Beautiful Switzerland: 16-Day Family Tour

Glacier Express train traveling through the alps in Switzerland

What to expect on this itinerary

Switzerland's culturally vibrant and historically significant cities will seduce you as you tour from Zurich to Geneva, stopping at magnificent snow-capped mountain regions in between. Embrace the exuberant atmosphere of bustling districts, step onto the powdery glacial landscapes, throw snowballs at one another, ski down the steep slopes of the Swiss Alps, and cross the flowered fields cascading the countryside on this emblematic 16-day vacation.

Countries Visited

Switzerland

Places Visited

Zurich, Lucerne, St. Moritz, Zermatt, Grindelwald, Montreux, Geneva

Suggested Duration

16 Days

Customizable Itinerary

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Day 1

Zurich - Switzerland’s Attractive Financial Hub

Beautifully nestled at the convergence of a lake and river and recognized as the financial capital of the world, Zurich is a gateway to Switzerland’s iconic scenery and a hub of activity. Your plane will land, you will meet your private transfer, and you will travel to an accommodation on the banks of the Limmat River. The sunshine will dance off the river’s glassy surface as superyachts cruise between the buildings and echoes of local chatter ring from the city’s palace-peppered districts. You may enjoy an introductory tour of Zurich shortly after arriving to take in its distinct atmosphere.

What's Included:

Transfer
Accommodation
Tour
Day 2

Lucerne - Atop the Peaks of Mount Pilatus

Day 3

Lucerne - Switzerland’s Master Chocolatiers

Day 4

Lucerne - Quiet Repose in the City of Lucerne

Day 5

St. Moritz - Luxury Living on the Lake

Day 6

St. Moritz - A Quiet Day to Unwind

Day 7

Zermatt - Traveling on the Glacier Express Train

Day 8

Zermatt - Glacial Landscapes and the Gornergrat Summit

Day 9

Grindelwald - Adventures in the Bernese Alps

Day 10

Grindelwald - Train Tours to the Jungfrau Mountain

Day 11

Grindelwald - Luxuriating in the Alps at Your Leisure

Day 12

Montreux - Swiss Fondue and Alpine Views

Day 13

Montreux - Peruse Montreux at Your Own Pace

Day 14

Geneva - Understanding the Big Bang at CERN

Day 15

Geneva - Free Day to Explore Geneva

Day 16

Geneva - Morning Galavant through Geneva’s Neighborhoods

Trip Highlights

  • Partake in a city tour of Zurich to its imperial summer palaces, church-riddled old town, and breathtaking Guild houses dotted around the city’s picturesque river and lake
  • Soar to the summit of Mount Pilatus via gondola and cable car to admire the endless snowy views of Switzerland and its sun-washed landscape and lakes
  • Taste the products of Switzerland’s master chocolatiers at Aeschbach and rise to meet the clouds hanging over Mount Titlis on an exploration of the Swiss Alps’ glacial landscapes
  • Head for the mountains of Zermatt aboard the legendary Glacier Express Train, and absorb the extraordinary scenery of snowy peaks, monstrous mountains, and flowered meadows as you transfer across the Swiss alps
  • Embrace epic adventures in the breathtaking snow-capped Bernese alps, from paragliding over the rolling flowered hills to zip-lining from hilltop to hilltop
  • Enjoy grand train tours around the alpine region and capture the sensational scenery stretching from villages nestled in the shadows of looming summits to the glacial geological formations of Jungfrau Mountain
  • Tuck into scrumptious Swiss Fondue at a restaurant on the summit of Harder Kulm before you arrive at the lakeside resort town of Montreux and enjoy a walking city tour around its neighborhoods
  • Learn more about the Big Bang and the origins of the cosmos in the world’s largest particle physics laboratory, CERN, and admire the advanced technology housed in the facility

Starting Price

$10,400 per person (excluding international flights)

Your Zicasso trip is fully customizable, and this sample itinerary is a starting place for your travel plans. Actual costs are dynamic, and your selection of accommodations and activities, your season of travel, and other such variables will bring this budget guideline up or down. Throughout your planning experience with your Zicasso specialist, your itinerary is designed around your budget. You can book your trip when you are satisfied with every detail. Planning your trip with a Zicasso travel specialist is a free service.

What's Included

  • Accommodations
  • In-country transportation
  • Some or all activities and tours
  • Expert trip planning
  • 24x7 support during your trip

Your final trip cost will vary based on your selected accommodations, activities, meals, and other trip elements that you opt to include.

5.0

Verified Traveler Reviews

Based on 22 reviews

Switzerland Vacation Review: Zurich, Lucerne, Grindelwald, Bern, Gruyeres, Geneva, Chocolate Tour, Cheese Factory, 8 Nights

My trip through Switzerland in October was nothing short of magical. The combination of crisp mountain air, golden autumn leaves, and snow-capped peaks made every stop along the way feel like stepping into a postcard. Swiss chocolates lived up to expectations.

Zurich was the perfect starting point—modern, clean, and full of energy. I loved strolling along Bahnhofstrasse for shopping and ending the day by the peaceful shores of Lake Zurich. The Old Town’s cobblestone lanes were charming and the café culture was ideal for people-watching. I really enjoyed the chocolate factory tour and the tuk-tuk tour of the city, with traditional fondue. The walking tour was so educational. The trip to Rhine Falls and the quaint town of Stein am Rhein is not to be missed.

From there, I traveled to Lucerne, one of the most picturesque towns I’ve ever seen. The Chapel Bridge and its flower boxes were stunning against the backdrop of Mount Pilatus. A boat cruise on Lake Lucerne was the highlight—the reflections of autumn colors on the water were breathtaking. The Rigi Kulm and Mt. Titlis tours are fascinating. I went by boat, train, bus, and funicular.

Grindelwald and the Interlaken region were the heart of the trip. The scenery was absolutely unforgettable. The Eiger, Mönch, and Jungfrau mountains dominated the skyline, and even though it was a bit chilly, the air was crisp and refreshing. The cable car rides and mountain hikes offered jaw-dropping views at every turn. Make sure you take the fondue class at the restaurant in Grindelwald and Interlaken. Come hungry!

Bern, the capital, surprised me with its warmth and old-world charm. The medieval architecture, clock tower, and bear park made for a fascinating visit. It felt quieter and more local compared to Zurich and Lucerne—a perfect stop to slow down and enjoy Swiss culture.

A visit to Gruyères added a delicious twist to the journey. The village looked like something out of a fairy tale and touring the Gruyère cheese factory was fun and tasty. Don’t miss the local chocolate factory tour.

Finally, I ended in Geneva, a sophisticated city by the lake. The Jet d’Eau was impressive and I enjoyed exploring the international district and strolling through the old town. The blend of French influence and Swiss precision made Geneva a wonderful final stop.

Overall, Switzerland in October is perfect for travelers who love scenic beauty without the summer crowds. The weather was cool but pleasant, and the autumn colors made the landscapes even more magical. Every train/gondola ride felt like a scenic tour through paradise.

Zicasso’s tour operator was excellent.

Highlights: Lucerne’s lakeside views, Grindelwald’s mountain trails, Gruyères fondue/chocolate, and Bern’s old-town charm.

Tip: Bring layers—mornings and evenings can get chilly, but the afternoons are perfect for exploring. Do not stay at the hotel near the Zurich airport. Stay in Zurich and take a taxi to the airport. In Grindelwald, avoid one of the hotels there.

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Germany, Austria Vacation Review: Munich, Neuschwanstein Castle, Christmas Markets, Local Cuisine, Private Guides, 12-Day Trip

The planning and organization for our trip to Germany and Austria was expertly handled by Zicasso's travel partner. We could not have asked for a better trip. 

We gathered our adult children and friends together to celebrate Christmas and New Year in the Old World. In and around Munich, we saw Neuschwanstein and many of the city's beautifully ornate churches. We also visited the Christmas markets and beer halls, and ate way to much fabulous German food. 

Our agent contracted private guides in Munich and Salzburg. These guides were superior. They had detailed knowledge of the area, its history, and people. 

We spent Christmas in Garmisch-Partenkirchen. It is a lovely, magical town in the shadow of Germany's highest mountain, Zugspitze. On Christmas Day, I took the cable car up the mountain and the sights from the top were tremendous. On the day we were there, we could see 230km in all directions. Of course, when in the Alps, you must ski, so we visited Hintertux for a day of skiing and glacier exploration.  

Then we went to Salzburg to explore the sites of Mozart's birthplace, but there is so much more to the town than that. The town has over 1,000 years of history and the people there could not have been more hospitable. 

From there, we went back to Munich to celebrate New Year at Tollwood. 

Thank you, and a special thanks to our travel team for all the planning that went into the trip. It was pleasantly unforgettable. And I cannot forget our guides. The guides in Munich and Salzburg were excellent – extremely knowledgeable, personable, and always there when needed. I cannot wait to go back, and when I do, I will be planning our trip through your company.

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Germany, Switzerland Tour Review: 3 Weeks
"Our agents were just top-notch from a service perspective. You cannot go wrong with this travel company and these agents."

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Austria, Germany Tour Review: Vienna, Munich, Salzburg, Neuschwanstein Castle, Christmas Markets, 'Sound of Music' Experience, 1 Week

Our trip to Austria and Germany was initiated with a desire to see the Christmas markets. And yes, these were magical, but Zicasso’s travel company also included guided trips at each location to fully enjoy our trip. The private ride through Bavaria to Neuschwanstein Castle was Christmas-card picturesque. Walking through Vienna on a guided tour was as if we were visiting Franz Joseph and Sisi. The travel company created an itinerary that balanced the needs of a group with different ages, interests, and budgets, and everyone had a magnificent time.

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Germany, Austria Vacation Review: Berlin, History, 8 Nights

We had a fantastic trip to Germany and Austria. Zicasso's travel partner arranged the trip for us and everything went perfectly. I can't speak highly enough of her and her skills at arranging a perfect vacation for our family of four. She was easy to reach and quick to respond to any questions, and gave good advice on what to see and concentrate on in Germany. I enthusiastically recommend this agency to anyone interested in touring Europe.

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Germany Tour Review: Walking Tours, Cooking Classes, Beer Museum, Saunas, 8 Nights

Zicasso’s travel planner and his team planned a marvelous trip for us. We visited five cities, starting in Frankfort and ending in Munich. Every excursion was perfect. The guides and drivers were very knowledgeable and friendly (great English). The hotels in every city were amazing.

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Customizable Itinerary

This is a sample itinerary to inspire a personalized trip designed with your travel specialist.

28,000+ Verified Traveler Reviews