Premium Alpine Switzerland from Thessaloniki

Breakfast and departure for beautiful Lausanne. A particularly representative example of Swiss beauty, with countless attractions and a peaceful atmosphere set against the backdrop of the Alps. It is the capital of the canton of Vaud, one of Switzerland’s 26 cantons, as the country’s administrative divisions are called. We will visit Ouchy with its 19th- and 20th-century hotels and stop at the headquarters of the International Olympic Committee. Using the metro, we’ll head up to the Old Town of Lausanne, where we’ll have the chance to see one of the most important sights, the Notre Dame Cathedral, which is visible from almost everywhere. Built in the 12th century, it is particularly imposing, and if you climb its tower, the view is breathtaking. We continue our day at Lake Geneva, or the “Lemans Riviera,” the second-largest freshwater lake in Central Europe (after Lake Balaton). One of Switzerland’s most stunning natural attractions, it is the country’s largest water system. One of its distinctive features is its crescent shape, with the “horns” pointing south. Famous people who have visited or lived here include Mary and Percy Shelley, as well as Lord Byron, who spent their vacations in these parts and wrote ghost stories, one of which became the basis for the novel Frankenstein. Vladimir Lenin stayed in a chalet, and actor Charlie Chaplin spent his final years and died in Vevey. Legendary singer Phil Collins lives in a house overlooking the lake. The band Queen owned the recording studio (which is still in use) in Montreux. That’s also where the famous statue of Freddie Mercury stands; he also had a home in Montreux, on the northern shore of the lake. Former Formula 1 driver Michael Schumacher lives with his family near the lake. And we’ll end up in Montreux, a particularly popular resort among the international jet set and beyond. The city’s most significant attraction is Chillon Castle, built on a rock in the middle of the lake. Since the late 18th century, it has attracted romantic writers. From Jean-Jacques Rousseau to Victor Hugo, and from Alexandre Dumas to Gustave Flaubert and Lord Byron, the castle has inspired poets from all over the world. Today, the monument welcomes more than 300,000 visitors a year. Thanks to restoration efforts, it is in excellent condition and offers significant insight into feudal architecture. Next stop is the unique town of Annecy, located between Geneva and Chambery in eastern France, which has a long history dating back to the 10th century, when the princes of Savoy founded the city in the center of the lake of the same name. The medieval town is built around the old castle of Lord Annecy, which still dominates its center. In fact, it seems to float. Numerous small paths wind along the canals, while the pastel colors of the houses lining the canal quays are reflected in the crystal-clear waters of the lake, which has been designated the cleanest in Europe. Today, it is one of the most popular Alpine destinations, as well as one of the most photographed cities in France, having earned the nickname “Venice of France”—and rightly so. Free time to enjoy lunch at one of the many outdoor restaurants, go for a bike ride along the water, and admire the area’s historic landmarks, such as the Château d’Annecy. Then, return to the hotel in Geneva.

We enjoy a hearty breakfast at the hotel, leave Geneva behind, and without wasting any time, via an idyllic lakeside road, we arrive at the federal capital of Switzerland, Bern. Built on a steep bend of the Aare River against the backdrop of the majestic Alps, it is the administrative center of Switzerland. With its cobblestone streets, red-roofed houses, and picturesque facades, Bern’s Old Town is the best-preserved historic center in Switzerland. Bern’s historic medieval old town has been designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1983. Starting our tour at Bärenplatz, which covers the area that was once a moat—that is, the edge of the city where bears used to roam, hence its name, we pass through Bundesplatz, where the dominant building is the Bundeshaus, the imposing Swiss Federal Parliament, from where we see the Aare River encircling the city in a horseshoe shape; we continue toward the imposing Cathedral, we see the Käfigturm, the western gate of the medieval city and later a prison, and the main street, Marktgasse, which opens up impressively before us, with tall buildings and flags flying on most of them, as well as the continuation, Kragasse, where sturdy stone buildings with arcades and fountains dominate —fountains adorned with folk-art sculptures depicting figures from history and mythology, as well as filled with flowers. These elements, of course, have survived to this day and bear witness to how rich and glorious the city of Bern was during the 16th century. Finally, we see the Tower with its famous astronomical clock and the Niedergbrücke bridge over the Aare River, along with the Bear Park. Free time for a stroll and coffee. Next, we set off for another experience in the Swiss Alpine landscape. After a breathtaking drive through the mountains, past lakes and rivers, we arrive in Lucerne, on the shores of the lake of the same name. Built next to a large, crystal-clear lake, with dozens of restaurants and shops lining on cobblestone streets and a picturesque Old Town where you can stroll for hours, feeling as though you’ve “stepped into” another world, a very different century. In Lucerne, every day begins in the medieval historic center, where all the city’s major sights are concentrated, and ends there again, with a dinner or a glass of wine, gazing at the hundreds of idyllic reflections. We will tour the old town with its colorful house facades, where we will see the covered bridge of the 14th-century chapel, City Hall, St. Peter’s Church, the central square, the medieval wine market, the famous Franciscan and Jesuit churches, Hofkirche, and of course the cobblestone historic center, which give the city a fairy-tale atmosphere. Enjoy your lunch at one of the many restaurants in the old town and take in the stunning views. Departure for Zurich and check-in at our hotel. Overnight stay.

Today we’ll start our day by exploring this city in northern Switzerland, where the Limmat River runs right through the middle. We’ll head to the area around the train station, where we’ll start our tour along the banks of the Limmat River, which flows through the city center. We’ll see the impressive City Hall, adorned on its façade with elaborate friezes, as well as the marble gate with its gilded decoration, the guild houses, St. Peter’s Church, Grossmünster Cathedral, the 13th-century Fraumünster Church with its stained-glass windows by Marc Chagall, the Opera House, and we’ll end up at the lake of the same name. Free time to enjoy the area, strolling along the lakeside promenade, taking a boat ride on the lake, visiting the zoo, or exploring Switzerland’s largest art museum. At noon, you can join us on a beautiful optional excursion to the unique city of Basel (Basel), located at the point known as the “Tri-Border Area,” right on the border with France and Germany, and home to most of the country’s museums. Its landmark is the Rhine River, which originates in the southeastern Swiss Alps and continues its journey north to the Netherlands, where it flows into the North Sea after a 1,320-kilometer course. Our tour of Basel, one of Switzerland’s most elegant and cultured cities, begins with a panoramic route that introduces us to the city’s distinctive profile, where three countries meet: Switzerland, France, and Germany. Our first stop is the Old Town, one of the best-preserved in Europe, filled with cobblestone streets, Renaissance buildings, and romantic squares. Basel Cathedral stands out, with its twin towers and distinctive red stone—a landmark of the city, from where we enjoy a panoramic view of the Rhine. We continue with a stroll along the banks of the Rhine, the “heart” of Basel, walking to the city’s oldest bridge (Mittlere Brücke). Here we can enjoy the sight of the colorful houses reflected in the river’s waters. We head toward the central Marktplatz square, where the impressive City Hall stands out with its red facade and ornate details. Afterward, we’ll have free time in the city center. For the evening, we recommend a stroll down the city’s main shopping street, Bahnhofstrasse, with its department stores (such as “Jelmoli”), bank headquarters, the Clock Museum, and the handprints of famous movie stars.

We’re on the fourth day of our trip; we’ve seen so many beautiful places, but the best is yet to come! Enjoy your day in Zurich however you like, or join us on a wonderful optional full-day excursion. Through a lush green landscape, we arrive in Chur, where we board the traditional Alpine train, heading to the world-famous St. Moritz ski resort, situated at an altitude of 1,580 meters with picturesque chalets and luxury hotels catering to high-end. The route winds through forests, lakes, and glaciers. Words cannot describe the breathtaking landscape, full of contrasts and colors, that will remain unforgettable. The region enjoys 322 days of sunshine a year, yet this does not prevent this small, elegant town-village from being blanketed in snow for many days. St. Moritz didn’t earn the name “top of the world” by chance. For while it may not be the highest peak on earth, it is certainly the most beloved, thanks to the magnificent Alpine scenery that surrounds it. Free time for a stroll through the city, dining, and shopping at the luxury boutiques. Then we depart for the Principality of Liechtenstein, tucked away between Switzerland and Austria, Principality of Liechtenstein, the 6th smallest country in the world. Blessed with lush green valleys and the enchanting slopes of the Alps, it carries a vast history spanning countless centuries, with scholars believing that small farming communities were already living in organized settlements in the region as early as the Middle Neolithic period. We will visit Vaduz, the capital of the independent state of Liechtenstein. Built in a beautiful valley along the Rhine, with a population of just 5,500, the picturesque Vaduz is more of a quaint, quiet town, with its famous castle as a landmark. We will take a short tour of the city center, whose museums house valuable treasures that reveal much about European history during the Middle Ages and the Renaissance. Afterward, we’ll have free time for lunch and souvenir shopping. Return to our hotel.