Gems of Switzerland – NEW TOUR

Depart the UK

Drive to Dover for the short sea ferry crossing to Calais.  Upon disembarkation we will continue south and make an overnight stop in France. Dinner is included at the hotel this evening.

Travel to Switzerland

Depart after breakfast for the onward journey, travelling through France and into Switzerland and our hotel in Bern for the next 5 nights.  Dinner will be at the hotel this evening.

(Please note that every hotel visitor is given a Bern Ticket which entitles them to travel for free on streetcar and bus journeys in Zones 100/101)

Bern Sightseeing and Gurten Funicular

Meet up with a local guide for a walking tour of the main sights including the medieval Aldstadt (Old Town), the Zytglogge, a landmark clock tower built in the early 13^th century which strikes on the hour with a display of mechanical figures.  See the Einstein House Museum where the famous physicist spent seven years and where he invented the theory of relativity.  Other famous inhabitants of Bern are the bears which can be seen in the Barenpark which is overlooked by a beautiful Rose Garden offering superb views of the city.

Using your Bern Ticket you can enjoy a ride on the Gurten Funicular to the summit of Bern’s local mountain offering views of the snowy alps and the River Aare below.  The rest of the day and evening is at leisure.  Dinner at the hotel.

Thun, Lake Cruise and Interlaken

Today we start our exploration of the lakes and mountains in Thun, a medieval lakeside  town steeped in history and overlooked by the stunning Thun Castle. The historical raised cobblestoned promenades in the old town are one of the highlights to stroll along. After some free time, embark on a cruise on Lake Thun to the capital of the Bernese Oberland, Interlaken. It offers a mix of traditional Switzerland and a high street offering high end  designer shops, restaurants and hotels, all overlooked by the mighty Jungfrau alps.

From here there are many optional excursions including:

• Harder Kulm Funicular Railway – one of Switzerland’s most scenic cable car rides which takes you to the top in just 10 minutes from Interlaken and offers views of the lakes and mountains along the way.
• Ballenberg Swiss Open Air Museum – What began in 1978 with 16 characteristic Swiss buildings, is today an extensive exhibition with over 100 residential and agricultural buildings from all over Switzerland. The historic buildings, kitchens, chambers and living rooms illustrate rural life in Switzerland. (Note: Groups must be booked in advance for the above)

We head back to Bern for dinner at the hotel and the evening at leisure.

Lucerne and Bürgenstock Funicular

Lucerne and its famous lake are surrounded by majestic peaks and on a guided walking tour of the old town we will walk across the famous and remarkable medieval Chapel Bridge, see historic houses decorated with frescoes and the marble Lion Monument.  After some free time to explore the city at leisure we will embark on a cruise across Lake Lucerne to the Bürgenstock Funicular in Kehrsiten which will take you to the summit of  Mount Bürgenstock where there are superb views, several bars and restaurants and the option to ride the vertical Hammetschwandlift elevator,  the highest free-standing outdoor elevator in Europe. We then head back down and cruise back to Lucerne and then back to Bern by coach.  Evening dinner will be taken at the hotel this evening.

Gruyères Cheese and Cailler Chocolate

On our culinary discovery tour we head for Maison de Gruyères where we will see a demonstration and presentation of the famous cheese making process on an audio-guided tour.  From here we will drive the short distance uphill to the medieval old town of Gruyères to get some lunch (not included in price).  The views from the town are stunning and there are plenty of nice cafes, restaurants and shops.  (Note: there is a coach parking charge in the old town –  payable locally).  In the afternoon we will visit the wonderful world of Cailler chocolate, the oldest existing Swiss chocolate brand. An interactive tour will highlight the history of cocoa and its manufacture.  At the end of the visit, enjoy a tasting of Cailler chocolates with the option to make some purchases.

Back in Bern we will enjoy a final evening dinner together in the Kornhaus Keller, formerly a Granary and Wine Cellar and now a restaurant with an Art Nouveau decorated interior.

Depart Bern

We will leave Bern after breakfast and retrace our steps into France for an overnight stop. We will enjoy dinner together in the hotel this evening.

Return to the UK

After breakfast we will depart for Calais and take the short sea ferry crossing back to Dover, and home.