Swiss Sampler 8-day (Self-guided Switzerland sightseeing tour)
Length: 8 days, 7 nights
Visit: Zermatt, Wengen/Mürren, Lucerne, Lugano, Zurich
Railpass: 8 day Swiss Saverpass
Meals: All breakfasts (7), 4 dinners
If you're looking for a good introduction to Switzerland, and would like to see as much as possible in a short time, our Swiss Sampler self-guided tour may be just the tour for you! We've put together what I think is the best week-long introduction to Switzerland. It combines stays in 3 of Switzerland's prettiest and most interesting cities - Lucerne (Luzern), Lugano and Zurich - along with visits to 2 of the most incredible mountain areas anywhere - the Matterhorn region (Zermatt) and Jungfrau region (your choice of Wengen or Mürren).
Your typical day will start with a buffet breakfast at your inn - delicious fresh baked bread, local cheeses, cereal, fruit, coffee and juice - giving you a good start for a full day of sightseeing. Then you'll be out, seeing the sights such as Luzern's Chapel Bridge or Mount Pilatus, Switzerland's highest train station - the Jungfraujoch, or breathtaking Gornergrat in Zermatt. Many days will include a scenic train ride between villages such as the Golden Pass route or spectacular stretches of the Glacier Express. In the mountains you'll finish with a multi-course dinner at your hotel restaurant, while in the cities we've left evenings free for you to explore some of the many restaurants in Lucerne, Lugano and Zurich.
 Choose between a luxury option with distinctive inns, 4 and 5-star hotels, and a 1st class railpass or our standard option with more modest inns, 3-star hotels, and a 2nd class railpass. As always, you can count on your hotels being the best in their class - charming, family run inns with perfect locations, great food, and professional service. We'll take care of all the details: get you the most appropriate rail pass, find the best hotels, recommend our favorite sights, and link them together in an itinerary that gets the most out of your week in Switzerland!
Day 1 Arrive in Switzerland, and transfer by train to Zermatt, the atmospheric mountain village nestled up at the foot of the Matterhorn. The Matterhorn is Switzerland's most recognizable monument, a massive and distinctive mountain surrounded by dozens of fine, glacier-clad peaks. Ride a cablecar up to stunning viewpoints, or just enjoy the ambiance of the village with great restaurants and hotels, and a lively shopping district. Stay in Zermatt.
Day 2 You have a second day in Zermatt to take in the sights. The historic cogwheel train ride of up the ridge at Gornergrat is a must, with gorgeous views of Monte Rosa (Switzerland's highest mountain), the Gorner glacier, Matterhorn and more. If you want to get out, there are many walks from easy strolls to challenging hikes to choose from. Stay in Zermatt.
 Day 3 A beautiful 4 hour train ride brings you to the Bernese Oberland to the Jungfrau region, where you'll stay in your choice of car-free villages, Wengen or Mürren. Wengen is slightly larger and more convenient to the Jungfraujoch, an unforgettable train ride that tunnels through the Eiger to upper reaches of the Jungfrau mountain. Mürren is quieter, with slightly better mountain views, and the perfect place to unwind and slow down. Stay in Wengen or Mürren.
Day 4 A second day in either Wengen or Mürren gives you a chance to fully appreciate this incredible region, my favorite in Switzerland. This is the Switzerland of fairy-tales, with soaring mountains, flower-munching cows, quaint villages and countless waterfalls. Ride the Jungfraujoch or Schilthorn cablecar, see the Yosemite-like Lauterbrunnen valley, or take a beautiful alpine walk. Stay in Wengen or Mürren.
Day 5 The scenic Goldenpass train route takes you through Interlaken, past beautiful lakes, and into Lucerne, Switzerland's prettiest city. Stay in Lucerne's charming Old Town center and see the Chapel Bridge, the Lion of Luzern, and perhaps an excursion to Mount Pilatus. Stay in Lucerne.
 Day 6 A beautiful train ride brings you to Lugano, Switzerland's sun-drenched, lakeside pearl. This Italian-speaking region brings a distinctly mediterranean feel, with charming outdoor markets on narrow, cobblestoned streets. Enjoy a swim in Lake Lugano and a night of la Dolce Vita! Stay in Lugano.
Day 7 Take the train back to Zurich, Switzerland's main city with a surprisingly quaint and walkable city center. Lose yourself in a maze of narrow, winding streets filled with shops, cafes and restaurants, and enjoy a fantastic dinner on your last night in Switzerland. Stay in Zurich.
Day 8 A 10-minute train ride from the city center brings you to the airport for your post-tour destination.
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| Standard Tour Cost: | $1690 (per person sharing a double) |
| $200 (single supplement) |
| Luxury Tour Cost: | from $2690 (per person sharing a standard double) |
| $300 (single supplement) |
| Arrival and Departure: | This tour is designed for arrival and departure in Zurich. Geneva can be accommodated by changing the last night from Zurich to Geneva. |
Do you have more time? See our 11-day Swiss Sampler itinerary, or contact us to build your own.
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