Discover Switzerland: 8 Days/7 Nights – From Zurich to Zurich
Itinerary
Day 1 | Zurich – Pick up your rental car
0 km*
Welcome to one of Europe’s great cities. Pick-up your rental car and proceed to your hotel. Surrounded by wooded hills Switzerland’s largest city sits beside the crystal clear Lake Zurich. Zurich is a major contemporary art and shopping destination, as well as having many clubs, bars, cafes and fine restaurants. The cobbled alleyways of the Old Town are great to wander around, and the Quays along the banks of the Lake are enhanced by magnificently kept gardens. Although there is no official Swiss cuisine, the cooking reflects local customs of Swiss-German, French, Italian and Romansh and throughout the country each region celebrates its passion for food and takes great pride in using only the best ingredients. Whether you dine at renowned restaurants or homely simple establishments serving unpretentious country food, your meals will be plentiful, delicious and served to perfection.
Accommodation:
Tourist class Hotel Montana or similar
Day 2 | Zurich – Liechtenstein – St. Moritz
209.21 km*
Leave Switzerland’s largest city for Liechtenstein – the world’s smallest German-speaking country. Governed by a monarch who lives in a Gothic castle on a hill, the country has stunning natural beauty. Measuring only 25km x 6km it is filled with lush green forests, craggy cliffs, quaint villages and friendly locals.
From Liechtenstein continue your drive through spectacular countryside to the glamorous resort of St. Moritz, where we have arranged your overnight accommodation. You will pass alpine cattle wearing large cowbells – Swiss farmers have used such bells for centuries to locate their herd as they graze in the Alpine meadows. Surrounded by the mountains and lakes of the Upper Engadine, in winter it is one of the best-known ski resorts in the world and in summertime offers sailing, tennis, a health spa and five golf courses.
Accommodation:
Tourist & First Class Hotel Schweizerhof or similar
Day 3 | St. Moritz – Bellinzona – Lugano
136.79 km*
From Romanish speaking St. Moritz you drive into Ticino, Switzerland’s Italian speaking canton. Your first stop takes you to the beautiful old town of Bellinzona, east of the Ticino River and at the foot of the Alps it stretches along the river valley. A fortress since Roman times, Bellinzona is famous for its three castles, Castelgrande, Montebello and SassoCorbaro. A walk around the town is a trip back in time.
From Bellinzona continue your drive through the mountains to Lugano, where we have arranged your overnight stay. Lugano is a town of parks and flowers, villas and sacred buildings. With Mediterranean flair it offers all the advantages of a world-class city combined with the flavor of a small town. The historic town center, with its squares and arcades, is traffic-free and home to numerous Italianate Lombardy style buildings. Numerous parks invite you to laze around and enjoy the atmosphere while the lakeside promenade of the Belvedere Gardens boasts countless sub-tropical plants and modern works of art. Take a boat trip around Lugano followed by dinner of Swiss-Italian food – perhaps risotto or share a fondue – for the perfect end of the day
Accommodation:
Tourist Class Hotel Delfino or similar
Day 4 | Lugano – Stresa, Italy – Simplon Pass – Sion – Montreux
357.27 km*
From Lugano cross the border into Italy and to Stresa, a resort town on the shores of Lake Maggiore, with spectacular views of the lake and mountains. From here your journey takes you over the Simplon Pass – a high mountain pass between the Italian Pennine Alps and the Lepontine Alps in Switzerland. It follows the natural topography of some of the most scenic landscapes in Europe. Near the summit of the pass is a hospice, first mentioned in 1235 as in the charge of the Order of St. John and now occupied by Augustinians. Should the road be closed between December and early May, automobiles are diverted onto flatbed trains to be carried through one of the longest railway tunnels in the world, the Simplon Tunnel. Pass Sion as you journey through vineyards and against the breathtaking backdrop of snow-covered Alps to the town of Montreaux, which nestles in a sheltered bay on Lake Geneva and where we have arranged your overnight stay. Take a walk along the flower-bordered lake promenade with its restaurants and piano and jazz bars. The famous Montreux Jazz Festival takes place every June/July.
Accommodation:
Tourist Class Helvetie Hotel or similar
Day 5 | Montreux – Lausanne – Geneva – Bern
251.06 km*
Surrounded by vineyards with Lake Geneva at its feet, Lausanne is one of Switzerland’s most beautiful cities. It is a city of steep hills with vistas of blue water, glittering sunlight and the white capped Savoy Alps peeping between gaps in buildings. Here you will find parks, flowers and tree-lined lakefront promenades. At the heart of Lausanne is its Old Town with the cobbled Place de la Palud a perfect spot for people watching with plenty of pavement cafes. Every hour on the hour mechanical figures emerge on the wall behind the fountain for a chiming display.
Drive around the lake to Geneva, the worldwide center for diplomacy including the headquarters of the United Nations and the Red Cross. It has many art galleries, fine shopping and interesting cafes, bars and restaurants. One of the city’s most famous landmarks is the Jet d’Eau whose white plume marks the city from afar. The lake itself is a memorable sight.
Leave Geneva for one of Switzerland’s most charming cities, Bern where we have arranged your overnight stay. Bern’s quiet cobbled lanes are lined with sandstone-arcaded buildings that have barely changed over the past five hundred years and the wide main cobbled thoroughfare of the old town features many arcaded buildings. At no.49 is the Einstein House, the apartment and workplace of the famous scientist. You can find delicious local food at many of the cozy bars in this ancient city.
Accommodation:
Tourist Class SorellinoArabelle Hotel or similar
Day 6 | Bern – Interlaken – Lucerne
125.53 km*
From Bern your drive takes you to Interlaken, one of Switzerland’s oldest resorts, famed for its superb views towards the Jungfrau massif which lies perfectly framed between two hills to the south of the town. Its long main street, Hoheweg, is lined with cafes and grand hotels, and bordered on one side with lawns and flowerbeds.
Your journey to Lucerne, where we have arranged your overnight stay, takes you through glorious scenery. Lucerne, with its beautiful lakeside setting boasts impressive mountain views and picturesque medieval town squares lined with fountains and historic houses. Walk Lucerne’s medieval battlements and explore cobbled alleys and hidden garden courtyards. End your day at one of Lucerne’s many restaurants and try the delicious typical Swiss dish of Roesti – a combination of fried grated crispy potatoes and gruyere cheese.
Accommodation:
Tourist Class Hotel De La Paix or similar
Day 7 | Lucerne – Basel – Zurich
270.37 km*
This morning’s drive takes you to Basel, located on the River Rhine and bordering both Germany and France. The attractive old town, with its cobbled streets and fountains, has antique and craft shops, cafes, and beautiful old buildings such as the 12th century cathedral and the Barfusserkirche, now the Historical Museum. Then continue back to Zurich for your overnight stay. A popular place for nightlife is the Old Town on the left bank of the River Limmat, with many bars and cafes tucked away on the side streets. Visit a traditional beer cellar with lengthy tables that are shared as diners tuck into classic Zurich cuisine.
Accommodation:
Tourist Class Hotel Montana or similar
Day 8 | Zurich
0 km*
Drop off your car at the airport for your return flight home.
| Price per person | EURO | EURO | EURO | EURO | EURO | EURO | EURO | EURO |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| No Of Pax | 2 Pax | 3 Pax | 4 Pax | 5 Pax | 6 Pax | 7 Pax | 8 Pax | 9 Pax |
| Adult in Twin/Double | 1174 | 1042 | 976 | 937 | 972 | 943 | 963 | 942 |
| Adult in Triple | 1128 | 1001 | 941 | 913 | 940 | 909 | 929 | 906 |
| Child with bed in Triple | 991 | 924 | 891 | 925 | 897 | 917 | 895 | |
| Child No Bed | 396 | 330 | 290 | 325 | 297 | 316 | 295 |
Canton of Zurich, Liechtenstein, Graubunden, Ticino, Piemont, Vaud, Valais, Canton of Genever, Canton of Bern, Canton of Lucerne, Canton of Basel, Zurich, Vaduz, St. Moritz, Bellinzona, Lugano, Stresa, Lausanne, Montreux, Sion, Genever, Bern, Interlaken, Lucerne, Basel. 07 Nights Hotel Accommodation as detailed in the Day by Day Itinerary as described below. Breakfast Daily, all Hotel Taxes and Service Charges. 08 Days Hertz CDMR Compact Manual, Alfa Romeo Giulietta or similar Including Unlimited Mileage (UM), Collision Damage Waiver (CDW),Theft Protection (TP) and Taxes. Maps, Detailed Directions to your Hotels. Emergency telephone numbers accessible 24/7 in the unlikely event you have a problem with a hotel or the Hertz rental car. Fuel and Parking Charges. Admissions to Attractions unless otherwise stated. Contract Payment Tour Deposit Travel Insurance Cancellations/Refunds/Change
Once the booking is confirmed, changes incur the following amendment fees: 60 + days — €50 per person, 59 days to day of departure — changes are treated as a cancellation and rebooking and cancellation charges as above apply. It is not possible to make refunds after departure date for any services not used including but not limited to hotels, and car rental. It is your responsibility to thoroughly check your documents upon receipt and to inform European Voyages immediately if there is an error so that it can be corrected prior to departure. If European Voyages is not advised accordingly no liability on its part will be accepted. Also, it is your responsibility to ensure that you take all of the travel documents sent to you, including but not limited to Hotel, and Car Vouchers, explorer kit, etc. If you do not have your documents you will be expected to pay for service and will not be reimbursed by European Voyages. Changes by the Company Driving Licenses Travel Documents/Proof of Citizenship Descriptions Responsibility and Limitations of Liability By making final payment for any of the vacations, customer acknowledges and agrees to all of the terms and conditions, in particular, to the limitations of liability set forth above. Misadventure Hotel Accommodation
The Terms and Conditions will form the contract between European Voyages and the person making/paying for the booking. No contract exists until European Voyages has received payment and issued its confirmation invoice. Rates are subject to currency fluctuation and Government taxes and may be changed without notice. Rates are guaranteed upon acceptance of full payment.
Payment with a credit card is required to make a reservation. If a booking is made 60 or more days before departure, a non-refundable deposit is payable by Visa or MasterCard. The remaining balance will be collected approximately eight weeks prior to departure. For reservations made less than 60 days before departure, full payment will be due when hotels are confirmed.
Duration Price Per Person
5 to 7 Days EURO 125.00
8 to 10 Days EURO 150.00
11 to 13 Days EURO 175.00
14 to 16 Days EURO 200.00
17 to 20 Days EURO 250
21 Days & Over EURO 300.00
We highly recommend the purchase of a Travel Insurance protection plan.
Notice of cancellation must be made by e-mail directly to the Company
Duration Charge Per Person
60+ Days Deposit Only
59-45 Days 25%
44-30 Days 50%
29-22 Days 75%
21 to Day of Departure 100%
On occasion it may be necessary to amend certain arrangements of your holiday, which we reserve the right to do at any time. If a major change occurs we will inform you as soon as possible. Major change is one that involves a change in location or offering a lower category hotel. In these instances we will offer an alternative subject to your acceptance and if the hotel originally booked is of a superior category and is substituted with a standard category, we will issue a refund to you Upon acceptance of the change no further claims for compensation or additional expenses will be accepted. In no case we will pay compensation or accept liability if change is due to force majeure; risk/threat of war; industrial disputes; riot; civil strife; terrorist activity; natural/nuclear disasters; fire or adverse weather conditions; technical problems to transport; closure or congestion of airports or ports; cancellations or changes of scheduled airlines and similar events beyond our control.
Renters must present a valid driving license, an International Driving Permit is strongly recommended. This is required for translation purposes to confirm the validity of the driver’s license for the safety of our renters and for Hertz. Note: A current valid foreign driving license must always be presented at the rental counter.
It is your responsibility to be in possession of a valid machine readable passport and/or visa if required.
European Voyages strives to ensure accuracy of descriptions and information, however we are not able to control all holiday components and advertised facilities may bed withdrawn or changed. We cannot accept liability for loss of an advertised facility or withdrawal of free or discounted offers. Such offers are add value and are non-refundable if not provided or used. Prices specified herein do not reflect Value Added offers unless noted otherwise.
European Voyages as the operator, is solely responsible for selecting the suppliers that provide the component parts (e.g. hotel accommodations, transfers, and car rental firms) for the vacations described on this website. These suppliers are independent contractors. European Voyages does not own, control, operate, nor is it an agent for any suppliers furnishing tour component parts, and therefore in the absence of its negligence, European Voyages cannot be held liable for loss or damage to property or injury to person, caused by reason of any act or omission, intentional negligence or otherwise by such third party supplier. European Voyages makes no implied or expressed warranties in the offering of any tour described on this website. European Voyages reserves the right to cancel or alter any itinerary at its sole discretion. The information and rates are accurate at the time of posting and are subject to change without notice.
Should you or any member of your party suffer illness, personal injury or death through any misadventure arising out of an activity which does not form part of your holiday arrangements, we shall offer assistance such as we are able. Such assistance shall take the form of guidance and advice only without accepting any liability whatsoever.
European Voyages reserves the right to substitute alternative hotels to those featured, provided they are of comparable category or better. All properties are contracted on a ‘Run of House’ basis, which means you have a standard room from any part of the property unless otherwise advertised. Special accommodation requests, such as adjoining rooms, or twin beds are subject to the hotel availability and cannot be guaranteed. We cannot accept any booking that is conditional upon special requests being met.
