Switzerland: Enchanting Landscapes

On this private walking tour, explore Zurich’s charming Old Town, accompanied by a knowledgeable guide. The Old Town is situated on either side of the Limmat River and renowned for its narrow cobblestoned streets, winding alleys, fountains, medieval houses, antique shops and quaint cafés. Stroll along the 19th-century pedestrian-friendly Bahnhofstrasse, one of the world’s most exclusive shopping boulevards. Head to Lindenhof Hill, site of an ancient Roman castle with stunning views of the river and medieval quarter. At the Church of Saint Peter, find the largest clock faces in Europe. Wind your way to one of Zurich’s most prominent landmarks, the Fraumunster Church, with its green steeple and stained glass windows designed by Marc Chagall and Augusto Giacometti. Listen to entertaining stories and anecdotes as you follow your guide to Niederdorf district, to the 12th-century Grossmunster, a Romanesque-style Protestant church. Legend says that it was built on the graves of the city’s patron saints, Felix and Regula. (Duration: 2 hrs; Time: Flexible; Private Activity & Transfers, Fitness Level: Easy; Entrance Fees not included; Please wear sturdy walking shoes. Carry water).

Begin the day with a drive through scenic country roads along the snow capped Swiss Alps. Pass quaint villages alongside the Limmat River and arrive in Lucerne where you will board a historic paddle steamship for an hour-long cruise on Lake Lucerne. Along the way, float past rolling hills dotted with cottages, churches and cafes with terraces. Disembark at Vitznau, next to the ferry terminal, and climb aboard the Mount Rigi cogwheel train. Ride one of Europe’s oldest mountain railways to Rigi Klum, at the summit. Take in panoramic alpine views and take selfies with the wooden Rigi cow. Pause at the rock with ‘Mount Emei, China’ carved on it before heading back. In the afternoon, visit the Lion Monument that commemorates the Swiss Guards massacred during the French Revolution. Continue to the city center and walk around the landmark Chapel Bridge, a covered wooden footbridge. Spend time viewing the series of 17th-century triangular paintings in the gables, which depict the history of the Swiss Confederation, before returning to Zurich. (Duration: full day; Time: 0900 hrs; Private activity & transfers; Group size: max 8 ppl; Entry fees are included; Meals included: no; Fitness level: easy)

Make your way to the Lindt Home of Chocolate for an hour-long audio guided tour of the world of Swiss chocolate! Learn how the cocoa pod is cultivated, harvested, and processed into the finest chocolate. Master a history that goes as far back as the Mayan civilization as you tour the glass-windowed factory to see how the skill of chocolate production has developed today. At the end of your tour, you will also have the chance to sample the world-famous Lindt chocolate. (Self exploring: Flexible; Audio Guide; No Transfers included; Fitness Level: Easy; Meeting Point: Lindt Home of Chocolate; Inclusions: entrance fees, chocolate sampling.)

Spend a day at Jungfraujoch, Europe’s highest train station, on a private full-day excursion. A journey through Lauterbrunnen takes you to the beautiful alpine village of Wengen where downhill ski races take place every winter. Take a train to Kleine Scheidegg and then board the cogwheel train for a picturesque ride up to Jungfraujoch. From the adventure platform 3,455 meters above sea level, enjoy stunning views of the famous peaks of Eiger, Mönch, and Jungfrau. Your guide takes you through the Ice Palace with its tunnels and sculptures, and walks you through the Alpine Sensation corridor that connects to Sphinx Hall. At the Sphinx observation deck, you can see the snow-covered Aletsch glacier, while Jungfrau Panorama offers a 360-degrees virtual viewing of the surrounding area. Don’t miss the Lindt Swiss Chocolate Heaven chocolate shop, with interactive displays on the chocolate-making process. A train then takes you to the mountain village of Grindelwald for a short halt before returning to Interlaken by coach. (Duration: 9hrs; Time: Flexible; Private Activity & Transfers, Fitness Level: Moderate-High Altitude; Entrance Fees and Meals Not Included; Please wear sturdy walking shoes. Carry water).

Nestled between two Alpine lakes, Interlaken sits in the Bernese Oberland in Switzerland and is a popular starting point for travel and outdoor sports in the surrounding mountains. In winter, Interlaken provides easy access to the ski regions of Jungfrau Top Ski or the family-oriented ski region of Beatenberg or Axalp-Brienz. You can also go cross-country skiing or tobogganing or explore more than 150 miles of winter walking trails in the area. A daily ski bus transfer connects Interlaken with the ski-regions of Mürren/Schilthorn, Kleine Scheidegg/Männlichen und First. In summer, you can hop on to one of the historic paddle steamers that cruise Lake Thun and Lake Brienz. Take a walk around the lakes or go swimming among ducks and water lilies. Hike in the Niederhorn, where you might spot ibex and chamois. Grab a mountain bike and head for the Giessbach waterfalls around Lake Brienz or bike to Lauterbrunnen two hours away and look inside the Trümmelbach-Waterfalls. About six miles away, find Beatenberg-Niederhorn, a paradise for paragliding. Other adventure sports options include hang gliding, canyoning, river rafting, sky diving and rock climbing. (Flexible, Self-explore Activity; No Guide; No Transfers; Entrance Fees & Meals are not included)

Experience the alpine wonderland known as Matterhorn Glacier Paradise. Meet your guide at your hotel and head to the cable car station. Travel to the highest cable car station in Europe, located at an elevation of about 12,739 feet. Along the way, you will switch cable cars a couple of times. As you soar over the scenic Schwarzsee region, enjoy splendid views of the landscape and the iconic Matterhorn. From the observation platform at the summit, take in 360-degree views of the French, Italian, and Swiss Alps. Your guide will point out the 38 mountain peaks and 14 glaciers including Mont Blanc, believed to be the highest mountain in Europe. Next, explore the world’s highest glacier palace where you will find ice sculptures and glittering ice crystals, all set within a glacier cave. At the Cinema Lounge, located within the Breithorn Tunnel, learn about the local flora and fauna. There is also a restaurant here that offers regional and international cuisines as well as panoramic views of the Alps. When it is time to return, you could choose to take the cable car back down or hike part of the way with your guide. (Duration: half day; Private activity & transfers; Entry fees to Matterhorn Glacier Paradise included; Please bring a waterproof jacket, appropriate footwear, sunscreen, a warm layer of clothing, gloves and a hat for chilly weather; Please carry a light nutritious snack or lunch if you do not plan to eat at the restaurant)

Zermatt sits at the foot of the famous Matterhorn in Switzerland. This car free city offers access to some of the best hiking and skiing in Europe. In the summer and autumn, over 250 miles of hiking trails lead through and out of the Matter Valley, including the mule trader’s trails, first used in the 13th century. If you aren’t an experienced hiker or climber, don’t worry. There are plenty of walking trails that you can take to explore the area. Take the cog railway from Zermatt to the 3089m high Gornergrat, which offers unsurpassed views of the Matterhorn and surrounding glaciers. Ride the cableway to Europe’s highest vantage point for a panoramic view of the Swiss, Italian and French Alps. You can also explore the area on a mountain bike. In winter, the ski region includes 54 mountain railways and lifts as well as 220 miles of pistes. You can also go snowboarding in Snowpark Zermatt, where Olympic candidates train. Those who want more of a thrill can try paragliding or off-piste heli skiing with a guide. Make sure to visit the Matterhorn Museum, which tells the story of the mountain and the race to conquer it. The town offers childcare throughout the year as well. (Duration: Flexible, Self-explore Activity; No Guide; No Transfers; Entrance Fees & Meals are not included)

Immerse yourself in the natural beauty of Switzerland and gain insight into its cuisine and culture. Begin with a drive to a chocolate factory, nestled amid lush meadows. Learn how the Swiss have transformed chocolate from a mysterious aphrodisiac drink to the product we know today. See how both mass-produced and handcrafted chocolates are made. In the tasting room, eat as much chocolate as you like ranging from gourmet chocolate cups to caramel and flavored bites. Then, journey to the picturesque settlement of Gruyeres. Pass glistening alpine pastures covered in wildflowers and spot dairy cows with ornate metal bells grazing. Stop at a cheese factory and observe the industrial cheese-making process. Sample slivers of aged Gruyere cheese, raclette and cheese fondue. After, explore the medieval village on your own. Stroll down the cobblestone alleys and stop by the 13th-century castle, and H.R. Giger Museum. Later, ride the Golden Pass Express. Wind your way past grasslands and vineyards with uninterrupted panoramic views, before returning to Geneva. (Duration: full day; Seasonal: May-Sep; Time: 0900 hrs; Private activity & transfers; Golden Pass Panoramic Train included; Chocolate & cheese tastings included; Please inform us of any food allergies in advance; Fitness level: easy)