Trip Itinerary

Key: IF = In-Flight Meals, B= Breakfast, D = Dinner 

Day 1: Overnight Flight to Geneva, Switzerland
We will board our flights today from Washington Dulles to Geneva, Switzerland. (IF)

Day 2: Arrival in Geneva
On arrival in Geneva, we will meet our tour director and transfer to our hotel and leave our luggage. The rest of the day is at leisure to walk along the shore or maybe take a boat ride out to the famous Jet d’Eau fountain. Geneva is a truly international city with world class shopping and dining. We will meet up again for our welcome dinner at a local restaurant. We will stay at the Hotel Cristal in Geneva for 3 nights. (IF/D)

Day 3: Geneva
Geneva is an important Reformation city with deep Calvinist roots. Our local guide will meet us at the hotel this morning for a half-day Reformation-themed walking tour including the Reformation Wall, St. Peter’s Cathedral, the Auditoire de Calvin, the Reformation Museum and the Temple de la Fusterie. The remainder of the day is at leisure. Options include visiting Carouge, a pretty Italian-style village within Geneva. The English Garden is also a relaxing place to spend a peaceful afternoon. It is also possible to take a train to Chillon Castle, which is on the far side of Lake Leman. (B)

Day 4: Geneva
We will board our bus this morning for a half-day tour with a local guide including the Palace of Nations, International Red Cross Museum, the American Consulate (if audience can be arranged), and the World Council of Churches. In the afternoon there is an optional visit to the Ecumenical Institute at Château de Bossey, the international centre for encounter, dialogue and academic formation of the World Council of Churches. This conference center has a beautiful garden with views of Lake Geneva and the Alps. (B)

Day 5: Zermatt
Our bus will pick up this morning to drive us to Taesch, where we will board the train up to Zermatt, nestling at the base of the Matterhorn. This exclusive resort is Switzerland’s most southerly vacation spot. The remainder of the day is at leisure. Some may like to take a cable car ride up to Lake Schwarzsee at the foot of the Matterhorn. The chapel dedicated to “Maria zum Schnee” (“Our Lady of the Snows”) is beside the lake. Climbers traditionally visit after successfully reaching the summit of the Matterhorn. In Zermatt we can visit the Matterhorn Museum and hear about Edward Whymper, who was the first to scale the peak on 14 July, 1865. We will meet up for dinner at the Astoria Hotel in Zermatt, where we will stay for 2 nights. (B/D)

Day 6: Zermatt, Gornergrat
Today’s excursion will be a rail tour to the beautiful resort of Gornergrat, a favorite Swiss destination for over 150 years. It’s easy to see why – the views are superb! Some may wish to explore the Kulmhotel, which has an observatory, a shopping mall and a restaurant. We will return to Zermatt in the late afternoon.   (B)

Day 7: Chur
After taking the train down from Zermatt to Taesch, we will drive to Brig, where we will board the Glacier Express for the scenic ride to Chur. This breathtaking trip of tunnels and bridges will give us spectacular views of the Alps. Our bus will meet us from the train and take us to the Best Western Hotel Sommerau, our base for the next 2 nights. We will dine in the hotel this evening. (B/D)

Day 8: Chur, Maienfeld
The morning is free to explore Chur’s charming downtown area. Switzerland’s oldest city charms visitors with its fine mountain setting, twisting alleys and historic buildings. Numerous boutiques, restaurants, bars, museums and galleries in the largely traffic-free Old Town create a Mediterranean-style atmosphere. After time for lunch we will drive to nearby Maienfeld, famous as the setting for Johanna Spryi’s story about Heidi, then return to Chur. (B)

Day 9: Lucerne
On arrival in Lucerne, we will meet up with our local guide. Lucerne has a picturesque lakeside setting against an impressive mountain backdrop and is often referred to as “the essence of Switzerland”. Our tour of city will include the 14th century Chapel Bridge, which is the most photographed monument in Switzerland. Mark Twain described the Lion Monument as “the most mournful and moving piece of stone in the world”. We will also see outstanding art by Pablo Picasso and Paul Klee in the Rosengart. We will stay in the Ameron Hotel Flora in Lucerne for 2 nights. (B)

Day 10: Lucerne
Today is a full day of leisure in Lucerne. Lake Lucerne has the most extensive inland navigation system in Europe, including five historic belle-époque paddle steamers. One option is to take the “Golden Round Trip” including a cogwheel railway up to Mt. Pilatus, cable cars and a lake cruise. Another option is a round-trip boat cruise, cogwheel railway ride and aerial cable car ride up Rigi Kulm, the ‘Queen of the Mountains,’ for majestic views of the Bernese Alps, Vosges Montains and Black Forest. CLICK HERE to see day-trips from Lucerne that you can book in advance. (B)

Day 11: Zurich
On arrival in Zurich, we will meet up with our local guide. Zurich is a land of beauty, history and charm nestled between Lake Zurich and the River Limmat, framed by the breathtaking Alps. Imagine yourself strolling down the quays of the River Limmat or Lake Zurich—the very places that Ulrich Zwingli tread when he pastored the Grossmünster (or the Great Church) beginning in 1519. We will hear Zwingli’s story and learn more about the Anabaptists and their struggles. The afternoon and evening are at leisure. We will have a fondue dinner at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Zurich, where we will stay for 2 nights. (B/D)

Day 12: Zurich
Today is a full day of leisure in Zurich and there are many options. Some may wish to do some final shopping, others may like to take a ride on the cable car ride to Felsenegg for spectacular views over small towns on Lake Zurich and the white tipped peaks of the Alps. Zurich’s Swiss National Museum includes a Zwingli room and many fascinating exhibitions, for those that enjoy museums. Foodies might enjoy seeing where the famous wheel-shaped Appenzeller cheese is made, plus a stop at the Lindt chocolate outlet store. Another option is a day trip to the Black Forest region of Germany, where you will see traditional German cuckoo clocks being made. The tour also includes a stop at Rhine Falls to watch the waters of the Rhine River crashing down a 75-foot (23-meter) drop. CLICK HERE to see day-trips from Zurich that you can book in advance. (B)

Day 13: Return
Transfer from the hotel to the airport for our morning flights. (B)

What are accommodations like?

Our hotels are chosen for their quality, amenities and proximity to areas of interest. Whenever possible, we choose hotels in town centers, so that you are able to go off and explore in your free time. It may be necessary for us to substitute hotels for others of equal quality. You will be fully informed of any changes that affect you. Enjoy your stay!

If you are interested in a quote for your group, please CLICK HERE to tell us more about your tour requirements or call (800) 303-5534.