Swiss Escape includes a visit to the stately capital of Berne. Enjoy a guided tour of the city to see Bear Park, a panoramic view from the Rose Garden, the Old Town’s Clock Tower with its painted figures, and the flowered-adorned fountains. In lovely Lucerne, be captivated by the Lion Monument, dedicated to the fallen Swiss Guards of the French Revolution, as well as the ornate patrician houses of the Old Town. Cross the famous covered Chapel Bridge to Lucerne’s Jesuit church. Drive through the magnificent Swiss Alps via the famous St. Gotthard tunnel to the Italian-speaking area of Switzerland, home to the lakeside town of Lugano. Enjoy a full day to relax or explore this beautiful setting, before a farewell dinner on your last night in Switzerland. The wonderful memories of your Swiss Escape are made all the sweeter by the absence of high-season crowds on your stunning Switzerland escorted vacation.
ZURICH
Welcome dinner; orientation walk of the Old Town
BIEL/BIENNE
Visit the historical center NEUCHÂTEL. Stop at the lake promenade
MONTREUX
Guided visit to Chillon Castle
BERNE
Guided sightseeing, stop at the Bear Park and enjoy a panoramic view from the Rose Garden
LUCERNE
Dinner at a local restaurant; walking tour including the Lion’s Monument and the Chapel Bridge
LUGANO
Farewell dinner
Welcome to Zurich! At 6 pm, meet your Tour Director and traveling companions for a welcome dinner at your hotel.
Dinner
ZURICH Orientation walk of the old town includes sights of the Fraumünsterkirche.
NEUCHÂTEL Free time en route to Geneva.
Breakfast
TOUR HIGHLIGHT
CITY SIGHTS Fall in love with Zurich with a walk through the Altstadt – its Old Town, in the historic heart of the city. See the guild houses and historic squares that span both sides of the Limmat River. Gracing the shore is the famous Fraumünsterkirche, with its signature green steeple marking the skyline above stained-glass windows designed by masters Chagall and Giacometti.
LAKE GENEVA Guided visit to Chillon Castle. Free time this afternoon and evening.
Breakfast
HISTORIC SPOT
EXPLORE MORE Located on a strategic position on the banks of Lake Geneva, Chillon Castle has been a toll station for ships sailing on the lake. Learn about these fascinating stories while strolling through these serene location and take in breath-taking views of the surrounding area.
BERNE Guided walking tour includes the Old Town, a stop at Bear Park, and a panoramic view of the city from Rose Garden. Free time for lunch. Free time late afternoon and evening.
Breakfast
LOCAL FAVORITE
CITY SIGHTS BärenPark (Bear Park) is home to Pyrenean brown bears (after which the town is named). This hillside habitat in Berne differs greatly from the bear pit of 1191 when Duke Berthold V vowed to name the town after the first animal his hunt found in the nearby woods. The first records of bears being kept in the city date back to 1513 when soldiers brought live bears home as spoils of war. Fast forward to the modern day as the inhumane bear pit of the 16th century has evolved into a 6,000 square-meter natural habitat alongside the Aar River.
LUCERNE Walking tour includes the Lion Monument, the Old Town, and Chapel Bridge. Dinner at a local restaurant.
Breakfast, Dinner
TOUR HIGHLIGHT
CITY SIGHTS See the symbol of Lucerne at the famous Kapellbrücke (Chapel Bridge), the oldest wooden covered bridge in Europe. Originally built in 1365, the bridge includes the Wasserturm (water tower) that once served as a prison. Today, this the world-famous timber bridge is Lucerne’s most photographed landmark.
LUCERNE Scenic drive through the Swiss Alps on the way to Lugano.
LUGANO Free time.
Breakfast,Dinner
FREE TIME TIPS
EXPLORE MORE in Lugano to see its mix of Italian and Swiss style and culture reflected in its architecture and cuisine. Standing on the Lake’s northern shore, the city is surrounded by mountain peaks. Lugano’s Piazza della Riforma and pastel palazzos share the ambience of this lovely Swiss city with impressive architecture and bold and innovative street art.
LUGANO Free time this morning and afternoon. Farewell dinner this evening at your hotel.
Breakfast, Dinner
FREE TIME TIPS
EXPLORE MORE in Lugano with an optional excursion to Bellinzona Castle. Ride the elevator to the Courtyard of Castelgrande, high on the hills above Bellinzona. Part of the fortification dates back to the Middle Ages and it is today a UNESCO World Heritage site. Enjoy spectacular panoramic views and try out local specialties and the delicious Merlot wine for which the area is famous.
Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning. (The nearest airport is Milan, Italy.)
Breakfast
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