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Switzerland Itinerary: Luxury Summer Tour

  • Lucerne, Grindelwald, Zermatt, St. Moritz, Zürich
  • 11 nights / 12 days, prices start from USD$7,500 per person

Embark on a Swiss adventure through a tapestry of stunning landscapes, from Lucerne’s charm to Grindelwald’s thrills, Zermatt’s serenity to St. Moritz’s luxury and Zürich’s cosmopolitan vibe. This Swiss odyssey promises unforgettable memories amid breathtaking natural beauty and cultural richness.

Let Switzerland enchant you through alpine luxury and adventure.

Top Highlights

  • Enjoy the thrilling Mt. Pilatus journey via cogwheel railway to soak in panoramic Alpine views
  • Discover the mountains through outdoor activities such as hiking, sailing, and gondola rides
  • Experience idyllic, charming swiss towns that are blanketed in snow during the winter and blooming with flowers during the summer
  • Savour a delicious Swiss meal on a mountainside restaurant with a Matterhorn view
  • Explore Zurich's vibrant city life, including shopping, art, and historic buildings still full of energy

What’s Included

We design unforgettable and luxurious journeys just for you. Our bespoke trips include:

  • Double room accommodations
  • Breakfast at hotels
  • Private transfers
  • Private tours and experiences
  • Full support from your travel designer and on the ground

Best Time to Visit

Embrace the majestic Swiss Alps on a breathtaking grand train tour!  Spring (late May-June) and autumn (September-October) showcase Switzerland’s stunning landscapes in vibrant bloom or ablaze with fall foliage. Comfortable temperatures and clear skies enhance the panoramic train journeys.

Summer (July-August) boasts longer daylight hours for sightseeing, but expect higher crowds and potentially warmer weather on the trains.

Winter (December-February) transforms Switzerland into a wonderland, offering snowy vistas and festive charm on some routes, though some high-altitude journeys may have limited availability.

Choose your season based on your preference for scenery, weather, and crowds.

  • Average time to visit
  • Good time to visit
  • Best time to visit

Itinerary

Arrive in Zurich

Lucerne

Lucerne is undeniably one of Europe’s most enchanting cities, located in German-speaking central Switzerland. With its magnificent lakeside and mountain scenery, its remarkable variety of tourist attractions and its idyllic location at the northwest end of Lake Lucerne, the city is thought by many to be the epitome of ‘true’ Switzerland.

The landscape is a wonderland of snow-capped mountains, glistening lakes, cowbells, alpine villages and meadows full of Edelweiss. The pedestrianised city centre is a maze of cobblestone streets lined with medieval-style buildings adorned with wonderful displays of colourful flowers.

You’ll stay in the heart of it all at the gorgeous Hotel des Balances, perched right on the bank of the Reuss providing a stunning view. From here, you can stroll the banks and cross the river on the famous Chapel Bridge.

Outside of the city, enjoy the ‘Golden round-trip’ of Mt. Pilatus, including a boat trip on Lake Lucerne featuring a view of the surrounding mountains. You’ll also board the steepest cogwheel railway in the world, located in Alpnachstad to reach the summit at 2,132m. Eat lunch at one of five restaurants, taking in the panoramic view of the Alpine massif and its mountain range while you savour traditional Swiss cuisine.

 
Suggested Accommodation: Hotel des Balances

Des Balances Switzerland luxury travel Europe GHardy Des Balances Switzerland luxury travel Europe GHardy Des Balances Switzerland luxury travel Europe GHardy

Grindelwald

Tucked amidst the gorgeous Bernese Alps in the Jungfrau Region of Switzerland, the alpine village of Grindelwald is best known for its excellent skiing and hiking opportunities, depending on the season. You’ll stay at the beautifully appointed Hotel Belvedere, where you can enjoy authentic Swiss hospitality whilst having access to the local shops and cafés of Grindelwald.

This charming mountain village also offers gondola rides up to the minor summit on Schwarzhorn, where visitors can attempt the thrilling First Cliff Walk. Enjoy a guided tour, taking the Eiger Express up to Eiger Gletscher station, where you can admire the incredible glacial landscape. From here, take the train to Jungfraujoch, Europe’s highest railway station for the view down the Aletsch Glacier, the longest on the European continent. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, the journey will prove to be spectacular, no matter the weather. From the very top at the Sphinx Terrace observatory, you can enjoy magnificent views of the aforementioned Aletsch Glacier, as well as sweeping views of the mountains of Italy, France, and Germany. And even if the clouds block your view, you can still enjoy the Alpine Sensation, the Ice palace, the highest Lindt chocolate store in the world, and more.

 
Suggested Accommodation: Hotel Belvedere Grindelwald

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Zermatt

Set in southern Switzerland’s Valais canton at the foot of the mighty and jagged Matterhorn, one of the most recognizable mountains in the world, lies the quaint town of Zermatt. Enjoy hiking and climbing the peaks of the surrounding snow-capped mountains, or explore the depths of the ancient geological marvel that is the Gorner Gorge. History lovers will delight in the multimedia displays and artefacts at the Matterhorn Museum.

With gentle walking paths leading to Michelin-star mountain restaurants, a glacier palace waiting to be explored, and a cable car system leading into Italy (the Alpine Crossing opened in 2024 linking Zermatt to Cervinia) for a bona fide Italian trattoria lunch, the options are endless. You’ll stay at the Hotel National Zermatt, featuring an onsite restaurant and views of the iconic Matterhorn, nestled in heart of Zermatt. The village itself features ancient half-timbered buildings juxtaposed with luxury shops lining flower bedecked roads and alleyways. Enjoy a wine tasting with a sommelier on the Infinity Terrace. Swiss wines are lesser known, but with DOC designations and UNESCO World Heritage Site vineyards, they are a delight.

For a truly spectacular experience, consider a helicopter flight around the tip of the Matterhorn with Air Zermatt for a once-in a lifetime exhilarating opportunity to view the glaciers up close, see the summit, and fly over the peaks.

 
Suggested Accommodation: Hotel National Zermatt

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St. Moritz

Located in the southern Alps of Switzerland alongside an aquamarine lake, surrounded by magnificent emerald forests and towering snow-capped peaks, St. Moritz is the star-studded epitome of exclusive, luxurious, ski resort towns.

To get here, you can take the scenic ‘Glacier Express’ Panoramic train journey from Zermatt to St. Moritz. Hailed as the most iconic and luxurious alpine train route, the Glacier Express takes you through the Alps’ 4000 meter peaks, traversing alpine meadows and passing incomparable landscapes.

The quality and diversity of outdoor sports facilities are virtually unrivalled. Enjoy swimming, sailing, windsurfing, mountain biking, hiking, polo, tennis, and luxury shopping followed by a relaxing soak in the famously fizzy mineral springs. Whiskey lovers will delight in a visit to Devil’s Place Bar, the most extensive whiskey bar in the world (listed in the Guinness Book of Records) – with 2500 varieties.

Stay at the stylish Hotel Schweizerhof St. Moritz, ideally located a short walk from the Chantarella Cable Car while boasting breathtaking views of the Engadin mountains and Lake St. Moritz.

 
Suggested Accommodation: Hotel Schweizerhof St. Moritz

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Zürich

Zürich, or ‘Zuri’, as it is fondly known by its multicultural inhabitants, lies in northern Switzerland at the meeting point of a beautiful lake and river, with the magnificent snow-capped Swiss Alps standing guard high above it. This fairy tale city is renowned for its beauty, cleanliness, efficiency, and heritage. You’ll stay at the Sorell Hotel Seidenhof, just a stroll from the picturesque Old Town and Lake Zürich. Explore medieval alleyways peppered with quirky corner cafes, steepled churches, trendy taprooms, and world-class galleries and restaurants.

A day in Zürich can include browsing the unrivalled selection of luxury stores on it’s famous shopping strip, the Bahnhofstrasse; riding the Polybahn, the 19th-century funicular up a steep hill to admire the spectacular view; or ‘renting’ a free bike or skateboard to meander along the banks of picturesque Lake Zürich. The venerable palace of art at the Kunsthaus is also a major drawcard, containing numerous world-famous masterpieces. From here, you can enjoy a day trip to Kilchberg, home to the world famous Lindt chocolate brand and the Lindt Chocolate Museum. For a truly immersive experience, a chocolate making workshop will teach you the secrets behind champagne truffles and decorating your own chocolate bar.

 
Suggested Accommodation: Sorell Hotel Seidenhof & Spa

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Depart from Zürich

We design each itinerary around you, so this suggested itinerary is a starting point that we can tweak or transform into something just for you.

Hear it from our clients first

I had an absolutely incredible experience with GHardy Tours for my trip to Switzerland. From start to finish, everything was flawlessly organized and executed. The attention to detail was remarkable – from the seamless travel arrangements to the carefully selected accommodations that provided stunning views of the Alps. I can confidently say this was one of the best travel experiences I've ever had. I'm already looking forward to my next adventure with them!
Tamara Bahry / Toronto Canada
Thank you so much for arranging everything for our Italy trip. We had an amazing time without focusing on planning logistics. Your driver and guides are top of the line and mesmerized us with their in-depth knowledge. We cannot express our sincere gratitude with everything you have done for us. Thanks to you, we LOVED, LOVED, LOVED our experience in Italy!
Rob Romero / King City, Canada
The GHardy team planned the perfect family vacation to Italy for us! The hotels, private tours and excursions were all exceptional and exactly what we were hoping for! We didn’t have to stress over anything - we just showed up and there was always someone to meet us. We also took great comfort knowing if any issue did arise, the G/Hardy Tours team, as well as a 24/7 emergency contact on the ground in Italy were always a message or call away.
Kerri Torrey / Toronto, Ontario
Our family vacation to Greece, which included Athens, Crete, Santorini and Mykonos, was unforgettable! The accommodations were lovely and centrally located to maximize our time at all of the hot spot destinations. Our private guides were very informative with all of the history and culture that Greece has to offer. Various transportation needs were met through planes, boats and private transfers which made travel effortless from one destination to the next. Thank you GHardy Tours for putting together a remarkable experience for the whole family to enjoy and providing memories to last a lifetime.
Tammy and Jason / Toronto, Ontario

Why we are the top choice for your next luxury trip.

Our unique approach to planning transformative experiences ensures our clients gain more than just a vacation: they come away with a greater understanding of the world, their place in it, and how the journey has enriched their lives.

  • We prioritize personalized experiences tailored to guests’ wants and needs, from holiday getaways to educational trips and everything in between.
  • Travel is about more than just going from point A to point B. It's an experience; we're here to help you create the best possible one for you and your family or friends.
  • Taste. Indulge. Immerse. Each destination has unique flavours and dishes. Bespoke travel is the perfect way to indulge your senses.
  • Our team of experienced travel planners has an eye for detail, meaning no stone goes unturned when crafting the perfect itinerary. Whenever you want it, the way you want it.