Compare 8-Day Paris to Zurich Holiday: France and Switzerland**Airport Pick-up in Paris** by Tours4Fun vs Best of Switzerland by Intrepid Travel

Day 1 Paris

Welcome to Paris!  On entering the arrivals hall at the airport, a driver will be be waiting to transfer you to the hotel. Our guide will be ready at the hotel to give an overview of the tour. In the evening, we'll head to the Montmartre district. You'll be free to explore on your own and dine at the restaurant of your choice (own expense).

Day 2 Paris

We'll begin our experience with a guided tour of the main boulevards and breathtaking attractions of Paris. After seeing the highlights, we'll visit the monumental Eiffel Tower and climb up to the second floor of this remarkable giant for stunning views of the city. We'll end the day with a cruise on the River Seine. The rest of the afternoon is yours to explore the city on your own. In the evening we'll head to the Latin Quarter, where you may choose from a great selection of restaurants for dinner (own expense).

Day 3 Paris

On Day 3 we'll take you to the center of Paris, near the Louvre Museum. The day is yours to explore Paris at your leisure. You may also opt to join us for a tour of Benlux, one of the most prestigious perfumeries in Paris (own expense).

Day 4 Paris - Semur en Auxois - Beaune - Lyon

We'll travel through the Burgundy region of France, famous for its fine wines, making a stop in medieval Semur en Auxois. After that we'll travel to Beaune for a quick tour and free time for lunch (own expense). In the mid-afternoon we'll arrive in Lyon, the capital of Roman Gaul on the banks of the Rhone. We include a ride on the funicular railway to Notre Dame de Fourviere Basilica, affording panoramic views of Lyon below. Enjoy some leisure time to walk around. Accommodations for the evening are in Lyon or a neighboring town.

Day 5 Lyon - Geneva - Zurich

On Day 5 we'll travel to Geneva in Switzerland, driving past the United Nations Headquarters, and see the Flower Clock and the iconic Jet d'Eau, the tallest water fountain in Europe. After lunch (own expense), we'll continue through Switzerland, passing the beautiful Leman and Neuchatel Lakes on our way to Zurich.

Day 6 Lake Zurich - Rapperswil - Zurich

We'll take a guided stroll through the financial and cultural capital of the country, twice declared the city with the best quality of life in the world. After this we'll embark on a 2-hour boat trip across Lake Zurich. The boat makes brief stops, allowing us to admire the lakeside villages including Rapperswil and its medieval castle. After free time in Rapperswil we'll return to Zurich by train. Enjoy an evening in the historic center next to the lake, where you can dine at the restaurant of your choice (own expense).

Day 7 Zurich - Interlaken - Grindelwald - Lucerne - Zurich

Prepare to be mesmerized by beautiful landscapes defined by pristine lakes and soaring mountain peaks. Take a stroll through Interlaken with ample time for a coffee break before we take the cable car (ticket included) up to Grindelwald-First. There we'll take a 30-minute walk among fantastic scenery with glaciers all around us. After that we'll continue to Lucerne, one of the most beautiful cities in Switzerland. Once back in Zurich, we'll take you to enjoy an evening at the city’s most popular restaurants (own expense).

Day 8 Zurich

The tour service ends directly after breakfast at the hotel. Airport drop-off is not included in the display price. If you require a transfer to an airport servicing Zurich on Day 8, please contact our friendly Travel Adviser team for a quote.

Day 1 Zurich

Welcome to Switzerland! There's much to see and do in Zurich, so we recommend you book some additional nights prior to the trip's start. This afternoon, meet your group at 5 pm in the hotel lobby for an important welcome meeting. Afterwards, take an evening orientation walk with your leader around Zurich to take in the river and lakefront by night.

Day 2 Lucerne

This morning, get a taste of the world-renowned Swiss rail system – efficient and punctual – as you head to Lucerne, a small city known for its mountainous backdrop on the pristine Lake Lucerne. The city is a popular destination for those visiting central Switzerland thanks to its proximity to many outdoor activities, its breathtaking natural beauty and historic architecture. On a walking tour with your leader, take a walk past 15th-century frescoed houses and across covered wooden bridges and climb to the top of the medieval towers along the city walls for spectacular views of this picturesque city and its surroundings. In the tiny streets of the old town (Altstadt), there’s often a craft market and dozens of shops full of unique handmade goods.

Day 3 Lucerne / Mt Pilatus

It's tour time! Hop on the Golden Pilatus tour – a roundtrip journey across Lake Lucerne to the summit of Mt Pilatus and back to town via boat, rail and gondola. From the shores of the Reuss river in Lucerne, hop on a steamboat ride along the lake to Alpnachstad, where you'll board the steepest cogwheel railway in the world, which takes you to the summit of Mt Pilatus at 2132 metres. Walk up to the various viewpoints or just park yourself on the panoramic viewing platform and enjoy some lunch (and perhaps even a yodelling or alphorn demonstration if you're lucky). From here, travel down the other side of the mountain via gondola. Opt to walk back to the city centre or hop aboard a public bus for an evening at your leisure.

Day 4-5 Jungfrau region

Today, travel to the Jungfrau Region of the Swiss Alps and enjoy a couple of free days in this picturesque mountain paradise. From your homebase in the valley village of Lauterbrunnen, you've got a tonne of optional activities to choose from. With trains and cable car routes throughout the valley, it's quite easy to access viewpoints and hikes of all levels from the valley floor to mountain peaks. You could also visit Trummelbach Falls – Europe's largest subterranean waterfalls whose powerful glacier waters have carved a slot canyon through the mountainside. You might also opt to ride the rails from Lauterbrunnen through the villages of Wengen and Kleine Scheidegg to board the train to Jungfrauroch, aka the Top of Europe, home to the highest railway station in Europe at nearly 3500 metres. Interlaken and Grindelwald are easy day trips, too. Happy exploring!

Day 6 Bulle

This morning, catch another train to Bulle, located in La Gruyere district. Enjoy some time in this French-speaking town with an orientation walk followed by a cheese-infused picnic featuring local delicacies selected by your leader. Then, visit local chocolate shops to sample the wares. You'll have some free time later in the afternoon to wander down to Lake Gruyere to have a swim or find somewhere cosy to chill.

Day 7 Bern

Travel to Bern – Switzerland's capital and arguably one of the most beautiful cities in Europe. After checking into your hotel, grab a quick lunch and follow your leader on an orientation walking tour. Head to the Old Town, explore the area where Einstein lived and developed his Theory of Relativity at the start of the 20th century and stop to check out Parliament House. Visit the famous Zytglogge - Bern Clock. On a guided tour, examine the gears and apparatus of the old clock, which dates back to the 15th century, with many original parts still in operation. Watch the perfectly timed figurines closely and don't miss out on the panoramic view of Bern from the top. In the evening, why not get some of your crew together to explore the food and drink scene in Bern – from typical Swiss dishes to worldwide cuisine, Bern is a great place for dining.

Day 8 Bern

With no activities planned for today, you are free to leave any time after breakfast. That doesn’t mean your adventure has to come to an end! If you would like to spend more time in Bern, we’ll be happy to organise additional accommodation (subject to availability).