Swiss Alps & Cities in Winter: A Cultural and Natural Odyssey

10 Day Tour of Zurich, Interlaken and Geneva

Overview
Trip Map
Itinerary
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People enjoy the Alpine views from the terrace on top of Mount Pilatus mountain near Lucern, Switzerland

10 Days 9 Nights

Best Time: Jan-Dec

Nature Lovers

Cultural Exploration

Explore the heart of Switzerland without needing to strap on skis on this 10-day winter trip. You'll discover the wonders of Swiss nature as well as Zurich, Interlaken, and Geneva, and also venture into France. With private guided tours in each city, you'll combine the splendor of the Alps with the rich Swiss culture. Delight in mountain excursions to iconic peaks and tranquil gondola rides, as well as picturesque train journeys across the snow-laden countryside. Savor the warmth of Swiss hot chocolate against the backdrop of stunning Alpine vistas. With Go Real Travel's mobile app, you'll enjoy detailed travel guidance throughout your trip.

Explore Zurich's old town, discovering hidden gems and history, from Fraumünster to Grossmünster.
Embrace the scenic glory of Mount Pilatus and the Top of Europe for breathtaking views.
In Interlaken take a gondola ride to Schilthorn, ascend the Jungfrau, & enjoy a private nature tour.
Stroll Geneva's old town, dine on the lake, and explore its museums and landmarks.
Enjoy panoramic views of the Swiss Alps on relaxing train rides through Switzerland's countryside.

Explore Zurich's old town, discovering hidden gems and history, from Fraumünster to Grossmünster.
Embrace the scenic glory of Mount Pilatus and the Top of Europe for breathtaking views.
In Interlaken take a gondola ride to Schilthorn, ascend the Jungfrau, & enjoy a private nature tour.
Stroll Geneva's old town, dine on the lake, and explore its museums and landmarks.
Enjoy panoramic views of the Swiss Alps on relaxing train rides through Switzerland's countryside.

Fraumunster

Churches & Monasteries

Lake Zurich

Natural Beauty

Museum of Tourism

Museums & Galleries

Unterseen

Small Towns

Interlaken Monastery & Castle

Castles & Chateaux

Hohematte Park

Natural Beauty

Old Town

Historic Landmarks

United Nations

Historic Landmarks

Lake Geneva

Natural Beauty

Must see sights

Fraumunster

Churches & Monasteries

Lake Zurich

Natural Beauty

Museum of Tourism

Museums & Galleries

Unterseen

Small Towns

Interlaken Monastery & Castle

Castles & Chateaux

Hohematte Park

Natural Beauty

Old Town

Historic Landmarks

United Nations

Historic Landmarks

Lake Geneva

Natural Beauty

Starting from

$3675

per person

4.8 (365 reviews)

Not included

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Day-By-Day Itinerary

Day 1

Arrive Zurich

Day 1

Arrive Zurich

To Be Determined

Private Transfer from the Zurich Airport

We will schedule a pick up for 20 minutes after your flight's arrival time. You will be met in the terminal by an English speaking driver holding a sign with your name on it. The ride is for your party only - you will not be sharing a vehicle. The cost of the ride will be included in your itinerary package.

Day 1

Arrive Zurich

To Be Determined:

Zurich Airport Pickup

Mid-Day/Afternoon:

West Bank, Self-Guided

Late Afternoon/Early Evening:

East Bank, Self Guided

Day 1

Arrive Zurich

Day 1

Arrive Zurich

To Be Determined

Private Transfer from the Zurich Airport

Mid-Day/Afternoon

Self Guided Visit to Zürich's West Bank

A wander around the West Bank of Zürich's Limmat River will help you experience the city's development over the centuries, from its iconic Fraumünster church, the rise of its famous banking industry around Paradeplatz, its associations with the Irish writer James Joyce, and its impact on modern sporting history at the FIFA World Football Museum.

Late Afternoon/Early Evening

Self Guided Tour of Zurich East Bank

Explore the environs of the left bank of the Limmat River in Zurich, including, for example, Grossmünster church where the Protestant Reformation found a receptive audience, as well as the modern artistic masterpieces housed in the Kunsthaus, before settling down to a traditional hearty cheese fondue somewhere along the pedestrianized Niederdorfstrasse.

Day 2

Zurich

Day 2

Zurich

Day 2

Zurich

Day 2

Zurich

9:00 AM - 11:30 AM

Private Introductory tour of the Zurich Old Town

During this 2.5-hour private walking tour, you will learn how Switzerland became Switzerland, and why Zurich is its most populated and important city. The walk towards the lake will take you to the Lindenhof, where you will enjoy a marvelous view of the Limmat all the way over to the Grossmünster. From there you will head to the Fraumünster, passing by St. Peter's Church, which bears the biggest clock face in Europe. Passing by the side of the city's Grossmünster, you will walk from the Lake to the Niederdorfstrasse, where you will experience the focal point of Zurich's restaurants and bars.

Mid-Day to Late Afternoon

Self-Guided Excursion to Solothurn

Said to be the most beautiful Baroque city in Switzerland, Solothurn has an easily navigable historic center filled with an incongruous architectural mix of Swiss-German rugged practicality and Italianate excess erected during the town's heyday in the 17th and 18th centuries.

Early Evening/Evening

Dining Out in Zurich

Zürich naturally offers all the traditional Swiss dishes that you've heard of, like fondue (melted cheese in which you dip pieces of bread), raclette (melted cheese with potatoes, from Wallis), rösti (potatoes), Spätzli, and typical Swiss cervelat (a big sausage served with "Bürli," a piece of bread). Nevertheless, since it also is very multicultural, you can find food from a lot of foreign cultures as well.

Day 3

Zurich to Interlaken

Day 3

Zurich to Interlaken

Day 3

Zurich to Interlaken

Day 3

Zurich to Interlaken

Morning to Afternoon

Self-Guided Excursion Up Mt Pilatus

In summer months, you can ride the steepest rack-railway in the world at a gradient of nearly 48 percent from Alpnachstad up the giant mountain of Mt Pilatus that looms over the city of Lucerne. In winter you can glide up the other side of the mountain on a cable car from Kriens. The highest point, Tomlishorn, with superlative views of Lake Lucerne, is only 30min on foot from the hotels and restaurants near the top.

5:55 PM

Taxi Transfer to Zurich Main Rail Station

Zurich taxis are generally reliable and honest, so this is cheaper than a pre-arranged transfer. If you are picked up one hour prior to departure, you should have plenty of time to catch your train.

19:02 - 19:58, 21:06 - 21:57

Rail to Interlaken

A Swiss Travel Pass for this two-hour and fifteen-minute train journey to Interlaken is included with the purchase of an itinerary. You will receive detailed instructions for the trip and a translation and explanation of your tickets. Bern is the capital of Switzerland and the home of Toblerone chocolate.

9:57 PM

Rail Pickup by Taxi

Upon arrival in Interlaken, you will exit the rail station and proceed to the taxi stand where you will find taxis waiting for arriving passengers. Taxis in Interlaken are generally reliable and honest and are less expensive than using a pre-arranged pick up service for your transfer to the hotel. Detailed arrival information and instructions for taking a taxi are provided in the Full-Length itinerary with purchase of an itinerary.

Day 4

Interlaken

Day 4

Interlaken

Day 4

Interlaken

Day 4

Interlaken

Early Morning to Late Afternoon

Self-Guided Excursion up Jungfrau

Journey directly through the famous Eiger Mountain to what the Swiss called "The Top of Europe", the icy, windswept gap in the mountain ridges known as Jungfraujoch at 3,454m/11,332ft just below the summit of Jungfrau. The train ride to the top is not cheap, but it's the highest train station in Europe and definitely an unforgettable experience.

Late Afternoon to Evening

Self-Guided Tour of Interlaken's Historic Center

Although the overwhelming number of visitors to Interlaken come to the city to access the mountains throughout the Bernese Oberland in general and the Jungfrau region in particular, there are nevertheless a number of attractions in the town worth seeing, like the castle, the Unterseen (Old Town) district, and the Museum of Tourism.

Day 5

Interlaken

Day 5

Interlaken

Day 5

Interlaken

Day 5

Interlaken

8:00 AM - 4:00 PM

Lakes, Waterfalls & Gorge Private Tour

During this 8-hour tour, you will have a chance to discover the beauty of Swiss nature. Your personal driver/guide will pick you up from your hotel in the morning and together you'll discover the most spectacular places in the Interlaken neighborhood. The tour includes the Lake Brienz, Lake Thun, Iseltwald and Brienz villages, the Giessbach waterfalls and the famous Aare Gorge.

Day 6

Interlaken to Geneva

Day 6

Interlaken to Geneva

Day 6

Interlaken to Geneva

Day 6

Interlaken to Geneva

Early Morning to Afternoon

Self-Guided Excursion to Schilthorn

Discover the evil Blofeld's mountain top hideaway, Piz Gloria, from the film location for the James Bond film, On Her Majesty's Secret Service, by traveling to the Schilthorn summit on a jaw-dropping cable car ride via the winter resort of Mürren. Stop off at the Birg gondola station along the way to try out the hair-raising, glass-floored "thrill walk".

3:15 PM

Taxi Dropoff at Rail Station

Interlaken taxis are reliable and honest, so this is cheaper than a pre-arranged transfer. If you are picked up 45 minutes prior to departure, you should have plenty of time to catch your train.

16:00 - 16:52, 17:04 - 19:00

Rail Journey to Geneva

A Swiss Travel Pass for this approximately 3h rail journey from Interlaken to Geneva are included in the purchase of the itinerary package. Detailed directions and instructions that make the trip easy and stress-free are also included in the Full Itinerary.

7:00 PM

Arrival in Geneva and Self-Arranged Taxi Transfer to Hotel

Upon arrival in Geneva, you will exit the rail station and proceed to the taxi stand where you will find taxis waiting for arriving passengers. Taxis in Geneva are generally reliable and honest and are less expensive than using a pre-arranged pick up service for your transfer to the hotel. Detailed arrival information and instructions for taking a taxi are provided in the Full-Length itinerary with purchase of an itinerary.

Day 7

Geneva

Day 7

Geneva

Day 7

Geneva

Day 7

Geneva

9:00 AM - 11:00 AM

Privately Guided Walking Tour of Geneva

Your private guide will pick you up from your hotel and take you for a 2-hour walk through the center of Geneva. On this walk, you will visit Bastions Park where you’ll see the Reformation Wall, built in 1909 to celebrate religious reform in Europe. You'll discover special places related to people like Jean Calvin and Jean-Jacques Rousseau, or even presidents of the United States like Woodrow Wilson or Bill Clinton. You will also visit the peaceful Old Town with its majestic St. Peter’s Cathedral, the Jardin d’Anglais, to admire one of Patek Philippe’s most famous works, and the surprising, delightful Flower Clock. The tour will end at the Nations Park, where you will see the United Nations Organization Headquarters.

Mid-Day/Afternoon

Self Guided Tour of Old Town Geneva

Geneva’s Old Town, overlooking Lake Geneva, is a winding maze of narrow streets and small squares that are filled with cozy cafes and quaint restaurants. At the very center of the Old Town, or Vieille Ville, is Bourg-de-Four Square where the ancient Romans used to trade goods in the marketplace. The Maison Tavel, St. Pierre’s Cathedral, and the Old Arsenal are among some of the top places to visit in the city’s historic Old Town area. Be sure to explore the rich history concentrated in this part of the city.

Afternoon/Late Afternoon

Self-Guided Tour of the United Nations Quarter

Geneva is home to the United Nations European office, as well as the headquarters of many international and non-governmental organizations, and even the birthplace of the Red Cross. In the international area, you can find three unique but very different museums – the Red Cross and Red Crescent Museum, the Ariana Museum, and the ICT Discovery. All of these museums are within walking distance of the United Nations European Headquarters.

Early Evening/Evening

Dinner Cruise on Lake Geneva

On this Dinner Cruise you will join the Eldora Prestige team aboard the “Savoie” for a refined dining experience. The “Savoire,” originally built in 1914, has been restored to its previous Belle Epoque status to create the perfect setting for a delicious dinner.

Day 8

Geneva

Day 8

Geneva

Day 8

Geneva

Day 8

Geneva

Morning to Early Evening

Self Guided Excursion to Chamonix

Chamonix is a city of superlatives perfectly situated at the base of the highest peak of not only the Alps but in all of Europe, Mont Blanc. This French town has much to offer outdoor enthusiasts. For those who wish to get up close and personal with the mighty mountain, take the highest vertical cable car to Aiguille du Midi to come face to face with Mont Blanc and Step into the Void. See the largest glacier in France, Mer de Glace and walk through ice caves that have been carved into the glacier. Then explore the town center filled with outdoor shops, high-end boutiques, and traditional restaurants.

Early Evening/Evening

Dining Out in Geneva

Geneva naturally offers all the traditional Swiss dishes that you've heard of, like Fondue (melted cheese in which you dip pieces of bread), Raclette (melted cheese with potatoes, from Wallis), Rösti (potatoes), Spätzli and typical Swiss Cervelat (a big sausage served with a "Bürli", piece of bread). But since it also is very multicultural, you can find food from a lot of foreign cultures as well.

Day 9

Geneva

Day 9

Geneva

Day 9

Geneva

Day 9

Geneva

Early Morning to Mid-Day

Self Guided Activity Hiking Mount Saleve

One of the most popular excursions from Geneva is to Mount Salève. This is the first peak of the Alps that rises just southeast of Geneva. Even though Salève is located just across the border in France, the mountain has had ties to Geneva for over 120 years. Since Salève is located across the border into France, be sure that you have your passport with you.

Afternoon to Early Evening

Self Guided Excursion to Montreux

The traditional Swiss city of Montreux lies nestled among the mountains along the shore of Lake Geneva. Montreux is known for its microclimate, and the Montreux jazz festival held every year in July. Spend the day strolling along the promenade admiring not only the typical Swiss views of Lake Geneva and the Alps, but also the Mediterranean tree and Belle Époque buildings. Not far from the city is the famous Château de Chillon, a medieval castle on an island that is complete with ramparts, halls, and chapel.

Day 10

Depart Geneva

Day 10

Depart Geneva

Day 10

Depart Geneva

Day 10

Depart Geneva

To Be Determined

Taxi Dropoff at Geneva Airport

Geneva taxis are always reliable and honest, so taking a taxi is cheaper than a pre-arranged transfer. Your hotel will be happy to arrange a pick up for you. If you are picked up about 2.5 hours before your departure time, you should arrive at the airport with a little over two hours to spare. If you are leaving during rush hour, you may want to budget an extra fifteen minutes or so.

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Swiss Alps & Cities in Winter: A Cultural and Natural Odyssey

10 Day Tour of Zurich, Interlaken and Geneva

$3675

Secure Your Customizable Trip Enter your details to embark on a journey that can be tailored just for you.

Craft Your Own Itinerary Select your interests and destinations for a trip plan inspired by you.

Trip Map & Itinerary

Day-By-Day Itinerary

Private Transfer from the Zurich Airport

Secure Your Customizable Trip
Enter your details to embark on a journey that can be tailored just for you.

Craft Your Own Itinerary
Select your interests and destinations for a trip plan inspired by you.