France and Switzerland Highlights

Welcome to Paris. Upon arrival, we will transfer you to your hotel where you will have some free time to settle in. In the afternoon, you can find important information about the start of your tour on the notice boards in the hotel reception area, helping you prepare for the days ahead.
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 splendid Palace of Versailles, famed for its grand architecture and extensive gardens (entrance fee not included). Returning to Paris, we explore Montmartre, a vibrant neighbourhood known for its artistic heritage and lively cabaret scene. To round off the day, we enjoy a panoramic tour of Paris with a local guide, taking in the city’s impressive boulevards and iconic landmarks. After the tour, we return to the hotel. In the evening, you may choose to attend an optional variety show for an entertaining night out.

We begin the day in central Paris with a visit to the iconic Eiffel Tower, including tickets to ascend to the second floor of this famous iron landmark. Following this, we’ll enjoy a relaxing boat cruise along the Seine lasting around one hour and fifteen minutes, offering a unique perspective of the city’s landmarks from the water. The afternoon is yours to explore Paris at your leisure; please note that transfers back to the hotel are not included. If wait times at the Eiffel Tower are excessive, we may reschedule this visit to a different time or the following day for your convenience.

Today we travel to the heart of France, passing through the Burgundy region, famed for its scenic vineyards and distinguished wines. Our first stop is Beaune, a delightful town at the centre of Burgundy, known for its flower-filled streets, historic hospice, and wine museum. You’ll have some free time to enjoy lunch and a stroll around the town. We then continue to Lyon, the former capital of Roman Gaul, situated on the banks of the Rhône River. Lyon’s historic centre is a UNESCO World Heritage site. We take a cable car up to Notre-Dame de Fourvière to enjoy panoramic views of the city. You’ll have free time to explore Lyon at your leisure. Please note that, in some cases, part of the group may stay overnight in Chambéry, a nearby city with a medieval-style historic centre and notable castle. If so, you will travel there this evening and have time the following morning to visit this charming town.

Today we cross into Switzerland, beginning in Geneva. We'll pass the Palace of Nations, the European headquarters of the United Nations, then visit the English Garden, noted for its floral clock, and admire the Jet d?Eau, Europe's tallest fountain. After lunch, we continue through scenic Swiss landscapes, travelling beside Lake Geneva and Lake Neuch?tel. The route takes us through the Three Lakes region, framed by vineyards and mountains. We'll stop in Neuch?tel, where you can stroll along the lakeside, explore the historic town centre or visit its 10th-century castle. Our journey concludes in Zurich, where we arrive in the late afternoon. Please note, depending on passenger numbers, the segment from Geneva to Zurich may be by train, with no stop in Neuch?tel.

We’ll begin the day with a guided tour of Zurich, Switzerland’s largest city and its financial and cultural hub. Known for its banking sector, Zurich has been recognised twice as the city with the highest quality of life worldwide. Following the tour, we’ll enjoy a scenic cruise of almost two hours on Lake Zurich, with stops to visit some of the charming lakeside villages along the way. We’ll disembark in Rapperswil, a picturesque village known for its medieval castle. From there, we’ll return to Zurich by train, giving you a chance to experience the renowned Swiss railway system. Depending on group size, transfers to and from the city centre may be by public transport.

Today’s journey showcases spectacular alpine scenery with towering mountains and clear lakes in the Interlaken region. We start in Grindelwald, where we’ll pause for a coffee before taking a cable car up the mountain. From there, we’ll follow a winding path to a suspended bridge that offers dramatic views of the surrounding glaciers – you may wish to cross the bridge if you feel adventurous. Lunch is included on the mountain before we return down. Our afternoon takes us to Lucerne, one of Switzerland’s most picturesque cities, where you’ll have free time to explore its charming streets. We then return to Zurich for the evening. For those interested, an optional full-day excursion is available, beginning in the morning with free time in Lucerne followed by a rotating cable car ascent to Mount Titlis. At over 3,000 metres, the summit provides stunning glacier and Alpine views.

We leave Zurich and travel to Alsace, arriving in Strasbourg – the region’s capital known for its unique blend of French and German culture. You’ll have time to explore the city at your leisure before we continue on to Paris in the evening.

After breakfast, the tour concludes, allowing you to depart at your leisure with many lasting memories of your journey.