From City Paris (Land Only) | Package Category Deluxe | Package Validity 25 Dec’ 24 Wednesday |
About Explore Tour
Europe maybe tiny but with its diverse cultural heritage, fascinating history and spectacular scenery it has been a favorite for travelers since time immemorial. See the best that Europe has to offer with BAB ALFAN Travel & Tourism.
Tour Highlights
- DAY 1
- Upon arrival, we'll transfer you to your hotel. See you there!
- DAY 2
- FULL DAY: Explore French history at Versailles, ascend Montmartre for its bohemian charm, enjoy a city tour of Paris
- DAY 3
- FULL DAY: Experience Paris: ascend Eiffel Tower's second floor (ticket incl.), enjoy a River Seine cruise, and explore freely.
- DAY 4
- FULL DAY: Explore Bourgogne, known for wines, then to Lyon's Roman Gallia capital with UNESCO historic center.
- DAY 5
- FULL DAY: Arrive Geneva, see Palace of Nations, Jet d'Eau. Visit Chillon Castle, Gruyeres for cheese, Cailler chocolate factory.
- DAY 6
- FULL DAY: Today, Glacier 3000 adventure, Interlaken lunch stop, Aareslucht Gorges visit, Sutenpass journey to Italian-speaking Switzerland.
- DAY 7
- FULL DAY: Explore Lugano in Italian Switzerland, cross St. Gotthard Pass, visit William Tell's birthplace Burglen and Altdorf.
- DAY 8
- FULL DAY: Depart Lucerne, visit Einsiedeln's abbey, Maienfeld for Heidi's inspiration. Explore Heidi's House in Heidi Village.
- DAY 9
- FULL DAY: Start in St. Gallen, UNESCO-listed center with cathedral. Continue to Constance Lake, stroll in Constance, visit Mainau Island's botanic garden.
- DAY 10
- FULL DAY: Explore Zurich with our guide. Cruise Lake Zurich, stopping at villages
- DAY 11
- MORNING: After breakfast, end of our services.
Upon arriving at the airport, we will be waiting to transfer you to your hotel. Check the information boards in the hotel reception area for details of the welcome meeting with your guide and fellow travelers.
Night stay in Paris
Our journey begins with an exploration of France’s history at the grand Palace of Versailles (admission not included), famous for its exquisite gardens. Afterward, as we make our way back to Paris, we will visit Montmartre, where a cable car ride (included) will take us to this vibrant neighborhood known for its artists, painters, and cabarets. To admire the beauty of Paris’s impressive avenues and landmarks, a guided city tour will be arranged. We will conclude the day by returning to the hotel, with an optional opportunity to enjoy a variety show.
Overnight Stay in Paris
Starting in the vicinity of the Eiffel Tower, we travel to the heart of Paris. This remarkable metal monument offers you the opportunity to ascend to the second floor with a complimentary ticket. After that, we take a boat cruise on the River Seine, which separates the north and south of Paris. Take advantage of a free afternoon to do whatever you want. Note: The lines to climb the Eiffel Tower can be long in some cases. As a result, the climb may take place on Sunday or at a different time if it is deemed convenient for organizational reasons.
Overnight stay in Paris
Our journey today takes us to the central region of France, known as Bourgogne, celebrated for its fine wines. We will begin our visit in BEAUNE, located at the heart of Bourgogne, where the streets are adorned with vibrant flowers, and notable sites such as the hospice and wine museum await our exploration. Following this, we will arrive in LYON by the afternoon, the historical capital of Roman Gallia, positioned along the Rhône River, with its historic center designated as a World Heritage site. A cable car ascent to Notre Dame de Fourvière is part of our itinerary, providing breathtaking views of the cityscape. Attendees will have free time to wander and enjoy the surroundings. It is important to note that in some instances, a segment of the group may be housed in Chambery, a city adjacent to Lyon. In these situations, we will depart in the evening for CHAMBERY for overnight accommodations. The next morning will allow us to visit the capital of Savoy, a city that boasts a medieval ambiance, a beautiful historic center, and a grand castle.
Overnight stay in Lyon
We make our way to Switzerland. Arrival in Geneva. We will see from the transport the Castle of Countries (the base camp of the Assembled Countries in Europe) and with our aide we will go to the English Nursery with its clock made of blossoms and we can respect the “Fly d’Eau”, the tallest wellspring in Europe. We continue on to CHILLON CASTLE, which is located in the lake’s waters and is surrounded by varied landscapes. This fantastic medieval castle is included in the price of admission. The picturesque walled village of GRUYERES, which is famous all over the world for its cheese, will be our next stop. We visit the Cailler chocolate factory, which includes a tasting, and there are several of Switzerland’s major chocolate factories nearby, including Nestle. We will continue our journey on narrower roads through picturesque wooden villages and tranquil mountain landscapes. Upon reaching LEYSIN, a charming little holiday village with breathtaking views of the Rhône plain and Mont Blanc that is popular as a winter sports resort or for its hiking opportunities, Included is dinner. Note: Sometimes, lodging will be found in a different nearby city, usually Matigny.
Overnight stay in Leysin
The stage for today features stunning high mountain landscapes. Please remember to bring your winter attire, as we will ascend to one of Switzerland’s most breathtaking locations, where ice and snow are present year-round. The itinerary includes a cable car ride to GLACIER 3000, where you can traverse the suspended bridge situated between two mountain peaks, explore the Ice Cathedral, or enjoy activities in the Fun Park. We will make a stop in INTERLAKEN for lunch. Following this, we will proceed to the AARESLUCHT GORGES. Our journey will then take us along the Sustenpass, renowned as one of Switzerland’s most picturesque routes, which meanders between glaciers and leads us into the Italian-speaking region of Switzerland. We will spend the night in CHIASSO, a Swiss town located at the border with Italy. Please note that the cable car to Glacier 3000 may be unavailable due to adverse weather conditions such as rain or strong winds. Additionally, the Sustenpass road is typically closed until the end of May and from mid-October; in such cases, alternative routes will be utilized.
Overnight stay in Chiasso
Our journey will take us to Lugano, the vibrant capital of Italian Switzerland, renowned for its stunning lake. We will have the opportunity to take a leisurely stroll. Continuing along the highway, we will traverse the St. Gotthard Pass. Our first stop will be in Burglen, a quaint village recognized as the birthplace of William Tell, where we will visit the 16th-century chapel adorned with paintings that depict his life. For those interested, the Museum of William Tell is also available for exploration. In the nearby town of Altdorf, we can discover further remnants of his legacy. We will then proceed to Lucerne, where you will have free time to discover this picturesque city by the lake that shares its name. Optionally, we will recommend a cruise on the Lake of the Four Cantons, celebrated as one of Switzerland’s most beautiful lakes.
Overnight stay in Lucerne
Our journey begins as we leave Lucerne, driving alongside the picturesque Four Cantons Lake en route to Einsiedeln, which features a grand baroque abbey recognized as the principal pilgrimage site in Switzerland. We then continue our travels eastward into Switzerland, reaching Maienfeld, the village that served as the inspiration for Heidi’s tale. In Heididorf, we will have the opportunity to visit Heidi’s House (please be aware that while entry is free, tickets are not included), a scenic location surrounded by breathtaking landscapes, accessible via a walking path. Next, we will enter the sovereign state of Liechtenstein, where we will visit its capital, Vaduz, famous for its striking castle. There will be time allocated for a leisurely walk and lunch. Subsequently, we will proceed to the adjacent city of Feldkirch in Austria, located near the borders of Switzerland, Liechtenstein, and Germany. This enchanting walled city features a historic city center and a castle, providing ample free time for exploration Feldkirch.
Overnight stay in Feldkirch
We will begin our day with a visit to St. Gallen, whose historic center is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site, featuring an impressive cathedral. Afterward, we will make our way to Lake Constance, located between Germany and Switzerland. Participants will have the chance to stroll through the center of Constance before we head to Mainau Island, which can be reached via a pedestrian bridge and is home to a stunning botanical garden (entry included). Next, we will return to Switzerland for a leisurely walk in Stein am Rhein, a charming village along the Rhine River known for its exquisite painted houses. Our tour will also include a visit to the Rhine Falls (entry included), recognized as the waterfalls with the highest flow rate in Europe. We will end our day with our arrival in Zurich.
Overnight stay in Zurich
Our guided tour will take us through Zurich, the most populous city in Switzerland, recognized as the financial and cultural capital of the nation. Known as the city of banks, Zurich has been honored twice as the city with the best quality of life worldwide. After our city tour, we will enjoy a cruise lasting nearly two hours on Lake Zurich, during which the boat will make brief stops to allow us to explore the scenic villages along the route. We will disembark in Rapperswil, a picturesque village that boasts a medieval castle. Our return journey to Zurich will be by train, providing an opportunity to experience the renowned efficiency and punctuality of the Swiss rail system. Please be aware that depending on the number of travelers, transfers to and from the city center may utilize public transportation.
Overnight stay in Zurich
After breakfast, Transfer from hotel to airport to onward you destination. Enjoy your Brautiful Memories.
Inclusions
- General Services: Travel by bus with English speaking guide, basic travel insurance, hotel, and breakfast buffet.
- Includes arrival transfer
- City tour in PARIS
- Excursion: Versailles in Paris (entrance not included)
- Boat: River Seine in Paris, Zurich Lake
- Transfer: Montmartre District in Paris, Versailles Palace in Paris (entrance not included)
- Ticket admission: 2nd Floor Eiffel Tower in Paris, Chillon castle, Cailler chocolate factory, Aareslucht gorges, botanic garden in Mainau, Rhine Waterfalls
- Train: Rapperswill- Zurich
- Funicular: To Montmartre district in Paris, Lyon , cable car to Glacier 3000
- 1 Dinner Included in LEYSIN
Exclusions
- Schengen visa & Insurance fare
- AIR Fare
- Optional sightseeing & meals
- Meals other than specified in the itinerary.
- Porterages, Tips, Laundry, telephone, optional excursions and other items of a personal nature.
- Early check-in and Late check out
- Cost of foreign exchange for personal use.
- Any items or services not specified in the itinerary ‘HOLIDAY PRICE INCLUDES’ head.