Signing up for this small group tour was a great way to Explore Switzerland with comfort and Ease. The benefits definitely justified the premium we paid as we had better accommodations, dining options and the flexibility to change plans midway considering the weather, traffic and other factors.

Consider Gate 1 – Discovery Tours for your next trip. Thanks to them, we had the most memorable and seamless 12 days. Sharing our happy days below.

Day 1 Depart for Switzerland

Day 2 Arrive in Geneva, Make your way to Lausanne.

During our free time, we visited The Cathedral, Place De La Palud, Ventured Rue de Bourg Street for some shopping and enjoyed an early dinner by Lake Geneva. If you have an extra day to explore the following museums would be ideal. https://www.lausanne-tourisme.ch/en/guide/museums/

Check in Hotel de la Paix, Lausanne (2nights)

Day 3 Cailler Chocolates, Fondue in Gruyeres and Wine Tasting in Chexbres

Cailler, a Swiss chocolate brand, has a rich history dating back to 1819 when François-Louis Cailler established the company. It’s the oldest still-existing Swiss chocolate brand and is recognized for its high-quality chocolates and innovative techniques. In 1929, Cailler merged with Chocolaterie Nestlé to form the Nestlé Company, where it continues to be a part of the Nestlé portfolio of brands.

Gruyères is a medieval town in the Fribourg canton of Switzerland. It’s known for production of the cheese of the same name. The 13th-century Château de Gruyères is a hilltop fortress with a multimedia history show and ornate rooms. Inside the small St. Germain Castle, the H.R. Giger Museum shows artwork relating to the film “Alien.” The Tibet Museum displays Buddhist sculptures and ritual objects of the Himalayas.

Chexbres is a municipality in the Swiss canton of Vaud, located in the district of Lavaux-Oron. Chexbres is a wine-growing village and enjoys a good selection of local vintages. It also enjoys notable views of Lake Geneva, and therefore is nicknamed “Balcon du Léman” in French. 

Day 4 Montreaux, Chillon Castle, Cogwheel Train to Zermatt

Montreux is a traditional resort town on Lake Geneva. Nestled between steep hills and the lakeside, it’s known for its mild microclimate and the Montreux Jazz Festival, held in July. The town’s promenade is lined with flowers, sculptures, Mediterranean trees and grand Belle Époque buildings. Offshore is a medieval island castle, Château de Chillon, with ramparts, formal halls and a chapel with 14th-century murals.

Zermatt, the enchanting mountain village in Valais, is synonymous with the Matterhorn, probably the most famous mountain in the world.

Check in Hotel Alex, Zermatt (2nights)

Day 5 Gornergrat Mountains, Discover Zermatt

The Gornergrat is a rocky ridge of the Pennine Alps, overlooking the Gorner Glacier south-east of Zermatt in Switzerland. It can be reached from Zermatt by the Gornergrat rack railway, the highest open-air railway in Europe.

Day 6 Simplon Pass, Lunch in Stresa, Private Cruise on Lake Lugano

The Simplon Pass

At 2,005 metres above sea level, the Simplon Pass connects Switzerland with Domodossola in Italy, starting from Brig in the Valais. Open all year round, the pass is praised as one of the most beautiful Alpine crossings. The 9-metre-tall Simplon eagle stands as a symbol of vigilance in memory of the ‘Guard on the Simplon Pass’ during the Second World War. For hikers, the Simplon Pass offers fantastic mountain views and scenic routes in summer and winter.

Stresa, Italy

Stresa is a resort town on Italy’s Lake Maggiore. Landmark buildings include Villa Pallavicino, with its gardens and zoo, and the Grand Hôtel des Îles Borromées, where author Hemingway once stayed. Boats run from the waterfront to the Borromean Islands, home to palazzos, villas, a fishing port and the Museum of Dolls and Toys.

Lake Lugano

Lake Lugano is a scenic lake that stretches across Switzerland and Northern Italy. The best way to fully appreciate its stunning views is by taking a boat cruise, where you can enjoy panoramic views of the surrounding mountains. A popular excursion is a boat ride to Morcote or Gandria, two quaint fishing villages along the lake. For a bird’s-eye view, hop on the funicular from Lugano City. During the summer, you can even rent a paddle boat or go windsurfing. Alternatively, take a leisure stroll along the tree-lined promenade that runs alongside the lake.

Check in Hotel De La Paix, Lugano (1night)

Day 7 Travel to St. Moritz, Horse Drawn Carriage Ride

St. Moritz is a luxury alpine resort town in Switzerland’s Engadin valley. It has hosted the Winter Olympics twice, has the Cresta Run, a world-championship bobsled run made of natural ice, and an outdoor Olympic ice rink. Its frozen lake hosts polo, cricket and even horse racing on ice.

Check in Crystal Hotel, St. Moritz (1night)

Day 8 Glacier Express to Andermatt, Proceeding to Interlaken

Interlaken is a traditional resort town in the mountainous Bernese Oberland region of central Switzerland. Built on a narrow stretch of valley, between the emerald-colored waters of Lake Thun and Lake Brienz, it has old timber houses and parkland on either side of the Aare River. Its surrounding mountains, with dense forests, alpine meadows and glaciers, has numerous hiking and skiing trails.

Check in The Hey Hotel, Interlaken (2nights)

Day 9 Lauterbrunnen Valley, Staubbach & Trummelbach Falls

“Lauterbrunnen Village is something straight out of a dream. Walking through this stunning valley, surrounded by towering cliffs and cascading waterfalls, felt like stepping into a fairytale. The charm of the village, with its wooden chalets, crystal-clear river, and lush green meadows, was absolutely mesmerizing. We spent hours just wandering the scenic paths, taking in the breathtaking views of Staubbach Falls and the surrounding mountains. It’s the kind of place that makes you stop and appreciate the sheer beauty of nature. If you’re visiting Switzerland, this is an absolute must-see—it was one of the most magical experiences of our trip!”

Day 10 Brienz Woodcarving Museum, Lakeside Lucerne

The turquoise blue water of Lake Brienz, with greenery surrounding it is a sight to behold. Head up to Brunngasse, “the most beautiful street in Europe”, showing off Brienz’s quintessentially Swiss architecture, complete with cobblestones, wooden chalet-style houses, and window planters filled with colorful flowers. The houses on the street date as far back as the 18th century and are the perfect backdrop for Instagram-worthy photos.

While it’s inaccurate to say Brienz wood carving “saved” Switzerland, it certainly became a significant economic and cultural force in the region and played a role in its development. After a famine in 1816, the Swiss government encouraged wood carving in the Brienz area to create jobs and leverage existing timber resources, transforming it into a prominent art form. This, coupled with the rise in tourism, helped Brienz become a major center for wood carving in Switzerland.

Sadly, our picturesque tour must come to an end. As we traversed back to City living, we had the luxury of acclimatizing in beautiful Lucerne. Spent 3 relaxing days just exploring and perusing.

Check in Hotel Wilden Mann, Lucerne (2nights)

Day 11 Tour of Lucerne, Mt Pilatus and Farewell Dinner

Lucerne is an ancient town with strikingly modern sensibilities. One of Europe’s oldest covered bridges serves as its centerpiece, and fresco-adorned historic houses line the streets, but it’s also home to the cutting-edge KKL, a concert hall and art gallery. Take the cableways up the Pilatus, Stanserhorn or Rigi mountains for breathtaking views, or see Lake Lucerne on a steamship cruise.

Day 12 Depart Switzerland

Departed via Emirates : Manila – Abu Dhabi – Geneva

Departed via Emirates: Zurich – Abu Dhabi – Manila

*** Emirates’ Chauffeur Service was so convenient as we shuttled to and from airports.

https://www.emirates.com/ph/english/experience/chauffeur-drive/