Day 1: Zurich– Baden – Berne – Thun –Gstaad –Montreux
We start our tour at Zurich Mainstation and head directly to Baden, a small historic town with hot springs and castle remains. We have lunch in Berne, the capital. You get the chance to vist the House of Parliament and to learn about the special Swiss political system. Thun is especially known as army capital, so it's needed to expain the meaning of "Switzerland hasn't an army, it is an army". But don't mind, we can also vist the old town and the castle. Later we travel on the famous GoldenPassLine to Montreux, stopping in Gstaad, a chic ski resort.
Day 2: Montreux – Geneva – Lausanne
This day we spend around Lake Geneva: In contrast to yesterday we are now in the French speaking area with a slightly different mentality. We start the day with a visit to the famous Chillon Castle at lakeside. Then we head to Geneva, not without stopping in the beautiful wineyards before. Geneva is Switzerland's international center, hosting many international organisations. Here you get the UN,the Red Cross, art galleries, science at the CERN and the old town and of course you can have an international meal. Lausanne is not easy to walk because it is built on a slope, fortunately a metro connects the seaside (Olympic museum) with the old town. Here you shouln't miss the fine gothic cathedral.
Day 3: Lausanne – Martigny – Sion – Zermatt
We leave the Lake Geneva and dive into the Rhone Valley of Wallis before going up the way to Zermatt. Of course you see the famous Matterhorn, you can go up by cablecar to its neighbour, the Little Matterhorn an marvel at the magnificent glacier or take a mountain train drive to the Gornergrat. For those less interesting in mountaining there's the possiblity to spend time in Sion an Martigny exploring some museums and castles.
Day 4: Zermatt – Domodossola – Locarno
Today our aim is the Italian part of Switzerland, where you feel strong Italian influence in weather and food. A part of our train journey even passes through Italy. We arrive in the late afternoon in Locarno so you get enough time to explore the town or to go on Cardada, Locarno's house mountain with stunning views over Lake Maggiore. Mountain walking, paragliding or mountain biking is also an option. For town-lovers, it isn't far to Lugano and Bellinzona neither.
Day 5: Locarno – Schaffhausen – Stein am Rhein - St.Gallen
From the south to the top north and then far east. That means for Switzerland less than 6 hours train ride. On the way to Schaffhausen we pass through the Gotthard tunnel, beside Lake Lucerne and Zurich. Schaffhausen welcomes you with the Rhinefall, Europe's biggest waterfall and with the Munot fortress and of course with an old town. But the architectural highlite of the day is the small town Stein am Rhein with Switzerland's most beautiful town square. Along Lake Constance we still reach St.Gallen.
Day 6: St.Gallen–Lucerne
We don't miss exploring St.Gallen in the morning, especially not the World Heritage-listed cathedral complex and the abbey library. Then we board the Voralpen-Express, which theoretically takes you directly to Lucerne. But why not take a break on the way to relax in Europe's biggest waterpark, the Alpamare or spend a part of the way by ship on Lake Lucerne. However, the touristic capital Lucerne is really very nice, offering you a great old town on the seaside, many historic museums and many shopping opportunities.
Day 7: Lucerne – Zurich
Time to say goodbye. But before we enjoy our last day. A good option in the morning would be to climb Mt Pilatus, so you get nice views over Lake Lucerne. Finally we take a walk through Zurich, Switzerlands biggest town and financial capital. Many churches, the Swiss National Museum, art gallerys or the zoo are some ideas. Or open a bank account at a nice Swiss Bank where your money is well-protected by our bank secret;) If you still have energy, go clubbing the night!
We start our tour at Zurich Mainstation and head directly to Baden, a small historic town with hot springs and castle remains. We have lunch in Berne, the capital. You get the chance to vist the House of Parliament and to learn about the special Swiss political system. Thun is especially known as army capital, so it's needed to expain the meaning of "Switzerland hasn't an army, it is an army". But don't mind, we can also vist the old town and the castle. Later we travel on the famous GoldenPassLine to Montreux, stopping in Gstaad, a chic ski resort.
Day 2: Montreux – Geneva – Lausanne
This day we spend around Lake Geneva: In contrast to yesterday we are now in the French speaking area with a slightly different mentality. We start the day with a visit to the famous Chillon Castle at lakeside. Then we head to Geneva, not without stopping in the beautiful wineyards before. Geneva is Switzerland's international center, hosting many international organisations. Here you get the UN,the Red Cross, art galleries, science at the CERN and the old town and of course you can have an international meal. Lausanne is not easy to walk because it is built on a slope, fortunately a metro connects the seaside (Olympic museum) with the old town. Here you shouln't miss the fine gothic cathedral.
Day 3: Lausanne – Martigny – Sion – Zermatt
We leave the Lake Geneva and dive into the Rhone Valley of Wallis before going up the way to Zermatt. Of course you see the famous Matterhorn, you can go up by cablecar to its neighbour, the Little Matterhorn an marvel at the magnificent glacier or take a mountain train drive to the Gornergrat. For those less interesting in mountaining there's the possiblity to spend time in Sion an Martigny exploring some museums and castles.
Day 4: Zermatt – Domodossola – Locarno
Today our aim is the Italian part of Switzerland, where you feel strong Italian influence in weather and food. A part of our train journey even passes through Italy. We arrive in the late afternoon in Locarno so you get enough time to explore the town or to go on Cardada, Locarno's house mountain with stunning views over Lake Maggiore. Mountain walking, paragliding or mountain biking is also an option. For town-lovers, it isn't far to Lugano and Bellinzona neither.
Day 5: Locarno – Schaffhausen – Stein am Rhein - St.Gallen
From the south to the top north and then far east. That means for Switzerland less than 6 hours train ride. On the way to Schaffhausen we pass through the Gotthard tunnel, beside Lake Lucerne and Zurich. Schaffhausen welcomes you with the Rhinefall, Europe's biggest waterfall and with the Munot fortress and of course with an old town. But the architectural highlite of the day is the small town Stein am Rhein with Switzerland's most beautiful town square. Along Lake Constance we still reach St.Gallen.
Day 6: St.Gallen–Lucerne
We don't miss exploring St.Gallen in the morning, especially not the World Heritage-listed cathedral complex and the abbey library. Then we board the Voralpen-Express, which theoretically takes you directly to Lucerne. But why not take a break on the way to relax in Europe's biggest waterpark, the Alpamare or spend a part of the way by ship on Lake Lucerne. However, the touristic capital Lucerne is really very nice, offering you a great old town on the seaside, many historic museums and many shopping opportunities.
Day 7: Lucerne – Zurich
Time to say goodbye. But before we enjoy our last day. A good option in the morning would be to climb Mt Pilatus, so you get nice views over Lake Lucerne. Finally we take a walk through Zurich, Switzerlands biggest town and financial capital. Many churches, the Swiss National Museum, art gallerys or the zoo are some ideas. Or open a bank account at a nice Swiss Bank where your money is well-protected by our bank secret;) If you still have energy, go clubbing the night!
Note
To get to know the Swiss identity, we organise activities such as talks with members of parliament, visit a sport or cultural event, wine tasting or Swiss dinners. This activities will be listed in the detail programme in March because they aren't clear yet. But in any case there will be a selection of such activities.
To get to know the Swiss identity, we organise activities such as talks with members of parliament, visit a sport or cultural event, wine tasting or Swiss dinners. This activities will be listed in the detail programme in March because they aren't clear yet. But in any case there will be a selection of such activities.
Optional Day 8 with the ESNtrain: Zurich - Vienna (Bratislava)
ESN (Erasmus Student Network) is a European wide student organisation and one of their projects is the ESNtrain which travels across Europe from end of March until the 21 April. You would have the chance to join them on their last sector (Tuesday 21 April) from Zurich (leaving midnight) to Vienna/Bratislava travelling through St.Gallen, Munich and Linz. The exact timetable of the train and further information you find under http://www.esntrain.org/ . This additonal train package costs only 50 Euros in a 6 people compartment and 80 Euros in a 3 people compartment including train and guidance, breakfast and registration fee. You can book it directly with TheSwissTour.Those participating on this ESN-sector can also join the ESN-crew already on Monday afternoon on their trip to the Sechseläuten-Festival in Zurich.