Switzerland – Alpine Train – Alsace

After breakfast, we’ll make the most of our time by exploring the city right away. We’ll visit the 13th-century Gothic church, Fraumünster with its famous stained-glass windows, St. Peter’s Church with the largest clock face in Europe, City Hall, the Opera House, and the modern Le Corbusier building, an environmental protection center. We will continue our tour at the European headquarters of the United Nations and numerous other international organizations, birthplace of the International Red Cross, through the numerous parks along the left bank of Lake Geneva, with views of the harbor and the impressive buildings on the lake’s north shore. At the entrance, we are greeted by the Flower Clock, made of countless flowers, which celebrates Switzerland’s long-standing tradition of watchmaking. We end up at the massive Jet d’Eau fountain—a symbol of the city—which shoots water three times higher than the Statue of Liberty. Perched even higher, higher up, on the left bank of the Rhône, lies the Old Town of Geneva, with St. Peter’s Cathedral—which took seventy years to complete—as well as City Hall, where the First Geneva Convention was signed. Free time in a magnificent setting next to Lake Geneva with its sailboats, with the Rhône River dividing the city in two against the backdrop of the Alps. Stroll through the narrow, winding streets, home to wonderful antique shops, countless galleries, and some of the city’s most traditional bistros. Then join us on our optional excursion to the unique town of Annecy, located between Geneva and Chambery in eastern France, which boasts 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 and one of the most photographed cities in France, having earned the nickname “Venice of France”—and rightly so. Free time to enjoy your lunch at one of the many outdoor restaurants, go for a bike ride along the water, and admire the area’s historical landmarks, such as the Château d’Annecy. Afterward, return to the hotel in Geneva.

We enjoy a hearty breakfast at the hotel and set off for another excursion through the Swiss Alps. After a breathtaking drive through the mountains, past lakes and rivers, we arrive in Lucerne, on the shores of Lake Lucerne. 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, the Hofkirche, and of course the cobblestone historic center, all of which give the city a fairy-tale atmosphere. We then depart for Zurich and begin our first exploration of Switzerland’s largest city, which many call “the planet’s treasure trove,” since it is the city with the most banks, relative to its population, and at the same time the one with the largest financial reserves. At the same time, it is a beautiful city, stretching along the banks of the Limmat River. A place that loves art and honors it through fascinating cultural institutions that coexist harmoniously, in a completely natural and self-evident way, alongside the wonderful boutiques of top fashion houses and, of course, amazing watch shops that enchant with their gleaming, well-crafted display cases. We head to the area around the Train Station, where we begin our tour of the city, alongside the banks of the Limmat River, which flows through the 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. Check-in at the hotel and free time in the evening. We recommend taking 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.

Breakfast at our hotel, and today we’ll have a free day in the city of Zurich. We recommend visiting the impressive City Hall, whose façade is adorned with elaborate friezes, as well as the marble gate with its gilded decorations, 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. 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. Alternatively, join us on a wonderful optional full-day excursion. Through a lush green route, 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 for high-end vacations. 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. While it may not be the highest peak on earth, it is certainly the most beloved, thanks to the magnificent Alpine nature that surrounds it. Free time to stroll through the city, enjoy a meal, and shop at the luxury boutiques. Return to Zurich by bus in the afternoon.

Breakfast at our hotel, followed by our departure, with our first stop being the Alsatian village of Eguisheim, which has preserved its traditional architecture in its entirety. Built in concentric circles around its 13th-century octagonal castle, it is surrounded by vineyards of two local grape varieties. We’ll… get lost without a care in its circular alleys: they always lead you back to where you started. Small houses with balconies, wooden frames, and protruding windows overflowing with geraniums impress us. The central square is no less beautiful, with its fountain, the 8th-century city castle featuring an outer wall dating to 720 AD, and the chapel of the reformist Pope Leo IX, who was born here. The tops of the castle tower and the church are home to stork nests. Other sights of historical value include the Church of Saints Peter and Paul, which blends Romanesque and Gothic architectural styles, the city’s two Renaissance fountains, and the statue of Joan of Lorraine. Our next stop is the fairytale town of Colmar, a city that looks like a painting. Pastel-colored wooden houses lining the canals and colorful flowers create a unique atmosphere in what is perhaps the most beautiful city in Alsace. Its historic center is crossed by the Lauch, a tributary of the Ill, which flows into the Rhine. Don’t miss the chance to try a glass of the region’s excellent white wine at one of the many shops in Colmar, which is rightly called the wine capital. In the afternoon, arrival and check-in at our hotel in Strasbourg.