Package Tour Switzerland 2

GRAND TOUR OF SWITZERLAND - UNESCO WORLD HERITAGE SITES OF SWITZERLAND - 10 DAYS / 9 NIGHTS

This edition of the Grand Tour of Switzerland takes you to the UNESCO World Heritage Sites, which can be found in the most diverse regions of Switzerland. Discover the uniqueness of the sites, each of which contributes to Switzerland's identity.

Highlights

• 12 UNESCO World Heritage Sites
• 4 language regions
• Grand Tour of Switzerland photo spots
• Combination of cultural and natural experiences

Your itinerary

St. Gallen - St. Moritz - Bellinzona - Lugano - Brig - Montreux - Neuchâtel - Bern

Day 1

Individual journey by car to St. Gallen

 

Your journey begins in eastern Switzerland. The Abbey District of St. Gallen has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1983, and the Abbey Library is a UNESCO World Documentary Heritage Site. The abbey district with the magnificent Baroque cathedral forms a unique historical ensemble. Overnight stay in St. Gallen.

 

Highlights: Abbey district of St. Gallen, historical collections in the Abbey Library

Day 2

St. Gallen - Appenzell - Vaduz - Davos - St. Moritz / approx. 220 km

 

The first stage takes you past Appenzell and Vaduz to the Tectonic Arena Sardona. Nowhere else on earth can you see the formation of mountains and valleys as monumentally and vividly as here. Continue to your destination for today and overnight in St. Moritz.

Highlights: Unique Appenzell hilly landscape, the history of the Alps in the Tectonic Arena Sardona, Info Point near Bad Ragaz

Day 3

Bernina Express - St. Moritz - Tirano - St. Moritz

 

Today you switch from car to train and sit back on a spectacular Alpine crossing on the Bernina Express. The Albula / Bernina line between Thusis and Tirano of the Rhaetian Railway is a true masterpiece of engineering. Return by regional train to St. Moritz. Overnight stay in St. Moritz.

Highlights: Alp Grüm, Lago Bianco, Brusio circular viaduct

Day 4

St. Moritz - Andeer - Bellinzona / approx. 160 km

 

The route continues into the Mediterranean Ticino to the Three Castles of Bellinzona, which invite you to travel back in time to the Middle Ages. If you wish, you can make a detour to the Ancient Beech Forests of Europe, which can be found in the valleys of Lodano, Busai and Soladino. Overnight stay in Bellinzona.

 

Highlights: Sun-drenched St. Moritz, Three Castles of Bellinzona

Day 5

Bellinzona - Monte San Giorgio - Lugano / approx. 90 km

 

Between the southern arms of Lake Lugano is the almost 1100 m high Monte San Giorgio, which is magnificently filled with fossils of all kinds in its interior. Thousands of fossilised reptiles, fish and plants have already been discovered here. The fossil museum in Meride is also worth a visit. Overnight stay in Lugano.

 

Highlights: Monte San Giorgio - the window to prehistory, idyllic Meride

Day 6

Lugano - Andermatt - Furka Pass - Brig / approx. 185 km

 

The Jungfrau-Aletsch area was designated the first Alpine UNESCO World Natural Heritage Site in 2001. At its centre is the mighty rock massif of the Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau with the glacier landscape around the great Aletsch Glacier. In the interactive World Nature Forum in Naters you can experience the high alpine natural, cultural and glacier landscape with all your senses. Overnight stay in Brig.

 

Highlights: World Nature Forum Visitor Centre, Eiger, Mönch, Jungfrau and Aletsch Glacier - the Heart of the Alps

Day 7

Brig - Martigny - Montreux / approx. 130 km

 

You drive into French-speaking Switzerland to Lake Geneva. Between lake, mountains and vineyards, the Montreux Riviera looks like a postcard landscape. Overnight stay in Montreux.

 

Highlights: Aigle Castle - Wine Museum, Chillon Castle, Montreux Riviera

Day 8

Montreux - Lausanne - Yverdon-les-Bains - Neuchâtel / approx. 205 km

 

Another UNESCO World Heritage Site awaits you on your way along the lakeshore: the architectural work of Le Corbusier, the villa "Le Lac", which is one of the architect's most creative creations. The vineyard terraces of the Lavaux are the living winegrowing culture - winegrowers have been cultivating this unique landscape for many generations. Overnight stay in Neuchâtel.

 

Highlights: Lake Geneva, Lavaux vineyards, Petite Villa au bord du lac Léman - Le Corbusier

Day 9

Neuchâtel - La-Chaux-de-Fonds - Hauterive - Fribourg - Bern / approx. 120 km

 

In the morning, the route first leads to La Chaux-de-Fonds / Le Locle. Both towns have been UNESCO World Heritage Sites since 2009 and are good examples of the symbiosis between urban planning and the watchmaking industry. We continue to the largest archaeological museum in Switzerland: the Laténium, which focuses on prehistoric pile dwellings around the Alps. Overnight stay in Bern.

 

Highlights: Lake Neuchâtel, Laténium archaeological park, architecture in La Chaux-de-Fonds / Le Locle, watch museum.

Day 10

Individual departure by car or extension

 

Thanks to its largely unchanged medieval townscape, Bern was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1983. Founded in 1191, the city is surrounded by the Aarenschlaufe and enjoys views of a stunning Alpine panorama. Individual journey home or extension.

 

Highlights: Old Town of Bern, Zytglogge, Bear Park, Federal Palace, Rose Garden

Inclusions

• 1 overnight stay incl. breakfast in each of St. Gallen, Bellinzona, Lugano, Brig, Montreux, Neuchâtel and Bern
• 2 overnight stays incl. breakfast in St. Moritz
• 2nd class train ticket St. Moritz - Tirano - St. Moritz
• Seat reservation on the Bernina Express (St. Moritz - Tirano)
• "Grand Tour of Switzerland" road map from Hallwag
• "Grand Tour of Switzerland" travel guide
• Voucher booklet from World Heritage Experience Switzerland for various UNESCO World Heritage Sites worth over CHF 44
• Swiss Coupon Pass with "Eat and Experience" - 2 for 1 offers with a total value of up to CHF 4,000
• Price is per person in a 3-star double room, 2nd class, basis half-fare card
• Booking period: all year round
• Travel period: April - October 2023
• Price example calculated on 06.02.2023 for 06.04.2023

Good to know

• Travel documents are sent by post
• Additional overnight stays can be booked in each stage location
• The route only takes you on motorways if absolutely necessary
• If you use your own car, a motorway vignette is required
• Rental car can be booked as an option
• Recommended travel time: May - October
• Please inform yourself about the road conditions at www.alpen-paesse.ch before starting the journey