swiss Itineraries by Panache .Voyage
Swiss Gourmet Cheese, Wine & Chocolate Arrival in Zurich, transfer to Lucerne discover Sbrinz (Europe’s For For travelers passionate about fine food and wine, few countries have as much to offer as Switzerland. Its multicultural nature means there are a variety of different dishes from around the country, and the world, to be enjoyed in its leading restaurants. And in Switzerland artisanal production isn’t a trend that has caught on in the last few years, instead you’ll find dairies and other producers following time-honored traditions that stretch back for hundreds of years. Day 1. Arrival in Zurich and transfer to Lucerne. A private guided tour of the Old Town will include famous sites like the historic Chapel Bridge, and you’ll also have a chance to sample Sbrinz. Europe’s oldest cheese perhaps dates back as far as the Celts and continues to be produced in central Switzerland. Weather permitting, enjoy a 2 ½ hour private boat tour on the lake from Inseli Park. Overnight in Lucerne. Day 2. Transfer to Emmental where you will discover the famous savory cheese that is often referred to simply as “Swiss cheese.” You’ll continue your journey to the Jungfrau Region and take a ride on Europe’s highest railway before spending the night in Interlaken. Day 3. Transfer early in the morning to Bussalp-Eigeralp to see the traditional production of alpcheese over an open fire. Then you’ll board the GoldenPass train in Interlaken and travel to Gstaad. Day 4. Transfer to another world famous town that has given its name to a cheese, Gruyère. You’ll also be able to visit the Nestlé chocolate factory nearby and then continue to Bellelay, home of the “tete de moine” cheese. Your day will end in Neuchâtel where you can visit the watch museum and spend the night overlooking the lac.
Day 5. Transfer in the morning to the scenic UNESCO Lavaux region for a wine tasting followed by a breathtaking lunch at “le Deck.” After lunch, you’ll head to Montreux/Lausanne where you will have the afternoon free. Day 6. Enjoy a river cruise and sample more Swiss wines at a renowned Geneva restaurant located in the vineyards. You will have the afternoon free for exploring and shopping in downtown Geneva. Day 7. Start your day with a guided tour of Geneva in the morning and then lunch in the Old Town. Skip dessert, as the afternoon includes a private tour of the best Geneva chocolates and a private atelier with Switzerland’s best chocolatier. HOTELS Lucerne — Lucerne Palace Hotel Interlaken — Linder Grand Hotel Beau Rivage Gstaad — Gstaad Palace Neuchâtel — Beau Rivage Neuchâtel Geneva — Hotel Beau Rivage Geneva
Swiss Watches & Art This week-long itinerary highlights both Swiss craftsmanship—its famous watches and knives—as well as its contributions to the worlds of art, architecture and design. You’ll see important works by painter Paul Klee, the architect Le Corbusier, and others. Between all the cultural highlights, we will also make sure you experience the best of Switzerland’s hotels and restaurants. Day 1. Arrival in Geneva. After lunch you will participate in a workshop where you will assemble your very own Swiss watch with a pro. Overnight in Geneva. Day 2. Transfer to Neuchâtel where you will go on a VIP watch manufacturer tour (Piaget & Louis Moinet), have lunch at one of the area’s best restaurants, and then in the afternoon visit the famous watch museum of the city of Neuchâtel. Overnight in Neuchâtel. Day 3. After breakfast, you’ll visit the Wenger factory, the creators of the original Swiss Army knife. Next you’ll travel to La Chaux-deFonds, the birthplace of Le Corbusier and home to several important buildings by him. There will also be time to visit the International Watch Museum with its collection of over 4,500 watches. Overnight in Neuchâtel. Day 4. Transfer to Basel where you will explore some of the city’s famous museums—Kunstmuseum, Beyeler, Schaulager, and the Vitra Design museum—on a private guided tour. Overnight in Basel. Day 5. In the morning you’ll head to Schaffausen to see the IWC manufacturer, unique as the only watch company located in this region of Switzerland. You’ll then go on a boat to see the Rhine Falls and enjoy a typical Swiss lunch overlooking Europe’s largest waterfall. Overnight in Zurich.
Day 6. In the morning, a private guided tour of Zurich’s Old Town will be followed by visits to some of the city’s most famous sites including the Kunsthaus, Landesmuseum, Le Corbusier-Heidi Weber Museum, and churches with windows by Marc Chagall. Transfer to Lucerne to visit the Rosengart Museum and Zytturm Museum, and also the city’s historic clocks and old wooden bridge. Overnight in Lucerne. Day 7. Enjoy a morning lake cruise before heading to the Zurich airport for your onward journey. HOTELS Geneva — Hotel D’Angleterre Neuchâtel —Beau Rivage Neuchâtel Basel — Grand Hotel Les Trois Rois Zurich — Hotel Storchen Lucerne — Lucerne Palace
Winter Sports Switzerland is the home of many iconic Alpine peaks as well as a wide variety of the most celebrated and exclusive ski resorts in Europe. You’ll be able to enjoy both old-school, flawless service at luxury hotels as well as state-of-the-art infrastructure both on the mountains and as you travel around the country. At the end of a day on the slopes, world-class spas and upscale shopping await, all set against an alpine backdrop of lakes and mountains. Switzerland’s spectacular scenery, beautiful and traditional mountain villages, great skiing, and many après-ski options make it a uniquely wonderful winter destination. The list of mountain resorts is long, but we strongly recommend the following: St-Moritz, Zermatt, Gstaad, Verbier, and CransMontana. Historic St-Moritz first attracted winter guests to the Alps back in 1864 while Zermatt is home to the Matterhorn, one of the world’s most iconic peaks. Gstaad is a favorite of the world’s jet set while Verbier and Crans-Montana offer exceptional family experiences with a French flavor. Our Geneva-based team will create a trip that will exceed your expectations and all our itineraries are tailor-made according to each client’s requests. Come and see why the Swiss Alps have been on the must-see list of travelers for centuries and enjoy the scenery, the après-ski scene, and the delicious Swiss fare.
Road to Wellness Switzerland has long been famous as a center of medical excellence, dating as far back as the Romans, who traveled to the country’s many mineral springs famous for their therapeutic effects. In the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, travelers to Switzerland rediscovered the health benefits of mountain hikes and alpine air. Today, the ageold springs and even older Alps are paired with an incomparable range and quality of state-of-the-art medical treatments. Swiss doctors are world renowned for their research and development of modern treatment practices while Swiss cosmetics and creams are celebrated as the very best. The country also hosts some of the world’s top clinics for overall health assessments, weight loss, re-balancing programs, and pain management/reduction. Our team will ensure that you receive an experience tailored around your health and wellness needs. Medical experts in any conditions that are of concern will be contacted prior to your visit. Treatments will be arranged and you will be assisted with all logistics both prior to your arrival and once you are in Switzerland. Assistance will be provided throughout your stay as we handle all the details around lodging, transfers, check-ins, doctors’ appointments, and other medical visits. All you have to do is take advantage of this time to focus on your health and well being.
History & the Four Regions Switzerland is truly the heart of Europe, sitting between Italy, France, Germany, and Austria. At the crossroads of the Continent, the small country has been the stage for many pivotal moments in history. It also is unique as a country with four official languages: French, German, Italian and, not least, Romansh. For the traveler interested in culture and history, few countries offer as much. Day 1. Arrival in Geneva, transfer to your hotel and then meet up with your private guide to explore this city that is the birthplace of Calvinism, the United Nations, and the Red Cross. Overnight in Geneva. Day 2. Transfer to Lausanne, where you will take the wine route to Montreux, pass through the Lavaux, and visit the Château de Chillon. Overnight in Montreux. Day 3. Transfer on the GoldenPass train via Interlaken to Bern, Switzerland’s capital. Enjoy a private guided tour to discover the city’s gems, such as its perfectly restored old town and the Bear Park. Overnight in Lucerne. Day 4. Take a guided tour of Lucerne’s Old Town with stops at the Lion Monument, the Wooden Bridge, and some of its many clocks. Then ascend on the steepest cable car of its kind for stunning views from the summit of Mount Pilatus. Overnight in Lucerne.
Day 5. Board the 5-hour Wilhelm Tell Express, an unbelievable boat and train journey via the Four Cantons Lake. Here you will see Rutli Meadow where the original four cantons swore an Oath of Eternal Alliance in 1291. You will then embark on a first-class train that will take you across the Graubunden Alps to the Italian part of Switzerland—Ticino and the “Swiss Riviera” on Lake Maggiore. Overnight in Lugano. Day 6. Today’s journey on the Bernina Express takes you from Lugano to St-Moritz across the Engadine Valley and several famous alpine crossings. Enjoy some leisure time in exclusive St-Moritz. Overnight in St-Moritz. Day 7. Continue from St-Moritz on the Glacier Express, visit the historic town of Chur and then transfer to the tiny principality of Liechtenstein. Visit the castle and museum. Overnight in Vaduz. Day 8. Transfer to Appenzell where you will visit a famous cheese dairy and continue on to picturesque St-Gallen for a private guided tour. Overnight in Zurich. Day 9. In the morning head to Schaffhausen to see the IWC watch factory and then embark on a boat to enjoy a typical Swiss lunch overlooking Europe’s largest waterfall. Leisure time in the afternoon. Overnight in Zurich. Day 10. In the morning, enjoy a private guided tour of Zurich, including the Old Town and Fraumunster, with its glass windows by Giacometti and Chagall. Depart in the afternoon. HOTELS Geneva — Beau Rivage Geneva, President Wilson Montreux — Le Fairmont Montreux Palace Lucerne — Villa Honegg, Lucerne Palace Lugano — Villa Principe Leopoldo St-Moritz — Badrutt’s Palace Vaduz — Park Hotel Sonnenhof Zurich — Hotel Storchen
Trains & Treks Two of Switzlerand’s most popular features are combined in this itinerary. You’ll travel on some of the country’s most iconic and legendary trains and also follow hiking trails through alpine settings and to the summits of soaring peaks. However you spend your day exploring, you can be assured that stops en route include fine meals and fascinating sites and, at the end of each day, you’ll be arriving at one of the country’s top hotels. Day 1. Arrival in Zurich. Enjoy a private guided tour of the Old Town and a typical local lunch before heading to Davos by rail. The train will take you through green meadows and mountain valleys across the Graubunden region. Overnight in Davos. Day 2. Explore Davos. Europe’s highest city is famous for its annual conferences of world leaders, but it also boasts a network of hiking trails through spectacular alpine scenery. Overnight in Davos. Day 3. Board the famous Bernina Express, one of the most impressive rail journeys in the world. For more than a century, travelers on the train have been crossing over breathtaking viaducts and passing through the Gothard Tunnel. Overnight in Lugano. Day 4. Discover Lugano, the “Monte Carlo of Switzerland,” in the Swiss Italian region of Ticino. Take the funicular railway up to Monte San Salvatore where you will enjoy a breathtaking view over the lake. Hike back down and return by boat. Overnight in Lugano. Day 5. Transfer to Agno for what may literally be the high point of your trip, a 35- to 45-minute helicopter flight to Zermatt, high in the Swiss Alps. Overnight in Zermatt.
Day 6. Today is all about the Matterhorn and you will hike up the Gornergratt to take in the views of Monte-Rosa. You can also choose to travel on the world’s highest cable car, ascending Klein Matterhorn, and try summer skiing on a glacier. Overnight in Zermatt. Day 7. Ride the train to Geneva through scenic alpine valleys and along the shores of Lake Leman. Upon arrival, enjoy a walking tour of the Old Town, checking out some of its famous shopping and other sites. Overnight in Geneva. Day 8. In the morning, visit the United Nations, the Red Cross Museum, and walk around the district that is home to many international organizations before continuing your journey. HOTELS Davos — Steigenberger Lugano — Villa Principe Leopoldo Zermatt — Mont-Cervin Geneva — President Wilson
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