Intrepid Travel
Best of Switzerland
Best of Switzerland
An eight-day jaunt through the countryside and cuisine of Switzerland is the ideal way to see (and taste) all things Swiss. This small nation packs a punch with its mountainous landscapes, glacial lakes, picturesque cities and food staples that are so tough to beat. Beginning in Zurich, travel in comfort by train to lakeside Lucerne, the stunning Swiss Alps and cheese-obsessed and chocolate-stuffed Bulle before finishing in the nation’s quaint capital, Bern. Here, the outdoors has never looked so good and the chocolate has never tasted so smooth, so it’s time to sample it all yourself.
Activities
- Zurich – Orientation walk
- Lucerne – Orientation Walk
- Lucerne – Boat Cruise & Mt Pilatus Golden Circle Tour
- Bulle – Cheese tasting in a local fromagerie
- Bulle – Chocolate tasting in local chocolate shop
- Bern – Leader-led orientation walk
- Bern – Zytglogge (Clock tower) tour
Highlights
- Choose your own adventure with two free days in the Jungfrau Region of the Swiss Alps. You can take these days as relaxed or as thrill-seeking as you want from your hotel homebase surrounded by mountain views.
- Find out why the Swiss are known around the world for their cheese and chocolate, with opportunities to sample both in La Gruyere region.
- Your locally based group leader will provide expert advice on how to make the most of your free time, as well as giving you orientation walks around each place so you can get your bearings.
- Take in the breathtaking alpine views from the summit of Mt Pilatus with your small group, reached via the steepest cogwheel railway in the world.
- With plenty of free time to explore at your own pace in Bern, you’ll discover why this city is considered one of the most beautiful and laidback capital cities in the world.
| Day 1 |
Eminently livable and a pleasure to visit, Zurich is Switzerland's largest and most affluent city. This Central European metropolis is an engine of finance and banking, and has much to offer to visitors. There are numerous art museums, fine chocolate stores, and boundless luxury shopping opportunities. Tourists are also advised to see the winding streets and church-steeples of Alstadt, Zurich's charming Old Town. Public transportation and bike rentals are great ways to navigate this culturally rich, sophisticated destination. |
| Day 2 |
Behold beautiful Lucerne! This German-speaking area of central Switzerland on Lake Lucerne is a truly spectacular locale. Surrounded by mountains and notable for its famous Chapel Bridge, this idyllic and musical Swiss locale is wonderful any time of year.
Attractions in Lucerne besides the Chapel Bridge include the striking, rock-carved Lion Monument, the Swiss Museum of Transport (featuring a cinema, museum and planetarium) and the Jesuit Church, Lucerne which dates back to the 1600s and is adorned with murals. |
| Day 3 |
Behold beautiful Lucerne! This German-speaking area of central Switzerland on Lake Lucerne is a truly spectacular locale. Surrounded by mountains and notable for its famous Chapel Bridge, this idyllic and musical Swiss locale is wonderful any time of year.
Attractions in Lucerne besides the Chapel Bridge include the striking, rock-carved Lion Monument, the Swiss Museum of Transport (featuring a cinema, museum and planetarium) and the Jesuit Church, Lucerne which dates back to the 1600s and is adorned with murals. |
| Day 4 |
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| Day 5 |
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| Day 6 |
The superb city of medieval magic is the capital of Switzerland. Home of the many embassies, international organizations, the seat of Federal Government and Federal Congress, Berne also has a definite artistic side. Explore the magnificent museums filled with art treasures; enjoy the famous Berne Symphony Orchestra or visit the cozy, historical basement pubs, Kellerlokale.
First founded in 1191 and nearly destroyed in its entirety in 1405 when the great fire razed the wooden built town, the city of Berne is today constructed in hardier sandstone and stands as an unchanged paeon of carefully conserved medieval architecture. Berne is in itself a living museum, the craftsmanship of which is emphasized in her artisans like the stone masons who still ply their trade in the open for all to see. Each one of the city's 13 magnificent museums yields an adventure into artistic and cultural endeavor without peer. From the largest Paul Klee collection in the world at the Kunstmuseum to literature through the ages at the Stadtbibliothek to the special experience that is the Symphony Orchestra performing in the superb Gothic cathedral whose 254 steps take the intrepid visitor to the top of the highest church tower in Switzerland, Berne is a magical voyage of discovery. Set within the medieval atmosphere is the largest and most modern sheltered shopping center in Europe. The 6 kms of arcaded passageways direct the visitor to a network of exclusive boutiques and stores, and the quaint old-town shops. Top off an enchanting day with a visit to one of Berne's historical Kellerlokale or a good cabaret show and dancing. |
| Day 7 |
The superb city of medieval magic is the capital of Switzerland. Home of the many embassies, international organizations, the seat of Federal Government and Federal Congress, Berne also has a definite artistic side. Explore the magnificent museums filled with art treasures; enjoy the famous Berne Symphony Orchestra or visit the cozy, historical basement pubs, Kellerlokale.
First founded in 1191 and nearly destroyed in its entirety in 1405 when the great fire razed the wooden built town, the city of Berne is today constructed in hardier sandstone and stands as an unchanged paeon of carefully conserved medieval architecture. Berne is in itself a living museum, the craftsmanship of which is emphasized in her artisans like the stone masons who still ply their trade in the open for all to see. Each one of the city's 13 magnificent museums yields an adventure into artistic and cultural endeavor without peer. From the largest Paul Klee collection in the world at the Kunstmuseum to literature through the ages at the Stadtbibliothek to the special experience that is the Symphony Orchestra performing in the superb Gothic cathedral whose 254 steps take the intrepid visitor to the top of the highest church tower in Switzerland, Berne is a magical voyage of discovery. Set within the medieval atmosphere is the largest and most modern sheltered shopping center in Europe. The 6 kms of arcaded passageways direct the visitor to a network of exclusive boutiques and stores, and the quaint old-town shops. Top off an enchanting day with a visit to one of Berne's historical Kellerlokale or a good cabaret show and dancing. |
| Travel Dates | Price | ||
|---|---|---|---|
|
05/25/25 - 06/01/25 |
Starting At $4,076 |
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|
06/08/25 - 06/15/25 |
Starting At $3,780 |
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|
06/22/25 - 06/29/25 |
Starting At $3,855 |
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|
07/20/25 - 08/24/25 |
Starting At $4,000 |
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|
09/07/25 - 09/14/25 |
Starting At $3,855 |
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|
09/21/25 - 09/28/25 |
Starting At $3,940 |
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|
05/17/26 - 06/07/26 |
Starting At $3,795 |
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|
06/21/26 - 06/28/26 |
Starting At $3,950 |
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|
07/12/26 - 07/19/26 |
Starting At $3,795 |
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|
07/26/26 - 08/02/26 |
Starting At $3,950 |
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|
08/02/26 - 09/06/26 |
Starting At $4,100 |
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|
09/13/26 - 09/20/26 |
Starting At $3,950 |
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|
05/16/27 - 09/19/27 |
Starting At $3,795 |
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Offer subject to availability and change without notice. Some restrictions may apply.