Trip Itinerary

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

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

Day 2: Zurich
Today we will board a train and ride nonstop into the heart of Zurich. While there, we will enjoy the sights of old and modern Zurich: the historical guild houses and medieval churches on the banks of the Limmat river, the lake with its parks and harbors, the elegant shopping area of the Bahnhofstrasse and the banking and university district. We will also view the famous Chagall stained-glass windows at Fraumunster church and visit of the Cathedral (Grossmünster) erected between the 11th and 13 centuries. Zurich is also the home of the Reformation in German-speaking Switzerland. Ulrich Zwingli, influenced by Erasmus and Luther started the Reformation in Zurich in 1523. Today also includes a visit to the new Zwingli museum at Grossmünster church. This evening we will return to our hotel.

Day 3: Zurich, Konstanz (DE)
In the morning we will travel by train from Zurich to eastern Switzerland via Winterthur and Frauenfeld to Kreuzlingen, where we cross the border into Germany and stop at Constance, the site of the Church Council from 1414-1418. We will visit the “Stone of Johan Hus”, an eminent member of the Bohemian clergy who was declared a heretic by the Council and burned alive. We will see the Council chamber which occupies the first floor of a former warehouse. After this we will board the train back to Zurich for dinner and overnight at the hotel.

Day 4: Zurich, Basel, Rhine Falls Tour
This morning we will transfer by bus to Rhine Falls.  We will enjoy leisure time at the mighty Rhine Falls – Europe‘s biggest waterfall and one of Switzerland’s major attractions. Enjoy the unique views from the panoramic lift and watch an average of 700,000 liters of water per second plunge across a width of 150 meters into the basin below. The Belvedere panoramic trail brings you to the viewing platform right above the falls where you feel the spindrift of the rumbling waters.  We will then return to Zurich by bus, retrieve our luggage and travel by train to Basel. We will check in to our hotel in Basel for the night.

Day 5: Basel, Colmar (FR)
Today we will explore Basel, an international business center and also known as the city of Eramus’ later years and the Holbein family.  Basel has maintained a tradition of art and culture. We will see the 12th century cathedral which was rebuilt after an earthquake in the 15th century. At the north end of the aisle is the tombstone of Erasmus. Stop at the imposing red sandstone City Hall with its pinnacles and frescoes. In the afternoon cross the border into France and drive to Ronchamp to visit the Church of Corbusier. Continue to Colmar, named “Little Venice of Alsace”. See the decorated Renaissance houses and St. Martin’s Cathedral. Then we will visit the Unterlinden museum with the famous altarpiece by Mathias Grunwald. After this, we will have free time in Colmar before we return to Basel to our hotel for the night.

Day 6: Basel, Lucerne
After having breakfast we will take the train to Lucerne. The city is nestled along the shores of beautiful Lake Geneva. We can see the Old Town with its ramparts and towers along with the covered wooden Chapel Bridge, the Jesuit church and the Lion monument. We will have free time here before we return to our hotel for the night.

Day 7: Lucerne, Berne, Geneva / UNESCO city tour in Berne and Chateau Chillon
Today we will discover the Swiss capital and UNESCO World Heritage Site at its beautiful best. In this stroll through Bern’s Old Town, we will learn more about the city‘s 800-year history. We will marvel at the late Gothic Cathedral (Münster) with its stunning portal and its depiction of the Last Judgment. Take advantage of this exclusive opportunity to view Bern‘s landmark, the Clock Tower (Zytglogge) from inside. In the afternoon we’ll take a cruise on Lake Geneva to visit the famous Chateau de Chillon near Montreux, one of the best-preserved medieval castles in Europe. We will then board the train from Montreux to Geneva and spend the night.

Day 8: Geneva, United Nations and Reformation Museum

On our last day in Switzerland we will enjoy the city of Geneva, including the United Nations, the Red Cross and the World Council of Churches. Geneva is also the city of Calvin and stronghold of the Reformation. We will stop at the Reformation Monument, a long wall, built against a 16th century rampart with the statues of the four Genovese reformers. After that we will see the University, Town Hall, St. Peter‘s Cathedral and the Auditoire, where Calvin taught and John Knox was a minister. In the afternoon we will visit the Reformation Museum to close out our tour. We will return to our hotel in Geneva for the night.

Day 9: Departure
We will transfer to the airport today for the return trip to the USA. (B/IF)

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, please CLICK HERE to tell us more about your tour requirements or call (800) 303-5534.