwards to Chillon Castle and Zermatt Connect with Locals

This morning, we visit Chillon Castle, immortalised by Lord Byron's 'Prisoner of Chillon'. For nearly four centuries, this water fortress was the residence of the Counts of Savoy and an important stop for traders. Our next stop is the Lavaux region, a charming wine village above Lake Geneva, where we’ll Connect With Locals over lunch at our Be My Guest experience. Continue your journey to the resort town of Zermatt, set against the backdrop of the snow-capped Matterhorn.

This morning, we visit Chillon Castle, immortalised by Lord Byron's 'Prisoner of Chillon'. For nearly four centuries, this water fortress was the residence of the Counts of Savoy and an important stop for traders. Our next stop is the Lavaux region, a charming wine village above Lake Geneva, where we’ll Connect With Locals��over lunch at our Be My Guest experience. Continue your journey to the resort town of Zermatt, set against the backdrop of the snow-capped Matterhorn.

DAY 4: Zermatt Your Way

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.

DAY 5: Venture to the Italian Lake Maggiore

Departing Switzerland, we travel to the lakeside town of Baveno on Italy's Lake Maggiore. Spend the rest of the day indulging in the laid-back lakeside atmosphere or consider joining an Optional Experience to Isola Bella, one of the lake's Borromean islands, with its palazzo and exquisite gardens.

DAY 6: Off to Alpine St. Moritz

We travel through the scenic Italian countryside to the fortified town of Tirano. Here, we board the UNESCO World Heritage Listed Rhaetian Railway to cross the Bernina Pass and wind our way through scenic landscapes en route to the stylish resort town of St. Moritz. This evening, enjoy dinner with your fellow travellers.

DAY 7: Journey to Lakeside Lucerne

Journeying through lush green landscapes, past Lake Zürich, we arrive in lakeside Lucerne. Pay tribute to the brave Swiss Guards, who lost their lives defending King Louis XVI at the Lion Monument, and admire the iconic wooden Chapel Bridge before strolling past the city's colourful façades. Consider joining a cruise on the tranquil lake waters and then ride the world's first double deck 'CabriO' cable car to the top of Mount Stanserhorn.

DAY 8: Admire Scenic Brienz and Interlaken Dive Into Culture

We travel to Interlaken at the heart of Switzerland, which lies in the shadow of the Jungfrau Mountain. Stopping in the village of Brienz en route, we’ll Dive Into Culture and gain insights into the centuries-old tradition of wood carving for which this village is so famous. Spend some time on your own and enjoy superb views of the peaks of the Bernese Oberland. This evening, we enjoy dinner with our fellow travellers and Travel Director toasting the highlights of Switzerland we've enjoyed along the way.

DAY 9: Homeward Bound

As our journey through the Best of Switzerland comes to an end, we bid our newfound friends a fond farewell.

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26/07/2025 03/08/2025 £3,175 Book
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20/09/2025 28/09/2025 £3,275 Book
27/09/2025 05/10/2025 £2,947 Book
28/03/2026 05/04/2026 £3,375 Book
04/04/2026 12/04/2026 £3,375 Book
11/04/2026 19/04/2026 £3,475 Book
18/04/2026 26/04/2026 £3,475 Book
25/04/2026 03/05/2026 £3,475 Book
02/05/2026 10/05/2026 £3,475 Book
09/05/2026 17/05/2026 £3,475 Book
16/05/2026 24/05/2026 £3,475 Book
23/05/2026 31/05/2026 £3,475 Book
30/05/2026 07/06/2026 £3,395 Book
06/06/2026 14/06/2026 £3,395 Book
13/06/2026 21/06/2026 £3,395 Book
20/06/2026 28/06/2026 £3,395 Book
27/06/2026 05/07/2026 £3,395 Book
04/07/2026 12/07/2026 £3,395 Book
11/07/2026 19/07/2026 £3,550 Book
18/07/2026 26/07/2026 £3,550 Book
25/07/2026 02/08/2026 £3,395 Book
01/08/2026 09/08/2026 £3,395 Book
08/08/2026 16/08/2026 £3,395 Book
15/08/2026 23/08/2026 £3,395 Book
22/08/2026 30/08/2026 £3,395 Book
29/08/2026 06/09/2026 £3,495 Book
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Please contact Global Coach Tours for a list of the latest optional activities available.

Experience the Roads Less Travelled!

Experience the Roads Less Travelled!

Back-Roads Touring offers small-group, intimate travel experiences across the UK and Europe, emphasizing scenic routes, unique cultural encounters, and personalized service. With groups capped at 18, travelers enjoy flexible itineraries, charming accommodations, and authentic local interactions. The tours prioritize leisure, with manageable daily schedules and visits to hidden gems off the typical tourist path. Culinary experiences and stays in character-filled lodgings enhance the immersion into regional traditions and cuisine.
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