A Week of Swiss Food and History
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What's Included
Here are all the services provided as part of your complete vacation package. See what every JayWay trip includes.
Please let us know if you'd like to upgrade any transfers or add any additional tours or excursions to your itinerary.
Lugano
Lucerne
Zurich
package excludes:
- Flights from and to your home country.
- Tips for Tour Guides, Drivers and Local Reps.
- Meals (other than breakfast if included in room rate and meals listed as included in food tours and excursions, unless explicitly stated otherwise).
- Parking fees for your Rental Car (if you are booking one with us) unless otherwise indicated. Some hotels provide free parking facilities.
- Travel Insurance. See the insurance link on our website
A JayWay vacation is more than the sum of its parts. Our team work tirelessly to ensure your experience is memorable for all the right reasons. Your trip is personalized to maximize your enjoyment. You're taken care of every step of the way.
A Travel Advisor who speaks your language
We will make sure that all your requirements and interests are taken into account in preparing your itinerary.A totally tailored itinerary for your vacation
Your trip is customized for you by an experienced trip planner and an expert on the region.A choice of hand-picked hotels and excursions
We've personally inspected and tested all the hotels and local tour providers we work with to ensure quality.Detailed pre-trip preparation to make the most of every day
Your destination-based Tour Manager will be in touch by email and phone a month before you arrive to finalize timings.On-trip Concierge Service to smooth out any bumps in the road
Your tour manager is at your service throughout your journey. We'll provide a local SIM so you can stay connected.Personalized Guest Page to make sure you're not missing out
Packed with detailed information and recommendations curated by locals on the best things to do, see and eat.3 Nights in Lugano
3 Nights in Lugano
3 Nights in Lugano
The largest Italian city outside Italy, Lugano has been rivals with pricier neighbor Como for centuries. This border city (1/3 of its eponymous lake is Italian) is a charming exemplar of the architecture its southern neighbor is known for. Its palm trees complete the illusion of being somewhere else. Stroll the picturesque boulevards, and enjoy this city's excellent shopping, then venture beyond. Staying at a hotel in Lugano gives you a pass good for free public transportation throughout the surrounding Italian-speaking Ticino canton, including the network of ferries crisscrossing Lake Lugano. A classic activity is to ride a boat (as part of a cruise, or on your own) to one of the "grottos" across the lake, then tuck into one of the authentic rural meals these picturesque restaurants specialize in.
The largest Italian city outside Italy, Lugano has been rivals with pricier neighbor Como for centuries. This border city (1/3 of its eponymous lake is Italian) is a charming exemplar of the architecture its southern neighbor is known for. Its palm trees complete the illusion of being somewhere else. Stroll the picturesque boulevards, and enjoy this city's excellent shopping, then venture beyond. Staying at a hotel in Lugano gives you a pass good for free public transportation throughout the surrounding Italian-speaking Ticino canton, including the network of ferries crisscrossing Lake Lugano. A classic activity is to ride a boat (as part of a cruise, or on your own) to one of the "grottos" across the lake, then tuck into one of the authentic rural meals these picturesque restaurants specialize in.
Day 1
Day 1 - Arrival in Lugano
Stretch Your Legs by the Lake
Day 2
Day 2 - Your First Full Day in Lugano
Lugano Private City Tour with Wine & Gelato Tasting
Discover Lugano by strolling around its beautiful streets and squares, while hearing charming stories from your guide. You'll make stops along the way to taste famous local wines, snacks, and gelato.
Ferries, Ferries, Everywhere
Lugano's region is serviced by frequent public ferries, which are free for those staying in the town's hotels with the Ticino Card (travel pass). Board a boat at Paradiso pier and cruise as far as Morcote, one of the most picturesque towns along the lake. Treat yourself to a good coffee and a local sweet, discover the historical and architectural highlights of the place, and continue to Gandria, the area's other pearl. Choose a grotto for your lunch, embrace the atmosphere, and enjoy fresh lake breeze.
Day 3
Day 3 - Your Second Full Day in Lugano
Three Castles of Bellinzona Private Half-Day Hike
A UNESCO World Heritage site, the three magnificent castles of Bellinzona and their connecting walls are the only examples of defensive military architecture dating back to the Middle Ages that still exist in the area. Get ready for captivating castles, stunning views, interesting stories, and some hiking to conquer the constructions.
A Delicacy Paradise
Savor your stay in Lugano with local treats! Lugano and its surroundings are famed for their honey, chestnuts, and cold cuts, in addition to the celebrated Swiss staple - cheese. The best places to find culinary delights are the area's "grottos," where you can taste various cured meats, cheese, and wines, accompanied by fresh and grilled vegetables. We have a few different excursions that are likely to delight your taste buds, ranging from food and wine or wine and gelato in the city to a lake cruise followed by a cooking workshop near the lake.
Food and Wine of Lugano Private Tour
This guided tour through Lugano's historic center includes several stops so you can enjoy regional specialties, including Merlot wine. Along the way, you'll learn anecdotes behind famous and more hidden parts of this pearl of a city. Every stop is a unique place, selected for its history and traditions. Along the way, you'll fill your stomach, enjoying enough food and drink to replace a meal, making for a perfect combination of history, architecture, lifestyle, and gastronomy.
Lake Cruise and Cook in the Grotto Private Experience
After an evocative cruise on Lake Lugano, you will stop on the opposite shore to enjoy an aperitif on a terrace with a marvelous view of the city. You will then have a hands-on experience cooking typical Ticino-style risotto with help from your guide or a chef. Throughout the experience, your guide will share fascinating stories about the city, its people, and its cuisine.
Lugano Private City Tour with Wine & Gelato Tasting
Discover Lugano by strolling around its beautiful streets and squares, while hearing charming stories from your guide. You'll make stops along the way to taste famous local wines, snacks, and gelato.
Day 4
Day 4 - Traveling to Lucerne by Train
Today you're off to Lucerne. Your driver will pick you up from your accommodations and take you to Lugano's train station. We have included second class train tickets, but you can upgrade to first class for an extra fee. The journey takes about 2.5 hours.
You can upgrade your transfer
Lucerne by Private Transfer
Upgrade for an additional cost
2 Nights in Lucerne
2 Nights in Lucerne
2 Nights in Lucerne
If you only have time for one spot in central Switzerland, make it Lucerne. This charming lakeside town offers a memorable mountain panorama. The town's standout landmark is the 12th century Chapel Bridge (Europe's oldest covered bridge), which runs past the unique octagonal Water Tower. Visitors also tend to make a beeline for the Lion Monument, carved into a cliff, which commemorates the Swiss Guards who sacrificed their lives for the royal family during the French Revolution. Make sure to stop by the lesser-known covered Spreuer Bridge, with its Danse Macabre plaques. If you're fond of classical music, you're more than in luck, as the city offers frequent performances.
If you only have time for one spot in central Switzerland, make it Lucerne. This charming lakeside town offers a memorable mountain panorama. The town's standout landmark is the 12th century Chapel Bridge (Europe's oldest covered bridge), which runs past the unique octagonal Water Tower. Visitors also tend to make a beeline for the Lion Monument, carved into a cliff, which commemorates the Swiss Guards who sacrificed their lives for the royal family during the French Revolution. Make sure to stop by the lesser-known covered Spreuer Bridge, with its Danse Macabre plaques. If you're fond of classical music, you're more than in luck, as the city offers frequent performances.
Day 4
Day 4 - Arrival in Lucerne
Lucerne Private Walking Tour
Discover the fascinating abundant heritage of Lucerne. Simply being there gives the feeling of being trapped in time, but strolling the streets and hearing true medieval stories from a local guide will definitely take you back to the 14th and 15th centuries. Eager to hear some recent history, art and culture? Your private guide is on top of these topics as well.
Day 5
Day 5 - Your First Full Day in Lucerne
Be Trendy, Go Local
Every iconic place has its intriguing past, and Lucerne's trendy Bruch neighborhood is no exception. Once the site of a bustling cattle market from 1912 to 1971, Bruchstrasse was known for its lively trading and less-than-pleasant conditions. The market's closure marked a transformation, and today, Bruch is celebrated for its chic shops, vibrant restaurants, cozy cafés, lively bars, and eclectic art galleries. Just 2 km (1.25 miles) from the city center, you'll also find the Neubad Cultural Center, a unique venue housed in a repurposed indoor pool. Open Tuesday to Sunday from 9:00 AM, Neubad offers a mix of bistro dining, a bar, and a concert and music hall within its original pool space.
Golden Mt. Pilatus
From May to October, embark on the Golden Round Trip to Mt. Pilatus, a spectacular journey that combines five different modes of transport in a single day. Begin with a boat ride from Lucerne, followed by a thrilling ascent on the world’s steepest cogwheel railway. Once you reach the summit, take in breathtaking views and enjoy refreshments on the panoramic terrace or at one of the cozy restaurants. For the return trip, glide down with the "Dragon Ride" aerial cableway to Fräkmüntegg, then take a gondola to Kriens. Complete your adventure by riding the modern trolley bus back to Lucerne, making for a seamless and memorable circular journey. Be sure to check the availability dates for this incredible experience.
Day 6
Day 6 - Traveling to Zurich by Train
Today you'll head to Zurich. Your driver will pick you up from your accommodations and take you to Lucerne's train station. We have included second class train tickets, but you can upgrade to first class for an extra fee. The journey takes about an hour.
You can upgrade your transfer
Zurich by Private Transfer
Upgrade for an additional cost
2 Nights in Zurich
2 Nights in Zurich
2 Nights in Zurich
Switzerland's largest city and main hub, Zurich is where many of the nation's bankers and scholars bump shoulders. This cosmopolitan city ranks highly in terms of livability, but for all its wealth and global prestige, the Old Town remains charming, if almost spotless. The ridges flanking Zurich's river valley offer romantic views, but the best way to hit the ground running in Zurich is to follow the river itself as it cuts through the Old Town, then meets Lake Zurich. Along the way, indulge in detours, from upscale chocolatiers to low-stress beaches.
Switzerland's largest city and main hub, Zurich is where many of the nation's bankers and scholars bump shoulders. This cosmopolitan city ranks highly in terms of livability, but for all its wealth and global prestige, the Old Town remains charming, if almost spotless. The ridges flanking Zurich's river valley offer romantic views, but the best way to hit the ground running in Zurich is to follow the river itself as it cuts through the Old Town, then meets Lake Zurich. Along the way, indulge in detours, from upscale chocolatiers to low-stress beaches.
Day 6
Day 6 - Arrival in Zurich
Upon your arrival to Zurich's main train station, you'll be picked up by a driver and taken to your accommodations.
Enjoy the High Ground
Although Zurich is not the capital of Switzerland, it serves as the country’s industrial, financial, and cultural hub. The city also offers a wealth of sights and activities that rival those of other cities. On your first day, we recommend exploring the Old Town, selecting a few restaurants for later, and then heading up to Lindenhof. From there, you can enjoy a stunning panoramic view of the city, the Limmat River, and the surrounding hills. Afterward, return to the city center to indulge in some culinary delights.
Day 7
Day 7 - Your First Full Day in Zurich
Zurich Private Walking Tour
Grab the opportunity to discover Zurich with a private guide, exploring the city and your related interests at your preferred pace. Visit the major sights or ask for special route and sights so you can get a glimpse behind the scenes, or just rely on your professional local guide, who will undoubtedly ease your appetite for history tidbits, spoil your eyes with architectural highlights, and answer all your questions about Zurich.
A Market Under a Viaduct
Zurich has plenty of shopping to offer. From luxurious design and "haute couture" to locally made goods and vintage finds. For a truly local shopping experience, though, stroll down "Viaduktstrasse", literally the street of the viaduct, where you'll find some peculiar shops and bars under the giant arches of this enormous structure. This is the so-called "Viaduct Market," and this shopping spot has locally designed and produced clothing that is good for any outdoor activities you may be planning on. It also has a fashion workshop run by a community of designers devoted to supporting young talent. Beyond clothing, you can find excellent local and international cuisine and plenty of memorable ways to decorate your home.
Day 8
Day 8 - Departure Day
A driver will pick you up from your accommodations and take you to Zurich's airport with plenty of time to spare before your departing flight.
Glowing Reviews from Our Guests
Average of our Guest's Ratings of tour packages including these destinations
I think you should just keep doing things the same way - everything was great!
– Dan & Roz, California
Visited : Switzerland, Austria
Itinerary : Lucerne, Zermatt, Interlaken, Zurich, Innsbruck, Salzburg
Rating :
Attentive individuals who go out of their way to provide experiences one will remember for a lifetime.
– Philip, Elizabeth & Alexander,
Visited : Germany, Switzerland
Itinerary : Munich, Lucerne, Interlaken, Zurich
Rating :
Exactly what we were looking for. Every important detail was covered, private tours were very flexible and interactive like having a friend in the country. Well done
– Michele, Thomas & Erik, California
Visited : Switzerland, Austria
Itinerary : Lucerne, Zurich, Innsbruck, Salzburg
Rating :