• Chapel Bridge, Luzern, Switzerland
    Chapel Bridge in Luzern
  • Lake Lugano, Switzerland
    Lake Lugano
  • Matterhorn, Zermatt, Switzerland
    The Matterhorn
  • Mürren, Switzerland
    Mürren
  • Château de Chillon, Montreux, Switzerland
    Château de Chillon on Lake Geneva
  • La Maison du Gruyère cheese factory, Gruyères, Switzerland
    Say "Cheese"
  • Near the Schilthorn summit overlooking the Eiger, Mönch, and Jungfrau peaks, Berner Oberland, Switzerland
    Hiking in the Berner Oberland
  • Bern, Switzerland
    Bern

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Best of Switzerland in 12 Days Tour

from $4,595 per person + air

Single Supplement $675

See Dates & Prices

Our 12-day Best of Switzerland tour will have you delighting in the majesty, diversity, and cultural quirks that make this place so…Swiss! From lakeside towns to flowerbox-perfect villages to hiking trails surrounded by cut-glass mountains — you'll find yourself in a nature-lover's nirvana. Peek at its peaks, marvel at its love of precision, and savor a daily dose of cow-milking, chocolate, and cogwheel trains. Already been to Switzerland? Treat yourself to a generous second Alping. Join us for the Best of Switzerland in 12 Days!

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Dates & Prices

2024

What's Included

You'll get at least 20 group sightseeing events — at no extra cost!

Here's what you'll see and do on our Switzerland tour:

  • Luzern walking tour
  • Lake Luzern boat cruise
  • Rütli Meadow
  • Fortress Fürigen
  • Appenzell orientation walk
  • Ebenalp mountain excursion
  • Bellinzona
  • Lugano orientation walk
  • Lake Lugano boat cruise
  • Ticino cooking class
  • Zermatt
  • Lake Geneva boat cruise
  • Château de Chillon
  • Lavaux wine tasting
  • Local cheesemaker
  • Schilthorn mountain excursion
  • Hiking orientation for day in the Berner Oberland
  • Bern walking tour
  • Swiss culture Q&A
  • Chocolate experience

Plus you'll get all this, too.

  • A small, friendly group of 24–28 people — half the size of most tour groups
  • Full-time services of a professional Rick Steves guide and local experts who will make the fascinating history, art, and culture of Switzerland come alive for you
  • All group transportation from Luzern to Bern
  • 11 nights' accommodations in memorable, centrally located hotels
  • All breakfasts and 6 other meals
  • All tips for guides and driver
  • A tour kit including a guidebook (when available) and a moneybelt
  • Guaranteed tour price, locked in the moment you make your deposit
  • Tour alum discount of $50 for each tour you've taken with us
  • Flexibility should you need to transfer or cancel your tour

Fine print: You are responsible for the cost of your drinks and free-time sightseeing. See our Tour Conditions for important details regarding everything listed above.

Group sightseeing events subject to change.

Itinerary

Day 1: Welcome to Switzerland

We'll meet at 5 p.m. at our hotel in Luzern (Lucerne) for a "Welcome to Switzerland" meeting. Then we'll take a meandering evening walk through Switzerland's most charming lakeside town, including its famous Lion Monument, before getting acquainted with one another over dinner together.

Light walking: 2–4 miles throughout the day on mostly level terrain. No bus. Sleep in Luzern.

Day 2: Luxurious Luzern

We'll begin our day with a walking tour of Luzern, learning how a backwater fishing village grew to become a bustling center of trade in medieval times and one of Europe's must-see destinations on the "Grand Tour" a century ago. Our guided walk will take us through the city's restored medieval core and over its famously colorful pedestrian bridges. This afternoon, we'll travel by bus and boat, tracing the tale of William Tell and the birthplace of Switzerland at Rütli Meadow before returning to Luzern for a free evening.

Moderate walking: 2–6 miles throughout the day with some hills and stairs. Boat: ½ hour. Bus: 1 hour. Sleep in Luzern.

Day 3: Storybook Appenzell

This morning we'll leave Luzern and make our way to Switzerland's "cowbell country" — Appenzell. We'll stop at the once-secret Swiss Army bunker at Fortress Fürigen, where we'll see part of the massive defense system designed to keep Switzerland strong and neutral. Afterward, we'll continue our drive through the Swiss countryside to our picturesque home for the night. We'll settle into our family-run hotel, then head out for an orientation walk followed by free time to wander through our storybook neighborhood before enjoying dinner together.

Moderate walking: 2–6 miles throughout the day with some hills and stairs. Bus: 2½ hours. Sleep in Appenzell.

Day 4: Ebenalp and Italian Switzerland

Our day begins with a gondola lift to the peak of nearby Ebenalp. You'll have time to savor the 360-degree alpine view and perhaps head downhill to see the 400-year-old Wildkirchli cave church (hermit monks lived and worshipped here from 1658 to 1853) and a guesthouse built precariously into the cliff. Then we'll trade our mountains and meadows for palm trees and a taste of Ticino, the Italian side of Switzerland. On our way, we'll stop in the fortified town of Bellinzona to practice our best Swiss passeggiata. This afternoon's destination is the dolce vita lakeside city of Lugano. Your guide will take you on an orientation walk before setting you free to enjoy one of the town's many idyllic open-air restaurants.

Moderate walking: 2–6 miles throughout the day with some hills and stairs. Bus: 3 hours. Sleep in Lugano.

Day 5: Free Day on Lake Lugano

It's time to take a vacation from your vacation, on the sunny side of the Alps! The day is yours to stroll along Lugano's shops and harbor, ride the funicular up to the top of 3,000-foot San Salvatore for great lake views, or hop aboard a ferry and cruise to nearby Swiss and Italian villages. We'll regroup this evening to board a boat for our Ticinese cooking class and dinner together.

Light to strenuous walking (your choice). Boat: 1 hour. No bus. Sleep in Lugano.

Day 6: The Mighty Matterhorn and Lausanne

We'll say ciao to Lugano this morning as we make our way into the French-speaking corner of Switzerland. Along the way we'll visit the quaint mountain village of Zermatt, framed by Switzerland's iconic Matterhorn. We'll have free time to explore the village and enjoy the views of one of the most recognizable mountains on the planet — if the weather cooperates. Then it's on to Lake Geneva and the city of Lausanne, where this afternoon we'll get oriented to our old town neighborhood before sitting down to test our French over dinner together.

Light walking: 2–4 miles throughout the day on mostly level terrain. Train: ½ hour. Bus: 5½ hours. Sleep in Lausanne.

Day 7: Lake Geneva's Château de Chillon

The morning is all yours to explore Lausanne's tangled and historic old town, visit its famed Olympic Museum, or simply savor a café au lait while people-watching in the idyllic waterfront neighborhood of Ouchy. This afternoon we'll take a boat cruise on Lake Geneva (weather permitting). A few miles downshore we'll dock at Château de Chillon, where we'll have a guided tour of this delightfully medieval castle on the water. Then we'll visit the Lavaux vineyards for a wine tasting before returning to Lausanne for the evening.

Moderate walking: 2–6 miles throughout the day with some hills and stairs. Boat: 2 hours. Bus: 1 hour. Sleep in Lausanne.

Day 8: Swiss Chocolate and the Heart of the Alps

Today we'll depart lakeside Lausanne and head into the heart of the Swiss Alps. On the way, we'll indulge oursleves by stopping at a local chocolatier and sampling a sweet selection to judge for yourself if Swiss chocolate is really the best in the world. After free time for lunch, we'll pass lush green meadows and dramatic alpine peaks, before ending our journey with a thrilling gondola ride from the Lauterbrunnen Valley floor up to the clifftop village of Mürren. You'll have some time to commune with nature and delight in the high mountain air before we enjoy a traditional Swiss fondue dinner together.

Moderate walking: 2–6 miles throughout the day with some hills and stairs. Bus: 3 hours. Sleep in Mürren.

Day 9: Schilthorn and Hiking in the Berner Oberland

For an exhilarating start to our day, we'll take a gondola ride up to the top of the 10,000-foot Schilthorn and enjoy breakfast together with a view of the Eiger, Mönch, and Jungfrau peaks. The rest of the day is yours to explore more of the magnificent mountains on your own. Whatever adventure you choose, you won't be far from the three essential ingredients of the area: cows, cheese, and chocolate.

Light to strenuous walking (your choice). No bus. Sleep in Mürren.

Day 10: Rural and Urban Switzerland

Today we'll make our way to stately-but-human Bern. Along the way, we'll visit a local cheesemaker and learn how they produce the country's famous cheeses. After we sample a taste or two or three, we'll continue on to Switerland's present-day capital and our tour's final stop. Your guide will orient you to our neighborhood before setting you free to find dinner on your own.

Light walking: 2–4 miles throughout the day on mostly level terrain. Bus: 3 hours. Sleep in Bern.

Day 11: The Swiss Capital of Bern

This morning we'll take a walking tour through Bern's city center filled with cozy covered arcades, pointy towers, sandstone buildings, and colorful fountains. Afterward, we'll sit down with a local for a cultural Q&A session on all things Swiss. This afternoon you're free to explore more of Bern, visit a museum, enjoy a beer at an outdoor café, or take a stroll along the river. Tonight we'll gather for a farewell dinner together, where we'll share travel memories and toast new friends. Pröschtli, cin cin, and salud!

Light walking: 2–4 miles throughout the day on mostly level terrain. No bus. Sleep in Bern.

Day 12: Tour Over After Breakfast

Breakfast is provided, but there are no group activities today. It's a breeze to reach Zürich's airport by train (75 minutes, 2 trains per hour). You'll have easy connections to home or other points in Europe. Tschüssli!

Itinerary specifics subject to change.

Physical Demands

Our tours are physically active! It's an essential part of the Rick Steves tour experience. On our Best of Switzerland in 12 Days tour — among other things — you'll need to happily…

  1. Carry/roll your luggage over uneven pavement (possibly several blocks) and up stairways to reach your hotel, then up several flights of stairs to reach your room.
  2. Be on your feet, walking and standing for up to three hours, indoors and outdoors, in all weather conditions.
  3. Sleep with street noise and no (or weak) air conditioning.
  4. After orientation and transportation lessons, be able to navigate towns and cities on your own.
  5. Adjust to frequent alpine weather changes that can interfere with sightseeing.

Reviews

Allan

Tour: 09/24/23

Overall rating: rating 3 of 5

Joyce

Tour: 09/24/23

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. "

Dave

Tour: 09/24/23

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!"

Darlene

Tour: 09/24/23

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."

Gabriel

Tour: 09/24/23

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."

Connie

Tour: 09/24/23

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"

Joan

Tour: 09/24/23

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. "

Bob

Tour: 09/24/23

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."

Julie

Tour: 09/24/23

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The amount of daily activity including time set aside for hiking

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Murren"

Amy

Tour: 09/24/23

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."

Gail

Tour: 09/19/23

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."

Brenda

Tour: 09/19/23

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!"

Rolando

Tour: 09/19/23

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. "

Michelle

Tour: 09/19/23

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Colleen

Tour: 09/19/23

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 "

Beth

Tour: 09/19/23

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."

Karen

Tour: 09/19/23

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."

Kevin

Tour: 09/19/23

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. "

Sheila

Tour: 09/19/23

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"

Glenn

Tour: 09/17/23

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 "

Edmond

Tour: 09/17/23

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."

Charles

Tour: 09/17/23

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."

Jeremy

Tour: 09/10/23

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."

Mark

Tour: 09/10/23

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!"

David

Tour: 09/10/23

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."

Daniel

Tour: 09/10/23

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."

Joe Ann

Tour: 09/10/23

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

It was a wonderful trip

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Visiting Murren"

Cheryl

Tour: 09/10/23

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."

Diane

Tour: 09/05/23

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. "

Elizabeth

Tour: 09/05/23

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Excellent, met and exceeded expectations

Sara

Tour: 09/05/23

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 "

Patricia

Tour: 09/03/23

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!"

Christine

Tour: 09/03/23

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! "

Brian

Tour: 09/03/23

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“!"

Traci

Tour: 09/03/23

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

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

Favorite "WOW" moment

"MURREN!"

Scott

Tour: 09/03/23

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! "

Douglas

Tour: 09/03/23

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."

Martha

Tour: 08/27/23

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!"

Elsa

Tour: 08/27/23

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!!!!!"

Monica

Tour: 08/27/23

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."

Bob

Tour: 08/27/23

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. "

Laurie

Tour: 08/27/23

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!"

Scott

Tour: 08/27/23

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."

Maureen

Tour: 08/27/23

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"

Brennan

Tour: 08/27/23

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

It was GREAT. Our guide was even better!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"One on one with Yorick our guide."

Jim

Tour: 08/13/23

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"

Hank

Tour: 08/13/23

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."

Jane

Tour: 08/13/23

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!"

Marc

Tour: 08/13/23

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. "

Michele

Tour: 08/13/23

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."

Walter

Tour: 08/13/23

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. "

Clare

Tour: 08/13/23

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!"

David

Tour: 08/06/23

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. "

Linda

Tour: 08/06/23

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!"

Timothy

Tour: 07/30/23

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."

Lynn

Tour: 07/30/23

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."

Veronica

Tour: 07/30/23

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."

Susan

Tour: 07/30/23

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."

Julia

Tour: 07/30/23

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"

Michael

Tour: 07/30/23

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."

Kenneth

Tour: 07/25/23

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Informative, organized,

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Seein the Matterhorn in Zermatt on the clear day"

James

Tour: 07/25/23

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. "

Dana

Tour: 07/25/23

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!"

Peggy

Tour: 07/25/23

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."

Benjie

Tour: 07/25/23

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Wonderful!

Favorite "WOW" moment

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

Erik

Tour: 07/25/23

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"

Kim

Tour: 07/25/23

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"

Rosemary

Tour: 07/25/23

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!"

Richard

Tour: 07/16/23

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."

Ellen

Tour: 07/16/23

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. "

Jerry

Tour: 07/16/23

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Calling to the cheese maker"

Gaetano

Tour: 07/16/23

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. "

Tricia

Tour: 07/16/23

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."

Lyle

Tour: 07/16/23

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"

Ed

Tour: 07/16/23

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."

Nancy

Tour: 07/16/23

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."

Vicki

Tour: 07/09/23

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."

Gay

Tour: 07/09/23

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!"

Kent

Tour: 07/09/23

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."

Maria

Tour: 07/09/23

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!"

Suzanne

Tour: 07/02/23

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."

Mary

Tour: 07/02/23

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Sandra

Tour: 07/02/23

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."

Ryan

Tour: 07/02/23

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 !"

Kristine

Tour: 07/02/23

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."

Katy

Tour: 07/02/23

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!"

Paul

Tour: 07/02/23

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!!"

Russell

Tour: 06/25/23

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. "

Gary

Tour: 06/25/23

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."

Chris

Tour: 06/25/23

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."

Kay

Tour: 06/25/23

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."

Barbara

Tour: 06/25/23

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."

Jackie

Tour: 06/25/23

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"

Patricia

Tour: 06/18/23

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."

Gloria

Tour: 06/18/23

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. "

Barry

Tour: 06/18/23

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."

Nancy

Tour: 06/18/23

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!"

Tim

Tour: 06/18/23

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. "

Paul

Tour: 06/18/23

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"

Gerard

Tour: 06/18/23

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! "

Donna

Tour: 06/18/23

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."

Rey

Tour: 06/06/23

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Hiking in Murren"

Mj

Tour: 06/06/23

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."

Daniel

Tour: 06/06/23

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."

Ronald

Tour: 06/06/23

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!"

Eric

Tour: 06/06/23

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!"

Donna

Tour: 06/06/23

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!"

Diane

Tour: 06/06/23

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. "

Rebecca

Tour: 06/06/23

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. "

Susan

Tour: 06/06/23

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!"

Eileen

Tour: 06/06/23

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"

Tim

Tour: 06/04/23

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Good group of people, great guides.

Favorite "WOW" moment

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

Lisa

Tour: 06/04/23

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. "

Mark

Tour: 06/04/23

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."

Erin

Tour: 06/04/23

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."

Jerry

Tour: 06/04/23

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The best tour ever

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The Alps and our tour guide"

Maureen

Tour: 06/04/23

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!"

Kenneth

Tour: 06/04/23

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."

Brett

Tour: 06/04/23

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. "

Susan

Tour: 06/04/23

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!"

Susan

Tour: 05/30/23

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 !"

Rick

Tour: 05/30/23

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!"

Catherine

Tour: 05/30/23

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 "

Laurie

Tour: 05/30/23

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. "

Karen

Tour: 05/30/23

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

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

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Seeing the Alps"

Rob

Tour: 05/30/23

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."

Vivian

Tour: 05/30/23

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. "

Linda

Tour: 05/30/23

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. "

David

Tour: 05/28/23

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."

Martha

Tour: 05/28/23

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."

Gail

Tour: 05/28/23

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

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

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The whole country was a "wow". "

Ron

Tour: 05/28/23

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!"

Pau

Tour: 05/28/23

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."

Van

Tour: 05/28/23

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."

Marilyn

Tour: 05/28/23

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)."

Lucinda

Tour: 05/28/23

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!"

William

Tour: 05/21/23

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! "

Diane

Tour: 05/21/23

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. "

Kathleen

Tour: 05/21/23

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."

Mark

Tour: 05/21/23

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."

Carole

Tour: 05/21/23

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!"

Leonard

Tour: 05/21/23

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."

Linda

Tour: 05/21/23

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!"

Shawn

Tour: 05/21/23

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. "

Gerard

Tour: 05/21/23

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

It was organized, fun, beautiful and interesting.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Seeing the Matterhorn."

Henry

Tour: 05/14/23

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

great guides and a great group of people

Favorite "WOW" moment

"going to the top of the alps"

Gary

Tour: 05/14/23

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."

Susan

Tour: 05/14/23

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. "

Rachel

Tour: 05/14/23

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. "

Monica

Tour: 05/14/23

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. "

Katherine

Tour: 05/14/23

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. "

Michael

Tour: 05/14/23

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"

Susan

Tour: 05/14/23

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. "

Anne

Tour: 05/14/23

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."

Kathy

Tour: 05/14/23

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!"

Patricia

Tour: 05/14/23

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. "

Chris

Tour: 09/18/22

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

This was our first-ever RST and first-ever group tour experience after years of self-guided travel. Destinations on our tour were fantastic and the education & inspiration given by guide Mirjam were tremendous! Hotels were perfectly situated, and offered spotless & comfortable accommodations with delicious breakfasts ranging from superb to superabundant. Transitions were smooth & efficient, and activities rewarding & fun. We'll long cherish new friends made on tour. Shoutout to driver Marcus!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Too many WOW moments; it's difficult to choose one! The cozy proximity of spectacular Mt. Pilatus to charming Lucerne; the Greatest Sandwich In History from a small bakery in St. Gallen; strolling through bella lakeside Parco Ciani in Lugano; the rarest of rarities, a stunning full view of the Matterhorn in Zermatt; sipping wine by the majestic Chillon Castle on Lake Geneva; a hostel porch cappuccino in Gimmelwald, taking in the Eiger/Mönch/Jungfrau peaks; a farewell dinner for the ages in Bern!"

Andra

Tour: 09/18/22

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Amazingly well-coordinated by our amazing tour guide, Mirjam. Learned so much about Switzerland and feel as though we had a truly authentic experience.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"I truly feel as though we could not have had a better tour guide. Mirjam was funny, honest, smart, engaging, organized, responsible, knowledgeable, patient and just amazing on every level. We were impressed every step of the way, even when our coach malfunctioned and we had to regroup - Mirjam took care of us and did not miss a beat!"

Sanders

Tour: 09/18/22

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

We had a great and congenial group of interested travelers. We covered Switzerland thoroughly and Mirjam Grob was a great and experienced guide for us. Masking did detract from our experience. Masking on the bus was understood and expected, but, masking in other areas many times clearly marked our group as outsiders. Almost none of the locals were masking, our bus driver did not mask, none of the local guides masked. I would have thought that policy would have been updated to current knowledge.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The whole experience in the Lauterbrunnen Valley was magnificent."

James

Tour: 09/18/22

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Very well organized and the hotels were located in the center of the old towns visited. Excellent guide and scenery was quite memorable.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Seeing the incredible mountain scenery, including the Matterhorn and Schilthorn."

Brenda

Tour: 09/13/22

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The Switzerland experience was fantastic! Wonderful guide, expert bus driver, great tour companions, and unbeatable scenery! A must do trip for anyone!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"There were so many “wow” moments, but the favorite had to be waking up in Murren and seeing the clouds hugging the snow capped Eiger, Minch, and Jung Frau peaks right outside my window!"

Robert

Tour: 09/13/22

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

We really enjoyed this tour. The planned stops were exceptional giving us the opportunity to experience the diversity of Switzerland. Nico did a phenomenal job, and provided us with many options when we were exploring on our own.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Hiking the north face trail in Murren on a beautiful sunny day. Simply breathtaking. "

Elise

Tour: 09/13/22

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

This was our 5th Steves tour. We had a great guide and had many memorable moments. This was the first time we did so many “hands-on” activities, such as making risotto and molding chocolate. These activities added much to our enjoyment.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Being able to see the Matterhorn in Zermatt without any fog or clouds blocking it. Opening our balcony doors in Murren and seeing the 3 peaks in clear view. Walking the North Face trail and seeing the views from afar. Breathtaking!"

Rick

Tour: 09/13/22

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

We felt like we did get to see the best of Switzerland with a great guide, Nico, and a friendly group of like-minded adults. The locations selected were varied and we had several afternoons, mornings and evenings on our own to explore at our own speed.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The highlight for us was Murren and the Schilthorn. While Zermatt was overly touristy and crowded, Murren and its high plateau were beautiful beyond description, quieter, and offered a range of activities that fit our interests - walks, scenery, gondolas, fondue, cows. The scenery was stunning - and the hikes/walks were wonderful."

Steve

Tour: 09/13/22

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Had an outstanding experience during your Switzerland tour. Excellent selection on hotels at every stop and great itinerary, would not have experienced some of the sites if not for your tour.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Gondola ride up Schilthorn, seeing the views and doing the cliff walk."

Alice

Tour: 09/13/22

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Another great RS Europe trip! We thoroughly enjoyed the whole trip, the schedule, the guide. It was our best trip with RS so far!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The hotel and time in Lugano."

Jill

Tour: 09/13/22

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Far and away the most beautiful trip I have every been on. We both get burned out on churches and art museums (tho I think RS tour was a great balance on our HOI tour). We loved this tour because of the variety, the outdoor experience, and the physical challenges. Our guide Nico was so knowledgeable and inclusive of everyone on the tour. Great insight into the "Swiss" people and itheir pride of country.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Favorite WOW was obviously as evyone else: Murren. Would love to see this tour extend to 3 nights there. The views just blow one away. Second was probably the Risotto lesson in Lugano, because it was a beaurtiful night, boat ride and everyone was having so much fun. "

Timothy

Tour: 09/13/22

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Our guide, Nico, was very helpful and made the tour fun with his enthusiasm.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The Matehorn "

Brian

Tour: 09/13/22

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The schedule was really good. It allowed us to see a lot but we also had appropriate free time

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Lake Geneva and the wine growing area "

Virginia

Tour: 09/13/22

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Nico, our guide was excellent. The combination of cities and the beautiful mountains and lakes was a good balance. The tour had a good variety of experiences...boat rides, gondolas, local activities, tan cows.. etc

Favorite "WOW" moment

"the mountains in Murren (and seeing the Matterhorn in nice blue skies"

Doreen

Tour: 09/13/22

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Our tour experience was once again wonderful and memorable. The itinerary was great! Our tour guide, Nico, was very knowledgeable and fun! The accommodations were nice and the breakfasts provided were very good. Our bus driver, Bella, was skillful and a joy to be with on tour.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"There were several. Two that come to mind immediately are walking onto our balcony in Murren and having a jaw-dropping view of the mountains! The second is in Lugano on top of San Salvatore, drinking in the 360 degree views of Lake Lugano and the surrounding mountains. There are many more."

Rachel

Tour: 09/11/22

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This was our fifth Rick Steves tour. We loved them all, but this one may be our favorite so far. The guides were wonderful, the hotels were comfortable, the scenery and tour pace, itinerary, and special experiences were all just right. The other tour members were delightful and interesting. We loved it!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"If I have to choose just one, it’s probably the “golden hour” sunset in Murren, or maybe the experience at the cheese farm, or maybe the view of the Matterhorn!"

Gregory

Tour: 09/11/22

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This was our first tour with Rick Steves tours. The tour staff were outstanding in the operation of the tour in Switzerland. We had a great time with the staff and other members of our tour group.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The best wow moment was the free time to hike the Alps in Murren, Switzerland."

Richard

Tour: 09/11/22

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Hard to pick out just one. When our host at the dairy farm played the accordion during our cheese sampling I was overcome by the beauty of the farm, the mountains in the background, and the camaraderie of our group"

David

Tour: 09/06/22

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Very good group of fellow travelers and our outstanding guide Ian.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Seeing the glimmering Matterhorn for the first time."

Mary Ellyn

Tour: 09/06/22

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The orientation meeting get us off to a great start. Ian Watson, our tour guide, had a printed day by day schedule and we all got to know each other a bit before we got oriented to Lucerne. I truly felt welcomed and that set the pace for the rest of our time with the tour. Each day was filled with lots gems, from the marvels of Swiss engineering to the beauty of the Swiss scenery to the differences between French, Italian, and German speaking Switzerland. Beyond expectations!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Three excellent local guides. Nina provided an excellent and energetic tour of Lucerne combining history with beautiful sites. Her story telling was captivating and her energy and love for Lucerne was obvious. The hidden fortifications at Furigen was expertly explained by Simon including the use of maps to show its importance. Julie was our local guide for Bellinzona and she was able to make the ruins of this fortification come alive and help us realize it's strategic importance."

Kathryn

Tour: 09/06/22

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Best of Switzerland itinerary was awesome! We really saw so many cities and REALLY experienced the Best of Switzerland. Our guide, Ian Watson, was great! And our group so friendly and fun! Loved every minute of it!!!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Every day was a "Wow" moment!! From Hotel Des Alpes in Luzern with the awesome view of Chapel Bridge and tour of Old Town, Little Gingerbread town of Appenzell was like a fairytale, Lugano and Lausanne had Gorgeous, elegant views of their beautiful lakes and the alps of Ebenalp, Zermatt (& Matterhorn), Murren, and the Schilthorn were simply breathtaking!!! Loved our tour of family run cheese farm and tour of the Camille Bloch chocolate factory and "hands on" experience!!!"

Kate

Tour: 09/06/22

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

It was a grand tour in every respect. Switzerland is a fantastic country and we did our best to cover it.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"That is so hard to pin down. I've seen a lot of churches, but the Cathedral of St Galan was jaw dropping. And then there are the mountains!"

Sam

Tour: 09/06/22

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

We continue to be impressed with the overall quality of Rick's tours. The tour guides, hotels, schedule and sites are indicative of thorough planning, organization and a focus on how to derive the most education and enjoyment of each event. Ian was an encyclopedia of interesting fact, history and subtleties of Switzerland while injecting the appropriate amount of humor or historical tragedy important to the respective site. As usual, the hotels were great, very comfortable and quiet.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The Matterhorn! Early in the tour, Ian explained that the probability of a good view of the Matterhorn would be dependent upon the weather on that day...and our day was absolutely beautiful. All of Switzerland is very scenic, but our photos of the Matterhorn are picture postcards. "

Bonnie

Tour: 09/04/22

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

My tour of Switzerland was fabulous. Mirjiam was a refreshing, fun guide who made the tour one we will always remember. I found the Switzerland of my dreams: the green mountains, chalets, cowbells chiming in the alps, but also learned the Swiss history and the diversity of the cities, languages and cuisines. The weather cooperated, our tourmates we great, and our driver Marion was a sweetheart. Definitely a trip I recommend to anyone.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"My wow moments were our walk in Zermatt to find the Matterhorn in clear sight in all her glory. I also agree with Rick that Gimmewald is a slice of heaven on earth; I could move there tomorrow and never look back. Our visit to the cheese farm was delightful as well! Brunch in the revolving restaurant and the view from there were spectacular. Needless to say I can't narrow it down to one "wow.""

Karen

Tour: 09/04/22

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Loved every minute! Everything was so well organized and full of surprises.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"I have thought about this but I can’t possibly pick one moment as Switzerland is so beautiful, every moment was a wow moment. I loved learning about the history and the culture. "

Phillip

Tour: 09/04/22

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

the guide was very good

Favorite "WOW" moment

"see the alps "

Thomas

Tour: 09/04/22

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

The Best of Switzerland provided a terrific overview of the German, French and Italian regions of the country. Both highly educational and fun, the tour given by Mirjam never was dull and kept us wanting more information from her. I would highly recommend this trip and only hope that others are as lucky as we were to get Mirjam as a guide.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Too many to mention just one. However, our beautiful riverfront room in Lucerne was the best way to start a tour. The town of Murren and surrounding areas were as beautiful as the photos that prompted us to book this trip. We loved the cows!"

June

Tour: 09/04/22

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Great tour..Switzerland has to be lived to capture its beauty..but our tour guide Mirjam Grob brought it together..Organized, informative, fun, …she helped us SEE Switzerland..Rick’s guides are one of the big differences in tours…also our bus driver Marian, made us feel safe!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"So many wonderful moments but riding the Gondolas to the top of the Shilthorn was unbelievable..cooking Paella was fun and a good way to get to know my group…visiting the cheese making farmer let us see into the lives of these hard working folks.."

Sandra

Tour: 09/04/22

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Enjoyed the variety of places visited Enjoyed the boat rides on all 3 lakes visited Enjoyed the company of the friendly tour guide Miriam and bus driver Marian Was disappointed that we did not visit the Jungfrau Region Was disappointed by the number of stops during the tour that just seemed to be filling time before we were allowed to arrive at our next destination

Favorite "WOW" moment

"All the incredible scenery throughout the tour including views of the Matterhorn, Eiger, Monch and Jungfrau. Another wow was the fantastic chocolate making class at Camille Bloch. "

Peter

Tour: 08/28/22

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

It was our first RS tour and was a wonderful experience. There were a total of 28 on our tour plus Nico and Ellen, our guides. I enjoyed Nico's running narrative as we moved from place to place. His ease of language and history were very helpful. Robert, our bus driver, was great and very helpful.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Many "wow" moments but being able to see and photograph the Matterhorn was very special for me. I first saw the Matterhorn in an old Disney movie when I was a kid. I've wanted to see it ever since and it did not disappoint. I would have spent more time there if possible for different photo vantage points."

Maya

Tour: 08/28/22

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Switzerland is such a beautiful country. This tour gave us the experiences of the various aspects of the country: big city, small towns, the Italian section, the French section, and the Swiss-German section.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Murren. No words can describe the beauty of the high alps. There was so much to do in the area, and Murren is the perfect size town to use as a home base."

Leighton

Tour: 08/28/22

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

After having our travel plans put on hold for two years, this tour was everything I had hoped for. Wonderful guides, well traveled companions and the beauty and excitement of Switzerland!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"On my visit to Switzerland as part of the Germany, Austria and Switzerland tour I thought Murren could not be beat. This time, with a more in depth exposure to the country, I was overwhelmed during the drive toward Zermatt over the Simplon Pass. Seeing it all at once, the splendor of the Alps, the amazing engineering of the roads, tunnels, bridges and railways and becoming aware of the incredible history from the stone age to the salt trade to Napoleon captured it all."

Patricia

Tour: 08/28/22

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

My first time traveling to Europe was amazing. We went on the Best of Switzerland Tour. We visited both cities and mountains, rode on busses, trains and ferries. Each day was filled with actives that included visiting a chocolate factory and making our own chocolate. A visit to a vineyard that included a wine tasting. Making risotto with our tour group and having a feast afterward. Our tour guides Nico and Ellen were amazing and kept us engaged, informed and entertained throughout the tour.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"There were so many, but opening our balcony doors in Murren and seeing the view of the Alps from our room was breathtaking."

Sandy

Tour: 08/28/22

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This was our 4th Rick Steve's tour. We chose it because we wanted more switzerland after experiencing the GAS tour. Our tour guides; Nico and Ellen were terrific! They handled the unexpected seamlessly. Nico is fun and entertaining. The weather cooperated for the most part. What a beautiful country!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Mt. Pilatus on our own, hiking in Murren, risotto night, staying near lakes. We had a great group too!"

Brett

Tour: 08/28/22

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

What a great way to spend a couple of weeks, thoroughly enjoyed the travel experience and all the people in the group! Would do it again for sure.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Sunset on hotel balcony in Murren... Blew me away!"

Kenneth

Tour: 08/28/22

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Overall the tour was wonderful and a great experience. Nico was very knowledgeable and personable guide and our tour group was a good mix of travelers. Switzerland is a beautiful country and this tour featured great locations and fun activities.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"It’s hard to pick just one “wow” moment but the highlights for me were Luzern, Bern, and the Mürren area. I also really enjoyed making Risotto, visiting the chocolate factory, and the visit to the cheese farm was very enlightening and fun."

James

Tour: 08/28/22

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Just the right amount of free time and planned activity time

Favorite "WOW" moment

"There was not really a "wow" moment, The entire trip was great. There was the time the bus broke down and our guide Nico had to go with plan c and turned a negative into a positive with an impromptu lunch, and a new bus by the time lunch was done."

Harry

Tour: 08/28/22

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Great overview of beautiful Switzerland from a great guide

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Murren is a perfect encapsulation of what Switzerland is about-- mountains, scenery,cows and good food "

Deborah

Tour: 08/28/22

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Overall it was a great tour. We saw and did so much, both with the group and in our free time.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The "wow" moment would be seeing the sun setting and turning the mountains orange in Murren, and then walking the next day in the quintessential Swiss valley below. My more peaceful "wow" was an evening walk by the lake in Lucerne and looking over at the lights."

Darrow

Tour: 08/14/22

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

The tour was well planned and organized. The guide(s) were friendly and very knowledgeable. All interactions with other tour guides were exceptional. The hotels were very nice and clean.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Murren. I love this part of Switzerland."

Carlos

Tour: 08/14/22

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The tour was very well organized. Our tour guides Mirjam and Ian were delightful and very knowledgeable. I do feel that I enjoyed the best of Switzerland in 12 days.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The views of the Lauterbrunnen valley from Murren."

Marilyn

Tour: 08/07/22

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Beautiful country. Great people, knowledgeable guides.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The Matterhorn in full display."

Diane

Tour: 08/07/22

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This tour gives a variety of experiences which we probably wouldn't have had if traveling independently. We traveled with Yorick, a wonderful guide who loved Switzerland and could tell us about its history and culture. He was organized, kind, and fun to be with. The country is absolutely beautiful and traveling with the other RS Tour members was a pleasure.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Wow moments are always hard to pick, but mine is probably staying in Murren with the great balcony view, falling asleep to cowbells below, and the next morning going even higher to Shilthorn."

Robert

Tour: 08/07/22

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

From Day One to Day Twelve the Tour exceeded my expectations. Yorick was professional and passionate about our tour. The group clicked and we had a wonderful experience in Switzerland. The smiles on my wife's face all through Switzerland is priceless.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"There were so many Wow moments, but our time in Murren and Gimmelwald was my favorite. Mountain air, hiking and a stop at the Biergarten in Gimmelwald was a perfect day. Our dinner at StägerStübli was delicious and helped us to learn more about the local culture.The view from our roon as the sun rose on the mountains are some of my favorite photos. "

David

Tour: 08/07/22

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This tour delivered all that was promised…a taste of all the various regions of Switzerland. We loved the variety and all of the special experiences with a nice group of travelers.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"There we many, but Hiking on our own on the Northface Trail above Murren viewing the Eiger, Monch and Jungfrau peaks was amazing. Hearing the cow bells in the distance was magical. Another was taking the Berner Float in the Aare River with locals in Bern was fantastic. Our stay in Lugano was relaxing while using the ferry service on the lake. The wine tasting in the French version was also fun. "

Edward

Tour: 08/07/22

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Outstanding

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The entire trip was outstanding, but the schilthorn was over the top. Having wine and cheese on our balcony listening to the cowbells and watching the clouds skip past the Eiger was overwhelming."

Roger

Tour: 08/07/22

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Great tour director. Good local tour guides. Great variety of experiences. The driving time on the bus was nicely broken up by the stops along the way.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Our Wow moment was the boat tour across Lake Lugano to a grotto where we all made different types of Risotto, then sat down at a long table and enjoyed the meal together. A terrific experience and great bonding with new friends."

Marshall

Tour: 08/07/22

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Very good tour with a great group of people and wonderful tour guide.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The many mountain top experiences, Mt. Pilatus, Ebenalp and Schiltorn. Making (and eating) chocolates at Camille Bloch."

Laurie

Tour: 08/07/22

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Our guide, Yorick, was great! Loved the mountains of Switzerland and the beautiful towns.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Breakfast at the Schilthorn (on a sunny day!), Lift/Funicular up San Salvatore, Elbenap, and especially Murren area. Beauty of hiking North Face Walk from Allmendhubel."

Anita

Tour: 08/07/22

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Our guide, Yorick, was wonderful. He enriched the trip with information about the country and its history. The different experiences were fabulous - making risotto, making chocolate, visiting the farm and seeing cheese made, visiting the winery, the surprise visit to Liechtenstein. Switzerland itself was just spectacular. Aside from the beautiful mountains, the cities were varied. It's like a mini Europe in one country.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"I think my first up-close-and-personal look at the Alps was the big WOW in the Lauterbrunnen Valley when we were on our way to Mürren. But I said "Wow" a lot during this trip. I really don't think I can just choose one wow."

Paula

Tour: 08/07/22

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The group of people were fun and friendly. They all made the trip and activities better. The activities like the risotto making at the grotto. Making cheese. The chocolate making. Every place was interesting and beautiful. One location built onto the next.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The risotto making with the banquet meal I didn’t want the night to end. "

Susan

Tour: 08/07/22

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

From hotels to breakfasts to boat rides and education this trip was amazing. It allowed flexibility as well as group experiences. All the details were handled by our guide and we could just enjoy all that Switzerland has to offer.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"We absolutely loved our day in Murren. Starting with breakfast and a 360 degree view, the “thrill” walk at Birg and then a lunchtime hike on the Northface Trail. With cowbells ringing in our ears, fantastic views of the Jungfrau, Monch and Eiger & a packed lunch of cheese, bread and sausage there is no better way to spend the day. We then had a delicious vegetarian Swiss meal at Stagerstubli followed by an after dinner stroll to Gimmelwald. WOW!"

Larry

Tour: 08/07/22

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Another great RS tour. I like the mix of group and free time.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"My favorite "wow" moment was having breakfast at Piz Gloria resturant at the summit of the Schilthorn. It was beautiful weather and a great experience. "

Steve

Tour: 08/07/22

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Our 2nd time in Switzerland gave us a chance to immerse ourselves in the culture that makes Switzerland so unique Whether it was in the cities with their hustle of people or in a village in urban Switzerland watching a farmer make cheese without modern conveniences, wherever we went , there was always an activity for us. What other tour group would give us the opportunity to meet a chocolatier who didn’t just show us how chocolate is made but walked us through making our own.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"By far the breakfast and free time on the Schilthorn and the Thrill Walk. "

Sue

Tour: 08/07/22

Overall rating: rating 3 of 5

The weather was fabulous, albeit a bit warm! We skirted the predicted rain showers. The boat trips, hikes, and of course the Alps were wonderful. However, there were areas we would have liked to have spent more time and others we weren't nuts about. We understood Altdorf and Apenzell, but would have preferred to spend our time elsewhere if we had to pick. Julie was a terrific guide and we would have loved more time there. More time in Lausanne, Bern, and Murren/Lauterbrunen..

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The cheese farm was outstanding. Would have loved a day of hiking there. The Alps were outstanding despite having lost some of the glaciers. As was the Olympic Museum in Lausanne."

Kathleen

Tour: 08/07/22

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Great tour! The itinerary included wonderful cities and activities. We enjoyed boat rides, hiking, cooking, and wonderful meals together.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The tour got off to a “Wow” start with a fabulous view from our hotel room of the iconic covered Chapel bridge over the water in Lucerne."

Denise

Tour: 08/07/22

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

I feel we got way more for our money than I expected. The tour was beautifully organized and Yourick was an awesome guide and a very knowledgeable guide. The group was awesome with no complaints and everyone was on time and a great team player. I do not feel I left any stone unturned in Switzerland. We have already booked our next tour, cannot wait to go again

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The mountains were so perfect they almost didn’t seem real. Our hotel opened up to look directly out the door and balcony ( all our hotels had awesome views) and hear the cow bells they’re known for."

Velina

Tour: 07/24/22

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

All transportation hubs were within walking distance of the hotels. The view from the hotels were amazing. No air conditioning in Luzern proved to be a small inconvenience, but we only spent 2 nights there. Overall. I would go with RST again!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"View of the Alps from our hotel window in Murren"

Kenneth

Tour: 07/24/22

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Great weather and scenery. Great people on the tour. Most of all, an outstanding energetic young tour director!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Sitting on my hotel deck in Mürren and looking at the Alps!"

Loren

Tour: 07/24/22

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The tour provided a wonderful exploration of the geography, history, and diverse culture of Switzerland.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"For me, the favorite "wow" was the tour guide and her explanations of the historical developments and the different generational insights into the Swiss experience with democracy over the years. I have always been interested by the Swiss experience with religion during the Reformation and their political, military, and commercial adaptation since about 1900. "

Sylvia

Tour: 07/24/22

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This was my first RS tour and it was fantastic. Tour guide Mirjam was knowledgeable, creative, funny, and available. There were so many things we couldn't have done on our own, or wouldn't have known about: the chocolate factory, the grotto restaurant on Lake Lugano, the yodeling class, the tour of the WWII military installation. I loved all the boat rides on the lakes. The tour was active, but not too exhausting. I can't wait to travel again soon!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"So many...a quiet "wow" was the town of Vevey. I want to go back and spend a week there. Maybe the biggest wow was my hotel balcony in Murren, which was my dream of my Swiss vacation. Also making risotto at the grotto restaurant on Lake Lugano. The yodeling class was apparently Mirjam's idea--it was great! I also suggested that it would be fun to learn a folk dance. "

Linda

Tour: 07/24/22

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

I thoroughly enjoyed this tour. It was well organized, all our guides were informed and competent, the activities were interesting, the scenery delightful, our tour bus driver was highly skilled, and my fellow participants were a pleasure to travel with.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"This one is a difficult question. There were so many highlights to choose from. If I must choose just one "wow" moment, I would say it was the jodling class in Appenzell. Vocal music is not in my comfort zone. I have little to no singing voice. However, I love vocal music, and the experience of at least trying to participate in this unique aspect of alpine culture fascinated me. The class was not superficial and touristy. It was a sincerely offered glimpse of local culture. "

Gary

Tour: 07/24/22

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Tour guide Mirjam provided wonderful insights into Switzerland's society and culture. She was the icing on the cake, so to speak. Her energy, positive attitude, and overall cheerful attitude was amazing. She is a great Rick Steves ambassador.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Murren hands down with its fabulous views. Also, as a history buff, I looked forward every day hearing another tidbit of Switzerland's history from Mirjam and her assistant tour guides."

Elizabeth

Tour: 07/24/22

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

My guide was amazing. I learned a lot about Switzerland's history and politics as well as cultural traditions. I was also pleased to learn about this country's proactive approach to environmental issues.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"I think that being in a boat on the lake in a lightening and thunderstorm was a personal first. This followed an amazing hands-on cooking experience. Every place in Switzerland is beautiful. I could cheerfully live in Lusaunne, truthfully. The final tour dinner in an underground but palatial restaurant was astonishing."

Karen

Tour: 07/24/22

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

We very much enjoyed our guide, Mirjam, who brought fun and Swiss knowledge to our travels. Lots experiences while managing all 28 of us.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"As we did not go to see the Matterhorn, due to weather, I'd say my Wow was hiking and "007" brunch atop the mountains of Mürren in the moving restaurant."

Margaret

Tour: 07/17/22

Overall rating: rating 3 of 5

This was a hard tour. The guide had one walking speed…fast. It was much hotter than expected (Europe was having a heat wave). The places we went were amazing.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"I think it was the time spent in Murren. Taking the trams and the views were amazing!"

Gratia

Tour: 07/17/22

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The BofSwiss was a fabulous tour despite the historic heatwave all of Europe was facing that week in July. Proof that climate change is harming the glaciers was shockingly evident. However, I was so impressed with the tour's many unique & creative experiences - making Risotto in Lugano, wine tasting in Lausanne, making candy in the land of Swiss chocolate, visiting a cheese producing farm, seeing beautiful cities & the Zytglogge in Bern! Swiss engineering is genius: love cable cars & funiculars!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"I have 2 "wow" moments: 1. The view of the Alps - the Eiger, Jungfrau, & Monch peaks - from our hotel balcony in Murren!!! The cooler alpine climate after a week of atypical Swiss heatwave was also much appreciated! 2. The Zytglogge astronomical clock in Bern - I love glockenspiels & clocktowers & this is one of the world's best! Switzerland is so much more than Heidi!"

Elaine

Tour: 07/17/22

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

The extremely hot weather definitely impacted our attitude, especially since there was no respite at night with only fans for comfort. I recognize this is the culture and that the temperatures were unusual for the area. Not complaining, just reflecting my feelings. Last two days were great with lower temps.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Fantastic tour of the Swiss Army bunker at Fortress Furigen. Great guide presented clear information in an interesting way."

George

Tour: 07/17/22

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Tour was challenged initially by tour members testing positive for COVID in the first few days of the trip. However, tour guide carried on quite well, keeping us informed, while dealing with situation, and lending very good insights about the country and customs. Given the dramatic landscapes of the Alps, the variety of countryside, language and cultures, it was a great experience. I was struck anew by the importance of trade thru the mt. passes in late Medieval Europe, and the Swiss Cantons.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Realizing how dynamic the Alps are. In geological time they are only recently thrust up. The catastrophic melting of the glaciers, the waterfalls and the landslides are all part of this landscape in movement."

Michelle

Tour: 07/17/22

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Although it was hot, the skies were clear and visibility was excellent, so the views at every location were spectacular. Switzerland was scenic and charming. The group was friendly and congenial. Yorick was an engaged guide who worked hard to keep things running smoothly and to be sure everyone could make good use of their down time as well as the tour time.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Loved the view of the covered wooden bridge from our hotel in Lucerne, boat ride on Lake Lucerne, and the walking tour of the city. Also loved the view of the Eiger, Monch, and Jungfrau from our hotel in Murren. The tour of Fortress Furigen was balanced and informative, as were the discussions of Swiss involvement/neutrality during WW2. "

Stephen

Tour: 07/17/22

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The breakfast and views at Piz Gloria Schilthorn "

Patricia

Tour: 07/17/22

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Switzerland was everything I imagined it would be. The weather was perfect and the itinerary was great. Our tour leader was knowledgeable, friendly and kind. He made sure everyone was having the best experience for them.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The Lauterbrunnen Valley and Murren! Couldn’t stop saying “wow!l"

Rebecca

Tour: 07/10/22

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This tour was spectacular! The beauty of Switzerland is truly amazing, everywhere you look is more beautiful than what you just looked at. The food was wonderful, our fellow travelers were fun.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Viewing the Eiger, Monch, and Jungfrau from the Shilthorn, on a clear, sunny day."

Danuta

Tour: 07/10/22

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

excellently organized, everything always on time, top hotels and meals- all fantastic as promised, seeing sites to experience the local best really great as promised. No complaints whatsoever

Favorite "WOW" moment

"the cheese farm visit, Lugano experience, and many more"

Janice

Tour: 07/10/22

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Everything exceeded my expectations. Our guide, Mirjam, was excellent. The structure of the tour was perfect, with just the right amount of free time. The hotels were all outstanding, and the activities and sites we visited were all engaging. The scenery in Switzerland was, of course, breathtaking, and we were fortunate to have perfect weather.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Murren for sure. Spectacular scenery and views. "

Darcy

Tour: 07/10/22

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Norman

Tour: 07/10/22

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Our guide, Mirjam was great. She was very knowledgeable, and shared a lot of Swiss history with the tour group. The views just keep getting better and better, unbelievable beauty. WOW !!!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Standing on top of the Schilthorn ,360 degree's , of amazing beauty. "

William

Tour: 07/10/22

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The tour itinerary was very well planned and orchestrated. Our group was small enough to get to know everyone. Our tour leader Miriam was superb and really put her heart and soul into making the experience exceptional. Hotels were well located and fortunately almost all had a/c given the high temperatures. Nicco our apprentice tour leader was a really great addition to the tour group.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Lucerne & Lugano were beautiful both the real Wow moments were the gondola ride and reaching the top of Shilthorn. The hike on Elnap was a close second. I guess you could say my grabbing an electrified fence on Elnap was the real WOW moment!"

Kris

Tour: 07/10/22

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Absolutely phenomenal. The selection of things to see, experiences, and places to go were all outstanding. I appreciated the locations of all the hotels as all were centrally located and within short walks to restaurants and shops. The combination of the scenic beauty of Switzerland and knowledgeable local guide like Mirjam made for a trip that will be hard to top.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Hiking at twilight just outside of Murren to the sounds of cowbells."

Rebecca

Tour: 07/03/22

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Spectacular tour experience! We visited many diverse locals throughout Switzerland and were immersed in each area’s unique culture…from German, to Italian to French influences as well as remote areas steeped in traditions. I was seeking an active and adventurous tour experience, and was not disappointed!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"So many “wow” moments! Favorites…Ebenalp outing w/ gondola ascending over grazing cows, hiking down to restaurant guesthouse perched within a cliff, passing amazing alpine views, paragliders, cows, 400 yr old cave church, then enjoying a cool beverage before return hike. Schilthorn breakfast outing w/ gondola ride up to 10,000 ft & views of Eiger, Monch & Jungfrau peaks, then experiencing the thrill walk while clinging to the cliffs! Free time Tour de France in Lausanne, Aare river swim in Bern."

Ellen

Tour: 07/03/22

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

I did this exact same tour in 2018 and loved it so much I did it again. This time I found it it to be a bit too rushed and it seemed as though we spent way more time in the bus.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Definitely Murren!! "

Lynn

Tour: 07/03/22

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

The tour guide, Donald White, was extremely knowledgeable about the country and many other things and highly skilled at tour management. He kept us informed about changes throughout and facilitated the group of 28 well.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Switzerland as a whole is breathtakingly beautiful. Traveling to 6 different cities enabled us to sense the regional differences."

Steven

Tour: 07/03/22

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Excellent tour of Switzerland with a fun group of people.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Renting a boat on our 'day off' in Lugano and having a day on the lake as a family. Also, seeing tour de France stage 8 in Lausanne."

Randall

Tour: 07/03/22

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Excellent tour that covered most of Switzerland. Very efficient use of our time. Our guide Donald White is wonderful. Knowledgeable about the country, food, history, art, everything.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Staying in Murren and hiking to Gimmelwald. The entire Lauterbrunnen valley with the Eiger, Monch and Jungfrau has to be one of the most beautiful places on earth."

Mary

Tour: 07/03/22

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Exceptional. We could not have asked for a better tour guide. Donald was very knowledgable spoke several languages. Switzerland was so beautiful and so many varied activities and I felt we really learned about the county and it's people. Hotels were very nice, clean, comfortable and well located in the city center.I cannot say one negative thing about this tour. I Loved it!!!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Taking the gondola lift to the peak of Ebenalp. Hiking down and seeing the 400 year old Wildkirchli cave church. Then continuing to a Resturant perched on a cliff and having a beer looking at the Alps. Murren was also spectacular and seeing the Eiger, Monch and Jungfrau peaks from our hotel window every morning. Then hiking down to the village of Gimmelwald. Another wow moment is taking the two trams to Schilthorn and seeing the rotating Resturant Her majesty Secret service movie was made."

Danielle

Tour: 07/03/22

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

We loved seeing all the beauty of the landscapes of Switzerland & hearing about its long history.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"There were at least three Wow moments....the first was on the gondola up to the small village of Murren, seeing the beautiful Lauterbrunnen Valley from above! The second was climbing to the top of the Schilthorn & viewing the Eiger, Monk & Jungfrau in all their sunlit glory! The third was the view of the Grindelwald valley from our hike to Kleine Scheidig. "

Melissa

Tour: 06/26/22

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Absolutely wonderful. The balance of scheduled time vs on our own time was perfect. The location of hotels couldn't have been better. I loved the activities that drew us into the culture!!

Favorite "WOW" moment

" Making risotto under a tent on the lakeshore during a rainstorm near Laguna is one of many wow moments. That night we shared stories, drank wine and mixed delicious ingredients while our tent swelled with water, and lightening/ thunder abounded creating an atmosphere of pure delight. Yet, as quickly as the storm began, it ended and our made from scratch dinner was ready--Magical!!"

Kathleen

Tour: 06/26/22

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Mirjam Grob was our Amazing Guide!! So knowledgeable, fun and since she was from Switzerland, could converse on all subject and great music!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"There were many WOW moments, but seeing the Matterhorn and watching Cheese making high up in the Mountain top was amazing as well."

Christine

Tour: 06/19/22

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

My overall experience was fun, interesting and diverse. I really appreciated the train system, making transportation to and from the airport in Zurich a breeze. We visited beautiful lake cities with German- Swiss, French and Italian cultural/language ties. I loved the ferries for visiting different lakeside towns. And of course then the mountains! Breathtaking scenery and hiking (really, I'm afraid of heights, so breathless). Finally, Bern, a real city full of people and big stone buildings.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"My favorite "wow" moment would have to be the breakfast on Schilthorn. Taking the gondola 10,000 ft. through the clouds, wondering if you'll see anything, and then it clears and you soar up through the blue sky to a beautiful champagne breakfast perched on this granite peak above the clouds. And you can go out and walk all around, plus watch James Bond movie clips! wow!"

Julie

Tour: 06/19/22

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

This was mine and my husbands first tour with Rick Steve's. We were very impressed with how all of the details were all figured out ahead of time and we just got to enjoy ourselves. Donald, our tour guide was very personable, organized, and really made the tour the success it was.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Besides the sheer beauty of Switzerland itself, my wow moment of the tour was Murren. Taking 2 cable cars to get there was scenic, but then when we opened the door of our hotel and stared out at 3 major mountains it was breathtaking. After it rained one night, we had 12 waterfalls as part of our view. The sweet smell of the hay, the gentle chime of the cow bells, and the hundreds of wildflowers peering at us during our North Face hike was beyond heavenly. It was truly a trip of a lifetime. "

Sarah

Tour: 06/19/22

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

wonderful tour guide, driver, amazing local experiences we would never have been able to find on our own.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The cow bells tinkling on the mountain in Muren"

Jean

Tour: 06/19/22

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Switzerland has to be the most beautiful country I have ever visited. The people were so friendly and helpful. It was easy to use all the methods of transportation. Our guide Donald was great and our bus driver Marion was amazing how she maneuvered that big bus around those narrow roads. I hope someday I get to go back and see more of Switzerland.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"There were so many Wow moments. Murren was a beautiful area. Lauterbrunnen Valley, the Trummelbach Falls and going to the top of Schilthorn probably was my best Wow moment. Seeing all the waterfalls rushing down the mountains after that big rain storm was another plus. "

Paula

Tour: 06/19/22

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The two was well organized, nicely paced, and overall a wonderful memorable experience.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Our evenings and Murren were especially sweet because our location allowed us to have a gorgeous view of the mountains."

Thomas

Tour: 06/19/22

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

We had a wonderful experience with a mix of cities and small towns. Even though rain seemed to be in the forecast every day, it was actually sunny each day. It was unexpectedly hot in Switzerland and, although not mentioned on the tour, we went swimming twice thankfully. The group activities were great fun. This was a very active tour with plenty of local group tours (always a treat), walking (we averaged 14,000 steps per day), beautiful boat rides, and soaring cable cars.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Everything in the Lauterbrunnen Valley: the shear cliffs and cable car ride up to Murren, our time on the Schilthorn, and our hike on the Northface trail. I would love to come back and ski it all."

When To Go & Weather

Any time between May and September is a good time to visit Switzerland. However, the months of May, June, and September are best for combining the convenience of peak season with generally good weather and lighter crowds. Summer, while the most crowded, has the best weather.

Switzerland / Bern

Bern Weather

Hotels & Flights

Tour Hotels

In case you wish to book pre- or post-tour hotel accommodations, the contact information for the tour's first and last hotels is included in your tour confirmation email, as well as in the Itinerary section of your tour account. One month prior to the tour departure, you'll find the directions to your first tour hotel and a complete list of hotels where we'll be staying in the Documents section of your tour account.

Flights

Our tours don't include airfare, so your flight arrangements are completely up to you.

Most tour members arrange to fly in and out of Zürich International Airport (ZRH). Zürich is a 90-minute train ride to Luzern (where the tour begins) and a 75-minute train ride from Bern (where the tour ends). You can also arrange to fly into Zürich and out of Bern (BRN) — choose "multicity" on flight-booking websites.

We suggest arriving a day or two before your tour begins to allow ample time to get over jet lag and be well-rested for the first few days of your tour. For more information about transportation options for getting to and from your tour, see your Rick Steves Switzerland guidebook.