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Switzerland, Alsace &...
 

Switzerland, Alsace & the Black Forest

12 days |  14 days with Rhine Valley extension
12 days |  14 days with Rhine Valley extension
Group size1528 travelers
Reviews

4.7 out of 5 stars

60
Physical activity
OverviewItineraryDates & pricesReviewsTraveler photosHotels, flights & FAQ
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Alpine vistas, charming towns, and enchanting forests await.

From Switzerland’s mountainous landscapes to Germany’s mystical Black Forest, impressive views are around every corner in this breathtaking region. See the iconic Matterhorn up close at Gornergrat, wind your way through Colmar’s charming streets in Alsace, then venture out into an ethereal land known for its fairy tales and decadent Black Forest cake.

Your tour package includes

  • 10 nights in handpicked hotels
  • 10 breakfasts
  • 4 dinners with beer or wine
  • 8 sightseeing tours
  • Expert Tour Director & local guides
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Included highlights

  • Lake Lucerne
  • Chillon Castle
  • Gornergrat open-air cog railway
  • the Matterhorn
  • Glacier Express train ride
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Start planning today

An expert specializing in tours of this region is here to help.

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Day-by-day itinerary

Print itinerary
Overnight Flight1 night
Day 1: Travel day

Board your overnight flight to Zurich today.

Lucerne Region2 nights
Day 2: Arrival in Lucerne via Zurich
Included meal: Welcome dinner

Welcome to Switzerland! After arriving in Zurich, transfer to your hotel in the Lucerne region to meet your fellow travelers at tonight’s welcome dinner.

Day 3: Sightseeing tour of Lucerne
Included meal: Breakfast

With your guide leading the way, get to know lakeside Lucerne, the most populous city in Central Switzerland.

  • Pass hand-painted facades along the cobbled streets of the Old Town
  • View the Lion Monument, a tribute to the Swiss Guards who sacrificed their lives in Paris during the French Revolution
  • See the Jesuit Church, the first large Baroque building of its kind to be built in Switzerland north of the Alps
  • Cross the iconic Kapellbrücke, a covered wooden footbridge spanning the Reuss River, and view the Water Tower

Enjoy a free afternoon to explore the Lucerne region on your own or add an excursion.

Mount Pilatus

From $185 per person

Zermatt2 nights
Day 4: Zermatt via Montreux & Chillon Castle
Included meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Pass through the scenic foothills of the Alps today, stopping to visit Chillon Castle and Montreux on the shores of Lake Geneva. Then, make your way to the car-free mountain town of Zermatt. Upon arrival, follow your Tour Director on a short orientation tour and take in views of the iconic Matterhorn.

Later, sit down to an included dinner with your group.

Day 5: The Matterhorn Region
Included meal: Breakfast

Set out to explore the mountainous landscapes surrounding the Matterhorn today. Stop along the way to visit Gornergrat, a ridge overlooking the Gorner Glacier.

  • Board Europe’s highest open-air cog railway for a ride to the summit
  • Take in spectacular panoramic views of the Matterhorn
Interlaken2 nights
Day 6: Interlaken via the Glacier Express & Andermatt
Included meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Board the Glacier Express, a famed train with cars specially designed for scenic viewing, and travel north through the Alps to Andermatt. Then, make your way to Interlaken, the gateway to the region’s towering mountains and pristine lakes.

Sit down to an included dinner with your group this evening.

Day 7: Free day in Interlaken
Included meal: Breakfast

Enjoy a full free day in Interlaken or add an excursion.

Jungfraujoch: The Top of Europe

From $299 per person

Alsace Region2 nights
Day 8: Alsace Region via Bern
Included meal: Breakfast

Before crossing the border into France, make a stop in the Swiss capital of Bern for a sightseeing tour led by your Tour Director.

  • Cross the Aare River and head to the iconic Bern Bear Park, home to a community of brown bears
  • Stroll through the UNESCO-recognized Old Town, making your way past the Cathedral of Bern

Then continue on to the Alsace region of France, known for its storybook villages and sprawling vineyards.

Day 9: Sightseeing tour of Strasbourg
Included meal: Breakfast

Explore the Alsace capital city of Strasbourg on a tour with a local guide. Then, take to the river for a short cruise.

  • Make your way through the Grande Île neighborhood, passing by Place Gutenberg, Cathédrale Notre-Dame, and Palais Rohan, known as a miniature Versailles
  • Continue your tour by boat, admiring the Petite France neighborhood, Barrage Vauban, and Ponts Couverts from the water

This afternoon, enjoy free time to continue exploring Strasbourg on your own or add an excursion.

Alsace Wine Tasting & Dinner

From $159 per person

Black Forest Region2 nights
Day 10: Freiburg via Colmar
Included meal: Breakfast

En route to the Black Forest region, stop for a guided sightseeing tour of the charming city of Colmar, known for its impeccably preserved old town.

  • Discover “Little Venice,” an area known for its canals
  • Walk through the famous old town, seeing Maison Pfister, the Bartholdi Museum, and Saint Martin Church

Continue on to the German town of Freiburg, known as the entry point into the fabled Black Forest. Here, you’ll set out on an orientation of the town with your Tour Director in the lead.

  • Enter the Gothic Freiburg Minster cathedral, built during the 13th century
  • Pass by the Historisches Kaufhaus, City Hall, and Martinstor city gate
Day 11: Black Forest Region
Included meals: Breakfast, Farewell dinner

Set out to explore more of the Black Forest region today.

  • Visit the Black Forest Open Air Museum to learn about the region’s history, culture, and traditions from a local guide
  • Try a slice of Black Forest cake, named for the tart cherry liquor that gives it its signature taste
  • Marvel at regional artifacts inside the Black Forest Museum during free time
  • Admire the world’s largest cuckoo clock which was built using traditional century-old blueprints at 60 times the original scale

Later this evening, join your fellow travelers for a farewell dinner.

Flight Home
Day 12: Departure
Included meal: Breakfast (excluding early morning departures)

Transfer to the Zurich airport for your flight home or continue your trip to explore the Rhine Valley.

Extension to Rhine Valley
Take to the countryside and join your Tour Director to discover the charming Rhine Valley, home to some famous wines and storybook scenery. Stop in Heidelberg, then explore the small towns nestled along shores of the famous Rhine River.
Rhine Valley2 nights
Day 12: Rhine Valley via Heidelberg
Included meal: Breakfast

On your way to the Rhine Valley, stop in Heidelberg for a guided sightseeing tour.

  • Walk through old Heidelberg, passing Market Square and Heidelberg University
  • Take a funicular ride up to Heidelberg Castle and enjoy panoramic views of the Old Bridge and Rhine River
Day 13: Free day in the Rhine Valley
Included meal: Breakfast

Enjoy a free day to explore the Rhine Valley on your own or add an excursion.

This evening, sip a farewell drink as you celebrate your trip with your fellow group members.

Rhine River Cruise & Wine Tasting

From $185 per person

Flight Home
Day 14: Departure
Included meal: Breakfast (excluding early morning departures)

Transfer to the Frankfurt airport for your flight home.

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Reviews

4.7 out of 5 stars

Overall rating 4.7 out of 5

Based on 60 authentic traveler reviews
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    3 out of 5 stars

    Did not quite meet our expectation
    10/5/23 by 1st-time traveler Anonymous

    We had a nice trip and some parts were very good (itinerary, small group size, bus and driver, tour guide), but the hotel locations and group dinners were main issues for us. We did not get to enjoy Lucerne, Strasbourg, nor Freiburg in the evenings because the hotels were so poorly located outside ...

    Read more +
    EF Go Ahead Tours replied on 11/7/23

    Thank you so much for taking the time to provide y...

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    5 out of 5 stars

    10/5/23 by 1st-time traveler Anonymous

    4 out of 5 stars

    Europe tour group 8/24 - 9/6
    8/24/23 by 1st-time traveler Donna

    Atto -our tour leader was absolutely SUPERB!! Extremely knowledgeable , friendly, professional always a smile , always on time, it was like traveling with a University Professor hearing history, politics, travel anecdotes. Group meals were poor to mediocre , hotels good , every stop had great coffee...

    Read more +
    EF Go Ahead Tours replied on 10/10/23

    Thank you for your review! We are so glad Atto pro...

    Read more +
    Show more reviews

    Traveler photos

    Hotels, flights & FAQ

    Here's the nitty-gritty—where you’ll stay, how you’ll get there, and what to know about your destination before you go.

    Hotels

    We handpick every hotel to strike the balance of comfort, location, and local charm. Specific accommodations will vary based on your departure date, but these are frequently used hotels for this tour and we're confident you'll be satisfied.
    Grand Hotel Europe
    Grand Hotel Europe

    This Belle Époque hotel is located near the lake promenade. Guests enjoy a restaurant, bar, and outdoor terrace. Nearby, you’ll find Lake Lucerne, Cha...

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    Hotel Butterfly
    Hotel Butterfly

    This Alpine-inspired hotel is located in Zermatt Village Center. Guests enjoy a Finnish sauna, Turkish steambath, and a hotel bar. Nearby, you'll find...

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    Carlton Europe Hotel
    Carlton Europe Hotel

    This Art Nouveau-style hotel is located in Interlaken. Guests enjoy a spa, on-site restaurant serving traditional Swiss dishes, and the wellness area....

    Read more +
    voco Strasbourg Centre - the Garden
    voco Strasbourg Centre - the Garden

    This chic hotel is located in the Poincaré neighborhood of Strasbourg. Guests enjoy the indoor pool, fitness center, and outdoor terrace. Nearby you'l...

    Read more +
    Hotel Stadt Freiburg
    Hotel Stadt Freiburg

    This upscale, contemporary hotel is located in the Stühlinger district of the Black Forest Region. Guests enjoy the on-site coffee house, bicycle rent...

    Read more +

    Flights

    Round-trip flights are one more thing we handle to make your journey as smooth as possible. Our team of travel experts will find the best flight itinerary for you at a competitive rate, thanks to our partnerships with top airlines.
    Add our airfare package and you'll get:
    • Round-trip flight for your tour
    • Airport transfers at your destination
    • A great price locked in today
    • 24/7 support from our dedicated service team
    • Options for arriving early, staying longer, or requesting an upgrade
    • Flexible rebooking options if your tour itinerary changes
    • Find out more about flights

    FAQ

    Print FAQ

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