You are invited to join the most unusual 12 day tour of Switzerland designed for those who enjoy historical antiquity, breathtaking scenery, and a sense of adventure and discovery. Your Switzerland tour will be guided by Wayne Barton, Director of the Alpine School of Woodcarving, noted carving authority and author. Wayne lived and studied in Switzerland. You will be guided on a most interesting tour with plenty of time for relaxation and shopping. Included in the tour are visits to Austria, Germany, Liechtenstein, and more. Our tours always enjoy additional sights and stops not mentioned below. Join us for a most informative and exciting excursion!

Friday: September 10     USA - MUNICH
Depart from your home town and connect for the international for your transatlantic crossing to Munich.

Saturday: September 11      MUNICH - ROTHENBURG
Upon arrival at the Munich Airport, you will be met by Wayne Barton and your Swiss Tour Guide for the next 12 Days. On board our private deluxe motor couch, we will travel along the romantic road to Rothenburg with its cobblestone streets and houses dating back to the 16th century. After check-in at the Hotel, the afternoon is free to sleep off your jetlag or explore this charming medieval town. In the evening we will all meet for our first dinner at the Hotel Tilman Riemenschneider.

Sunday: September 12      ROTHENBURG
This morning we will meet our local guide and explore this walled city with its fortifications, gateways, towers and storied history. Included is a visit to St. James Cathedral, which contains a world famous altar carved by the renowned Master Tilman Riemenschneider. In the afternoon we will have a short drive through the countryside and quaint villages to Criglingen for a visit to the Herrgottskirche which contains another of the famous remaining high altars carved by Tilman Riemenschneider. If you have already conquered your jetlag, you should have enough time to stroll through the shops before our joint dinner. Not to be missed is the famous night watchman's tour in the evening. Dinner and overnight at Hotel Tilman Riemenschneider.

Monday: September 13      ROTHENBURG – ST. GALLEN
We will begin our day by traveling the romantic road to Switzerland, passing through little medieval towns such as Dinkelsbuehl and Noerdlingen, surrounded by ancient walls and towers. We will make a short stop at the Neresheim Monastery to enjoy the magnificent baroque cathedral with an opportunity to sample a typical monks meal for lunch. The rest of the days journey will take us through the festival city of Bregenz in Austria and on to our destination for the overnight in St. Gallen, Switzerland. Dinner and overnight at Hotel Walhalla.

Tuesday: September 14      ST. GALLEN
No need to pack your bags.  Today we will visit the culturally rich city of St. Gallen with a local guide for a leisurely walking tour which will include a visit to the world famous Benedictine Library with its literary treasures and hand-written documents dating from the 4th century.  In the afternoon we will make a short trip to Flawil for a tour of the Maestrani chocolate factory to discover how Swiss chocloate is made. There will be time for shopping afterwards. Dinner and overnight at Hotel Walhalla.

Wednesday: September 15      ST. GALLEN –BRIG-UNTERBACH
Today we will board the famous Glacier Express in Chur for a delightful excursion by train through the picturesque Swiss countryside. A box lunch will be served on our journey to Brig. Here we will meet our coach again as we continue through the mountain wonderland of the Wallis to our destination in the friendly little town of Unterbach. Dinner and overnight at the Hotel Alpenhof.


Thursday: September 16      UNTERBACH-MONTREAUX
This morning we will travel through the Val d' Herens to the Grand Dixence Dam at the end of the valley. Here we will enjoy a delightful cable car ride to the top of the world's tallest gravity dam. There will be time to appreciate the broad Swiss mountain panorama from this vista. Continuing on our journey, we wil arrive in Montreux, the Swiss Riviera, where we overnight.

Friday: September 17      MONTREUX
Time to brush up on your French.  Our first destination today is the small picturesque town of Romont dating back to the tenth century. Built on a hilltop, it is a midieval town rich in history and art. There will be free time to explore its ancient wonders. Our next visit is Avenches, once the Roman capitol of Switzerland. We will have a guided tour of the main Roman sights and excavations dating back two thousand years. Dinner and overnight in Montreaux.

Saturday: September 18      MONTREUX – INTERLAKEN
This morning we will travel through the French Swiss countryside to the cheese making showplace in Gruyere to sample and learn how this famous cheese is made. A special traditional Swiss meal is arranged for this afternoon at Le Chalet restaurant within the fortified walls of the ancient town of Gruyere. After lunch, we will continue onto the capitol city of Bern for a guided tour of the famous clock tower, gothic cathedral begun in 1421, and the parliment buildings. Our dinner and overnight is at the Hotel Metropole in the heart of Interlaken.

Sunday: September 19      INTERLAKEN
Today we will have a leisurely trip to the scenic town of Grindelwald where the famous Eiger mountain can be seen. There will be plenty of time for individual sightseeing and shopping. An opportunity to explore Kleine Scheidegg for those who choose to make this extra excursion not included in the tour. This evening we will have a fun dinner with Swiss music and entertainment. Overnight at the Hotel Metropole.  

Monday: September 20      INTERLAKEN – STEIN AM RHEIN
Our adventure continues this morning as we travel to Brienz the woodcarving center of Switzerland where we will enjoy a guided tour through the woodcarving studio and shop of Huggler-Wyss and the carving museum of this town nestled on the shore of Lake Brienz. It’s only a short ride further to the bustling city of Luzern where we will have time for lunch and shopping. We will continue on to the quaint little town of Stein am Rhein with its charming, frescoed buildings on the Rhein river. Dinner and overnight at the Hotel Cholosterhof.

Tuesday: September 21      STEIN AM RHEIN
This morning we will have a short drive to the quiet little village of Ittingen for a visit of the Carthusian Monastary founded in 1152 as a Benedictine Abbey. As we return to Stein am Rhein, we will have a visit to the spectacular Rheinfall. There will be free time for shopping and strolling through town and along the Rhein River upon our return to Stein am Rhein before we have a wonderful overnight and farewell dinner at the exclusive Hotel Closterhof.  

Wednesday: September 22   STEIN AM RHEIN – ZURICH AIRPORT
It is time for the last trip on our motor coach to Zurich Airport in time for your flight home to the United States. There you will have time for duty-free shopping and one more opportunity to enjoy your Swiss experience. 

Book your Switzerland Tour

THE FOLLOWING SERVICES ARE INCLUDED IN THE TOUR PROGRAM

GROUND TRANSPORTATION:  All ground transportation in Europe.

HOTEL ACCOMODATIONS:  All are two-bedded rooms with private bath in first class hotels as listed in itinerary or similar.  Hotel accommodations are first class by both American and European standards.  These will vary according to location.

MEALS:  All dinners and breakfasts are included, as well as some special lunches as listed in itinerary.

SPECIAL FEATURES: Guided tour of Rothenburg, works of Tilman Riemanschneider, Neresheim Monastery, city tour of St. Gallen, Benedictine Abbey Library, guided tour of Maestrani chocolate factory, train ride on Glacier Express, lift ride to Grand Dixence, guided tour of Avenches, Gruyere cheese factory, lunch at Le Chalet, city tour of Bern, folklore dinner and entertainment, Huggler Wyss, Brienz woodcarving school and museum, Carthusian Monastery, Rheinfall, and other technical visits and points of interest.

TAXES:  All taxes imposed by government and/or local authorities on meals and accommodations.

NOT INCLUDED:  All services not specifically mentioned as included as well as items of a purely personal nature such as passport fees, laundry, telephone calls, gifts, souvenirs, etc.  Also, all beverages with evening meals are not included.

DEPOSIT AND CANCELLATION:  A deposit of $200.00 per person is required to insure reservations, which sum will be applied to the price of the tour with the balance to be paid in full at the latest 60 days prior to departure. All cancellations must be addressed in writing to Chestnut Tours.

BAGGAGE:  Baggage allowance is one piece of checked luggage not exceeding 62” in length or 106” total L, W, H; and one carry-on bag not exceeding 45” L,W,H.  Bags may not exceed 50 pounds per piece.  Each individual will be responsible for their own pieces while on tour.  Assistance will be available if needed.