Depart:
Independent Tour-Land Only
7 Days/ 6 Nights
Daily November-December
Christmas Markets:
Zurich:
Zurich Christmas Fair in ShopVille-RailCity Z�rich Europe’s biggest indoor market with more than 160 wooden chalets and a Christmas Tree, which is 50 feet high and decorated with over 5’000 Swarovski Crystal Ornaments.
Zurich Downtown The Christmas market in the heart of the downtown, among Zurich’s department stores and specialized shops. Again this year, the market will offer a full range of Christmas gifts, toys, scents and smells, festive confectionery and fashionable accessories.
Singing Christmas Tree & Christmas Market Werdmhleplatz One minute’s walk from the Bahnhofstrasse, old and young will delight in the voices that make up the Singing Christmas Tree. For the first time this year, a small Christmas market will be held alongside, with 12 market stands and the world exclusive mobile bakery operated by the Belvoirpark Hotel School. Thanks to more than 100 luminous stars, the Werdmhleplatz will be aglow with warm light.
Christmas Market in Montreux The Montreux Christmas market invites you to take a pleasant stroll along Grand-rue, under the roofed-over market and the adjacent square, not to forget the lake-side walk. A sweet pre-Christmas atmosphere embraces the visitor among the lovingly decorated chalets, more than 120 of them, exhibiting the quality of their ware, a rich choice for presents, Christmas decorations, handicraft items and innovative products, not to forget the chalets offering food and “vin chaud” (hot wine). Around the market square, the visitor is attracted by many different things (a live crib, music, craftsmen showing their trade, entertainment for the kids, etc.). Visiting the Montreux Christmas market is a must -, and by also visiting the surroundings you discover a spectacular landscape and many monuments-Friday and Saturday: 11.00 AM to 10.00 PM-Sunday to Thursday: 11.00 AM to 8.00 PM
Basel Christmas Market In the Christmas paradise on the Spalenberg in Basel you will find everything you could desire for your Christmas festivities. The Christmas House is the Mecca for people from all over the world for whom Christmas is the crowning festival of the year.
Price per Person:
Please Call or Email for prices.
Package Includes:
6 nights accommodation in hotel category selected all with private facilities-tourist class hotels:Zurich-Hotel Scheuble, Montreux-Hotel Helvetie, Basel-Hotel Munchnerhof-First class hotels-Zurich-Hotel Claridge, Montreux-Hotel Toscane, Basel-Hotel Metropol
Breakfast daily
Rail transport between cities-2nd class seats with tourist class hotel package and 1st class seats with first class hotel package
Seat in coach Zurich city tour
2 hour private walking tour of Montreux with English speaking guide
2 hour private walking tour of Basel with English speaking guide
Hotel taxes and service charges
Itinerary
Day 1 Zurich
Upon arrival to Zurich airport collect your luggage and take the escalators down to the train station and board your train to downtown Zurich. Upon arrival self transfer to your selected hotel and the remainder of the day and evening are at your leisure to rest or explore on your own. Overnight in Zurich.
Day 2 Zurich
After breakfast morning free to explore one of the cities lovely Christmas Markets. In the afternoon you will enjoy a tour of this cosmopolitan city. Discover this unique city, winner of the award “City of Best Quality of Life.” See the castle-like National Museum, the shopping and business center on Bahnhofstrasse, the Limmatquai with its medieval Old Town and view to the Lindenhof, where the brave women of Zurich saved the city from the invaders, the largest church clock-face of Europe on St. Peter, the patriarchal Guild Houses, the Opera House and the famous lake (picture stop). Enjoy the great experience traveling uphill on the cog-wheel railway (Dolderbahn) into the “Zurichberg” district with its recently renovated noble five-star Grand Hotel Dolder and many superb mansions of glorious past times. Additional highlights are the University and the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (ETH Zurich). Its most famous student and professor was Albert Einstein. Finally there will be a stop in the Old Town at the Fraumunster Church, where you will admire the world-famous Chagall-Windows with detailed explanations. After a short introduction to the Old Town the city tour will end here. Remainder of the day at leisure. Overnight in Zurich.
Day 3 Zurich-Montreux
Following breakfast at your hotel self transfer to the rail station and board your train to French speaking Montreux located on beautiful Lake Geneva. Pass through spectacular scenery including vineyards and mountain terrain until you arrive in the quaint village. Upon arrival self transfer to your selected hotel and the remainder of the day and evening are yours to enjoy. Use your Riviera Card during your stay. It entitles you to travel free of charge on the VMCV bus network and a 50% reduction on train excursions as well as museum and theme park entrance tickets. Overnight in Montreux.
Day 4 Montreux
Following breakfast at your hotel proceed to the Christmas Market where you will be immersed into a magical world of glittering lights and mouth-watering aromas. Discover the enchantment of the most beautiful Christmas market in Switzerland with its many attractions and more than 100 richly decorated stands resembling small chalets overflowing with gifts. Warm up with a mug of mulled wine along the Grand Rue at the market or at the port.You will also enjoy a 2 hour city walk. Montreux is the most frequented resort on Lac Leman (Lake of Geneva), thanks to its beautiful location and pleasant surrounding countryside. The city stretches gently along the shore of a wide, south-facing bay and rises above the lake like a huge amphitheater amidst the wooded and vine-clad slopes. Montreux has attracted many visitors since the 18th century. Its palm trees give sample proof of its mild climate. The main features of the city tour is the Vieux Montreux (the old parts of the township) and, of course, the visit of the Castle of Chillon – one of the most impressive, medieval strongholds of Switzerland, immortalized by many famous poets. Please note that the visit to the Castle of Chillon is not included but can be added with additional cost. Overnight in Montreux.
Day 5 Montreux-Basel
Following breakfast at your hotel self transfer to the rail station and board your train to Basel which is located on the border with France and Germany. Remainder of the day is at leisure to begin your exploration of the city or visit the lovely Christmas Market. or one of the city’s excellent and well known art museums. Overnight in Basel.
Day 6 Basel
This morning or afternoon you will enjoy a 2 hour private walking tour of the city. You will learn how its location on the Rhine affected the development of the city with its city walls, gates and defensive ditches, the outer districts that grew up following the industrialisation of the 19th century. You will also learn about the history of the settlement on the Cathedral Hill and the lower part of the town and the economic development of Basel from a mediaeval trading town on the Rhine to a center for fairs and its present identity as the capital of the chemical and pharmaceutical industry. An explanation of important events such as the Church Council in the 15th century, the beginning of paper manufacture and printing, the Reformation of 1529, and also the founding of Switzerland’s oldest university. Overnight in Basel.
Day 7 Basel-Zurich Airport
After breakfast self transfer to the rail station for your ride to the Zurich airport. You can extend your stay in cosmopolitan Basel and visit nearby Colmar in France or the Black Forest in Germany or continue to Austria or Ticino the Italian speaking part of Switzerland.
Additional nights available.
Extension to Lucerne is available.
