Swiss Alps & Lakes

This tour starts in Switzerland. Arrive in Neuchatel, a town at the foot of the Jura Mountains on the French border, on the shores of its eponymous lake. Stay overnight in a fabulous hotel, which is on the very edge of the lake, and rooms are built out over the water, affording superb views of the lake and the Alps beyond, stretching from the Eiger to Mont Blanc. Enjoy a fabulous dinner in the excellent restaurant overlooking Lake Neuchatel.

80 Miles

Drive across to Murten, a beautiful medieval town on the shores of Murtensee. Enjoy a stroll around the old walls, under the decorated arcades, or a coffee by the lake.  Continue along the lake edge to Avenches, famed for its Roman Amphitheatre.

Indulge yourself at the fabulous Maison Cailler chocolate factory, to see how chocolate is made. Then visit the beautiful medieval hilltop town of Gruyeres, which is also famed for its delicious cheese. Continue into the Alps to the beautiful village of Rougemont. Stay for the next two nights in a fabulous chalet-style hotel.

62 Miles

There are two journey options today, both the same distance.

The first option is to Gruyeres then traverse the Jaunpass, descend to Zweisimmen and along the valley to the chic mountain resort of Gstaad.

The second option includes Chateau d’Oex and then go over Col des Mosses and descend to the town of Aigle. The route then follows the famed Ollon-Villars hill-climb up to the alpine resort of Villars. Enjoy driving the passes of Col de la Croix to Les Diablerets followed by the Col du Pillon back to Gstaad and then Rougemont.

93 Miles

Another scenic drive to Lake Thun and the town of Interlaken.

Drive along the north shore of Lake Thun to the Swiss capital of Bern and explore this delightful small city.

It’s a short distance to the Emmental Valley. Emmental is the world-famous ‘cheese with holes’ and there is the chance to see how the cheese is made at the demonstration dairy. Stay overnight in a beautiful 16th-century village hotel located in the scenic Emmental valley.

129 Miles

Drive to the beautiful small city of Lucerne. Stroll along the world-famous Chapel Bridge and see the picturesque Old Town with its cafes and boutiques.

Wind around the north shore of Lake to the idyllic resort of Vitznau. Stay overnight in a beautiful lakeside hotel.

115 Miles

Drive along the lake shore to the town of Brunnen, home of the famous Victorinox Swiss Army knife. Discover the Visitor Centre and see how the knives are made.

Head up the Muotathal Valley to take a trip up the world’s steepest funicular railway.

It’s then a scenic drive around the mountains, past alpine farms, small villages and historic towns and over the Klausen Pass. Climb up to the town of Andermatt, where you will spend the next two nights in one of the world’s most luxurious hotels.

100 Miles

After an incredibly indulgent breakfast enjoy a sensational circular drive taking you over some of Switzerland’s most fabulous mountain passes.

123 Miles

Leave Andermatt and descend the incredible Furka Pass, immortalised by the car chase scene from James Bond’s Goldfinger.

Continue along the Rhone Valley, past the amazing Aletsch glacier, the longest glacier in the Alps at 23km long, to the beautiful and chic resort of Crans-Montana, where you will stay for two nights in a beautiful, five-star, traditional-style alpine hotel.

A day at leisure to spend as you wish. Either relax in the village or maybe enjoy a walk around the area. There are some wonderful hikes in the alpine meadows above the town.

89 Miles

Head down the valley to the historic town of Martigny, renowned for its Gallo-Romano remains, and also the Gianadda Foundations, a cultural centre which showcases over 50 classic and oldtimer cars.

Along the valley, in Aigle, there is another classic car museum, or continue to the lakeside town of Montreux. Here you can visit the medieval Chateau de Chillon, one of Switzerland’s most photographed subjects, or explore a museum dedicated to the legendary rock band, Queen, as this is where they created a major portion of their most successful albums.

Drive alongside Lake Geneva/Lac Leman to the gorgeous town of Vevey. Continue through the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Lavaux and its vineyards to Lausanne.

Stay for two nights in a sensationally luxurious lakeside hotel.

Enjoy a day off, exploring the lovely city of Lausanne. The town is built on a hill surrounded by vineyards, and it slopes down to the lake. On the opposite side of the French lake, are the impressive Savoy Alps.

The Old Town of Lausanne has imposing buildings dating back to the Middle Ages, and the beautiful Gothic Notre-Dame Cathedral. Or discover the Flon district, a former industrial area and now a meeting places full of cool bars, restaurants, galleries and trendy boutiques.

104 Miles

From Lausanne drive along the lake then over the Jura Vaudois Natural Park, which is dotted with forests, jagged limestone rocks, glades, open pastures and lakes, and punctuated with gorges and mountains. The road leads to Le Sentier, which is a cradle of Swiss watch-making, especially grand complication watches. See the Clock & Watch Museum to discover this incredible craft and technology.

It’s then back to Neuchatel, where the tour started, for a final night at the amazing five-star lake-side hotel.

Depart for home after breakfast. For those heading back to the UK there will be route options for both the quick motorway journey and for a longer, more scenic route to Calais.