The Classic Self-Drive -Grand Tour of Switzerland

DAY 1 ZURICH – ST. GALLEN (APPROX 150KM)

Upon arrival, pick-up your car at the airport and start driving from Zürich, Switzerland’s largest city on the banks of the lake with the same name. Your route takes you through historic Winterthur and, further along, past the Rhine Falls, the biggest waterfalls in Europe! Stop here for lunch before continuing to Schaffhausen with its Renaissance era architecture lining the streets. Drive along the banks of Lake Constance to St. Gallen. This historic city known as the gateway to the Appenzell Alps, is ideal for an afternoon exploring. The most famous of all the landmarks in St. Gallen is the Baroque cathedral with Abbey Library, home to 160,000 documents, some hand written and over a thousand years old. The entire Abbey precinct, including the Rococo Hall, was declared a UNESCO world heritage site and is well worth a visit in the afternoon.
Accommodation: St. Gallen for 1 night

DAY 2 ST. GALLEN – DAVOS (APPROX 160 KM)

Breakfast at the hotel. Today your route takes you from St. Gallen through the famous Appenzell landscapes and into Liechtenstein before heading to the old town of Davos. Your day starts with a stunning scenic drive through the rolling hills of the Appenzell region. Take a trip up to Mt. Säntis for views over the whole region! Make your way through the principality of Liechtenstein, one of Europe’s smallest countries, before returning to Switzerland. Stop off in Maienfeld for lunch and discover Heidi’s Village, taking you through the inspiration for the world‐famous Swiss novel Heidi In the afternoon continue to Davos, a destination renowned for its mountain holidays and sports activities, with traditions stretching back hundreds of years.(B)
Accommodation: Davos for 1 night

DAYS 3 AND 4 DAVOS – LUGANO (APPROX 160 KM)

Today’s drive takes you through the wild and beautiful Graubünden region, starting off with one of the most spectacular roads in Switzerland: the Flüela Pass. Rising up through a beautiful alpine forest, the road suddenly bursts out above the tree line, approximately 1800m above sea level, with views over the Alps of Graubünden. Wind back down through the main valley and along the National Park border to world‐famous St. Moritz. Stop here for lunch on the lake and soak up the glamour of this world‐famous holiday resort! Your afternoon continues along the Julier Pass, a spectacular mountain route connecting the Engadine Valley with the rest of Graubünden, and through glorious scenery to the San Bernardino Pass into the Mediterranean influenced Ticino. Stop in Bellinzona in the afternoon and explore the Three Castles: medieval fortresses, protected under UNESCO and perfect for exploring on foot! Continue on to Lugano, where you stop for the night. Try out one of the local grotto with their traditional Ticinese fare… (B)
Accommodation: Lugano for 2 nights

DAYS 5 AND 6 LUGANO – ZERMATT (APPROX 215 KM)

Today you depart Mediterranean Ticino, heading north to cross the famous St. Gotthard Pass and Furka Pass before moving down to Täsch, where you will drop off your car before continuing to Zermatt. Your drive takes you through awe‐inspiring valleys and towering mountain peaks on a gently winding route over the St. Gotthard Pass on your way to Andermatt. Stop for lunch in this lovely traditional village, nestled between snow‐capped mountain peaks, and explore the area! Discover the Devil’s Bridge or take a cable car up the Gemmstock before you continue. Your afternoon route takes you along the breathtaking Furka Pass, with wonderful views over the Rhone Glacier as you descend. Stop to visit the Glacier Grotto. Via Brig you reach Täsch, where you will drop off your car for the next 2 days, while you stay in the car free village of Zermatt. A quick train journey takes you up to the world‐renowned resort, dominated by one of the most famous peaks in the Alps, the Matterhorn. (B)
Accommodation: Zermatt for 2 nights

DAY 7 ZERMATT – MONTREUX (APPROX 145 KM)

Breakfast at the hotel. A morning trip up the exhilarating open‐air Gornergrat railway is not to be missed. Back in Täsch your route begins with a stunning drive up through the Valais, heading through Sierre, Sion, Martigny and Aigle. Continue along the shores of Lake Geneva to Montreux. (B)
Accommodation: Montreux for 1 night

DAYS 8 AND 9 MONTREUX – INTERLAKEN (APPROX 145 KM)

Breakfast at the hotel. Take a walk along the lakeside in Montreux this morning; the picturesque town is nestled on the shores of Lake Geneva, surrounded by vineyards and against the breath taking backdrop of snow‐covered Alps. The long, flower‐bordered lake promenade which links Vevey and Montreux going all the way to Château de Chillon, is simply asking to be strolled along before you start on your way to Interlaken. Driving up into the golden vineyards of the Lavaux, you wind your way up around the local mountain Rochers‐de‐Naye and through lovely Chatel‐St Denis towards Gruyères. Stop in Gruyères for lunch. Do not miss the local dairy showcasing the methods of making Gruyere cheese! From here, why not take a quick detour up to Broc to explore Maison Cailler, the Swiss chocolate factory? Discover one of the most famous Swiss exports and indulge in delicious Swiss chocolate! You enter the Bernese Oberland along the Jaun Pass, then along Lake Thun you reach Interlaken. Interlaken is the gateway to the Jungfrau region, with plenty of activities in and around the town. Take a late afternoon stroll around the town centre and marvel at the imposing mountain peaks. (B)
Accommodation: Interlaken for 2 nights

DAYS 10 AND 11 INTERLAKEN – LUCERNE (APPROX 215 KM)

Breakfast at the hotel. Today you have two options: Bern or Brübug Pass. Option Bern: Depart Interlaken this morning along the shores of Lake Thun, climbing first up to Beatenberg then following the lake, with views down into the villages below. A scenic drive through lush green forests and nature reserves takes you to the capital city of Bern, with its protected covered arcades and imposing architecture. Onwards this afternoon, through the Emmental region, home to the delicious Emmental cheese known the world over. Visit a working cheese dairy here and find out how the famous Emmental cheese is made before winding your way towards historic Lucerne. Option Brünig Pass: The Brünig Pass is a shorter route, leaving you more time in Interlaken or to stop along the way. En route you can stop in Meiringen, site of the Sherlock Holmes Museum and the Reichenbach Falls, before continuing to the open air living museum Ballenberg, demonstrating the various regions of Switzerland. In the afternoon you reach Lucerne. Surrounded by famous peaks and set on the unusual lake of the same name, Lucerne is often seen as quintessential Switzerland. The romantic old town is perfect for a late afternoon stroll. Don’t miss the Chapel Bridge, with paintings in the eaves dating back to the middle ages, or the charming shops and restaurants along the lakeside. (B)
Accommodation: Lucerne for 2 nights

LUCERNE – ZURICH (ca. 140km) ‐ DEPARTURE

Breakfast at the hotel. You will spend your last days in one of the most beautiful cities in Switzerland. One of the highlights of Lucerne is the Chapel Bridge. Drive back to Zürich airport for your rental drop‐off and return journey.