Highlights of Lake Geneva Region

From feasting your eyes at the panoramic beauty around you to treating your taste buds to Swiss chocolate at the Maison Cailler Chocolate factory, you will experience Switzerland’s beauty, charm and craftsmanship at every turn. We’ve handpicked hotels in the stunning Lucerne and quaint town of Montreux so you can dine and relax in Swiss style.

Tour Highlights

What's included in the tour

• 2 nights at the 3* Hotel Waldstatterhof - Lucerne
• 5 nights at the 4* Eden Palace Hotel - Montreux
• Breakfast included at both of the hand selected hotels
• 5 dinners included, including a welcome and farewell dinner
• Entry and admissions to all activities in our itinerary
• Private coach travel and luggage transfer throughout
• Bontour Tour Manager throughout
• DIRECT flights from the Channel Islands

Flight times

All times are local

Saturday 17th August 2024

• JERSEY DEPARTURE (Stopping in Guernsey. Remain on the plane for 20 minutes).
  Blue Islands, Jersey to Guernsey 09:50 - 13:55


• GUERNSEY DEPARTURE direct
  Blue Islands, Guernsey to Zurich 10:35 - 13:55

Saturday 24th August 2024

• Blue Islands, Zurich to Jersey 14:35 - 15:55
• GUERNSEY ONLY (Disembark for onward connection)
  Blue Islands, Jersey to Guernsey 17:40 - 18:00

Please note that flight times are subject to change and will be confirmed closer to the time

Full Itinerary

Download full itinerary ››

Day 1: Channel Islands to Zurich.

Jersey clients will be met in departures at Jersey Airport by their Bontour Tour Manager who will escort the tour throughout. (Departure to Zurich via Guernsey 09.50 – 13.55. You will remain on the plane in Guernsey for approx. 20 minutes).

Guernsey clients will board the flight direct at Guernsey Airport at 10:35 joining the rest of the group on-board for arrival into Zurich at 13:55 with Blue Islands.

From Zurich we will be collected by coach to begin our journey through some of Europe’s most beautiful scenery. A comfortable drive of little more than an hour will see us arrive in the picturesque and tranquil lakeside holiday resort of Lucerne in time to check into the historic 3* Hotel Waldstatterhof and unpack before enjoying a welcome dinner together.

Day 2: Mount Rigi, Queen of the Mountains

After a hearty breakfast, we will depart the hotel with our Tour Manager and take a relaxing cruise on Lake Lucerne to nearby Vitznau. From here we will board the historic Vitznau-Rigi cogwheel railway, which having opened in 1871 is the oldest in Europe.

With cameras at the ready we’ll enjoy a slow and scenic ascent to the peak of Mount Rigi, 1798m above sea level and offering breath-taking 360-degree views across the surrounding lakes of Lucerne, Zug and Lauerz, and the beautiful Swiss countryside beyond. We will enjoy some time to soak in the scenery and perhaps enjoy a hot drink or bite to eat in the mountain top restaurant before we return to the railway and begin our descent towards Arth-Goldau.

Collected by private coach from the mountain railway station, we will make the short journey to the village of Einsiedeln and its cheese factory. Here we will be treated to a private guided tour, which of course includes a tasting!

Returning to Lucerne by coach at the end of an exciting first day, we will once again take dinner together as a group in the hotel; a chance to get to know each other better and compare notes on a wonderful first day in Switzerland.

Day 3: Interlaken & Bern

This morning we will take breakfast bright and early, before checking out of our hotel and departing by coach for our next adventure.

We will start today with a scenic drive from Lucerne to town of Interlaken on the banks of Lake Thun, where we will have a little time at leisure to enjoy a lakeside coffee or pick up a souvenir. We will then board the ferry for a scenic cruise to Spiez, passing romantic waterside villages and historic castles, in addition to enjoying far-reaching mountain views.

On arrival in Spiez we will disembark and have time to capture photographs of the glorious backdrop, before meeting our coach and departing for the Swiss capital city of Bern. Here we will have 2 hours at leisure, perhaps to stroll through the picturesque UNESCO world heritage listed old town, picking up some of the Lindt chocolate that originated here, or even visiting the bears that both gave the city its name, and still reside here!

Following our visit to Bern we will depart again by coach and make our way to Montreux, where we will check in to the 4* Eden Palace Hotel Montreux , where we will enjoy dinner together as a group.

Day 4: Chillon Castle and Lake Geneva

After a long day yesterday, today we start off slowly. Breakfast in the hotel is at your leisure and the morning will be spent discovering the traditional resort town of Montreux. Nestled on the banks of Lake Geneva, Montreux is home to the world famous jazz festival each July and has been a magnet for the rich and famous since the 19th century.

This afternoon we will take the short train journey together to Chillon Castle, which like a scene from a fairy-tale juts out into the lake on its own small island. The most visited monument in Switzerland will today boast us as its latest guests, as we take a guided tour of the castle followed by a tasting of the exclusive ‘Clos de Chillon’ wine.

Taking the train together back to Montreux, this evening is at leisure to enjoy your choice of Montreux’s many excellent restaurants.

Day 5: Cheese and Chocolate!

No visit to Switzerland would be complete without trying some of the country’s most famous exports.

A light breakfast is suggested today, as this morning we depart the hotel by coach for a drive of around an hour to the medieval town of Gruyères. On arrival we will head directly for Maison du Gruyères, home of the cheese with which it shares a name. Here we will be able to visit the dairy and learn about how the cheese is produced, before we discover the different flavours produced during a guided tasting.

With tummies full of cheese we will have some free time in Gruyères itself, where the charming cobblestone streets are lined with traditional Swiss chalets, watched over by the impressive and imposing 13th century castle.

In the afternoon we continue by coach to Broc, home of famous chocolate factory Maison Cailler. During our visit we will learn about the art of chocolate production and the history of the oldest chocolate producer in Switzerland. It almost goes without saying that there will be ample opportunity for sampling, and the chance to pick up some gifts for family and friends (or yourself!)

On our return to Montreux we will once again enjoy dinner as a group in the hotel.

Day 6: The Golden Pass Line and Glacier 3000

After a hearty breakfast at our hotel we will make our way to Montreux train station in ample time to board the morning Golden Pass Panoramic Train, which will immerse us in spectacular countryside on route to Gstaad, a journey of approximately 1.5 hours.

At the end of our comfortable journey we will have time to wander in the glitzy resort of Gstaad, a long-time favourite haunt of Hollywood stars and traditionally home of some of the most decadent Christmas celebrations on earth at the famous Palace Hotel.

After soaking up our fill of glamour in the heart of the village, we will be transferred by coach the short journey to Col du Pillon, where we will embark on a cable-car journey to the summit of Glacier 3000.

Straddling the pass road between Gstaad and Les Diablerets, the lofty summit station offers out of this world views of no fewer than 24 snow-capped mountain peaks, including the Eiger, Jungfrau, the Matterhorn and even Mont Blanc.

We will have ample time to absorb this spectacular feast for the eyes, and those with a head for heights may consider a stroll across the 107 metre long Peak Walk; the world’s only suspension bridge which connects two mountain peaks.

After our visit to what feels like the top of the world, we descend back to Col du Pillon by cable car and transfer by coach back to Montreux.

Dinner this evening is again at leisure to enjoy the delights of the resort.

Day 7: Lausanne

On last full day in Switzerland is certainly not the least. After breakfast we will depart our hotel by coach on a short journey around the lake to the ‘Olympic Capital’ of Lausanne.

Caught between Lake Geneva and the rolling vineyard studded hills around it, Lausanne is the 4th largest city in Switzerland and gives Geneva a run for its money when it comes to eclectic vibrancy and sophistication, where original Gothic architecture sits shoulder to shoulder with both chichi designer boutiques and gritty warehouse nightclubs.

We will have time to discover the chocolate-box medieval old town or elegant lakeside promenades of Lausanne at our own pace before paying a visit to the famous and fascinating Olympic Museum where a host of interactive displays tell the story of the Olympics from inception to today, alongside a tiered sculpture garden and top floor café with inspiring lake views.

On our return to Montreux we will indulge in a farewell dinner together at our hotel.

Day 8: Return to Jersey (onwards to Guernsey)

This morning we will wave a fond farewell to Montreux and Switzerland, along with our travel companions, by now surely new friends.

Enjoy breakfast at the hotel before being transferred back to the airport by coach. Your direct flight for Jersey departs Zurich Airport at 14:35 arriving at 15:55 with Blue Islands. The connecting Blue Islands flight to Guernsey will be confirmed closer to the time.

Terms & Conditions

• Prices are per person, based on 2 people sharing a room. Single supplement of £700 applies in a single room.

• A non-refundable deposit of £100 per person is due at time of booking.

• Each tour is reliant on minimum numbers of 20 people to go ahead. If the tour cannot go ahead due to not meeting the minimum number commitment you will be notified at the latest by the 17th June 2024 and your deposit will be returned.

• Full payment is due on the 22nd June 2024.

• Once full payment has been received it is non-refundable.

• You will need a valid passport to travel.

• We strongly recommend that you have a valid insurance policy before you travel. C.I. Travel Group are working in partnership with Cherry Godfrey. Please visit Cherry Godfrey to complete the online form or please call 01534 711666, ask for the 'Travel Insurance Department' and quote C.I. Travel Group to get your tailored quote.

• A Bontour Tour Manager will be available throughout your holiday.

• Baggage allowance: 1 hold luggage at 20kg per person plus 1 piece of hand luggage (Max weight 8kg, and max dimensions of 50 x 35 x 20cm.

• Please advise us of any dietary requirements at time of booking.

• Please note participants in this tour should have a reasonable level of mobility and be able to walk unaided for up to 30 minutes at a time. Some lakeside or mountain top areas may be slippery and uneven underfoot.

• Itinerary and timings are subject to change at any time without prior notice