8 Days in Switzerland: Lakes of Lucerne and Lugano
Embrace alpine trails, lakefront landscapes, and village moments in central and southern Switzerland on this 8-day trip to Lucerne, Lugano, and everywhere in between.
Switzerland
8 days / 7 nights
$3,710 /person
$3,710 /person
Your trip at a glance
Top Activities
Riding the world’s steepest funicular to the mountain town of Stoos
Admiring Lake Lucerne and the Swiss Alps from the summit of Mount Rigi
Visiting Switzerland’s only island botanical park at the Gulf of Ascona’s Brissago Islands
Exploring the Swiss capital on a day trip to lively, historic, and bear-adorned Bern
Dining on a three-course meal in a traditional Ticino grotto
Historic Day Trip to the City of Bern
Overview
By now, you’ve experienced the highlights of Lucerne and its lakefront city, so today will introduce you to another core part of Switzerland by way of the country’s very own capital. Wake up at leisure this morning and savor the delightful breakfast spread at your hotel, tucking in to fresh pastries, muesli, and plenty of regional cheeses. Whenever you’re ready, you’ll head to Bern, just about an hour or so to Lucerne’s west. Yet while the city isn’t too far away, it presents another side of the country entirely; a true masterpiece, the country’s capital boasts a UNESCO-listed old town, towering Gothic cathedral, and numerous arcades that create a unique Swiss oasis. During your free day, you can explore Bern's streets and signature attractions at leisure. Need a starting point? Check out the city's outdoor gardens, urban greenspaces, and fascinating bear park, which will teach you all about the city's close ties to brown bears. Just don't leave Bern without taking a stroll along the refreshing River Aare — the pinnacle of natural beauty. (Breakfast)
Highlights
Bern
Few cities have managed to retain their historic features as successfully as Bern, the capital of Switzerland since 1848. The city’s old town has received UNESCO World Heritage Site status, and, thanks to its six kilometers of arcades — referred to by locals as “Lauben” — it also lays claim to one of Europe's longest weather-sheltered shopping promenades. As you spend the day here, you’ll get to know the city’s many intricacies, seeing everything and visiting everywhere from the Zytglogge medieval clock tower to the Rose Garden.
Bern Bear Park Visit (optional)
An attraction known far beyond Switzerland's borders, this bear park is exactly as its name suggests. For centuries, Bern has nurtured close associations with brown bears, and the animal crops up as a symbol across the city's emblems. No place displays Bern's bear heritage quite as proudly as the city's bear park, where brown bears live in a habitat of roughly 5,000 meters and offer visitors a peek behind the scenes. If you're so inclined, you can use your free time in Bern to check out its signature animal, as the bears forage, sleep, and play within sight.
Accommodations
Ameron Hotel Flora (or similar)
In the center of Lucerne, between Lake Lucerne and the Alps, this boutique hotel welcomes guests with 161 state-of-the-art rooms. All come equipped with the comforts of an international, yet highly personal, hotel, and combine Swiss originality with urban flair. Across the property, natural materials like wood and leather converge with fresh colors and modern, minimalist designs, creating a one-of-a-kind ambiance. Whether you're staying for one night or an extended weekend, Ameron Hotel Flora invites you to experience the Switzerland of storybooks.
Location:
AMERON Hotel Flora Luzern, Seidenhofstr. 5, Lucerne, canton de Lucerne 6003, Suisse
Phone:
+41412276666
How it works
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What's included
Included in the final price
- Roadbook with local tips and expert recommendations
- 24/7 on-the-ground support
- On-trip concierge service
- Personalized trip crafting
- Entry and exit information and assistance
- Excursion to Mt. Rigi, including transportation tickets
- Stoos Peak experience ticket
- Seat reservation on the Gotthard Panorama Express
- Luggage transfer service from Lucerne to Lugano
- Brissago Islands entrance and boat return ride
- Monte San Salvatore return tickets
- Ticino grotto meal
- Seven nights of accommodation, with daily breakfast included
- All other meals, experiences, activities, and tours mentioned as included in the itinerary
Not included in the final price
- International arrival and departure flights
- Travel insurance
- Personal expenses and gratuities
- Lodging city tax (payable on the spot by clients)
- Anything not mentioned or listed as optional in the itinerary