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Alpine vistas, charming towns, and enchanting forests await.
From Switzerland’s mountainous landscapes to Germany’s mystical Black Forest, impressive views are around every corner in this breathtaking region. See the iconic Matterhorn up close at Gornergrat, wind your way through Colmar’s charming streets in Alsace, then venture out into an ethereal land known for its fairy tales and decadent Black Forest cake.
Your tour package includes
10 nights in handpicked hotels
10 breakfasts
4 dinners with beer or wine
8 sightseeing tours
Expert Tour Director & local guides
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Included highlights
Lake Lucerne
Chillon Castle
Gornergrat open-air cog railway
the Matterhorn
Glacier Express train ride
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Start planning today
An expert specializing in tours of this region is here to help.
Welcome to Switzerland! After arriving in Zurich, transfer to your hotel in the Lucerne region to meet your fellow travelers at tonight’s welcome dinner.
Day 3: Sightseeing tour of Lucerne
Included meal: Breakfast
With your guide leading the way, get to know lakeside Lucerne, the most populous city in Central Switzerland.
Pass hand-painted facades along the cobbled streets of the Old Town
View the Lion Monument, a tribute to the Swiss Guards who sacrificed their lives in Paris during the French Revolution
See the Jesuit Church, the first large Baroque building of its kind to be built in Switzerland north of the Alps
Cross the iconic Kapellbrücke, a covered wooden footbridge spanning the Reuss River, and view the Water Tower
Enjoy a free afternoon to explore the Lucerne region on your own or add an excursion.
Mount Pilatus
From $135 per person
Zermatt2 nights
Day 4: Zermatt via Montreux & Chillon Castle
Included meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Pass through the scenic foothills of the Alps today, stopping to visit Chillon Castle and Montreux on the shores of Lake Geneva. Then, make your way to the car-free mountain town of Zermatt. Upon arrival, follow your Tour Director on a short orientation tour and take in views of the iconic Matterhorn.
Later, sit down to an included dinner with your group.
Day 5: The Matterhorn Region
Included meal: Breakfast
Set out to explore the mountainous landscapes surrounding the Matterhorn today. Stop along the way to visit Gornergrat, a ridge overlooking the Gorner Glacier.
Board Europe’s highest open-air cog railway for a ride to the summit
Take in spectacular panoramic views of the Matterhorn
Interlaken2 nights
Day 6: Interlaken via the Glacier Express & Andermatt
Included meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Board the Glacier Express, a famed train with cars specially designed for scenic viewing, and travel north through the Alps to Andermatt. Then, make your way to Interlaken, the gateway to the region’s towering mountains and pristine lakes.
Sit down to an included dinner with your group this evening.
Day 7: Free day in Interlaken
Included meal: Breakfast
Enjoy a full free day in Interlaken or add an excursion.
Jungfraujoch: The Top of Europe
From $215 per person
Alsace Region2 nights
Day 8: Alsace Region via Bern
Included meal: Breakfast
Before crossing the border into France, make a stop in the Swiss capital of Bern for a sightseeing tour led by your Tour Director.
Cross the Aare River and head to the iconic Bern Bear Park, home to a community of brown bears
Stroll through the UNESCO-recognized Old Town, making your way past the Cathedral of Bern
Then continue on to the Alsace region of France, known for its storybook villages and sprawling vineyards.
Day 9: Sightseeing tour of Strasbourg
Included meal: Breakfast
Explore the Alsace capital city of Strasbourg on a tour with a local guide. Then, take to the river for a short cruise.
Make your way through the Grande Île neighborhood, passing by Place Gutenberg, Cathédrale Notre-Dame, and Palais Rohan, known as a miniature Versailles
Continue your tour by boat, admiring the Petite France neighborhood, Barrage Vauban, and Ponts Couverts from the water
This afternoon, enjoy free time to continue exploring Strasbourg on your own or add an excursion.
Alsace Wine Tasting & Dinner
From $115 per person
Black Forest Region2 nights
Day 10: Freiburg via Colmar
Included meal: Breakfast
En route to the Black Forest region, stop for a guided sightseeing tour of the charming city of Colmar, known for its impeccably preserved old town.
Discover “Little Venice,” an area known for its canals
Walk through the famous old town, seeing Maison Pfister, the Bartholdi Museum, and Saint Martin Church
Continue on to the German town of Freiburg, known as the entry point into the fabled Black Forest. Here, you’ll set out on an orientation of the town with your Tour Director in the lead.
Enter the Gothic Freiburg Minster cathedral, built during the 13th century
Pass by the Historisches Kaufhaus, City Hall, and Martinstor city gate
Day 11: Black Forest Region
Included meals: Breakfast, Farewell dinner
Set out to explore more of the Black Forest region today.
Visit the Black Forest Open Air Museum to learn about the region’s history, culture, and traditions from a local guide
Try a slice of Black Forest cake, named for the tart cherry liquor that gives it its signature taste
Marvel at regional artifacts inside the Black Forest Museum during free time
Admire the world’s largest cuckoo clock which was built using traditional century-old blueprints at 60 times the original scale
Later this evening, join your fellow travelers for a farewell dinner.
Flight Home
Day 12: Departure
Included meal: Breakfast (excluding early morning departures)
Transfer to the Zurich airport for your flight home or continue your trip to explore the Rhine Valley.
Extension to Rhine Valley
Take to the countryside and join your Tour Director to discover the charming Rhine Valley, home to some famous wines and storybook scenery. Stop in Heidelberg, then explore the small towns nestled along shores of the famous Rhine River.
Rhine Valley2 nights
Day 12: Rhine Valley via Heidelberg
Included meal: Breakfast
On your way to the Rhine Valley, stop in Heidelberg for a guided sightseeing tour.
Walk through old Heidelberg, passing Market Square and Heidelberg University
Take a funicular ride up to Heidelberg Castle and enjoy panoramic views of the Old Bridge and Rhine River
Day 13: Free day in the Rhine Valley
Included meal: Breakfast
Enjoy a free day to explore the Rhine Valley on your own or add an excursion.
This evening, sip a farewell drink as you celebrate your trip with your fellow group members.
Rhine River Cruise & Wine Tasting
From $135 per person
Flight Home
Day 14: Departure
Included meal: Breakfast (excluding early morning departures)
Transfer to the Frankfurt airport for your flight home.
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Reviews
4.7 star rating
Overall rating 4.7 out of 5
Based on 60 authentic traveler reviews
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3.0 star rating
Did not quite meet our expectation
10/5/23 by 1st-time traveler Anonymous
We had a nice trip and some parts were very good (itinerary, small group size, bus and driver, tour guide), but the hotel locations and group dinners were main issues for us. We did not get to enjoy Lucerne, Strasbourg, nor Freiburg in the evenings because the hotels were so poorly located outside ...
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EF Go Ahead Tours replied on 11/7/23
Thank you so much for taking the time to provide y...
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5.0 star rating
10/5/23 by 1st-time traveler Anonymous
4.0 star rating
Europe tour group 8/24 - 9/6
8/24/23 by 1st-time traveler Donna
Atto -our tour leader was absolutely SUPERB!!
Extremely knowledgeable , friendly, professional always a smile , always on time, it was like traveling with a University Professor hearing history, politics, travel anecdotes. Group meals were poor to mediocre , hotels good , every stop had great coffee...
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EF Go Ahead Tours replied on 10/10/23
Thank you for your review! We are so glad Atto pro...
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Hotels, flights & FAQ
Here's the nitty-gritty—where you’ll stay, how you’ll get there, and what to know about your destination before you go.
Hotels
We handpick every hotel to strike the balance of comfort, location, and local charm. Specific accommodations will vary based on your departure date, but these are frequently used hotels for this tour and we're confident you'll be satisfied.
Grand Hotel Europe
This Belle Époque hotel is located near the lake promenade. Guests enjoy a restaurant, bar, and free Wi-Fi. Nearby, you’ll find Lake Lucerne, Chapel B...
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Butterfly Hotel
This Alpine-inspired hotel is located in Zermatt Village Center. Guests enjoy a Finnish sauna, free Wi-Fi, and a hotel bar. Nearby, you'll find the Go...
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Carlton Europe Hotel
This Art Nouveau-style hotel is located in Interlaken. Guests enjoy a spa, Wi-Fi, and a hotel bar. Nearby, you'll find the Jungfrau region, as well as...
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voco Strasbourg Centre - the Garden
This chic hotel is located in the Poincaré neighborhood of Strasbourg. Guests enjoy the indoor pool, fitness center, and outdoor terrace. Nearby you'l...
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Hotel Stadt Freiburg
This upscale, contemporary hotel is located in the Stühlinger district of the Black Forest Region. Guests enjoy access to a spa, bar and restaurant, a...
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Flights
Round-trip flights are one more thing we handle to make your journey as smooth as possible. Our team of travel experts will find the best flight itinerary for you at a competitive rate, thanks to our partnerships with top airlines.
Add our airfare package and you'll get:
Round-trip flight for your tour
Airport transfers at your destination
A great price locked in today
24/7 support from our dedicated service team
Options for arriving early, staying longer, or requesting an upgrade
Flexible rebooking options if your tour itinerary changes
This tour visits Switzerland, France, and Germany. In order to enter these countries, U.S. and Canadian citizens need a valid passport with an expiration date extending at least six months beyond the date of reentry.
We recommend having at least one blank passport page for entry stamps.
Beginning in 2025, U.S. and Canadian passport holders must register for an ETIAS travel authorization in order to enter many European countries.
Passport holders from over 60 visa-exempt countries (including the U.S. and Canada) will need to apply for an ETIAS travel authorization in order to visit 30 European countries. That means that even if you’ve previously traveled to any of these European countries without a visa, starting in 2025, you’ll need to get ETIAS authorization to visit them again. If you’re traveling to multiple countries with this requirement, you only need to complete the form once. All Go Ahead travelers are responsible for obtaining their own ETIAS travel authorization before departure. For more details, please visit our Help Center.
If you are not a U.S. or Canadian citizen, you must contact each country’s consulate for your specific entry requirements.
You can see the most up-to-date entry requirements for the destination(s) you’ll visit on tour by going to **goaheadtours.com/entry-requirements **and searching the code SBF.
You will walk for about 2 hours daily across moderately uneven terrain, including paved roads and cobblestone streets, and will reach high elevations on select portions of this tour.
Travelers should be healthy enough to participate in all included walks without assistance. Adding optional excursions may increase the total amount of walking on your tour.
You should feel comfortable managing your own baggage at times, as well as getting in and out of trains and boats.
If you have any mobility concerns or physical restrictions, please contact our Customer Experience Team.
Round-trip flights booked through Go Ahead Tours arrive in and depart from Zurich (or from Frankfurt on the tour extension). A representative from Go Ahead Tours will meet you at the airport and take you to your hotel. Please remain in the arrival lounge, as the representative might be escorting one of your fellow travelers to the bus at the time of your arrival.
Transfers to and from the airport at your destination are included for travelers who have purchased their flights through Go Ahead Tours. Travelers who purchase their own flights may request airport transfers with Go Ahead Tours for an additional cost.
The Glacier Express train ride from Zermatt to Andermatt is included in the price of your tour.
All other included transportation on this tour is by private motor coach.
Airlines have varying weight restrictions on baggage. Some airlines may impose additional charges if you check any baggage; be advised that you are responsible for any such costs.
Contact your airline for baggage size and weight restrictions for your flight, but please note that our travelers are restricted to one checked bag per person due to storage limitations on motor coaches and other transfers, which may include train connections or flights.
One carry-on bag of 45 total inches (length + width + height) is also permitted.
Make sure you label your baggage and keep valuables, medication, and documents in your carry-on bag.
We recommend packing lightweight, loose-fitting clothing that can be easily layered to accommodate varying temperatures, as well as a light jacket or rainwear.
A sturdy pair of walking shoes or sneakers is recommended for sightseeing.
You may want to pack dressier attire if you plan to visit a high-end restaurant or attend a special performance.
It is preferable not to visit churches or other religious sites with bare legs and shoulders (and entrance may be denied on this basis).
At least 60 days prior to departure, check with your doctor or healthcare provider for the latest updates and entry requirements, or visit the Center for Disease Control and Prevention website at cdc.gov.
Please be aware that on select portions of this tour, you will be traveling to altitudes as high as 12,000 feet above sea level. These high altitudes can sometimes cause breathing difficulties for travelers who have heart problems or respiratory ailments. If you suffer from any of these conditions, please speak to your doctor regarding any potential health risks.
Even healthy travelers may sometimes experience altitude sickness, a temporary condition featuring symptoms of headache, fatigue, nausea, and light-headedness. Until your body acclimates to the higher altitudes reached on select portions of this tour, we suggest that you drink plenty of fluids and limit your intake of caffeine and alcohol.
If you have medication that you take daily, be sure you have enough for each day of the tour as well as any possible delays encountered.
If you have dietary restrictions and/or food allergies please notify Go Ahead Tours at least 30 days prior to departure by logging in to your account and updating your traveler info. To update this information closer to your departure date, please call our Customer Experience Team.
You can see the most up-to-date entry requirements for the destination(s) you’ll visit on tour by going to goaheadtours.com/entry-requirements and searching the code SBF.
Swiss food is varied and sophisticated, and some popular dishes include sausages, breaded veal fillets, freshwater fish, and cheese dishes such as fondue and raclette. Be sure to try Swiss chocolate, which is among the world’s finest.
For a picnic with French flair, stop at a small grocery store for cheeses, pâtés, cured meats, fresh-baked bread, and fruit. In the cities, sidewalk vendors are known for their steaming crepes, while mouthwatering pastries and hot café au lait beckon from cafes. In restaurants, the prix fixe option is a popular way to enjoy a set three- or four-course menu for a good price.
German food is hearty and substantial. Among the specialties are dumpling stews, sauerkraut, sausages, smoked cheeses, and dark breads. Bavaria produces some of the world’s purest beers, and white German wines are exceptionally good.
Switzerland operates on the European standard 220-240 volts and use Types C or J plugs with two or three round pins, respectively.
France and Germany operate on the European standard 220-240 volts and use Types C, E, or F plugs with two small, round pins.
We recommend packing a universal adapter, as well as a voltage converter if you plan on using your own hairdryer or other device without a built-in converter.
The strength of the air conditioning in European hotels is often not as strong or as cool as what you might be used to in the U.S. or Canada. When air conditioning is available, it is usually regulated seasonally and controlled centrally by the hotel.
Your hotels may provide hairdryers, irons, and other small appliances. However, these amenities cannot be guaranteed.
You will use the Swiss franc in Switzerland and the euro in France and Germany.
Better rates of exchange are usually available overseas, although it’s worth ordering some currency from your local bank to use when you first arrive.
We strongly advise that you take debit/bank cards and credit cards, which can be used to withdraw cash at local banks as needed.
You can use most debit/credit cards at ATMs on the international networks Cirrus and Plus, but make sure to check with your home bank about withdrawal fees.
Inform your bank and credit card company of your travel plans so that they won’t confuse your international purchases for fraudulent charges.
International banks and businesses primarily accept debit and credit cards that work with the EMV chip system. If you do not already have at least one debit or credit card with a chip in it, we strongly recommend requesting one from your bank prior to your tour.
At the conclusion of your tour, it’s customary to offer your Tour Director and driver a gratuity in local currency. Please keep current exchange rates in mind.
We recommend tipping the equivalent of $8USD to $10USD per person per day for your Tour Director and the equivalent of $3USD per person per day for your driver.
If applicable, we also recommend the equivalent of $2USD per local guide.
Most optional excursions will be available for purchase while you are on your tour.
Your Tour Director will only accept cash (in USD only), Visa, or MasterCard as payment for excursions.
Please be advised that if you pay for an excursion by credit card while on tour, it may take up to three months for your card to be charged.
Some optional excursions may only be purchased in advance. See page four of your tour itinerary for more information.
International travel is, by its very nature, unpredictable. We must therefore reserve the right to change this itinerary, without advance notice, to meet with local conditions at the time of travel. We appreciate your understanding. Please refer to our website for Terms & Conditions, dates, and prices.
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