Day 1 – Zurich
After arrival pick-up your car at the airport and drive to your hotel for check in. As a «metropolis of experiences» by the water, with a magnificent view of the snowcapped Alps on the horizon, Zürich offers a unique mixture of attractions. One of the recommended Grand Tour attractions is the Grossmünster, which is an Evangelical Protestant church in the Old Town of Zürich, and is one of Zürich‘s most famous landmarks. Overnight in Zürich.
Day 2 – Zurich – St Gallen
After breakfast drive to St. Gallen with a stopover at the Rhine Falls, Europe‘s largest waterfall, feeling the roar and vibration of the water over one‘s entire body – this can be experienced at the Rhine Falls near Schaffhausen. Continue to St. Gallen. The compact metropolis of eastern Switzerland between Lake Constance and Appenzellerland has a charming, traffic-free old town. Colourfully-painted oriel windows are a town feature. The Abbey precinct with the cathedral and Abbey Library has been accorded UNESCO World Heritage listing and belongs to the top attractions along the Grand Tour. Overnight in St. Gallen.
Day 3 – St Gallen – Davos
Today you will drive from St. Gallen to Davos. On your way you will pass the village of Appenzell. The Appenzell region is known for rural customs and traditions such as the ceremonial descent of the cattle in autumn and cultural events such as folk music and rustic dances. Continue your drive and have a stopover at `Heidi`s Village` in Maienfeld. The town lies in the distinctive Bündner Herrschaft region of Graubünden and inspired the poetess Johanna Spyri to write her novel Heidi. Continue your drive to Davos. Overnight in Davos.
Day 4 – Davos – Lugano
On your way to Lugano in the south of Switzerland you have several possibilities to experience the Grand Tour attractions. You can sit back and relax on a train ride on the most beautiful Alpine train, the Bernina Express. The cross-border Albula and Bernina Lines between Thusis and Tirano owe their 2008 inscription into the UNESCO World Heritage list to stunning scenery such as the Schyn Gorge, Morteratsch Glacier and Brusio spiral viaduct. If you prefer to be active do the hike on Mount Muottas Muragl near Pontresina. The entire Upper Engadine region lies at your feet when you are perched on the hiking mountain high above the Inn River Valley. The breathtaking views of the four lakes and the world-famous resort town of St. Moritz extend far beyond the mountain ranges into the distant horizon. Continue to Lugano. Overnight in Lugano.
Day 5 – Lugano – Zermatt
Leaving to Zermatt one must visit Monte Brè. Since 1912 a funicular rail has been making its way from Cassarate by Lugano to the scenic mountain above Lake Lugano.Trips up there are worthwhile if just for the views! Depart Mediterranean Ticino, heading north to cross the famous St. Gotthard Pass and Furka Pass along the Aletsch Glacier. The Aletsch Glacier is the biggest glacier in the Alps, with a length of 23 km. To explore the Aletsch Glacier is to take a magnificent journey into a stunning world of ice and rocks, Alpine flowers and forests. Continue moving down to Täsch, last stop for your car before you continue by train on to Zermatt. Overnight in Zermatt
Day 6 – Zermatt – Montruex
Take time this morning to walk through Zermatt, at the foot of the Matterhorn: traditional shops and wooden clad houses creating a charming place to explore. A morning trip up the exhilarating open air Gornergrat railway is not to be missed, for unrivalled views over the 4000m peaks surrounding Zermatt. After making your way back down to Täsch to collect your car, your route begins with a stunning drive up through the Valais, views dominated by amazing peaks. The river and forests accompany you as you enter French speaking Switzerland, heading through Sierre and Sion. After travelling through Martigny, your final leg takes you up through Aigle and along the shores of Lake Geneva to Montreux, one of the most popular holiday resorts in the Lake Geneva region. One must not miss a visit to the famous Castle Chillon. The Castle is located on a rock on the banks of Lake Geneva. The water castle is the most visited historic building in Switzerland. For nearly four centuries Chillon was the residence and profitable toll station of the Counts of Savoy. Overnight in Montreux.
Day 7 – Montruex – Gstaad
Today you have one of your longest drives but also a very fascinating one with interesting sights to see along your way to Gstaad. Continue to the surrounded orchards and terraced vineyards of the Lavaux and further to Lausanne, the second-largest city on Lake Geneva. Sports and culture are given a high profile in the Olympic capital. Make sure you visit the Olympic Museum. Continue your drive to Freiburg, which is nestled on a rock promontory and is surrounded on three sides by the Saane River. It is one of the largest medieval towns in Üechtland. Over 200 unique Gothic facades from the 15th century impart incomparable medieval charm to the Old Town. Drinking a cup of coffee in a leisurely fashion, admiring the old facades and beautiful fountains, listening to two local languages or gazing from the 74-meter spire of the Cathedral far into the countryside – this is an experience enjoyed in Fribourg. Further on your way you will pass the Greyerzer (Gruyère) region, with its rolling green landscape, it’s peaks of the Fribourg Pre-Alps and is home to the world-famous Gruyère cheese. Overnight in Gstaad.
Day 8 – Gstaad – Interlaken
Before you continue to Lucerne enjoy the beautiful scenery of the chalet village Gstaad, which attracts countless stars and starlets. Continue your drive to Interlaken. Enjoy a lake cruise on the turquoise Lake Brienz and neighbouring Lake Thun that are situated in the spectacular mountain setting of the Bernese Oberland. From Interlaken you can experience the majestic Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau summits, together with close-up views of the longest glacial flow. Overnight in Interlaken.
Day 9 – Interlaken – Lucerne
You will spend your last day in one of the nicest cities in Switzerland. Lucerne is the gateway to central Switzerland at Lake Lucerne and is embedded within an impressive mountainous panorama. Thanks to its attractions, its souvenir and watch shops, the beautiful lakeside setting and the nearby excursion of Mt Rigi, Pilatus and Stanserhorn, the town is a destination for many travel groups and individuals on their journey through central Switzerland. One of the highlights along the Grand Tour lies in Lucerne – the Chapel Bridge. The covered, wooden pedestrian walkway on the Chapel Bridge was built in the 14th century. In 1993 the bridge burned down but it was reconstructed true to the original. This large fire hit the international headlines. Do visit this landmark bridge. Overnight in Lucerne.
Day 10 – Lucerne – Zurich
Drive back to Zürich for rental car drop-off at the airport to take your flight back home.
