Compare Switzerland: Europe's Crown Jewel 2019 by Tauck vs Walking and E-biking in the Swiss Alps by Exodus Travels
Compare details and see what other travelers are saying.
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4 | Great
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5 | Excellent
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| Duration | 11 days | 8 days |
| Price From | $ 7,290 | $ 2,435 |
| Price Per Day | $ 663 | $ 304 |
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| Trip Style | Small group tour | Self-guided tour |
| Lodging Level | Premium | Standard |
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| Flights & Transport | No | No |
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| Meals Included | N/A | All meals are included throughout the trip, including picnic lunches. For dinner enjoy regional dishes and fine wines in Nico's restaurant. At the beginning of each set of notes we advise on the lunch situation and suggest good picnic spots. You can obtain supplies daily from the hotel's picnic buffet or you can return to the hotel for a light lunch. We suggest you to carry 1-5 litres water per person, there are often benches for resting and admiring the views. There are also mountain restaurants with sun-trap terraces. With such a mixture of language and tradition co-existing in such a small country, it is no wonder that there are so many regional dishes. In the Bernese Oberland, Austrian and German influences predominate; gastronomic local delicacies include geschnetzeltes Kalbsfleisch (veal in a rich cream sauce), Kandersteger Bratwurst au Mad re-Jus (roast sausage with a Madeira sauce), Lammbraten gefüllt mit Kraütern (herb roasted lamb) and smoked pork with sauerkraut, and a selection of colourful salads. Typical desserts include Caramel-Birne mit Rum-Sabayon (caramelised pear with a rum sabayon) and Aprikosen-Symphonie (apricot gateau). |
| Description |
Explore picturesque mountains, sparkling lakes and fashionable Swiss cities including Lausanne, Interlaken, St. Moritz and Lucerne... travel by cogwheel train and funicular in the Alps, by private boat on an alpine lake, and by rail in a domed observation car aboard the Glacier Express... all on Tauck's ultimate Switzerland journey. |
Awe-inspiring and dramatic, the area epitomises the 'chocolate-box' Alps: lush green pastures and lowland slopes carpeted bright with wildflowers against a backdrop of rugged mountains - all topped off with sun-glistening glaciers. On this 7 night holiday you can explore the best the region has to offer on foot and by e-bike. This single centre holiday is totally flexible, we have suggested an itinerary for you but on this holiday you are free to pick and choose where you walk and cycle each day. A stay here uncovers the very best of the region: on foot the stunning Oeschinensee mountain lake enclosed by towering cliffs, the Sudrampe; high above the youthful river Rhone passing tradtional Swiss chalets along a fertile valley and superb railway engineering with impressive viaducts tunnels and bridges and an easy stroll to the beautiful Blausee Blue Lake. You can use the extra power that the e-bike has to offer to discover the hidden Gasterntal Valley with its glacial meltwaters thundering down a narrow gorge, the glorious Gemmi Pass crossing the swiss counties of Bern and Wallis before reaching the crystal clear waters of Lake Arven and Daubensee Lake and the spectacular views of the Bluemlisalp mountain range. Did we mention the spectacular views? One moment you will be spellbound by the glacial legacy, whilst in another it will be the cobalt blue of the Oeschinensee that will take your breath away. Woodlands, pine forest and open meadows are decorated with lady slippers, fire lilies and more than 25 varieties of scented orchid, where you walk to the the tuneful ringing of cowbells. With the company of the occasional swooping eagle, it is easy to feel on top of the world.In the heart of the Bernese Oberland lies the pretty village of Kandersteg, where the great arc of the Alps culminates in some of its highest and most spectacular peaks. |
Day 1 Arrive Geneva with included transfer to Lausanne
Tour begins: 6:00 PM at Lausanne Palace. A transfer is included from Geneva International Airport to Lausanne Palace in Lausanne; the drive takes you through the vineyard country high above Lake Geneva to your hotel in Lausanne, overlooking the north-central shore of the famous lake. Meet your fellow alpine travelers at our welcome cocktail reception and dinner tonight at the hotel.
MEALS : D
LODGING : Lausanne Palace
PORTOFCALL : Montreux, Switzerland
Day 2 Meadows & mountains, from Chillon to Gruyères and Zermatt
Think spectacular scenery, regal lakeside châteaux, quintessential Swiss villages and snowcapped mountains that glisten in the sunlight. Add ample opportunities to learn about life in this Alpine wonderland and you have a glimpse of what's in store today. Start your day with a visit to Château de Chillon on Lake Geneva; with over 1,000 years of history, this monument has served as the inspiration for many artists and writers, from Victor Hugo and Lord Byron to Delacroix and Courbet. Continue to Taesch where you climb toward Zermatt by rail for a two-night stay in an elegant landmark hotel nestled in the shadow of the Matterhorn.
MEALS : B, L, D
LODGING : Hotel Mont Cervin Palace
PORTOFCALL : Zermatt, Switzerland
Day 3 Climb to Gornergrat by cogwheel train & view the Matterhorn
Take a cogwheel rail journey up to Gornergrat (10,225 ft.), one of the best viewing points to see breathtaking vistas of the Matterhorn from on high. Descend at leisure; the rest of the day is free to enjoy the resort of Zermatt.
MEALS : B
LODGING : Hotel Mont Cervin Palace
PORTOFCALL : Gornergrat, Switzerland
Day 4 La dolce vita at Lake Maggiore in Italy & Lake Lugano in Switzerland
Travel by train and coach for a trip over the 6,578-ft. Simplon Pass to Stresa on Lake Maggiore in Italy - after lunch, a private water taxi awaits to take you to Isola Bella. Visit the palace and gardens, built in the shape of a ship, before continuing on to your grand hotel nestled on the shores of Lago di Lugano.
MEALS : B, L, D
LODGING : Hotel Splendide Royal Lugano
PORTOFCALL : Lugano, Switzerland
Day 5 A lovely day in lakeside Lugano
Get to know Lugano - a gem of a lakeside resort town - first on a walking tour, then aboard a private wine tasting cruise on Lake Lugano. Following lunch at a local grotto restaurant, the rest of the afternoon and evening are yours to explore on your own. There is much to see, do and savor here in and around Lugano, and your Tauck Director will have many pleasurable activities to suggest, from checking out the Via Nassa to calling on little coastal villages like Gandria or Marcote by boat.
MEALS : B, L
LODGING : Hotel Splendide Royal Lugano
PORTOFCALL : Lugano, Switzerland
Day 6 Across the Alps to St. Moritz
View some of the most beautiful scenery in Europe as you cross between Italy and Switzerland along Via Regina, the old Roman road. Drive over the Maloja Pass en route to St. Moritz for an overnight stay at one of the town's truly grand hotels, a distinction it has held since it was built in 1896. Celebrity spotting is almost as popular as skiing in this fashionable resort town. Enjoy dinner at your hotel tonight.
MEALS : B, L, D
LODGING : Kempinski Grand Hotel des Bains St. Moritz
PORTOFCALL : St. Moritz, Switzerland
Day 7 A magical train ride through the Swiss Alps aboard the Glacier Express
Rail travel is one of the best ways to see the Alpine scenery up-close and the Swiss trains are some of the best in the world. Ride The Glacier Express aboard Tauck's private panoramic dome car through the Alps, where you'll travel along silver streams, beneath massive peaks with crystal-blue glaciers and through lush valleys speckled with tiny Alpine villages; the scenery is breathtaking everywhere you look. Depart the train at Andermatt for a scenic drive to Interlaken for a two-night stay... in guest rooms featuring views of the Jungfrau!
MEALS : B, D
LODGING : Victoria-Jungfrau Grand Hotel & Spa
PORTOFCALL : Interlaken, Switzerland
Day 8 To the top of Europe & the Jungfraujoch
This part of the Bernese Oberland is known as Switzerland's "jewel in the crown." Given reasonable weather, today's excursion to "the top of Europe" will be a memorable highlight as your mountain railway train ascends into the majestic Swiss Alps. Arrive at Kleine Scheidegg at the foot of the Eiger. Continue to the Jungfraujoch (11,333 feet). Here, at what truly feels like the "top of Europe" - you'll enjoy a Tauck Exclusive... a private reception at the Ice Palace; take time to savor the astounding views of the lofty peaks of the Eiger, Jungfrau and Mönch. Following an afternoon spent as you please back in the alpine resort of Interlaken, you'll enjoy another Tauck Exclusive this evening - a private ride on the Harderbahn funicular up to the Harder Kulm (or Harderkulm) viewpoint, overlooking Interlaken and Unterseen, for dinner at a restaurant with panoramic views of the spectacular scenery below.
MEALS : B, D
LODGING : Victoria-Jungfrau Grand Hotel & Spa
PORTOFCALL : Interlaken, Switzerland
Day 9 Through the Bernese Oberland to Bern and on to Lucerne
Depart Interlaken and drive through more of the Bernese Oberland, bound for Bern. Switzerland's capital is noted for its charming architectural styles; explore the Old City of Berne, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. After a "Taste of Switzerland" buffet lunch at Bern's Bellevue Palace, continue to Lucerne, one of Europe's premier cities, on the shores of Lake Lucerne. Stop at the Löwendenkmal (Lion Monument) en route to your home, Hotel Schweizerhof Luzern, for the next two nights. A historic landmark built in 1845 and ideally located in the heart of Lucerne's Old Town, the hotel was a recent recipient of The Milestone Award, Swiss tourism's top accolade. Under the project titled "Wo Luzern Geschichte(n) schreibt" (Where Lucerne writes history/stories), every guest room has been allocated a guest with a unique story. They include great personalities such as thinkers, artists, politicians, athletes, musicians and crowned heads as well as unknown guests, whose stories are part of the hotel's history.
MEALS : B, L, D
LODGING : Hotel Schweizerhof Luzern
PORTOFCALL : Lucerne, Switzerland
Day 10 Explore Lucerne and enjoy a special farewell evening
While a thoroughly modern, culturally rich city, lakeside Lucerne retains much of its old-world charm and a strong sense of its history, as you'll see for yourself on a guided walking tour and time to explore on your own today. Surrounded by an alpine panorama, stroll over its medieval covered wooden bridges and discover the many Renaissance and Baroque fountains that dot the city - along with many wonderful galleries, shops and cafés. Late afternoon, join us for a boat ride across the lake that brings us to our special farewell dinner at the popular restaurant Seehotel Baumgarten.
MEALS : B, D
LODGING : Hotel Schweizerhof Luzern
PORTOFCALL : Lucerne, Switzerland
Day 11 Journey home
Tour ends: Zurich. Fly home anytime. A transfer is included from the Hotel Schweizerhof Luzern to the Zurich Airport, an approximate travel time of 60 minutes; allow a minimum of 3 hours for flight check-in.
MEALS : B
PORTOFCALL : Lucerne, Switzerland
Day 1 Arrive Kandersteg
Arrive at the 3-star Hotel Alfa Soleil, well known locally for its excellent cuisine and enjoy a welcome drink before dinner. Dinner is included all week along with picnics or light restaurant lunches. Below is a suggested itinerary for the week but you are free to pick and choose where you walk and cycle each day, just be sure to check the e-bike availability with the hotel as they have been reserved for your on the days specified in the itinerary.
Day 2 Sudrampe Walk
Today starts with a 25-minute train ride (payable locally) through the Lotschberg mountain rail tunnel (14km long) to Hohtenn. The walk takes you high above a youthful River Rhone, through a landscape of gorges and hidden side valleys - and small hillside villages boasting traditional wooden chalets built on the upper edges of this fertile, vineyard-adorned valley. You follow part of the Lotschberger-Sudrampe railway trail - superb railway engineering with impressive viaducts, tunnels and bridges - but you don't need to be a train buff to enjoy this great little hike. A shorter walk is also available.
Day 3 Gasterntal Valley by e-bike
Today it's a glorious bike ride into the unspoiled landscape of Gasterntal. With your e-bike follow the route along the river Kander taking the steep, unpaved road up to the Gasterntal, offering the most breath taking views. The road continues through the valley to Selden or you can carry on to Heimritz. The descent passes through dark tunnels as you head back to Kandersteg.
Day 4 Oeschinensee Walk
Widely regarded as the jewel in the crown of the Bernese Oberland, Oeschinensee is one of the most beautiful Alpine lakes in Switzerland. After a short ride up on the gondola lift (included), follow a marvellous mountain path up to the Heuberg Viewpoint and picnic spot. The cobalt blue water of the lake, surrounded by the snow-capped, razor-edged peaks of the Doldenhorn (3,638m) and the Bluemlisalphorn (3,663m) towering 2,000m above, will be a lasting memory. Call in at the mountain chalets at Obberbargli and Underbargli for refreshments and soak up this unforgettable scenery as bell-toting cows munch at the grass in the pastures below, while dainty waterfalls trickle down from the Frunden Glacier.
Day 5 Blausee Blue Lake Walk
A gentle hour's stroll takes you down to the Natural Park of Blausee - the Blue Lake (discounted entry with short boat ride). Here you can wander through verdant woodland around the little lake, visit the organic trout farm and enjoy a drink on the lake terrace before returning to the hotel.
Day 6 Gemmi Pass by e-bike
A glorious bike ride through the impressive Gemmi pass today. You'll soon discover the benefit of an e-bike as you cross the two Swiss counties of Bern and Wallis passing the crystal-clear Lake Arven, as well as the famous Schwarenbach hotel and the stunning Daubensee lake. Reaching the summit of the Gemmi pass take in the spectacular views of the eleven peaks above 4000m that make up the imposing Mischabel massif, an ample reward for your efforts.
Day 7 Ueschinental/Allmenalp by e-bike
Glorious views of the Bluemlisalp mountain range today. Climb uphill from Kandersteg with steep curves on the paved path to Usser Ueschinen where you head right in the direction of Ryharts - Allmenalp. Continue your ascent where you are rewarded for your efforts with more impressive views. Descend from the Allmenalp or if you fancy a rest, you and your bike can use the cable car and then enjoy the easy bike ride back to Kandersteg via Ryharts - Usser Ueschinen.
Day 8 Depart Kandersteg
The tour ends in Kandersteg.
