France and Switzerland Highlights

Welcome to Paris. Upon arrival, we’ll transfer you to your hotel where you’ll have some free time to settle in. In the afternoon, you can find all the information you need about the start of your tour on the notice boards located at the hotel reception. This allows you to get acquainted with the schedule and plan your first evening in the city at your leisure.
Please note: This tour may have travellers joining or departing at various points along the route, meaning group composition can change during the tour.

We begin the day with a visit to the magnificent Palace of Versailles, famed for its splendid gardens and historic significance as a royal residence (entrance not included). After returning to Paris, we explore Montmartre, a vibrant bohemian district known for its artistic heritage and cabarets. To complete the experience, we take a panoramic city tour with a local guide, showcasing Paris’s grand avenues and iconic landmarks. The day concludes with a return to the hotel; in the evening, you may choose to attend an optional variety show.

We begin the day in central Paris with a visit to the iconic Eiffel Tower. We’ll ascend to the second floor of this famous iron structure, with tickets included. Following this, we’ll enjoy a relaxing cruise on the Seine lasting about one hour and fifteen minutes, providing a unique perspective of the city’s landmarks from the river. The afternoon is free for you to explore Paris at your own pace – please note that transfers back to the hotel are not included. If wait times at the Eiffel Tower are lengthy, we may reschedule the visit to later in the day or to Sunday for your convenience.

Today, we travel to the heart of France, crossing the Burgundy region, famed for its charming vineyards and exceptional wines. Our first stop is Beaune, a delightful town known for its flower-filled streets, historic hospice, and wine museum. You’ll have free time here for lunch and a stroll. We then continue to Lyon, the former Roman capital of Gaul, situated on the Rhône River. Lyon's historic centre is a UNESCO World Heritage site. We take a cable car up to Notre-Dame de Fourvière, where we enjoy panoramic views of the city. You will have some free time to explore Lyon at your leisure. Please note, depending on the group, some travellers may stay overnight in Chambéry, a medieval-style city near Lyon, with time to visit its impressive castle and historic centre the following morning.

Today we travel to Switzerland, beginning in Geneva. We'll pass the Palace of Nations, the European headquarters of the United Nations, and visit the English Garden to see its famous flower clock, as well as admire the Jet d?Eau, Europe's tallest fountain. After lunch, our journey continues through picturesque Swiss landscapes along Lake Geneva and Lake Neuch?tel. We'll drive through the Three Lakes region, renowned for its vineyards set against a mountainous backdrop. We'll stop in Neuch?tel, where you can enjoy a lakeside walk, explore the historic town centre, or visit the stunning 10th-century castle. Our day concludes in Zurich, where we arrive in the late afternoon. Please note, depending on the group size, the segment from Geneva to Zurich may be by train, in which case the stop in Neuch?tel will be omitted.

With our guide, we’ll explore Zurich, Switzerland’s largest city and its financial and cultural hub. Known for its banking sector, Zurich has twice been named the city with the highest quality of life worldwide. Afterwards, we’ll take a scenic cruise on Lake Zurich lasting nearly two hours, with brief stops to appreciate the charming lakeside villages along the way. We’ll disembark in Rapperswil, a picturesque town famous for its medieval castle. From there, we’ll return to Zurich by train, giving you a chance to experience the punctuality and efficiency of the Swiss railway system. Depending on group size, transfers between the city centre and dock may be by public transport.

Today we travel through some of Switzerland’s most spectacular landscapes, surrounded by towering mountains and clear lakes. We begin in the Interlaken region, stopping in the village of Grindelwald for a coffee break before taking a cable car up the mountain. From there, we follow a winding path to a suspended bridge, which offers impressive views of the nearby glaciers—those feeling adventurous may choose to cross it. Lunch is included on the mountain before we descend and continue to Lucerne, a city celebrated for its charming streets and historic atmosphere. You will have free time to explore Lucerne’s delightful cityscape at your own pace. We then return to Zurich for the evening. There is an optional all-day excursion available, which starts in the morning and includes time in Lucerne followed by a cable car ride to the summit of Mount Titlis, where views of the glacier and Alps at over 3,000 metres provide a memorable experience.

After breakfast, your tour concludes, leaving you with lasting memories of your journey. You may choose to begin your onward travel or enjoy some final moments in Zurich at your leisure.