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Swiss Chalet Road — Zurich to Geneva — 8D/7N
Crystalline ice palaces, Alpine herders yodeling musically from floral meadows, cable cars to towering mountain peaks — and carefully chosen, traditional Swiss chalets! The diversity of the landlocked, mountainous country is the essence of Switzerland and gives the country its unique identity. Lucerne, the gateway to central Switzerland, sited on Lake Lucerne, is embedded within an impressive mountainous panorama. Interlaken in the Bernese Oberland between Lakes Thun and Brienz and at the feet of the three famous peaks Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau is a holiday and conference resort of international importance, and an ideal starting point for countless excursions to the region’s top destinations. The fashionable holiday resort with village character and a spacious park nestles between Lakes Thun and Brienz at an altitude of 570 metres above sea level and boasts a fantastic view of the Jungfrau Massif.
The Valais-resort of Zermatt in the Matt valley is one of Switzerland’s most famous holiday resorts and a centre of attraction for many international guests. Thirty eight, four-thousand-metre peaks, dominated by the world-renowned Matterhorn, the world’s most-photographed summit, rise to the heavens around the village. In spite of its high profile, Zermatt retains the charm of a Swiss mountain village. Electric vehicles and horse-drawn cabs and sledges are the principal means of transportation in this car-free town. After feeling as if you were living in Heidi’s time, you’ll suddenly find yourself in Gruyères amid the works of H.R. Giger, the creator of Alien! Whatever you do or don’t do, do not miss the Castle of Gruyères and the demonstration cheese dairy.
SELF DRIVE PROGRAMS - Probably, the best way to independently travel in Europe is by self-drive car as it allows you to be mobile at all times, to stop whenever you want, to visit to your heart’s content! A limitless number of itineraries are possible, as you can combine any of the different regions and cities to create “your own” program. All our self drive example itineraries will be customized with your choice of car and with accommodation at selected hotels, villas, boutique properties, manor houses or castles as per your preference. Take them as they are, lengthen, shorten, combine them as you desires or just use them for ideas in creating “your itinerary” to discover Europe “as you want”! If you like the tour and decide to further customize it, just let us know of your needs and desires, we will prepare the exact itinerary you are looking for.
Sketch Itinerary
- Day 1 — Zurich, Lucerne - Take delivery of you car this morning and travel the short route to the Lake of Lucerne and settle in at your hotel.
- Day 2 — Lucerne - A day of exploring the lakeside villages of Brunnen and Weggis as well as a trip up to the Rigi- Kulm on the rack railway for an unforgettable view over the surroundinh lakes and mountains. Later, wander through ancient Lucerne with its 15th and 16th century houses and medieval covered bridges.
- Day 3 — Interlaken - This morning drive via the Brunig Pass deep into the very heart of Switzerland to Interlaken situated below the mighty Jungfrau in the midst of the greatest mountain scenery in Europe. Here there is an endless variety of walks and excursions to such famous attractions as the Lauterbrunen Valley, Trummelbach Falls and the high mountain villages of Murren, Wengen and Grindelwald.
- Day 4 — Interlaken - A day of leisure for independent activities. You may be tempted to take the spectacular cog wheel rail journey all the way up to the Jungfraujoch - the highest railway station in Europe at an elevation of 11,340 ft. The adventure takes you a succession of alpine valleys, ice fields and massive glaciers. One of the world’s great train experiences.
- Day 5 — Zermatt - The drive today takes you through the mountains to Zermatt. Nestled in a green valley encloed between steeply sloped mountains, Zermatt is dominated by that “mountain of mountains”, the huge and gracefully curved pyramid of the Matterhorn. Settle into the cozy atmosphere for another night of Swiss friendliness and hospitality.
- Day 6 — Zermatt - Full day at leisure to discover the auto-free village and explore the old streets and quaint chalets of the village. Do not miss the famous Alpine Museum which contains relics of the early conquests of the Matterhorn and has a section devoted to reconstructed mountain-dweller homes. A day of revelation and discovery.
- Day 7 — Gruyeres - Leave Zermatt this morning driving via Sion and Gstaad to the delightful mountain village of Gruyeres. Here is a place famous for its long, and sometimes turbulent, history, its castle, its medieval houses and, course, its cheese.
- Day 8 — Geneva - A reluctant departure this morning as you make your way to Geneva where your Swiss Chalet Road ends.
Vantage World Strongly Recommends Insurance for all your Travel Programs
We provide, through TravelSafe Insurance, one of the nation’s largest and most respected providers of travel insurance, a TravelSafe Custom Plan, where you decide the benefits YOU want and the levels of protection YOU desire including access to their 24-hour emergency assistance service from anywhere in the world. Click the link below the Plan Benefits table for plan details.
US Residents - Download Full Plan Details Here
Canadian Residents - Download Full Plan Details Here
Vantage World Strongly Recommends Insurance for all your Travel Programs
We provide, through TravelSafe Insurance, one of the nation's largest and most respected providers of travel insurance, a TravelSafe Custom Plan, where you decide the benefits YOU want and the levels of protection YOU desire including access to their 24-hour emergency assistance service from anywhere in the world. Click the link below the Plan Benefits table for plan details.
