Heart of Switzerland – Lake Lucerne and the Interlaken Express – NEW AND IMPROVED ITINERARY
-
Lake Lucerne
-
Chapel Bridge and Water Tower, Lucerne in Summer ©Lucerne Tourism, Laila Bosco
-
Jesuit Church and the Reuss River, Lucerne in Summer ©Lucerne Tourism, Laila Bosco
-
Interlaken
-
Lakes, Mountains, Trains and Boats
Lake Lucerne – breathtaking scenery awaits on the lake’s shores and high up in the surrounding mountains. The backdrop of the Swiss Alps makes this tour an ideal setting for a combination of excursions and relaxation. Admire the stunning natural beauty of Switzerland from many vantage points. Journey along the route of the Interlaken Express through some of the most stunning landscapes of the Swiss Alps ever seen from a railway carriage. This tour also includes a visit to the city of Zurich with its stunning medieval old town, a paddle-steamer cruise and a ride on a funicular railway and double-deck cable car to the top of a mountain together with a visit to a glass factory and the home of chocolate, Lindt.
Dates
On request
Suggested Itinerary
Day 1
Depart the UK
Drive to Dover and take the ferry across to France. Continue south through France, making an overnight stop in the Reims area. Dinner is included at the hotel this evening.
Day 2
Travel to Switzerland
Depart after breakfast and continue the journey south, crossing the border into Switzerland and the Lake Lucerne resort of Hergiswil. Check-in at the hotel and relax before enjoying dinner together this evening.
Day 3
Lucerne Sightseeing by Train (driver’s rest day)
After breakfast, stroll to the nearby railway station and board a local train for the short journey to Lucerne and meet up with a local guide for a walking tour to discover Lucerne’s best-known attractions, including the remarkable medieval, covered Chapel Bridge and historic houses decorated with frescoes that line the picturesque town squares. Visit the Jesuit church, dating from the 17th century, and see the figure of a dying lion, hewn from the face of rock commemorating Swiss guards killed in Paris in 1792 during the Revolution.
After the tour there will be free time to get some lunch, stroll through the medieval streets or along the flower-decked lakeside promenade before embarking on a leisurely round-trip lake cruise offering unparalleled views of the surrounding alps.
Return to the hotel by local train. Dinner is at the hotel this evening.
Day 4
HIGHLIGHT: Lucerne-Interlaken Express with Lake Brienz Steamer Cruise and Sherlock Holmes
Depart Lucerne on the panoramic Lucerne-Interlaken Express train, passing idyllic villages, roaring waterfalls and stunning alpine scenery en-route to Interlaken Ost station where we will disembark. There will be some free time in Interlaken to get some lunch, have a drink or stroll around the many designer and souvenir shops – all overlooked by the mighty Jungfrau mountains and Bernese Oberland.
In the afternoon embark on a relaxing paddle-steamer cruise on Lake Brienz. Be immersed in the beautiful scenery and stunning natural landscapes as you sail across the crystal clear waters. On arrival in Brienz, the coach will be waiting to drive to the nearby town of Meiringen, made famous by the literary Sherlock Holmes and where the tasty ‘meringue’ was invented. If time, perhaps visit the Sherlock Holmes Museum (additional cost payable locally) and take a look at the statue of him in the town before returning to the hotel.
Day 5
Hergiswil Glass Factory and Stanserhorn Funicular and Cable Car
After breakfast, make the short drive to the lakeside town of Hergiswil. Here we will visit ‘Glasi Hergiswil’, a Swiss glass manufacturer, and see how the glass is made and learn how the art of glass-making developed in Hergiswil. The museum is home to the first glass labyrinth in Switzerland which opened in 2012 and visitors are welcome to try and navigate their way through (at a supplementary cost). There is also an on-site gift shop and there are plenty of places to purchase a drink and/or something to eat nearby.
After the tour there will be some free time before making the short drive to the village of Stans. From here we will take a nostalgic journey in timber carriages on a funicular railway towards the summit of the Stanserhorn then transfer onto the World’s first Cabrio cable car, the top deck of which is entirely open! At the summit you can enjoy magnificent and unobstructed views of the lakes and mountains. There is also a restaurant and souvenir shop.
Back in Stans, board the coach and make the short journey back to the hotel for dinner and an evening at leisure.
Day 6
Zurich Old Town, Lake Cruise and Lindt Home of Chocolate
Meet up with a local guide for a walking tour of the charming old town of Zurich. Highlights include the Lindenhof Palace which offers sweeping views over the city and Lake Zurich, the lively Niederdorf district and the iconic Grossmunster Church.
After some free time, embark on a short cruise across Lake Zurich to the small town of Kirchberg, From here make the short 15 minute lakeside stroll to visit the Lindt Home of Chocolate to see the world’s tallest chocolate fountain and enjoy an indulgent chocolate tasting with the option to make purchase before leaving.
Return to the hotel by coach for dinner and evening at leisure.
Day 7
Depart Switzerland
Depart after breakfast for the return journey through Switzerland and into France, stopping once again in the Reims area for an overnight stay. Dinner is included at the hotel.
Day 8
Return to the UK
Depart after breakfast, continuing north to the ferry port in France and take the short sea crossing to the UK, and home.
Suggested hotel – inspected by Greatdays staff in 2024
4* Seehotel Pilatus, Hergiswil
| Departure date | 8 days / 7 nights | Single Supplement |
| Price on request | Price on Request |
