Grand Tour of Switzerland

9 Days Self Drive Package

Expire Date:

2022-12-31

TestG

Summary

Switzerland

Zurich, St. Gallen, Davos, Lugano, Zermatt, Montreux, Gstaad , Lucerne

Included services:

8 x overnight stays with breakfast at 4 star hotels in Zürich, St. Gallen, Davos, Lugano, Zermatt, Montreux, Gstaad, Lucerne (1 night per destination)
Car Rental - Audi A3 manual, for 9 days with pick-up and drop-off at Zürich Airport
Free parking at all hotels (except in Zermatt/Täsch and Montreux)
Train ticket Täsch - Zermatt - Täsch in 2nd class
Grand Tour of Switzerland Road Map
Grand Tour of Switzerland Travel Guideerty

Included services:

8 x overnight stays with breakfast at 4 star hotels in Zürich, St. Gallen, Davos, Lugano, Zermatt, Montreux, Gstaad, Lucerne (1 night per destination)
Car Rental - Audi A3 manual, for 9 days with pick-up and drop-off at Zürich Airport
Free parking at all hotels (except in Zermatt/Täsch and Montreux)
Train ticket Täsch - Zermatt - Täsch in 2nd class
Grand Tour of Switzerland Road Map
Grand Tour of Switzerland Travel Guide
Swiss Coupon Pass
Return Air ticket on economy class Kuwait - Zurich - Kuwait
All GPS data will be provided upon booking

Good to know

The Grand Tour attractions in the day to day itinerary are a selection, in total there are 44 attractions to explore.
Book the Swiss Half Fare Card and save up to 50% for most trains, buses, boats and mountain railways as well as public transport in 75 Swiss towns and cities.
Additional rental car categories on request.
You can book the same Itinerary but by train or in group basis

Facts & Figures

Most scenic routes combine the highlights of Switzerland in one single journey.
Length 1643 km (~ 1000 miles) 1970 km with access roads.
Highest point: Furkapass, 2429 m.a.s.l.
Lowest Point: Lago Maggiore, 193 m.a.s.l.
Top-road infrastructure (road condition, filling stations, service stations)
Motorways will be suggested only if they provide a useful alternative for the traffic routing.
The route follows the most beautiful trails that require a longer travel distance than the direct way

Itinerary

Day 1: Arrival Zürich

After arrival pick-up your car at the airport and drive to your hotel for check in.

As a «metropolis of experiences» by the water, with a magnificent view of the snowcapped Alps on the horizon, Zürich offers a unique mixture of attractions – over 50 museums and more than 100 art galleries, international fashion labels and Zurich designs, and the most flamboyant and lively nightlife in Switzerland.
Recreational activities range from a visit to the riverside and lakeside bathing areas in the very heart of the city, to a spectacular hike on the Uetliberg mountain.
One of the recommended Grand Tour attractions is the Grossmünster, which is an Evangelical Protestant church in the Old Town of Zürich, and is one of Zürich‘s most famous landmarks. Construction of this Romanesque church was begun in 1100 and it has since been rebuilt and renovated several times.

Overnight in Zürich.

Day 2: Zürich – St. Gallen (ca. 150 km)

After breakfast drive to St. Gallen with a stopover at the Rhine Falls, Europe‘s largest waterfall, feeling the roar and vibration of the water over one‘s entire body - this can be experienced at the Rhine Falls near Schaffhausen.
Continue to St. Gallen. The compact metropolis of eastern Switzerland between Lake Constance and Appenzellerland has a charming, traffic-free old town. Colourfully-painted oriel windows are a town feature.

The Abbey precinct with the cathedral and Abbey Library has been accorded UNESCO World Heritage listing and belongs to the top attractions along the Grand Tour.
Overnight in St. Gallen.

Day 3: St. Gallen – Davos (ca. 160 km)

Today you will drive from St. Gallen to Davos.

On your way you will pass the village of Appenzell that is situated in a singularly beautiful landscape of rolling hills.
The Appenzell region is known for rural customs and traditions such as the ceremonial descent of the cattle in autumn and cultural events such as folk music and rustic dances, as well as hiking tours in the Alpstein region.

Continue your drive and have a stopover at `Heidi`s Village` in Maienfeld.

The town lies in the distinctive Bündner Herrschaft region of Graubünden and inspired the poetess Johanna Spyri to write her novel Heidi. In the Heidi village, the story of this cheerful, nature-loving little orphan girl comes to life at the original locales of the story.

Continue your drive to Davos.
Overnight in Davos.

Day 4: Davos – Lugano (ca. 290 km)

On your way to Lugano in the south of Switzerland you have several possibilities to experience the Grand Tour attractions.

You can sit back and relax on a train ride on the most beautiful Alpine train, the Bernina Express.
The cross-border Albula and Bernina Lines between Thusis and Tirano owe their 2008 inscription into the UNESCO World Heritage list to stunning scenery such as the Schyn Gorge, Morteratsch Glacier and Brusio spiral viaduct.
If you prefer to be active do the hike on Mount Muottas Muragl near Pontresina.
The entire Upper Engadine region lies at your feet when you are perched on the hiking mountain high above the Inn River Valley. The breathtaking views of the four lakes and the world-famous resort town of St. Moritz extend far beyond the mountain ranges into the distant horizon.

Continue to Lugano.
Overnight in Lugano.

Day 5: Lugano – Zermatt (ca. 215 km)

Leaving Lugano to Zermatt.

One must visit Monte Brè. Since 1912 a funicular rail has been making its way from Cassarate by Lugano to the scenic mountain above Lake Lugano. Trips up there are worthwhile if just for the views! The romantic little Brè village with its grottos has succeeded in maintaining its original character of country settlement – further embellished by numerous works of art.
On your way and just a footstep away lies Ascona.

The city is famous for its mild climate, its Old Town and a lake promenade which is dotted with street cafés and boasts a Latin ambience. Further north and also on your way you can visit beautiful Bellinzona. With its castles, walls, towers, battlements and gates, this impressive fortress is a source of wonder and amazement and UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2000.

Depart Mediterranean Ticino, heading north to cross the famous St. Gotthard Pass and Furka Pass along the Aletsch Glacier.

The Aletsch Glacier is the biggest glacier in the Alps, with a length of 23 km.
To explore the Aletsch Glacier is a magnificent journey into a stunning world of ice and rocks, Alpine flowers and forests.

Continue moving down to Täsch, last stop for your car before you continue by train on to Zermatt.
Overnight in Zermatt.

Day 6: Zermatt – Montreux (ca. 150 km)

Take time this morning to walk through Zermatt, at the foot of the Matterhorn: traditional shops and wooden clad houses creating a charming place to explore.

A morning trip up the exhilarating open air Gornergrat railway is not to be missed, for unrivalled views over the 4000m peaks surrounding Zermatt.

After making your way back down to Täsch to collect your car, your route begins with a stunning drive up through the Valais, views dominated by amazing peaks.

The river and forests accompany you as you enter French speaking Switzerland, heading through Sierre and Sion.

After travelling through Martigny, your final leg takes you up through Aigle and along the shores of Lake Geneva to Montreux, one of the most popular holiday resorts in the Lake Geneva region.

One must not miss a visit to the famous Castle Chillon. The castle is located on a rock on the banks of Lake Geneva. The water castle is the most visited historic building in Switzerland. For nearly four centuries Chillon was the residence and profitable toll station of the Counts of Savoy.

Overnight in Montreux.

Day 7: Montreux – Gstaad (ca. 330 km)

Today you have one of your longest drives but also a very fascinating one with interesting sights to see along your way to Gstaad.
Continue to the surrounded orchards and terraced vineyards of the Lavaux and further to Lausanne, the second-largest city on Lake Geneva.

Sports and culture are given a high profile in the Olympic capital. Make sure you visit the Olympic Museum.

Continue your drive to Freiburg, which is nestled on a rock promontory and surrounded on three sides by the Saane River.

It is one of the largest medieval towns in Üechtland. Over 200 unique Gothic facades from the 15th century impart incomparable medieval charm to the Old Town. Drinking a cup of coffee in a leisurely fashion, admiring the old facades and beautiful fountains, listening to two local languages or gazing from the 74-meter spire of the Cathedral far into the countryside - this is an experience enjoyed in Fribourg.

Further on your way you will pass the Greyerzer (Gruyère) region, with its rolling green landscape, it`s peaks of the Fribourg Pre-Alps and which is home to the world-famous Gruyère cheese. The picture-book little medieval town of Gruyères is perched atop a small hill.
Overnight in Gstaad.

Day 8: Gstaad – Lucerne (ca. 315 km)

Before you continue to Lucerne enjoy the beautiful scenery of the chalet village Gstaad, which attracts countless stars and starlets.
Continue your drive to Interlaken.

Enjoy a lake cruise on the turquoise Lake Brienz and neighbouring Lake Thun that are situated in the spectacular mountain setting of the Bernese Oberland.
From Interlaken you can experience the majestic Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau summits, together with close-up views of the longest glacial flow.
The Jungfrau railway travels from the heart of the mountains to Europe’s highest lying mountain station at 3454 meters altitude.

If you have some time left before you head to Lucerne, Bern is the place to spend it.

Not many cities have managed to retain their historic features quite as successfully as Bern, the capital of Switzerland.
The old town of Bern is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and thanks to its 6 kilometres of arcades - the locals refer to them as ‚Lauben‘ - boasts one of the longest weather-sheltered shopping promenades in Europe.

Overnight in Lucerne.

Day 9: Departure Lucerne - Zürich (ca. 140 km)

You will spend your last day in one of the nicest cities in Switzerland.

Lucerne is the gateway to central Switzerland at Lake Lucerne and it is embedded within an impressive mountainous panorama.
Thanks to its attractions, its souvenir and watch shops, the beautiful lakeside setting and the nearby excursion mountains of Rigi, Pilatus and Stanserhorn, the town is a destination for many travel groups and individuals on their journey through central Switzerland.
One of the highlights along the Grand Tour lies in Lucerne - the Chapel Bridge. The covered, wooden pedestrian walkway on the Chapel Bridge was built in the 14th century. In 1993 the bridge burned down but it was reconstructed true to the original. This large fire hit the international headlines. Do visit this landmark bridge.

Drive back to Zürich for rental car drop-off at the airport.

Cities

Zurich

Zurich is the capital of the canton of the same name. It lies on the river Limmat where it flows out of Lake Zurich, and is the largest town in Switzerland.

The city is a cultural mecca, and in international polls frequently figures among the most desirable cities in the world to live in. In the 19th and 20th centuries in particular it attracted many notable writers, artists and composers. The Dada art movement was born in Zurich's Cabinet Voltaire in 1916. Today it boasts not only many museums, theatres and concert halls, but some 500 bars, nightclubs and discos. The Bahnhofstrasse is one of Switzerland's prime shopping streets.

The Neue Zürcher Zeitung ("New Zurich Newspaper") is Switzerland's most prestigious newspaper. It was first published in 1780, and is one of the oldest German language newspapers still in existence.

The city is home both to Zurich University and to one of Switzerland's two prestigious Federal Institutes of Technology, the ETHZ. Between 1975 and 2002 the ETHZ alone produced 7 Nobel science laureates.

Switzerland's largest airport is in Kloten near Zurich. The city is also an important rail hub. As for urban transport, Zurich claims to have the best-served urban traffic network in the world.

History

Turicum, from which the name Zurich comes, was originally a Roman customs post and fort on the left bank of the Limmat. The settlement later spread to both sides of the river.

During the Middle Ages it developed as an economic, cultural and religious centre. In the course of the 13th century it gradually gained more rights of self-government, although it remained part of the German empire.

In 1351 it joined the Swiss Confederation, where it quickly became one of the leading members, along with Bern and Lucerne.

It has traditionally been at the forefront of new developments: it led the Protestant forces at the Reformation in the 16th century, its liberal politicians played a key role in establishing the modern federal state in 1848, and its entrepreneurs were the backbone of the industrial revolution in Switzerland in the 19th century.

St. Gallen

St. Gallen is the capital of the canton of the same name, in north eastern Switzerland. It lies in a valley between two ranges of hills, and has been nicknamed "the city of a thousand steps" because of the many steps built up both hills.

The city is the economic centre of eastern Switzerland. Its own linen-based textile industry goes back to the 15th century. It became known not only for the production of linen, but also for its embroidery. In order to keep its leading position, it took a pioneering role in the mechanisation of the industry. It has overcome several crises in the industry and even today both its textile products and its embroidery machinery enjoy an international reputation.

The city is a railway hub for eastern Switzerland. It has a through service to Zurich airport, Zurich, Bern, Geneva and Geneva airport. It is also linked by rail with the Rhine valley, Lake Constance and Central Switzerland. The small airport of St Gallen-Altenrhein on the border with Austria flies mainly to Vienna, and is also used by private traffic.

However, the overwhelming majority of the city's enterprises are now in the service industry. The most important non-service industries are engineering, paper and printing, and textiles.

The city's university, founded in 1898 as a "trade academy" (Handelsakademie) specialises in business, economics, law and social sciences. It is regarded as one of Europe's leading universities for economics.

A thousand years before the creation of the university, St Gallen was already a cultural and educational centre, thanks to the library and school attached to its abbey. The library remains a cultural treasure even today, both for its 18th century building and for its mediaeval manuscripts (some dating back to the 9th century.) It has been inscribed on the UNESCO list of world heritage.

It received the Wakker prize in 1992. The prize is awarded annually by the Swiss Heritage Society (Schweizer Heimatschutz) to a commune which has harmonised its historic heritage with the need for modern development.

History

The city is named after the Irish monk, St Gallus, who founded a hermitage on the spot at the beginning of the 7th century. This later developed into one of the largest Benedictine abbeys in Europe. For several centuries the abbot was the ruler not only of the monastery but also of the city and much of the surrounding area. However, the town gained its independence from him in 1415.

Both the abbey and the city became "associated places" of the Swiss Confederation in the middle of the 15th century. The canton of St Gallen joined the Confederation as an equal member in 1803.

Davos

Davos in Grisons is a place of superlatives: this holiday destination with international ambience is the largest resort in the Alps for mountain holidays, sport and conferences, at 1560 m the highest town in the Alps and a high-altitude health resort with a long tradition.

This long-drawn-out town in the Landwasser valley is renowned above all as a conference centre, and also as a major winter and summer sports centre with an international flavour and a huge range of activities. Its showpiece is its modern Conference Centre, which hosts the World Economic Forum WEF (nearly) every year. In the centre of Davos, visitors will find a wide range of accommodation and excellent shopping, with numerous boutiques, cafés and restaurants. At night, too, there’s plenty of entertainment, with bars, discos and a casino. Davos is also the headquarters of the well-known Weissfluhjoch/Davos Federal Institute for Snow and Avalanche Research.

Lugano

Lugano is the biggest city in Ticino, the Italian-speaking part of Switzerland. However, it is not the cantonal capital. (The capital is Bellinzona).

It lies on Lake Lugano, and is surrounded by mountains, including Monte Brè, Monte San Salvatore and the Sighignola. The Italian border lies about 8 km (5 miles) from the centre of town – the suburb of Gandria, now officially part of the city, stretches right up to the frontier.

In 2003 Lugano merged with its suburbs, creating the much enlarged city of Nuova Lugano. It is now the 8th biggest Swiss city in terms of surface area; it was previously 61st.

Thanks to its surrounding mountains and the lake, and the fact that its situation south of the Alps gives it a milder climate than most of Switzerland, Lugano is a popular holiday destination, and tourism is an important source of income.

The city is Switzerland's third biggest financial centre. All the major Swiss banks, as well as a number of private international banks have offices there. Commerce also plays an important role in the city's economy.

Lugano is the main base for the Università della Svizzera Italiana (the University of Italian-speaking Switzerland), founded in 1996, which also has close links with universities in northern Italy.

It has a small airport at Agno, flying mainly to other Swiss airports. However, a privately run shuttle bus service links it to Milan's international Malpensa airport. Lugano lies on the railway linking northern Switzerland with Italy via the Gotthard. Locally, funicular railways run from the city to nearby Monte San Salvatore and Monte Brè, and another links the station to the lakeside.

Lugano's close links with northern Italy are a reflection of Ticino's membership of the Insubrica euroregion, established in 1995, whose other members are the Italian provinces on the other side of the border.

History

The name of the city comes from the Latin „lucus", meaning „sacred forest." Archaeological finds have shown that the area was settled by Etruscans and Celts. In the ninth century the town was subject to the bishop of Como, who gradually extended his rights there; during the Middle Ages in the complex struggles between Milan and Como, and later between Milan, France and the Swiss Confederates it changed hands several times and came finally under Swiss rule in 1513.

When the French invaded Switzerland in 1798 they abolished the system of subject areas, and created a canton Lugano, which was renamed Ticino in 1803.

Zermatt

Zermatt is a municipality in the district of Visp in the German-speaking section of the canton of Valais in Switzerland. It has a population of about 5,800 inhabitants.

The town lies at the upper end of Mattertal at an elevation of 1,620 m (5,310 ft), at the foot of Switzerland's highest peaks. It lies about 10 km (6.2 mi) from the over 10,800 ft (3,291.84 m) high Theodul Pass bordering Italy.

Zermatt is famed as a mountaineering and ski resort of the Swiss Alps. Until the mid-19th century, it was predominantly an agricultural community; the first and tragic ascent of the Matterhorn in 1865 was followed by a rush on the mountains surrounding the village, leading to the construction of many tourist facilities. The year round population (as of December 2013) is 5,751, though there may be several times as many tourists in Zermatt at any one time. Much of the local economy is based on tourism, with about half of the jobs in town in hotels or restaurants and just under half of all apartments are vacation apartments. Just over one-third of the permanent population was born in the town, while another third moved to Zermatt from outside Switzerland.

Montreux

The town of Montreux nestles in a sheltered Lake Geneva bay, surrounded by vineyards and against the breathtaking backdrop of snow-covered Alps. The Montreux Jazz Festival, which takes place in June/July and features concerts on a variety of stages and parks is very famous.

Because of the exceptionally mild climate Montreux is called the capital of the Vaud Riviera. Plants associated with the Mediterranean, such as pines, cypresses and palm trees grow here. Charlie Chaplin, Freddie Mercury and several other famous people of world-renown lived and continue to live on the Vaud Riviera.

The long, flower-bordered lake promenade which links Vevey and Montreux going all the way to Chillon Castle is simply asking to be strolled along. Cultural events, such as the Montreux Jazz Festival, as well as countless excursion options to the mountainous hinterland or on the lake make Montreux the most popular excursion and holiday destination. Many of the houses along the lakeside road, including the magnificent Fairmont Le Montreux Palace, date from the hayday of the Belle Epoque. And the town has a modern congress and exhibition centre: the Montreux Music and Convention Centre (2M2C).

Gstaad

Gstaad is a bilingual village in the German-speaking section of the Canton of Bern in southwestern Switzerland. It is part of the municipality of Saanen and is known as a major ski resort and a popular destination amongst the high society and the international jet set. The winter campus of the Institute Le Rosey is located in Gstaad. Gstaad has a population of about 3,200 and is located 1,050 metres (3,445 feet) above sea level.

Situated in the Berner Oberland, Gstaad is home to one of the largest ski areas in the Alps (220 km (137 mi) of slopes). The middle of the village features a picturesque promenade bounded by numerous shops, restaurants, art galleries, and hotels. Designer labels including Louis Vuitton, Hermes, Chopard, Brunello Cucinelli, Prada, Moncler, Ralph Lauren, and Cartier all have stores in Gstaad, while many smaller boutiques stock labels such as Chloe, Dolce & Gabbana, Tod's, Burberry, Dior, Oscar de la Renta, and Marc Jacobs.

Long known for its walking and hiking trails of varying degrees of difficulty, the mountain air and ambiance attracts guests year round from around the world. Gstaad is also known for its ski and cross-country slopes and winter hiking trails.

Gstaad, named "The Place" by Time magazine in the 1960s, is widely known for its famous part-time residents and vacationers. Current longtime residents of Gstaad include: Alinghi yachting syndicate boss Ernesto Bertarelli and actress Julie Andrews, Formula One Holdings owner Bernie Ecclestone, French actress Jeanne Moreau, French singer Johnny Hallyday, and columnist Taki Theodoracopulos. Famous residents have included actor sir Roger Moore, George Soros, Steve Wynn, actress/humanitarian Elizabeth Taylor, director Roman Polanski, violinist Yehudi Menuhin, Prince Rainier and Grace Kelly, modern artist Balthus, Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, Swiss philanthropist Philipp Braunwalder and Filip Peters.[4] Famous regular visitors to Gstaad have included Madonna, Prince Charles and Princess Diana, former UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan, Bollywood actor Saif Ali Khan and his wife Kareena Kapoor Khan, haute couture designer Valentino Garavani, writer William F. Buckley, Jr., and various members of the House of Cavendish. Other occasional visitors in the past include Elton John, Anne Hathaway, Margaret Thatcher, actors David Niven and Peter Sellers, as well as King Juan Carlos and Queen Sofia of Spain, and Abdel Salam Jalloud. In January 1983, King Juan Carlos fell while skiing in Gstaad and cracked his pelvis, immobilising him for a month. Richard Scarry had a studio in Gstaad where he drew many of his books. Many British bands and musicians would play at L'Atelier, a club in Gstaad, in the 1960s and 1970s. One band was Merlin `Q` who became Edison Lighthouse did a whole winter at L`Atelier.

Lucerne

Lucerne (German: Luzern) is the capital of the canton of the same name. It lies at the north western end of Lake Lucerne, where the river Reuss flows out of the lake. Lucerne is the economic and cultural centre of central Switzerland.

The economy of Lucerne is based on tourism and commerce. It also offers services in such areas as transport, health and consulting. There are over four and a half jobs in the service sector for every one job in industry or agriculture.

Lucerne has direct train links with most major Swiss cities and to Milan. It is served not only by the Swiss Federal Railways, but also by the private Zentralbahn.

The city has a small university, which is to be expanded in the next few years. Its theology department enjoys a particularly strong reputation.

History

The city was once a dependency of the Alsatian monastery at Murbach, but gradually gained autonomy. The year 1178 marked a turning point in its relations with the monastery, and is regarded as the date of its foundation as a city.

After the opening up of the Gotthard pass in the early 13th century it grew wealthy as an important staging post on the route between Italy and northern Europe. The city joined the young Swiss Confederation in 1332.

Conditions

• Package is validn untill 31 OCT 2015
• Package price per person based on twin sharing room for minimum two people.
• Prices may change according to time of booking, date of travel and hotel availability.
• Hotels in this package may change upon availability to similar level Hotels.
• No Insurance Included in this package.
• Package include only services mentioned in the Itinerary.

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