Summary
Short description
Treat your taste buds to Switzerland’s finest food and wine experiences
Highlights
- Taste some of Switzerland’s finest wines among the vineyard terraces of Lavaux
- Visit Switzerland’s oldest chocolate factory, Maison Cailler
- Learn all about the making of Gruyère and Emmental cheese
- Enjoy a traditional risotto-making workshop and a food-themed walking tour in Lugano
- Explore the beautifully preserved medieval old towns of Lucerne and Bern
In pictures
About
Recommended for:
Food & wine | History & culture
Savour Switzerland’s rich array of culinary delights as you trace a route between the country’s French, Italian and German speaking regions. After a night in Geneva, take the train to Montreux, from which you’ll taste fine wines among the vineyard terraces of Lavaux, learn all about the making of Gruyère cheese and visit Switzerland’s oldest chocolate factory. Admire the stunning mountain scenery as you briefly cross through Italy en route to Lugano, where a risotto-making workshop and a food-themed walking tour will introduce you to the culinary traditions of Ticino. Your journey then continues north to Lucerne, a city awash with charming medieval architecture, before making a stop in Affoltern im Emmental, home of the world famous cheese. Wrap up your adventure in Switzerland’s compact capital, Bern, with a guided walking tour of its beautifully preserved medieval core.
Day by day itinerary
Day
1
UK to Geneva
Your holiday begins with included airport lounge access before boarding your flight to Geneva. On arrival, head to your hotel, which is conveniently located just a short walk from the train station. You’ll then have the rest of the day free to explore the city at leisure. No trip to Geneva is complete without taking a stroll through the cobbled streets of the charming Old Town, clustered on a hill on the south bank of the Rhône River. For the best views overlooking Geneva, climb to the top of the 12th-century, Gothic-style Saint Pierre Cathedral. Later on, you’ll find no shortage of fabulous places to dine out, whether it’s raclette, fondue or rosti that takes your fancy.
Stay: Hotel Auteuil or similar (Superior)
Days
2-3
Montreux
Today, you’ll board a train that traces the northern shore of Lake Geneva to Montreux, where you’ll be based for the next couple of nights. After exploring the impressive Chillon Castle, situated on an island on the lake, embark on an included excursion to the UNESCO-listed vineyard terraces of Lavaux, a region which produces some of Switzerland’s finest wines. You’ll have the opportunity to taste a selection of these exquisite wines for yourself, accompanied by magnificent views overlooking the lake and out towards the Alps.
The next day’s excursions are centred around two of Switzerland’s most renowned international exports: cheese and chocolate. Take a train from Montreux to Gruyères for a cheese-making demonstration at La Maison du Gruyère, followed by an afternoon visit to Maison Cailler, the oldest chocolate factory in Switzerland. You’ll learn all about how the chocolates are made and taste some, fresh from the source.
Stay: Hotel Eden Palace au Lac or similar (Superior)
Meals: B
Day
4
Montreux to Lugano
You’ll leave the French-speaking region of Switzerland behind today as you head east, taking the train through the Valais canton and crossing through Italy, via Domodossola, where you’ll switch trains before arriving in Locarno. It’s a truly spectacular journey, winding between snow-capped mountains and forested valleys punctuated by picturesque Alpine villages. Finally, you’ll take the train to Lugano, the largest city in Switzerland’s Italian-speaking southern region, taking a boat across the lake for a risotto-making workshop in a traditional Ticino-style grotto (a natural rock cellar). Savour the fruits of your labour, paired with local wine, on a terrace by the lake – a delightful way to cap off your day.
Stay: Hotel Walter Au Lac or similar (Standard)
Meals: B D
Day
5
Lugano to Lucerne
After a leisurely breakfast at the hotel, head out on a food-themed walking tour of Lugano, in which you’ll get to taste a variety of regional Ticino delicacies along the way, including deliciously crisp white merlot wine. You’ll then take the train north to Lucerne, an enchantingly beautiful city in the foothills of the Alps in the German-speaking part of Switzerland. Check in to your hotel and enjoy the rest of the day at leisure.
Stay: Waldstaetterhof Swiss Quality Hotel or similar (Standard)
Meals: B
Day
6
Lucerne to Bern
Begin your day with a guided walking tour of Lucerne, admiring the medieval architecture of the Altstadt (Old Town) and immersing yourself in the city’s history as you go. Next up on your Swiss adventure is Affoltern im Emmental, home to the world famous Emmental cheese. Learn all about how it’s made during an interactive experience at Königsweg, including an opportunity to taste it and buy some to take with you. Finally, you’ll take the train to Bern, Switzerland’s capital, on the banks of the Aarne River.
Stay: Hotel Baren am Bundesplatz or similar (Superior)
Meals: B
Day
7
Bern
Take in the sights of the Swiss capital this morning with a guided walking tour of the hilly Old Town, a designated UNESCO World Heritage site with a compact, beautifully preserved medieval core. The striking 15th century, Gothic-style cathedral and the Zytglogge (Clock Tower) are notable architectural highlights. Spend the afternoon at leisure, perhaps picking up souvenirs, visiting the Kunstmuseum, or hopping between the city’s plethora of breweries and microbreweries – there are over 200 to choose from.
Stay: Hotel Baren am Bundesplatz or similar (Superior)
Meals: B
Day
8
Return to UK
Catch a train from Bern to Zurich Airport in time for your return flight home.
Meals: B
Map
Pricing
Any element of this itinerary can be adjusted to suit your needs. Just contact us to find out more.
Accommodation rating:
8-day tailor-made holiday
from £2,995 pp incl. flights
Superior
01 May to 30 Jun 2024
from £2,995 pp. incl. flights
01 Jul to 31 Aug 2024
from £3,750 pp. incl. flights
01 Sep to 31 Oct 2024
from £3,250 pp. incl. flights
Validity: May to October
Itinerary departs Geneva on Tuesdays, Fridays and Sundays
Includes
- Complimentary UK airport departure lounge access
- Return flights into Geneva and returning from Zurich
- 7 nights accommodation incl. breakfast in Geneva, Montreux, Lugano, Lucerne and Bern
- Entry to Chilon Castle
- Excursion to the UNESCO-listed vineyard terraces of Lavaux
- Private guided city tour of Lucerne
- Risotto Workshop in Lugano
- Excursion to Gruyères for a cheese-making demonstration at La Maison du Gruyère
- Visit and tasting to Maison Cailler, the oldest chocolate factory in Switzerland
- Entry to Emmentaler Show Dairy
- Private guided city tour of Bern
- Swiss Travel Pass 8 days in 2nd class covering itinerary journey
- 50% discount on additional rail tickets and some mountain excursions
Upgrades to Swiss Travel Pass in 1st class available on request - please ask your consultant for details
Terms & Conditions
Prices are per person based on two people sharing a twin/double room; prices are subject to availability and possible change; normal booking conditions apply.
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