Best of Switzerland in 12 Days Tour

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Scenery in Mürren"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

One of my favorite of many, many trips. Guide (Donald) was excellent, humorous, good humor, excellent communicator. The itinerary and hotels were excellent. The amount of guided time and free time was perfect balance. The number of meals with the group and on our own also perfect.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Murren. Both days were magical."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This was our first RS tour. We had our four children with us - ages from 11 to 17. The tour was outstanding! We would highly recommend it to anyone. It easily exceeded our expectations.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The Alps and Murren were simply breathtaking in their beauty. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

We absolutely enjoyed our Switzerland vacation. The tour guide, Donald, was so knowledgeable, entertaining and organized. He did a great job of providing tips and tricks, history and interesting facts about the different locations we visited. We would have enjoyed staying longer in some of the more scenic villages, versus the larger cities (Lausanne and Bern in particular).

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Visiting the Lauterbrunnen valley and Mürren were unforgettable and certainly the part of the trip we will never forget."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Food was good, guides were all great, sites were beautiful. Really no negatives to list.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Hiking mountains in Mürren. Surprisingly, making risotto with group."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Gondola up the Schilthorn and breakfast at the top, with beautiful views of the Alps...breathtaking! "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Phenomenal tour from top-to-bottom. Really gives you an overall view of Switzerland's history and beauty.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The walk through Gimelwald, which included a picnic on a mountainside with breath-taking views."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Every little detail was taken care of by our tour guide Holger. Recent rains caused the trip to be amended and He did a fantastic job of coordinating and managing the situation.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The picturesque views in and around many of the tiny towns and mountain tops. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Favorite "WOW" moment

"On the morning of day 9 the clouds disappeared to show a brilliant blue Swiss sky with views of Eiger, Monch, and Jungfrau peaks. It made my day actually two days (9 & 10)."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This tour exceeded my expectations. I picked it because I wanted to see the Alps. They exceeded my expectations, as did the cities and small towns we visited along the way. Our tour guide, Holger, was a gem and the local tour guides who joined us along the way were exceptional. This was my first Rick Steves and I’m certain it won’t be the last.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Hiking in the Alps."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Overall everything went very smoothly

Favorite "WOW" moment

"In Mürren, opening my hotel curtains to see the mountains crystals clear with blue skies and sun. When we came in the evening before everything was covered in fog"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

It was a fabulous experience all the way around!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"So many great moments, but I'll highlight one: My husband, son, and I (along with another tour mate) rented a sailboat for the day on Lake Lugano. It was incredible. Later, our tour group had fun at a risotto making lesson with the restaurant and then enjoyed the fruits of our labor. Later in the evening, we enjoyed the outdoor gathering of locals at the marina with music and food and drink booths. A beautiful, relaxing, and enjoyable place! I want to return! "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Well paced. Lovely accommodations. Perhaps a few too many "coffee" stops while on the bus but I understand that may be a driver requirement. We were lucky to have beautiful weather.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Murren and its mountain views"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

My fifth RS tour and this was as consistently high quality as the others. Good overview of Switzerland by visiting cities/sites/mountains in each cultural/linguistic area. Donald, our tour leader, was knowledgeable and good about repeating information because as much you think you're paying attention you aren't always. Local guides were fantastic, enthusiastically explaining their cities. Our fellow travelers were friendly. Loved it! Go on this tour!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"My first look at each new place we stopped - so many beautifully preserved cities. Also, on our own we walked a little along the Lauterbrunnen Valley - magical with the valley walls going straight up and waterfalls pouring down. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

It was a wonderful overview of the small country of Switzerland. Thoughtfully curated itinerary, wide variety of interesting and fun activities, excellent Guide (Donald), charming accommodations, nice meals. The entire experience reached the high standard we have come to expect (and appreciate) with Rick Steves European Tours!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"There were many, but if I had to pick just one, I would choose the boat cruise and risotto cooking class on Lake Lugano. The weather was sunny and warm, the lake was calm, the scenery spectacular and it was such a fun (and delicious!) activity. Even the music on the boat added to the ambience. It was an enjoyable and memorable evening! We had awesome group dynamics too!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The tour met all my expectations. The local guides were great and added to the experience greatly. Donald, our tour director, was exemplary! Transportation was simple and efficient.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The variable weather in Switzerland was challenging, but expected. The smaller towns offered a welcome change from the larger cities and gave a well rounded experience. I really enjoyed the mix of boat, train, funicular rides."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The main tour guide and the local guides were all very knowledgeable, interesting, and caring. they were all excellent! Switzerland was so beautiful and each area in which we traveled was vividly described by each guide.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The views from Murren and Plz Gloria were breathtaking. Even though much was cloudy, there were times when the blue sky revealed the most glorious mountain views and we even saw double rainbows one afternoon. "

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

An excellent sampling of everything Swiss. Got a flavor of each area of the country, with great historic explanations from the main guide, and particularly the local guides, who were outstanding. Main guide did a great job of calling audibles to work around weather-related closures and obstacles.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Probably the view of the Matterhorn from the patio at the top of the cog train station. "

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

This was one of my favorite tour itineraries with Rick Steves Tours. This tour is much more focused on the scenery and experiences vs. visiting cathedrals and museums. It was a great change of pace and I enjoyed every minute. This tour felt a bit more busy than others, but the experiences were so worthwhile; the yodeling class, the chocolate bar class, the risotto making, the wine and cheese tastings were so fun. Shout out to our guide in Bern and the Q&A at the brewery were fantastic.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"So many! Having clear skies in Zermatt and seeing the Matterhorn in all its glory. Taking the funicular up to Monte San Salvatore above Lugano on a clear day with the 360 degree views was stunning. The full day in Murren was disappointing weather wise, but having the clouds clear on our walk to dinner and then being treated to a double rainbow across the valley made up for the lousy weather."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

We saw so much and walked through all kinds of experiences. The planning and execution of the trip was very very professional, with surprises around every turn! Non-stop.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The boat rides on magnificent lakes with breathtaking views."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Of course we loved this tour (our twelfth with Rick Steves).

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The double rainbow in Murren after a rainy day."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The overall experience was wonderful. I knew from the opening night, when I found out that my wife and I were the only "tour virgins" on the trip that we would be in for a good time. Neither Rick Steves Europe nor Switzerland disappointed!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Probably the views of Lugano from the summit of Monte San Salvatore. "

Overall rating: rating 3 of 5

Switzerland's natural beauty is captivating, and the RS tour provided the means by which we could soak up many of its delights. The boat rides, the gondolas and the funicular rides took us to delightful places that we will always remember. Our bus driver, Demetrius, made travel by land painless and swift, despite many of the obstacles he faced.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Our boat ride on Lake Lucerne was simply glorious. It took place on a day when the sun actually broke out and lit up the mountains and the water we sailed on. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

It was a beautiful trip. Awesome scenery everywhere. Good weather for the most part.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Being up in the alps and hearing nothing but wind and cowbells as misty clouds wafted by."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The cities visited were lovely. The hotels were very good. We always had comfortable rooms. Donald was an excellent guide. No shortage of delicious food.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Every day had at least one great feature, sometimes 2 or 3. Favorite wow moments were Ebenalp hiking, experiencing Murren, and visiting the Alp Horn maker. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Switzerland was a well balanced tour with city exploration and alpine exploration. I feel we really got a good overview of the whole country. Our guide Donald was wonderful and the group was fun and interesting.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"I loved our dinner on Lake Lugano, where we took a boat across the lake, made delicious risotto, had a jolly dinner together, and sang show tunes on the voyage back to our very nice hotel. Wonderful!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This was our 10th RS tour, and one of our favorite! I mean… SWITZERLAND!! Miriam was an outstanding guide, and everything went smoothly!!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The morning we woke up in Mürren and the clouds had cleared and the mountains were SO CLEAR!!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Excellent experience

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Observing the Agriculture taking place and the different ways they were putting up hay."

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Our guide Mirjam was fantastic. It was obvious that she really enjoyed her job. The tour was a good cross-section of Switzerland with lots of fun and interesting experiences such as risotto making, chocolate class, yodeling together, and a visit to the alp horn workshop. I especially enjoyed the scenic parts like Murren and Ebenalp.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"I think one of my favorite parts of the tour was waking up in Murren and seeing the snow-capped mountains with the full moon above them."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This was our 5th tour and it was the high quality we have come to expect. Everything was well done, the hotels in great locations, great food and helpful and informative guides.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The full day in Murren. When we opened our window in the morning, the clouds had departed and we had the most beautiful view of the mountains. The whole day was full of magical views. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Enjoyed learning about the different cantons and seeing the variety of geography.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The views around Mürren"

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Not a single problem! I never wished I were anywhere else! Smooth, memorable, enjoyable.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Risotto cooking class in a grotto, along with wine and charcuterie."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Excellent overview of Switzerland

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The mountain views in Mürren"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Everything ran like clockwork and learned a lot.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The view from the top of Schilthorn. "

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Lots of bus time but, that is because you travel the entire country of Switzerland. Great guide!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Night time walk along the shore of lake Lugano."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Our tour guide, Mirjam, was excellent. She provided us with useful information about food and activities in every place we visited. All of the places we visited were exceptionally beautiful and interesting. Highly recommend this tour. There is a perfect combination of free time and scheduled time.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Too many to choose but if forced to pick one it has to be the boat ride on Lake Lugano followed by a dinner at a beautiful lake side restaurant where drank wine we cooked our own risotto. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

A very nice tour and Jade was excellent. My biggest disappointment was having 2.5 hours at Zermatt !!! Many wanted to take the ride up, but there wan't enough time. More time in Zermatt is needed. It was frustrating to have the tours upon arriving pointing out fabulous restaurants, chocolate shops, etc but there was very little free time to explore. In Lausanne we only had until 10:20am and got back about 6:30pm. The wine tasting in Lausanne could have been cut out, allowing us time to explore.

Overall rating: rating 3 of 5

It was a good experience but not what I had hoped for. Way too much time on the bus, way too much time in the city. I always hear Rick talk about getting up close to the personal country life and the villages. I felt this trip didn't allow for much of that. Our time in the quaint villages was rushed and we had way too much time in a city. We live just outside NYC. That's what I wanted to get away from.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Slipping away from the group and going up the gonegratt to see the Matterhorn."

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Overall, the trip to Switzerland was wonderful! There were many highlights and a few lowlights so the rating reflects that. Our guide Jade was pleasant and well informed about the history and areas that we visited. A shout out to Roland, our driver, who navigated the Alps safely.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Our highlights on the trip include Ebenalp, Lichenstein (more on that later), the stay in Murren and the planned group activities such as the cooking and chocolate making classes.."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Comfortable relaxing exciting beautiful delicious fun

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Parasailing in Murren Valley"

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Switzerland is special- very clean and highly organized, making it an enjoyable country to travel.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"There were several: the. Matterhorn, town of Mittenwald and town of Appenzell. Too, learning its history and unique political structure. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Overall, the tour was fantastic, it exceeded all my expectations. Our guide, Jade, was absolutely the best. Everything was well planned. She made this trip unforgettable. We had such a fun group, everyone was so friendly on the tour. - Zume

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The beautiful of the countryside, the scenic of the Alps and the scenery around Mürren."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Our tour guide, Jade, was fantastic in every way. She provided a wealth of information regarding the country, made the moments that we were in the bus pass by like the breeze with treats and interesting facts, and had a fantastic demeanor. We had a great mix of locations, going from cityscapes to the mountains, and the food we shared as a group was amazing. Overall - a wonderful time!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Seeing the Matterhorn with zero clouds, and Murren!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This was our second tour. Both have been so well planned and run, my wife and I were able to have a great time. The scenery that we were able to see was stunning. It was interesting to learn about the three main regions of Switzerland. We are already planning our next Rick Steves Tour in 2026

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Our favorite place was Murren. The mountains were so pretty. We took the north trail hike and had a wonderful time."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Our tour guide was excellent and we were able to increase our knowledge regarding Switzerland and its history. The group was great fun and with out tour guides ability to bring us together we all had a great time assisting each other as needed.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Of course the alps but the candy making was the special moment that we would not have had without Rick Steves tours."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The guide, hotels, food and tours were all up to our expectations. They were wonderful! It was our first of many gondola rides, and walking to the

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Climbing in the Ebernalp area was very fun. That was the first of many gondola rides, and hiking to the hanging hotel I've seen in so many photos and shows was very cool."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

We had an amazing time the Switzerland tour!! Each city had something different to offer. The views were out of this world! We had so much fun with our group members and tour guides. It was an incredible two weeks!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"My very favorite thing was making risotto in Lugano. It was such a fun group activity! And the white Merlot was amazing!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Rick Steves Tours really deliver as far as I am concerned. This trip to Switzerland was fantastic. Our tour director Mary was fabulous and did a great job of covering the history, politics, geography, language, cuisine and absolute beauty of the country and its people in interesting and fun ways. We were lucky to have such a great group of travellers . I can't wait for my next RS Tour.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"I would have to say being in Murren and seeing the Eiger, the Jungfrau and Monch from the rooftop on the Schilthorn summit was the absolute best moment for me. I took this trip to see the Swiss Alps and it delivered. We were lucky to enjoy an early breakfast at the summit and then spent the day hiking around the area. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This was a well organized, outstanding tour from start to finish. We were fortunate to have a wonderful tour guide and a great group of travelers!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"It is hard to pick just one. We would say our trip across Lake Lugano to cook risotto and enjoy dinner together and the time we spent in the Lauterbrunnen Valley."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Beautiful locations and hotels. Excellent guide. Experiences we couldn't have enjoyed if traveling on our own: cooking class in Lugano, wine tasting in Lavaux vineyards, making chocolate at the Camille Block Chocolate Factory, learning about cheese making in Gimmelwald, and learning about Alphorns in Habkern.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The beautiful views from Murren."

Overall rating: rating 3 of 5

I loved the variety of the tour, but at times felt it was very "choppy" with a lot of little stops rather than what I am used to with Rick Steves' Tours. For example, we went to the birth place of William Tell and were told there's his statue. The bus parked some where and we had about fifteen minutes. If these stops are due to regulations and laws governing the bus driver, please tell the members of the tour.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"There were several "wow" moments for me. Fortress Furigen (along with the gondola lifts, tunnels, and roads!), Ebenalp and Murren's views made me appreciate the Swiss Alps and Swiss engineering!"

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Overall the Switzerland tour was an amazing glimpse into the Swiss society, history and the natural beauty of the Alpine landscapes.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"My "wow" moment was the stop in St. Gallen to visit the 1200 year old Abbey. The library in the Abbey just "blew my mind"! It was just a short stop on our road trip that day, but I could have stayed in the library for a full day."

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Switzerland was beautiful and I enjoyed the tour. Our tour guide Mirjam was wonderful. She was patient and kind and made us love her country.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The scenic Alps in all it's glory!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Receiving a yodeling lesson and visiting an alphorn maker"

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

What is there not to love about the scenery in Switzerland! Our guide Mirjam was AWESOME. She taught us a lot about Swiss culture which I loved learning about.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"LUGANO was a huge surprise to me. I didn't know it existed."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

I expected a lot but the tour still managed to exceed my expectations. The natural beauty is overwhelming--I found myself taking a photo about every 3 minutes (or more!) as new vistas appeared. The icing on the cake was our tour guide, Nico. He obviously loves people and loves what he does--he has a true calling for leading groups like ours! Nico kept everyone engaged and when we managed to get lost during our free time he would magically appear to guide us back in like a guardian angel!!!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"There were many. In order: 1)Berner Oberland, 2)Bern, 3)Lugano, 4)Luzern. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Everyone was so friendly on the tour. We all got along great. The weather was rainy some, but when the sun came out in Lugano and Murren, it was spectacular!!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"We had the unexpected good fortune to see the cow parade in Appenzell. We got up at 5:00am to see the cows walk down the street by our hotel wearing bells! It was exactly how it was explained to us the night before at our yodeling lesson. Yodeling was such a blast. Another wow moment was staying at Murren and seeing the Jungfrau, Monch, and Eiger peaks in all their glory. Breakfast at Piz Gloria on the Schilthorn was incredible. Being a Bond fan-this was incredible. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This was a great tour with variety of experiences and scenery. Our tour leader, Nico, was simply the Best! His intelligence, energy and enthusiasm was contagious to the entire group.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"My wow moment was the entire time we were in Mürren! We were blessed with outstanding weather and were able to take advantage of several hikes, seeing all the beautiful scenery (and cows) this area has to offer. We also had a very cool (and very early, as in 5:30am) experience in Appenzell, having the opportunity to watch a farmer bring his herd of cattle and goats by our hotel on their way to the Alps for summer grazing."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

A wonderful trip with breathtaking scenery and an outstanding tour guide. As many trips, we were at the mercy of the weather. Fortunately overall it was cooperative. Scenery that seemed surreal, fun travel partners and a tour guide that can't be beat.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The scenery when hiking around Mürren had to be my "wow" moment. It was surreal."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The tour exceeded all my expectations. The group was fantastic and gelled from the first meeting. We were led by Nico who was a specular guide. All the activities from the chocolate making to the Yodeling class were well planned. This was my second time taking this tour as I took the inaugural version in 2016. This tour far exceeded that version.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"There were too many to count, but two that really stand out. In Appenzell we were lucky enough to see the cattle "Parade" as they were moved to the pasture for the summer and in Murren the weather was clear and the mountain views were absolutely stunning. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The Switzerland tour was excellent. The beauty of the countryside and towns, the variety of fascinating sites for such a small country, the congenial, adventuresome mind-set of our fellow tour members, and our extremely knowledgeable and patient guide Nico—all made this trip unforgettable. I would do it again in a heartbeat.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Of the many standout moments, experiencing the 5:30AM parade of cattle—with cowbells ringing—being guided through the town of Appenzell to nearby hillside pastures for the summer grazing was magical. Also, taking for the first time the gondolas from the Lauterbrunnen Valley floor up the steep mountainside to Murren via Gimmelwald was breathtaking!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This was the most amazing tour I’ve ever taken. Nico, the tour guide, was absolutely amazing. All of the events that he arranged, and all of the local guides were just outstanding as well. I enjoyed the mix of city and small mountain town locations. Absolute favorite was Mürren. The hotels were so comfortable with nice staff and great locations. Fantastic breakfast and especially for me, coffee. Americano style in every hotel. All of the dinners that were arranged were delicious.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Walking the streets of Mürren"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This RS Tour was a bucket list trip after following and buying everything ETBD and the guide books/DVDs since inception in the 1980s. It was beyond amazing to be guided by superb Nico and see all the Switzerland sights again. The uniqueness of the small group and the places we visited along with all the intimate things we got to do were amazing.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Berner Oberland - Schilthorn breakfast (weather was perfection); Appenzell - cow parade and yodelling lesson; boat lake rides; Edenalp (even with snow/rain)"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Overall, the tour was fantastic and our guide, Nico, was absolutely amazing--incredibly knowledgeable, positive, patient and helpful. It was a full tour (28 people), which seemed like a lot to me at times, but everything went remarkably smoothly and we had a great group of people. We were able to avoid crowds most of the time by starting our activities early in the day. I highly recommend this tour!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Hiking in the alps above Murren on the North Face trail! Absolutely amazing views and we had great weather! "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Switzerland exceeded all of my expectations and the tour was great. I loved all the extra experiences we had like yodeling, touring the alphorn factory, etc.

Favorite "WOW" moment

" The beautiful days at Murren with clear views of the peaks."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Swiss precision - everything was well organized and on time! Lots of laughs, great food and drink, variety, wonderful sights, and great people. Donald and Jade were a wealth of information, delivered with depth and a bit of humor which always helps.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"After being in Mürren for a day "in the clouds," learning that the Eiger was directly across from us when the weather broke. you can always read a map, but seeing it up close was great."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Logistically, everything was like a Swiss Watch. Guides were very good and our companions were great.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Lucerne was amazing. Gorgeous town and we had great weather."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Our tour guides (Donald and Jade) were fabulous! Donald’s years of experience, combined with both guides’ command of multiple languages and knowledge of the history, customs and preferred languages of the various regions we visited in Switzerland was invaluable, and made for an amazing trip. The places we visited were varied and we saw much more than we would have had we been on our own! The group we traveled with was absolutely wonderful! We were very happy with this RS tour.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"This is always a tough question for us to answer, given how awesome the many sights and stops are on RS tours. I think seeing those gorgeous mountains (once the fog cleared!) was a real treat, but making our own risotto and chocolate was also a treat! The beautiful lakes and idyllic scenery at every stop…see what I mean? Too many wow moments to choose just one. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This was a wonderful tour. Switzerland was amazing! We appreciated the variety of activities that were part of the tour (fortress Furigen, cooking class, chocolate making, boat rides, Ebenalp hike). The local guides were all awesome! The hotels were wonderful.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"First view of Luzern or cliffside hiking guest house in Ebenalp. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This was our 3rd Rick Steves' tour and we booked our 4th while on this tour. Not sure anything speaks more to our satisfaction than that! The locations, tours, activities, and hotels were well chosen. The local guides were absolutely amazing and remain the highlight of our trips. We would have liked a bit more free time in this itinerary but found a fantastic mix of urban and rural and we were thrilled as usual.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"It rained a bit during our tour and we missed out on the views from Zermatt & the Schilthorn because of it. But we had a "wow" moment when it literally snowed on us at our Schilthorn breakfast but then had a gloriously beautiful afternoon. And when we woke in Murren to amazing sunny blue skies and the always breathtaking, but now clear, Lauterbrunnen valley "WOW" cannot begin to capture how amazing it all felt. Watching the sun rise over the Eiger, Monch and Jungfrau will stay with us forever. "

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Scenery, accomodations, local Guides and Donald were all great. Since we did 'back to back' Rick Steves tours, we had just arrived from 2 weeks in Scandanavia. So comparison was unavoidable. The breakfast on this tour were not nearly as good as Scandanavia. Then there was a group of 8 from vaious US locations who had travelled together before and they were loud, rude, non-stop talking and not pleasant. I would encourage other NOT to travel on a tour where there was a 'group'.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"When we were at the Schimmelhorn and it snowed in June. Being at the location of 007 Bond film was extra icing on the cake. Being able to walk those paths from villages in Switz was amazing. We loved what we saw. We loved the local guides. We loved Donald but that group! Ugh"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The itinerary was spectacular and our guide was great

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The mountain stays. Mürren was particularly stunning. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

We had a good group with adventurous people. I really enjoyed our tour guide. Mirjam was wonderful. The sites were just fantastic. There is such beauty in Switzerland and I feel like we saw a good chunk of it.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Definitely the Alps. Just wow!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Our friendly guide, Mirjam, was exceptional with her skills of organization, knowledge and communication. The tour was a whirlwind of culture, language and scenery. I learned so much about a country I basically knew little about.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The Aips definitely wow! The beautiful day we cruised on Lake Geneva, toured Château de Chillon, and had a wine tasting at Francey Vins was unforgettable."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The sites, the activities, the guides we learned from were all great!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Lucerne was beautiful, then Lausanne and Lake Geneva were even more picturesque, but then Murren and the Lauterbrunnen Valley topped them all."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Outstanding guide, Mirjam, as well as hotels, meals and excursions!!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Having breakfast at the Shilthorn revolving restaurant. Would have been even better if the weather was better yet it was still fabulous. "

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Great guide and great itinerary

Favorite "WOW" moment

"the wildflowers on schilthorn"

We loved The best of Switzerland tour. Our guide, Mirjam, was wonderful. She was knowledable, helpful, and lots of fun. The balance of structured and free time worked out really well. We saw so many incredibly beautiful places. The scenery was absolutely stunning. The hotels were great, and most of the meals were good (however we were disappointed with the breakfast in Lucerne). The Shilthorn breakfast was incredible!!! We would love to do another Rick Steves tour.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Mürren."

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Best lead tour guide ever. Excellent accommodations. Great variety of group cultural enrichment activities. Great sampling of Swiss culture and history and scenery.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The view from our hotel room in Lucerne. What a way to start the tour."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This was my first Rick Steves' Europe tour. My overall experience was outstanding and the tour had a nice group of people. There wasn't anything that could have been done better. I already booked another tour for next May and I am very much looking forward to it.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"There were so many "wow" moments and it is hard to pull out a particular one. Seeing the Matterhorn was certainly one of the highlights for me."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Well managed, very enjoyable trip. I felt like I saw as much of Switzerland as was possible, and got a good sense of the differences in the various regions.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Mountains! We were fortunate enough to clearly see Ebenalp, Matterhorn and the "Swiss Skyline." The sight of Eiger, Monch and Jungfrau together was magnificent."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

this was or 8th RS tour and our expectations continue to be completely met. Good group management of erxpectations. Group gels nicely very seldom do we encounter persons that dont fit in.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The Mountains around Lauterbrunnen and Murren were spectacular and we a high point. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Selection of sites and subject matter was excellent. Nice mix of fellow travelers, friendly group, interesting conversations and fun.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Many wow moments; Lucerne, Matterhorn, Gimmelwald stand out."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This was my first Rick Steves tour and I loved it. The tour guide Donald was excellent, I was impressed with the locations we visited and the location of the hotels, food and cultural experiences. I do not think we could have seen Switzerland as well without Rick Steves tour!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Stepping into our room in Murren, a sweet looking Alpine room with a balcony, and seeing the view of the mountains as we stepped into that room. On other tours we never are right in the heart of things, much less have anything other than a ‘soul less’ room. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This was our first tour with Rick Steves and we were very happy with how it turned out. yes it was challenging at times but we made it through!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Getting to see all the famous Alps peaks. We understood that we may not get to see them due to low cloud cover but we lucked out. The other was looking down from the cable cars from the heights we were at. I'm not good with heights but I still did it!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This was our first Rick Steves' tour and we just had a wonderful overall experience...from our knowledgable, experienced, and weather flexible tour guide Donald, to our time on tour and our time on our own, to the knowledgable location tour guides, to our fun group of travelers...we had a great time.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Three "wow" moments...seeing the Matterhorn, seeing all three mountains in Murren (OK...yes, all the mountains), and the chocolate making class."

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

The tour group was a wonderful group of travelers that were open to new experiences. There was a mixture of cities and country. A bit more time at Chateau del Chillon would have been nice to explore the castle after the guide finished. We did not get time to see Appenzell.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The chocolate factory, the Swiss dairy farm where they made cheese with the delightful people, and the North Face hike above Murren."

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Excellent trip. Yorick was fabulous guide. Knew his stuff and presented it clearly and with humour.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Cable car rides."

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Very good tour within a somewhat strange country with 4 different languages/cultures/customs. An ardous journey -- but worth it.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Stunningly beautiful landscapes of alpine villages, meadows, mountains, and lakes. Very storybook-ish, untold beauty"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The amount of daily activity including time set aside for hiking

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Murren"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This was our first group tour and it could not have been better. Everyone on our tour was so nice and we made some very good friends. We visited places we would not have seen on our own and they made it so easy to get around. Our guides were knowledgeable and personable! The hotels were not only nice but in great locations in every town.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Taking two cable cars up the side of the Schilthorn Mountain was a "Wow" moment! We were also so wowed by the Matterhorn and being so close and seeing it so clearly. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The Switzerland tour gave a great overview of the whole country. While maybe expecting snow-capped mountains everywhere, there was some of that but a lot of very bucolic and colorful countryside. A great itinerary that included beautiful little towns, boat cruises on lakes, impressive Swiss Alps, and a good tour of all 3 regions of Switzerland - German, Italian, and French.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Frankly the best surprise was Luzerne, where the tour starts. The day while waiting for the tour to start we did the Golden tour package for Mt. Pilatus - a beautiful Lake Luzerne boat cruise, cog train ride to top, and great scenery up top. The Rick Steves tour started and explored more of Luzerne, including its own Lake Luzerne cruise to Rutli Meadow."

Overall rating: rating 3 of 5

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Switzerland is a beautiful country and experiencing its wonders with a capable and knowledgeable guide along with a great group of people was unforgettable.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Seeing the Matterhorn for the first time on a sunny, cloudless day was a wow moment for me. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Great group of tour members. Beautiful landscapes.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Viewing the city of Luzern from on high at Pazzallo."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Absolutely love this tour and our guide!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Too many but seeing the Matterhorn, staying in Murren, up on Mt Shilthorn, the evening boat ride and risotto cooking class were simply fabulous experiences!"

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The most dramatically beautiful places and people combined with a wonderful swiss guide like Mirjam made this a thoroughly deligthful and memorable tour.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The magnitude of the defensive bunker system once we visited the Fortress Fürigen as a small example. Extraordinary feat of engineering that worked as a deterrent to the nazis. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

It was fantastic! Our tour guide, Mirjam was informative, friendly, engaged, interesting...outstanding. Our driver, Robert was delightful, spent time talking with us, and was a superb driver. The itinerary was very thoughtfully prepared. I enjoyed every minute of this 12 day adventure.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"I found myself saying WOW about 100 times a day. Seriously! If I had to choose only one wow, I would have to say Murren and everything we did there... Piz Gloria, hiking, seeing the Eiger, Monch and Jungfrau, and riding in the gondolas up to the top of Schilthorn."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Well organized, fun group and great guide!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Must be the climb to Murren, the lovely town and cows parading through town."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

It was even better than expected. It felt like a first class experience from beginning to end

Favorite "WOW" moment

"There were many “Wow” moments. From Seeing Switzerland for the first time in Lucerne, to Lake Lausanne, to the majestic Matterhorn and my personal favorite was staying in the Murren Mountains. Words cannot express t beauty we experienced that brought us great happiness."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Very relaxing. Was nice not having to drive and having an agenda planned. The tour guide was outstanding. Very knowledgeable,helpful and easy to work with.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"There were many not sure I could name just one. The views were all beautiful and the events were fantastic. Kept busy which made the trip go by fast. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Loved the tour. This was our first RS tour and will not be our last. Great guide Mirijam made Switzerland come alive for us with all the stories on the bus ride. The natural beauty is stunning everywhere you look. We did things we would have never done on our own - never would have known about all these gems.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Wow, for me was Murren - and seeing the 3 peaks, gondola ride to our hotel, cows with bells- hiking in the Alps - magical day. Added bonus- The weather couldn't have been better"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This was our first tour of any kind and this 12 day tour of Switzerland set the bar very high. Mirjam, our guide, was wonderful and very informative. She had the flexibility to pivot two days of our itinerary when a big rainstorm was forecast. We were able to enjoy the fun, beautiful Ebenalp hike and scenery in sunshine. We had gorgeous weather except for that one day, so we really enjoyed beautiful Switzerland in all her glory. Each location had so much to offer.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Our group boat ride on sparkling Lake Lugano to our amazing evening of wine, appetizers, cooking and camaraderie at the Grotto Descanso could not have been more fun or delicious. Our hosts were simply wonderful!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Everyday was fantastic Mirjam was such a great guide, very knowledgeable and told some interesting stories all along the way. Her delightful personality really added something special to the tour

Favorite "WOW" moment

"So many, it’s hard to narrow it down, but probably seeing the Matterhorn The weather was fantastic and we had plenty of time to take in the majestic view "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Trip to Ebenalp and decent to cave church and other other buildings built into rock face."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Excellent tour guide, itinerary was logical, weather was mostly perfect, tour group were all nice people, all of the accommodations were clean and comfortable, the tour coach was first class and the driver very safe and professional. We learned a lot about Switzerland that I did not know before and some was surprising, making the overall trip more interesting.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"It has to be the glorious clear sunny days with views of the alpine country and the high peaks. I love mountains and this trip put us in the heart of them."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Although somewhat physically demanding, our your guide was excellent. He was prepared and made sure our needs were met so we could fully enjoy the trip.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Our time in Murren "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

We just loved this tour. For years it has been my wife's dream to visit Switzerland, and she was not disappointed and neither was I. This is our fifth Rick Steves tour, and this rates at the top. The views and geology were great, the destinations were great, the activities were great, the hotels and logistics were great, and the Swiss people were great. What more can I say except I want to go back to see and do more. .

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The views from the village of Murren. These are eye-popping awesome. Very close behind is the geological wonderland that is the Alps with the overturned folds, thrust faults, and numerous other tectonic features, and the many glacial features from past and present activity. They are found everywhere from Luzern to Bern."

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

I enjoyed visiting areas of Switzerland that I’d never been to and that I might not have gone to on my own. The group wasn’t too large and everyone was friendly. This was my first Rick Steve’s trip so I wasn’t sure what to expect vs the many river cruises I’ve taken.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Going back to the Berger Oberland - I hadn’t been back there for 15 years and had never been to Murren."

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

This was our first Rick Steves trip and I have to say it was very enjoyable and different from other trips we have taken.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"When we first got to the Berner-Oberland region. Just gorgeous!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

We had great time exploring the various areas of Switzerland and learning about the culture of each of the different areas.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The day that we visited a dairy farm up high in the mountains where we got to see their operation and to sample the wonderful cheese and other goodies they made while up there in the summer."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

It was a wonderful trip

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Visiting Murren"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The tour of Switzerland was remarkable ! We enjoyed meeting our small group of travelers and found the itinerary to be very comprehensive. It gave us an excellent understanding of the Swiss lifestyle and culture.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Undoubtedly, our visit to Zermatt was our “wow” moment. When we originally arrived, the sky was very overcast and we had low expectations of seeing the Matterhorn. One of our fellow travelers encouraged us to take the funicular in hopes that the clouds would eventually disperse. Sure enough, once we reached the top, the clouds momentarily shifted which gave us an excellent view of the Matterhorn. We were so pleased that we had changed our minds despite the weather conditions."

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

The tour was amazing and well run. I'm just sorry people got covid but our guide did his best. Switzerland is heaven!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Walking along the Lauterbrunnen Valley trail and seeing cows and waterfalls and realizing I had discovered the most beautiful place on earth "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Great tour of Switzerland that covered all of the regions (German, French, Italian). Lots of fun activities -- risotto cooking class, chocolate making tour, Fortress Furigen, boat cruise on Lake Geneva, Chateau Chillon tour, etc. We had a nice group of travelers and our guide, Jim, was outstanding. He was organized, personable, had a great sense of humor and made sure that all of our needs were met.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Our time in Murren was definitely the highlight of the trip. The Lauterbrunnen Valley is spectacular and just as beautiful as any photo you have seen. On our first evening in Murren, our guide invited us to gather for a drink at Pension Gimmelwald, a quaint bar/restaurant. It was a bit rainy but the clouds broke up, the sun came out, and we saw the most incredible full rainbow in front of the mountains. Not only a "WOW" moment on the trip, but something I will remember for a lifetime."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Excellent, met and exceeded expectations

Overall rating: rating 3 of 5

The tour was well organized and our guide and fellow travelers were very friendly and easy to get along with.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"My favorite moment was our arrival in Mürren and being surrounded by the mountains. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

I have taken 11 Rick Steves tours. They've all been great, but this was my favorite! Switzerland is unbelievably beautiful ... the scenery is breathtaking. And our guide, Mirjam Grob, was wonderful ... organized, knowledgeable, and fun. I don't think I'll ever forget the song "Guten Morgen Sonnenschein" or the Heidis.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Each day seemed to have a new "wow" moment, and they seemed to get progressively better as we traveled across Switzerland. The views of the alpine peaks, including the Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau mountains, from Mürren were a real showstopper. But it was my tandem paragliding experience with Airtime Paragliding in Mürren that was my absolute favorite "wow" moment! "

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

We thoroughly enjoyed the itinerary, our fabulous guide, Mirjam, and our driver, Roland!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"MURREN!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Our tour was an enjoyable way to experience Switzerland's scenery, culture, history and languages. The RS system of combining interesting travelers with a great guide and driver made the tour very rewarding, even though this was my fifth trip to the country. And our guide Mirjam deserves much credit and accolades for her leadership. It couldn't have the same without her.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Murren, the Schilthorn and the Lauterbrunnen Valley were my wow moments, even though the Matterhorn and Zermatt had been my prior lifetime favorites. The blue skies and great weather there made our stay even more special. Our earlier Swiss experiences with our fun group set the table for Lauterbrunnen."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Our tour was great! Mirjam is very knowledgeable and a ‘down to earth’ type person. Our group was quite diverse but that is part of the fun of the tours, getting to know people from different backgrounds. My favorite part was being up in the mountains; the quaint but homey feel and yet breathtaking views!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Mürren, Schilthorn, the Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau, When we had breakfast up at Schilthorn it was clear and then the clouds started rolling in as we finished and went outside. We stayed up there for quite awhile and the clouds rolled back and the mountains shone in all their brillance. It’s amazing to see God’s handiwork like that. We walked around on the cliffs up top and remain amazed!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

We had been anticipating this tour since 2020, and it sure didn’t disappoint! We had a well planned tour that was indeed “the best of Switzerland”. From the charming lakeside cities of Lucerne, Lugano, and Lausanne, to the beautiful splendor of the Alpine regions of Zermatt and Mürren, the variety was incredible. Not only did we see in credible sites, but we learned much about Swiss culture and history. There was a perfect mix of planned activities and free time. Guide Mirjam was perfect!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"How can one pick just one “wow” moment in such a beautiful country? Perhaps top on the list was our time spent in Mürren in the shadow of the Eiger, Mönch, and Jungfrau. We also had an apparently fortunate clear view of the Matterhorn in Zermatt. “Guten Morgen, Sonnenschein“!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Awesome adventure! Great tour itinerary Great guide, Miriam , she was Fantastic! And other special guides! Bus driver Roland was amazing Wished the tour was 14 days,and Zermat was more than 1 day Hotels/group meals excursions were wonderful!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Everything was a wow in Switzerland! The Matterhorn spectacular. Luzern gorgeous the various parts of the Alps, French Italian Swiss. The weather for early sept was a wow what??no need for all the cold clothes /down jackets Very comfortable even at Matterhorn height! "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Everything went off as planned. The pace of travel was good and the group go along very well. Our guide was very helpful and continued to share information on the areas we were travelling in a clear an entreating way.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Each city we rolled into offered something special. If I had to chose one "wow" moment it would be sitting on our balcony in Murren while sipping wine we had purchased at a wine tour earlier in the day as we viewed the mountain range in the Alps. "

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

I loved Switzerland, but there were a number of small things about the tour that needed improvement, based on my experience on several previous Rick Steves tours. I think the itinerary still needs to be tweaked. For example, we stayed one night in Appenzell, which looked like a nice town to explore, but we only got there in time for dinner and we left the next morning, so we didn't get to see it. I have other comments I hope there will be space to include in a later question.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The view from our hike above Mürren on a perfectly sunny, clear day. Just breathtaking!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Outstanding tour. I really appreciate the diversity of life and scenery in Switzerland. This was a good mix of walking tours, site vists, interesting activities and boat, cable car/tram and bus travel.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Lunch at Sunnegga viewing the Matterhorn; breakfast at the Schilthorn viewing The Eiger, Monch and Jungfrau or having dinner in Murren overlooking the Lauterbrunnen Valley & the Alps . I can't decide."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Absolutely could not have been better.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Interacting with our guide. Yorick. This is Brennan replying, not Martha. I enjoyed the time with him as much as anything. I’d like to take him to Africa with me!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Hotels, boat cruises, included dinners and the scenery was everything one could ask for and more

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Murren and riding the cable car to get there along with breakfast at Piz Gloria for James Bond Brunch"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

It was GREAT. Our guide was even better!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"One on one with Yorick our guide."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Switzerland is a gem of a country and the this tour was another gem. We got to experience the German, Italian and French areas of the country and admire the breathtaking scenery as well as take part of unforgettable experiences. Wonderful tour!!!!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"There were a few wow moments: seeing the Matterhorn in Zermatt; making our own chocolate bar at the Camille Block chocolate factory; having breakfast on top of the Schilthorn with the mountains surrounding us and last but not least, the hike from Murren to Gimmewold and then in the afternoon the hike from Grutschalp back to Murren with the mountains to our left - it was incredible!!!!!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

It was our first Rick Steve tour and amazing sums it up the best. Our main guide Yorick was fantastic and he kept us all well informed on local history and culture. Robert. our driver was the best. Getting from place to place was smooth sailing. We are working on picking our next tour for 2024!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The 10,000-foot Schilthorn and enjoy breakfast together with a view of the Eiger, Mönch, and Jungfrau peaks. The 2-night stay in Murren with views on the valley below. Throughout the trip, due to earlier rain storms, water falls filled the mountain sides as we made our way from valley to valley. Murren is so beautiful."

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Our guide, Jim Fraser, was great. He was accommodating in every way. Switzerland is a beautiful country and everything and everyone are precise like clockwork. But boy, is it expensive!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The views of Lake Luzern, the Chapel Bridge and the surrounding hills on the boat ride to Rutli Meadow."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Once again the tour exceeded our expectations in every way. Robert, our bus driver was funny, friendly and professional. Jim, our guide was kind, informative, professional, very available and all with a great British sense of humor.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"I can't pick just one so it would have to be Lucerne and of course Murren."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

A well-balanced tour itinerary, excellent weather, great tour participants, and a super tour guide provided a super world travel experience. We are looking forward to a subsequent travel experience next year.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"In Zermatt we took a train up to the Sonnega station and spent the next 2 hours savoring the blue sky, the cool mountain air, and a cloudless view of the Matthorn and surrounding peaks. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

What is not outstanding about Switzerland?!!! Our tour guide, Jim Fraser, is one of my favorite guides. He is very knowledgeable and so much fun! Love his British sense of humor. He also went over and above his duties to help anyone who needed help. I also like that he spent time socializing with us. He helped to bring the group together and that made the trip a lot more fun! Jim, don't ever lose that wonderful sense of humor!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Aside from the scenery, making the chocolate bars. I was thinking we would be making a small piece of chocolate, but was amazed at the size of the chocolate bars we made and got to take home!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

It was a great adventure,; there were many opportunities to see great scenery and to participate in fun activities. Nice folks on the tour, many memories.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"I really liked the visit to the cheese farm and interacting with the family. I got to milk a cow!"

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

The tour met my expectations. The Alps are gorgeous! I would have liked an extra day in Murren to hike. Luzern, Lugano and Bern are lovely. I especially loved Lugano. Lausanne was disappointing: too dirty and at night we did not feel safe walking. The amount of free time was just right. The amount of traveling got to be taxing at the end of the tour. TL Jim Fraser was fine and responsive to our religious dietary restriction. I also enjoyed interacting with the tour members.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"1. Walking out of the Luzern train station and seeing the Chapel bridge for the first time, as well as our view of the bridge from our hotel balcony. 2. Hiking the Mannlichen to Kleine Scheidegg trail. 3. Having lunch viewing the Matterhorn after taking the Sunnegga to Blauherd cog & lift. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

As always RS tours are not disappointing. Our tour group was fantastic and Jim Fraser is an outstanding tour guide.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Piz Gloria, Schilthorn Trummelback Falls"

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

The guide was excellent! The tour itself provided a good framework to see what we wanted to see, many sites on our own. It provided a good sampling of activities.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Trummelbach Falls although not part of the tour itself, was one of the free time options in Murren. Not to be missed!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The tour was varied and more than met our expectations.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"When we saw the Cave Waterfalls in Mürren! It was absolutely spectacular. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

So enjoyable! I felt like I really got to know Switzerland and experience the German Italian and French influences in the 12 day tour.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Really enjoyed Lugano -The Swiss Rivera and taking a boat to the charming seaside restaurant to make Risotto and enjoy a wonderful dinner."

Overall rating: rating 3 of 5

Switzerland is an amazingly beautiful country that "wowed" with its beauty. I enjoyed the activities particularly the cheese making farm and the Unesco winery. However I felt that having a guide who was from Britain rather than Switzerland detracted from the tour as he didn't speak the languages and didn't seem very familiar with the sites. He wouldn't give adequate info as to recommended restaurants, where to find bathrooms, but would tell us to look in our book.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The winery"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Just the right pace. A wealth of sights and experiences. Excellent hosts.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"All of the sights were wonderful, but of course the beauty of the Swiss Alps."

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Our tour, Best of Switzerland in 12 Days, was great. The scenery was beyond belief. Our guides Jim and Yaren were very attentive to the groups needs and were very knowledgeable.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The village of Mürren. Sitting in our room or on our balcony and watching the clouds roll over the Eiger, Mönch, and Jungfrau peaks was a lifetime memory. I also enjoyed the boat rides on Lakes Lugano & Geneva."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

I loved Switzerland and really enjoyed the diversity of towns and cities from the towns on the lakes to the villages up in the mountains. Our tour group was small (26) and everyone was very nice. The hotels were great and our tour guides were very knowledgeable. I appreciated that we had time on our own some days. Our bus driver was the hero because it’s amazing how he maneuvered all the roads and got us everywhere very safely and on time.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"That Switzerland is such a small country but has 4 languages within it. Each town / city had a different feel because of the cultures."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Best tour I have ever taken.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"How clean and beautiful Switzerland was. Seeing the bunkers that were built into the sides of the mouintains. I have never even heard about them in all of my years."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Informative, organized,

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Seein the Matterhorn in Zermatt on the clear day"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Wonderful!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The wonderful in-depth knowledge of the tour guide, Mariam. She was amazing!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Mirjam, our guide, was the best guide I've ever experienced; knowledgeable, friendly, smart and loved her country (warts and all). I can't say enough good things about her. The tour itself - each day I thought, "I can't get any better" - - but it did! Each day brought a 'wow' moment. I would highly recommend this tour.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Too many to count, but hiking in the Alps, specifically in Murren, was beautiful, as well as the yodeling and chocolate making classes!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Mirjam was outstanding. Hotels were great. Too many food experiences tho.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Petting a cow and hiking in Murren"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Beautiful landscapes. The views of the mountains and the lakes were amazing

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Gondola ride up to Pía gloria"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Mirjam was a wonderful guide! Honest in her comments, knowledgable, very friendly. Loved the hotel view in Lucerne of the Chapel Bridge. Enjoyed the community festival in town. The yodeling event was very enjoyable and different! Also enjoyed making chocolate at the factory and risotto at the grotto. I loved all the public transportation - gondolas, trains, boats, funiculars. The bus driver Heinz made me feel safe. All hotels were comfortable and well located. Furigen Fortress was unique

Favorite "WOW" moment

"I loved Murren and breakfast at the revolving restaurant at the Schilthorn. I liked staying in a semi-carless village with community celebrations of fireworks, parades with humans ringing cow bells, and joining in at the end of the parade (even in the rain). I liked hiking in this area (even though no one told me about the electric fences... Ouch!). Wish the trail signs were better, but it was all so beautiful! Truly what I thought Switzerland would be."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

My tour was the Best of Switzerland in 12 days and it was better than I expected. Everything was well planned and I enjoyed all aspects of the trip....food, locations, bus travel, charming hotels, our guide and made many new friends in our group.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"My first "wow" moment was hiking the Ebenalp Mountains, so picturesque and seeing the Berggasthaus Aescher Inn, unbelievable. My second "wow" was staying in the quaint town of Murren with traditional buildings and jaw-dropping views and going to The Schilthorn Summit!!! This is why i wanted to see Switzerland and it did not disappoint and I can't forget The Matterhorn...oh my! I simply cannot narrow it down to one... Perfect trip!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The mountains and lakes of Switzerland were gorgeous and with each successive stop, it got even better. We also enjoyed the "experiences" like making chocolate bars, wine tasting, risotto cooking lesson, etc.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The time we spent in Murren. The town itself, the surrounding mountains, breakfast on top of the Schilthorn and Trummelbach Falls. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

We chose this tour in order to experience the sights and culture of Switzerland. All aspects of our tour were well planned and thoroughly enjoyed.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The incredible view from the top of Schilthorn Mountain peak was breathtaking. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Calling to the cheese maker"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The trip was amazing and we learned so much more about Switzerland. We would never have known that it was so diverse in culture and language. Our guide Nico was the best - I think the best guide on any trip we have had with any company

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Sitting atop Ebenalp listening to the cowbells rining up from the valley in the early morning while enjoying coffee at the tiny restaurant"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

From the beginning, the leaders and local tour guides painted a tale of an extremely "diverse" Switzerland that had agreed to disagree while forming a wonderful country. Although I knew several languages were spoken, I had never contemplated on how regional this was. I enjoyed experiencing this uniqueness of the country.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Had to be the time in Alps and our two nights in Murren. The hikes between towns and the breakfast at the Schlithorn were great."

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Overall the tour was very good. Our guide,Nico (with assistant Tomas) was fantastic. Tons of information regarding Switzerland and its Cantons was provided, yet it was always entertaining and interactive. Visiting the Italian,French and Swiss German cantons was great. Given that climate change is real, hotels with air conditioning would have been appreciated. Being exhausted from heat without respite made daily touring more challenging.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Schilthorn summit,Piz Gloria.from the cable car ride to the revolving restaurant with 360 degree views of the mountains and surrounding valleys was breathtaking."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Everything went smoothly and we had an outstanding guide.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Seeing the southern parts of Switzerland that I knew nothing about."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The tour was amazing. I was surprised and amazed at every turn. I honestly did not know anything about Switzerland and I did not even study the itinerary. I wanted to be surprised and and I was. From Luzern to Lugano to the Alps and Bern and everywhere in-between. We did so many cool things, learning about the cantons on the side of a mountain, visiting a 700 year old winery, watching cheese making, making risotto on the side of a lake. The natural beauty of the country is unbelievable.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"I would have to say staying in the Bern highlands in the Alps. The natural beauty of the alps and that valley is nothing short of breathtaking. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Overall I had a great time, learned a lot about Switzerland and enjoyed the beautiful views of mountains and lakes almost everywhere we went.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Not sure there was just one but if I have to pick I'd say the views from Ebenalp."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

We saw great places with great guys and great fellow travels! Switzerland was

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Finding and eating the same sausage in a toasted from the inside baguette that we had eaten 8 years previously on a family trip. It was from a street vendor in front of Migros in Bern. We've been talking about how good that sausage was for years and found it on a walking tour. It was as good as it was the first time, maybe better. It was magical to sit on the street together by a fountain and share that experience once more."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Every day was an amazing day. Almost any one of them could be a WOW moment. Our tour guide, Donald, was excellent. I appreciated the compact size of the group and the friendliness of the participants. I enjoyed getting to out of the way spots like the candy making, the Bond museum, seeing the cows and making risotto. Would recommend this trip to others, but save your pennies because Switzerland is expensive.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The highly decorated water fountains in each city."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Our tour guide, Donald White, was outstanding in every aspect! The locals tours in each city were extremely well organized with expert guides!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The three amazing ALPS: Matterhorn, Zermatt; Ebenalp, Appenzell; Schilthorn, Murren!! Breathtaking views and wonderful weather!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Great fun from start to finish!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"My "wow" moment was hiking in Murren with a group of new friends, the beautiful scenery, the Alps, and the sound of cow bells ringing. It was a dream come true!"

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Wonderful country to visit and the tour was well organized. Loved the mix of city and small towns in the country. I met a local couple on one of the boat cruises, and they were impressed that the tour didn’t include the typical touristy stops. That’s what I love about Rick Steves groups.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Unbelievably, the yodeling class. When Marjam first told the group about it, we were skeptical; however, it was so fun (and I have to say we were not bad as a group), and as a group we continued to comment on the experience and listen to our recordings of it. In fact, I just received an email from Marjam, a recording on of the group members wanted us all to have."

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Definitely value for money. Very enjoyable tour because of the balance of tour and free time and a guide who could answer all our questions. Also we got to do interesting activities such as yodeling, cooking class, and chocolate making……..all very enjoyable.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Opening my curtains at the first hotel in Lucerne and getting a view of mountains, river and Chapel Bridge decked out with colorful flowers."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Always informative, and fun. Our guide made the bus time teaching moments full of history and personal stories that gave us a first hand feel for the people and country.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Hiking on top of the alps with the cows was a “wow” moment. The views are breathtaking, and so quiet except the sound of distant cow bells."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Just an awesome experience for us. I can't say enough as to what a great time we had.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"There were so many moments, from yodeling class to seeing the Matterhorn. Every day was a WOW!!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

A beautiful and clean country in and out of the cities . Very nice hotels. A comfortable bus with a great driver which was a big plus considering all the time spent on the bus between cities. Mirjam, our guide, was very knowlegable and fun and used our time on the bus to teach us more about Swiss culture. I think those talks were my favorite part of the tour.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Paragliders in Lauderbrunnen loitering over the Eiger !"

Overall rating: rating 3 of 5

Overall, a good tour. A bigger group than I anticipated and a little more active than I would have wanted.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The view from our hotel room in Murren. Amazing!"

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Overall, the tour was great. We saw beautiful scenery, learned about the history and culture of Switzerland, had some good food, and enjoyed nice travel companions. Switzerland offers a nice variety going to the different regions.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"It was pretty amazing to rise up through the clouds to the top of the Schilthornbahn and see the beautiful mountains all around us. It was a wow moment to contrast the great way the Swiss handle government with their backwardness toward women (only able to vote in 1971 & constrained in careers with the need to be home to provide lunch) and secondhand smoke (the guide firmly said that even 1 step out of a building under an arcade is outside). Personal responsibility, with no concern for others."

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

people were fun, went to places I wouldnt have gone to without tour, guide was fun and knowledgeable, some places I would have wanted more time

Favorite "WOW" moment

"hidden army base"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The trip was well-organized and our tour guide, Donald, knew how to make the trip come to life. The walking tours, free time, food, and everything was really well done.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Waking up in Murren and going out to my balcony with a clear view of the Alps was amazing. I had a crystal clear view of the Eiger, Jungfrau and Monch right from my balcony and enjoyed every minute of it. "

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Well planned tour to get a good blend of the some of loveliest and most beautiful outdoor areas, historical cities, special products, of three language cultures parts of Switzerland. Donald did a fine keeping all organized and introducing us to his country.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Enjoying beautiful North Face trail in Murren with beautiful mountains, surrounded by green fields with lovely Swiss homes and alpine cows."

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

In general I enjoyed the trip. I would have preferred to spend more time in small towns like Murren. I didn't like the loud traffic noise at the hotels in Lagano and Bern. I liked the group excursions like the bunker, chocolate making, risotto making, cow barn, boat rides and gondola rides. I think one night in Bern would have been plenty. The farewell dinner should have been held in a venue where people could actually talk instead of the monster restaurant that was too loud to visit.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Murren was wonderful and breakfast at the top of the Schilthorn was special. I enjoyed all the boat rides and gondolas and the cows."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

I enjoyed all of the tour of Switzerland. It is a beautiful country, welcoming, and interesting. Learning about the country and traveling with a good guide and other friendly people made it special.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"I would say that having breakfast at the Schilthorn being surrounded by the beautiful mountains was my wow moment."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This was my 9th Rick Steves' tour and it did not disappoint! Mirjam, our tour guide, was a joy! She was knowledgeable, full of energy, and very helpful in guiding us and answering questions. I enjoyed all of my fellow tour members and made some new friends. Switzerland is a beautiful country and I enjoyed each area we visited. Luzern was a delight, Lugano definitely had that laid-back, resort feel, and the boat ride on Lake Geneva was so beautiful.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"I think the most enjoyable experience was when we visited a small farming family high in the mountains that made their own cheese. We had a demonstration from the family showing the process of making cheese. It was so personal. I really enjoyed the farmer's little children who played in the fields and picked flowers for their mother. We sampled the cheese that was paired with delicious sausages and bread. So good!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Wonderful seeing a very different land.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The walking tour, towards the end of our stay, by an author on Switzerland. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

We had an outstanding experience in every regard!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Murrin and Trummelbach falls, cheese making, Bern tour"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

It was oustanding. Hotels were great (even though only 2 out of 6 had a/c) , the location was central to everything, meals were in very nice locations (hotel where we stayed or actual restaurants).The only complaint was that not ALL the meals included liquor (wine or beer) some only included 1 drink after that we had to pay...In the past , bottles were put on the table and then 2nd bottles. Best part of the tour was our tour guide Mirjam (Miriam)-I give her a gold star in every aspect!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Wow moment was seeing the Alps for the first time from our hotel window. It seemed unreal .. As if we opened a storybook and it came to life. Best view was in Murren. (Hotel Blumenthal) . Gimmenwald and the Lauterbrunnen valley were also out of a storybook.. a fairytale. I've never seen anything like this in my life!The ride up the gondola to Murren and Schlithorn with our luggage was so exciting ..everyone was full of anticipation! "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Maryam was a wonderful guide! She was experienced and also a patient listener, very helpful to all people on the tour! The schedule was well planned, weather was perfect, spectacular scenery and nice lodging, restaurants. Great local guides as well, particularly in Bern. Love the combination of vacation education! Being with a family and 2 sweet children on their dairy/cheesemaking farm at the top of the Alp was amazing! Good balance of free time and time with guide and/or grouo.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Mürren and the Alps that felt close enough to touch just outside our window."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

I loved all the personal experiences. Our Hyde was the best!!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Making risotto at the small restaurant next to Lake Lugano and then all sharing our meal together. But seeing the Matterhorn in all it’s glory was magical."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The tour was everything I had hoped it would be. The towns were great and all the stops and sightseeing were wonderful. Our guide Mirjam Grob was great. I can't imagine having a better guide. She kept us entertained and was so knowledgeable about the country. She made the tour so enjoyable. It took a little getting used to not having air conditioning but we made it work.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The town of Murren. The views were spectacular. The breakfast at Schilthorn was great. What a view. Every turn was a photo op. Also all the lake cruises were great. The water in the lakes were like the Caribbean. The water was so pretty and clear. Just wonderful."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The trip was wonderful. We saw everything we wanted to see in Switzerland and learned a lot about the country and its history.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Murren was my favorite place in the country. The Alps look like they’re right there and the atmosphere in the town is so relaxed and relaxing. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Hiking in Murren"

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

I admit bus tours with 23 strangers is not top of my list, but this was a good experience.many interesting stops. Our guide Saso was delightful. His years of experience shows.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Lauterbrunnen Valley. We hiked the valley floor."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Our guides were marvelous; the places we visited were varied and amazing; the people we met in our group and others along the way were fun and engaging. Overall, it exceeded our expectations!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Tram ride to Ebenalp Peak, hiking around it with amazing views (including paragliders) ... it was our first wow moment into the Alps. Also, hiking to Gimmewald from Murren was amazing."

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

We learned so much about Switzerland! Tour was well organized to cover many varied aspects of Switzerland: the "German" North, Italian South, and French West from cities to mountain meadows.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Traditional cheese making on the Alp. Such a wonderful family sharing their heritage with us. In addition to the cheese making and tasting, the grandmother played her accordian and yodeled for us!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Great locations. An itinerary that builds momentum. Outstanding guides. And heck, it's Switzerland!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"As I walked out of the gondola and down the Main Street in Murren I started giggling like a child and could not stop. Wow, it's been a while!"

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

The people were wonderful, friendly, enjoyable to be with. We saw wonderful sites almost every day: mountains, caves, rolling hills and valleys, castles, snow. I chose this tour to experience nature that is not part of my daily life. Lots of bus riding, but we had enough room to be comfortable.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The small towns of Murren and Grindelwald were over the top! My idea of a typical Swiss village. We could hike on our own in the Lauterbrunnen valley and visit a waterfall in a mountain. Beautiful!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Every location, every hotel, every guided city tour, all meals, all activities were excellent! We had the best bus driver, Robert, and our tour guide, Sasö, was awesome. He was so informative, patient, animated and fun even when he must have been exhausted. What a pro!! Our tour apprentice, Jade, was just as special! Our tour group interacted so well, and it was a pleasure getting to know each one. New friends!!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"My favorite stop was taking the gondola up to the hotel in Mürren for a two-night stay. Beautiful scenery, wildflowers, perfect weather, nice trails for hiking. Of course, there were “wow” moments at every location. The lakes were beautiful!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Great places to visit, excellent guide, tours in all cities, wonderful bus and driver, beautiful country, great mix of scheduled and free time. Great activities built into the trip.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The overall beauty of the country. Watching cheese making was wonderful. "

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Overall the tour was excellent! Saso and Jade were fantastic, as was the four group. I loved the country

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Murren and the Alps"

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Overall it was a great tour. The number of participants were too many for everyone to appreciate, or see one of the activities. Pace of walking was much faster than other RS tours that I’ve been on and there was not a choice of entree when eating as a group as everyone was given on other RS tours.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Just being in the presence of the Swiss Alps. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This was a fantastic trip! Everything was great -- the locations, the hotels, the high level of activity, the meals, the tons of activities, the knowledge gained, and especially our amazing guide Mirjam.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"It's a toss-up between a glorious alpine hike on a trail above Mürren, and the truly outstanding chocolates that I tried in every city."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Good group of people, great guides.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The alps were unique, grand, and accessible. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Great guides, driver, fellow tour members, itinerary…just an overall terrific experience! Highly recommended!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"So many to choose from, but brunch in the revolving restaurant on the Shilthorn was spectacular. The views unmatched!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Very well organized Tour with great guide and itinerary.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Switzerland is such a beautiful country it is full of “wows”, so difficult to narrow to just one. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

First tour with Rick Steves and we really enjoyed the experience. The little nuisances we encountered were not unexpected. no AC in the hotels, carrying bags up stairs because elevators were so small. These were far outweighed by our great guide, the experiences and meeting like minded travelers But

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Lots of great experiences, we would have to say making our chocolate candies. A real, tasty experience."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The tour incorporated a blend of beautiful Swiss cities, pristine alpine locations and unique activities. Our tour guide, Mirjam, and her apprentice, Mary, made for an exceptional tour experience with their non-stop energy, enthusiasm, expertise and thoughtful answers to our many questions! They are both wonderful ambassadors for Switzerland!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"This tour was full of many special moments for me, including hiking in the alps, walking the promenade from Lugano to Gandria, meeting the husband and wife couple who own a winery that has been in their family for 1,000 years and discussing politics with Mirjam and our Bern tour guide!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The best tour ever

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The Alps and our tour guide"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This was our first RS tour and it was wonderful. It exceeded our expectations. Our guides, Mirjam and Mary and the bus driver, Ernst were outstanding. All the folks on the tour were kind and fun. We all had such a great time. The activités were fun and interesting, the hotels were all great and Switzerland is an absolutely stunning country. It feels like you’ve visited 4 countries with the diverse geography and history. At times I felt like we were in Italy, France or Germany.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The Lauterbrunnen area is truly breathtaking. The village of Murren was so peaceful and beautiful. We loved Lugano too. We had a blast at the grotto and the risotto cook off! i was very sad to say goodbye at the tour’s end. "

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

We enjoyed an in-depth and well-balanced immersion into the land and people and history of Switzerland.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Wandering down a street in Gimmelwald, late in the day, we came upon a mother cutting hay on the slope by her ancient house as her daughter approached, cuddling a tiny rabbit. Mom put aside her scythe to admire the youngster and her pet. The light was beautiful."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Fantastic tour guide, great people and incredible sights!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Murren and Gimmelwald were by far the most awe-inspiring and expectation-fulfilling parts of Switzerland!"

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

The tour was very good. Nico our guide was excellent.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Seeing the Alps"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This was our fourth Rick Steves trip and I'd have to say it was our best. Our guide, Nico, was outstanding. He was very personable, knowledgeable, informative, fun and real. He set a great tone for the whole trip. And this was definitely the best, by far, group we've ever experienced on a Rick Steves tour. Everyone seemed to really enjoy each other's company and we all mixed and mingled seamlessly. It was a unique, wonderful experience.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The scenery. From seeing the Matterhorn, to the Eiger right outside our window, to the waterfalls and the flowers and the cows... it was all great. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

First time ever doing a tour. I’m 70 and realized I wanted to try the conveniences provided by a tour. I was so happy I chose a tour and very happy I chose a RS tour. I truly liked every person on the tour. A wonderful group of couples, and individuals like myself. Nico was our tour guide and was one of the nicest, most informative, kindest, organized, fun persons I’ve ever met. He must get outstanding reviews by anyone lucky enough to have him as their guide. Switzerland is magical.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The day we visited Ebenlap is first to come to mind. I worried about the walk back uphill but it was very doable with a couple rest benches near the top. The views were breathtaking. Perfect weather was a gift. Second to that was probably the stay in Murren simply because of the surrounding beauty and the fact that on my free time I took a long walk in the Lauterbrunnen Valley with a great group of new travel friends. "

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Organized, informative, breathtaking ,a lot of fun!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"View from the top of the mountain after riding on the Gondola "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Loved the tour! Switzerland is a magical place, highly recommend this tour if you enjoy mountains, beautiful lakeside cities and villages, and nature.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Time spent in Murren. It was enchanting."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

It was like living in a fairytale. From the moment we arrived until we left it was a fabulous experience. I fell in love with Switzerland, our tour guide and the whole tour group. I feel like I really developed insight into the culture and landscape of the country and feel confident that I can return and navigate myself independently.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Hiking in Murren was dreamlike. Better than expectations !!! I loved all our stops and destinations that were so charming and fun to explore. The itinerary and activities were extraordinary and helped bond the group. Our tour guide, Nico, was so educational, interesting and funny that it made our bus rides as enjoyable as our stops. He was truly exceptional !"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Loved the Switzerland tour. Our tour guide, Nico, was very knowledgeable and helpful to members who needed advice and information for their continuing trip after the tour ended. He was alot of fun!! There were some great team building activities, like making chocolate bars and cooking risotto. Everyone was acquainted and hanging out by the third or fourth day. All the places we visited were well chosen. I'm impressed with the 'rest' stops, always a nice town for us to wander around in.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The Alps; the beauty, the hiking, the fresh air. LOVED Gimmelwald and Murren. "

Overall rating: rating 3 of 5

We had the near perfect experience last year with Alsa in Scandinavia so that was a hard act to follow! Our guide was Donald White and he was good but didn't have the spark or empathy that Alsa has. One example is when I asked to sit up front in the bus a second day (I had been experiencing a motion sickness for much of the trip) he responded "It's first come, first serve" or something similar. Alsa also said at first this until some of us got sick. She was very caring and empathetic.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Definitely Murren and Gimmelwald. Loved the towns and the Alps!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Switzerland-a most beautiful country-scenery, people, places.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The whole country was a "wow". "

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Donald White was an excellent guide ... very knowledgeable, entertaining, and helpful. Small group size of 24 allowed us to get to know each other.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"We liked seeing the Matterhorn. And we especially liked the rural area of Murren and Gimmelwald. The restaurant atop the Schilthorn was impressive (loved the James Bond theme)."

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Our first ever tour (and of course first Rick Steves Tour) - we are used to organizing our own travels. We really appreciated not having to make decisions for a change and were very happy with the choices made in terms of the accommodation, the balance of free and booked time, and the choices in terms of what the tour offered.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"I think the valley below Murren as we drove in was spectacular. I am Canadian and I described it as Canada shrunk into a smaller space."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The guide-Donald was professional and friendly and had a great sense of humor. We arrived at every stop on time with an understanding of the importance of what we were to explore.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Having breakfast on top of the mountain is tough to beat, though there are several other contenders for the "WOW" moment."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Knowledgeable guides, great hotels, lots of interesting activities. Guides watched us closely and were always eager to accommodate our individual plans.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Standing in front of the Freddie Mercury statute on Lake Geneva."

Overall rating: rating 3 of 5

Too many large cities and not enough "village experiences". The guide was pretty stuffy.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Murren and Gimmelwald "spoke" Switzerland to us!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The tour fulfilled all of my CH expectations.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"CH is as beautiful or more so than any photo."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

It was organized, fun, beautiful and interesting.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Seeing the Matterhorn."

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

This was our 4th RS Tour and it lived up to our expectations in every way. Our guide was funny, knowledgeable and caring. Our fellow travelers were like minded and very fun to hang out with.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Schlithorn breakfast at the top. Really quite remarkable views. "

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

We were able to see and do so many things. The guide was amazing. Most of the hotels were good, but the Bern hotel room appeared to be for the handicapped, and the shower flooded the toilet and shower area. The food was typical of Switzerland; unfortunately sausage, potatoes, and bland cheese lost their allure early on.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"First views of the Lauterbrunnen valley - gorgeous!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The tour was fun. Except for one day, the weather was great, but even then it was an experience taking a cable car ride into low lying cloud. The members of the tour group were a pleasure to be with. Tour members should be told to buy a J-type plug for Switzerland as the J-type socket will not accept the standard European plug. The RS store has them for $3, the Continental European Electrical Adapter.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Two moments stand out, seeing the Matterhorn under a blue sky and having breakfast on top of Schilthorn on a sunny morning. Making a chocolate bar was a tasty activity and having a yodeling lesson was a scream, literally."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Switzerland has so much natural beauty and the Swiss people are very friendly to tourists. Our tour took us to a great variety of places and we seemed to fit right in thanks to our Swiss born and raised guide.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"I think it’s hard to top the 007 James Bond Brunch venue for a Wow moment. The beauty of the 360 degree view of the Alps is amazing! "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Our guides Mirjam and Saso were outstanding. Both guides were knowledgeable, engaging, funny, and brought the history and life in Switzerland to life for us. What can one say about the landscape, it is absolutely stunning in every way.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Having breakfast atop Schilthorn mountain was beyond spectacular. The day was beautiful, the sky clear. It was as if you could reach out and touch the Alps. A truly WOW moment!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Excellent

Favorite "WOW" moment

"being up in the Alps around Murren and the special Breakfast in the revolving restaurant."

The Switzerland Tour was a great experience.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"There were so many. Mürren, chocolate making, cheese making, dinner boat ride and cooking lesson in a grotto and learning to yodel, opportunities to plan own activities, hiking. The Fortress tour was great."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The Best Of Switzerland is beauty at every turn. From lakes, to meadows, the Alps, cities and rivers you experience the pristine of a beautiful country. Miriam is wonderful, the most knowledgeable guide who makes travel easy and interesting at every stop.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Murren and the experience of being in the Alps. Four gondola rides and so worth the views. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

great guides and a great group of people

Favorite "WOW" moment

"going to the top of the alps"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Wonderful experience overall.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The Alps! This is the second time I’ve been to the Swiss alps, the first time on my GAS tour in 2016 and it amazes me again. I will come back again. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

We did not have the best weather, especially in the beginning. Our guide, Donald, adjusted the itinerary—a cheese making stop rather than a hike in the rain. Our group seemed to get along quite well.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Breakfast on the Shilthorn it was a lovely breakfast and the weather cooperated, giving us stunning views. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Great tour. Great guide, Donald, and great assistant, Mary. And everyone on the tour was pleasant and a pleasure to travel with.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Piz Gloria. We had a beautiful clear day and saw some unbelievable sights and got some unbelievable pictures."

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Our guide, Donald, was polished, professional, patient and personable. His apprentice, Mary, was friendly addition to the tour adding a smile and informative commentary to our tour. This was our first Rick Steves’ tour, and we would highly recommend Best of Switzerland for the beautiful scenery, lovely towns along the way. The cooking class, cheese, chocolate (making your own candy bar) and wine tastings were great fun. Breakfast in Murren at the top of the Shilthorn was a highlight!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The Thrill Walk in the Alps during our stay in Murren. "

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

The RS tour through Switzerland was very well organized and pleasant. Donald White guide and Mary Brunisholtz apprentice guide were very professional, friendly and fun. The days were filled with wonderful tours and local guide knowledge in some cities. The pace at which we moved was acceptable although jetlag was a hindrance for me. The beauty of the RS tour is not much planning is required and the transportation and tips are covered not to mention most meals are paid for including a drink.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Lugano was my wow location. The lakeshore is breathtaking, the mountains on either side are great destinations for hiking and lookouts. The lakeshore has cute towns, one in particular Gandria is accessible only on foot or by boat. The Schilthorn above Murren was my wow moment because we had a clear sunny day and were able to see 360 degree views of the mountains. The revolving restaurant brunch was spectacular as well up there. Bonus was the James Bond museum. "

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

This was our first Rick Steves Tour, but we have traveled quite a bit. We were very pleased with most of the hotels, our guide Dennis, and the other travel-centric people who were on our tour

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Going to a group breakfast at the restaurant on top of the Schilthorn"

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

The tour covered the major highlights of Switzerland and was guided by Donald and apprentice Mary. Both did an outstanding job of introducing us to the wonders of the country.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Top of the peaks of Schilthorn….absolutely beautiful. Visit to the Camille Bloch chocolate factory where we made our own chocolate."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This was our first Rick Steves tour, we absolutely LOVED it !! The tour itself was everything we’d hoped for ,our guide was fabulous and our group felt like good friends that had known one another for years. We really enjoyed the “off the beaten path “ stops in the small villages for coffee and local treats! Without a doubt, we felt like we experienced the country and not just saw it through the lens of a tourist. We had been planning this adventure for years and it did not disappoint!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"For me , my WOW moment was visiting the Lauterbrunnen Valley…Mürren, Gimmelwald, Schilthorn. I love the outdoors/nature and this was awe inspiring! The weather was perfect during our time here..blue skies and mild spring temperatures. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

It was well organized. We had a great tour guide and really enjoyed the other people on the tour.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"There were many wow moments, but one outstanding one was standing on the balcony of our hotel in Murren and having a view of the Eiger, the Monch and the Jungfrau! They were breathtaking!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Great group of travelers, and the guides did a very good job of adapting to the weather challenges and ensuring an excellent trip for all.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Viewing the mountains and valleys from above Murren via the Schiltorn gondola on a beautiful sunny day. Absolutely spectacular, especially after numerous cloudy drizzly days on the first half of the tour. "