- Trips
- Tour Calendar
- About Our Tours
- Plan a Trip
- Book a Trip
- About Us
- Contact Us
People won't believe what we are seeing and experiencing. We really saw the best of Swtizerland and the Alps during the Chirstmas holiday season. - G.S. - Ontario, Canada
On arrival in Zurich, take a short train ride to Lucerne (1 hr) in the heart of scenic central Switzerland and set on Lake Lucerne. The group will meet in the hotel lobby at 12:00 and we depart for an excursion to Einsiedeln which is home to the Baroque Benedictine monastery and is the largest place of pilgrimage in Switzerland. Christmas highlights will be the Diorama Bethlehem which has over 450 wood-carved figures, the gingerbread bakery and museum, and the enchanting Christmas market set in front of the Monastery. Overnight in Lucerne. (D)
We head south to Switzerland's Italian-speaking region to Lugano where we will participate in a Risotto making workshop for lunch today. Following lunch, we will take a funicular up to Monte Brè for amazing views over the lake and city. We will return to Lugano where this mediterranean city center is decked with lights and an Italian inspired Christmas market. (Lunch will be included today instead of dinner) Overnight in Lucerne. (BL)
Today, we will train to Basel. With the Rhine River flowing through it, Basel has a rich history. It's a center of European art and was a seat of learning and a focal point of the Northern Renaissance. The three borders of Switzerland, France, and Germany come together here, and we'll have a fine view of each country from the Münster church. We will have time to visit Basel's largest Christmas market on the Barfüsserplatz, considered the most beautiful in Switzerland. In the afternoon we will return by train to Lucerne. This evening we take a Fondue dinner cruise across Lake Lucerne to participate in one of the most unique and traditional Christmas celebrations in Europe—the Küssnacht Klausjagen. Overnight in Lucerne. (BD)
Departing Lucerne, we cross the scenic heartland of Switzerland's Bernese Oberland along Lake Brienz and Lake Thun for a short visit to the town of Interlaken. We then take the panoramic GoldenPass Express train through the beautiful pre-alp villages of Gstaad and Chateau d'Oex to arrive in Montreux on the shores of Lake Geneva, in Switzerland's French-speaking region, and home of Switzerland's largest Christmas market. We’ll stay at a lakeside hotel in Montreux. Overnight in Montreux. (BD)
In Montreux, we visit the lovely lakeside Marché de Noël and the 12th-century Castle of Chillon, which inspired Lord Byron, Victor Hugo, and Rousseau. It will surely inspire you. There will be plenty of time to enjoy the christmas market along the lake. Overnight in Montreux. (B) Guests will have the opportunity to enjoy dinner on their own in Montreux tonight.
Departing Montreux, we ascend the Rhone Valley, Switzerland's largest wine region. No visit to Switzerland is complete without an excursion to car-free Zermatt to see the majestic Matterhorn. Zermatt is the quintessential Swiss resort village. We'll have time for strolling the charming town and connecting with its historic and legendary past. We stay at a beautiful spa hotel with Matterhorn views. Overnight in Zermatt. (BD)
We take the historic cogwheel railway to the Gornergrat summit for breathtaking views of Switzerland's highest peaks set in a glacial paradise (weather permitting). When you're not out exploring the mountain scenery and lively shopping scene in Zermatt, you'll certainly enjoy time in the spa, sauna, and heated indoor/outdoor pools. Overnight in Zermatt. (B) Guests will have the opportunity to enjoy dinner on their own in Zermatt tonight.
Our concluding day in Switzerland takes us back to Zürich with its Christmas Market set in the medieval town center as well as Europe's largest indoor Christmas Market in the main train station. We have our final dinner together to reflect on the many wonderful memories we have created. Overnight in a hotel in the heart of downtown Zürich. (BD)
We say our goodbyes and hopefully Auf Wiedersehen as we head off to our morning departure from Zürich to catch our flights home. (B)
Alpenwild Adventures are designed for people who are energetic, active, and filled with a spirit of adventure. We rate this trip as easy to moderate and ACTIVE. You should be capable of walking 1-2 miles per day and at least 1/2 mile in one stretch (about 1500 steps and may be uphill). You should be capable of walking about 2 to 4 miles per day, often on cobblestone streets and with potential compacted snow and ice (so be careful). There will be times where stairs can not be avoided, so guests will need the ability to go up and down stairs. On one day, a mountain railway will take you to an elevation of 10,200 feet.