8 days    Saturday 4th – Saturday 11th August

Towering mountains, sparkling glaciers, serene lakes and beautiful green pastures make Switzerland one of Europe’s most spectacular holiday destinations. The historic Hotel Paxmontana featured in this tour never fails to impress with its distinctive Art Nouveau style, and dramatic location, sitting on a plateau with magnificent views onto Lake Sarnersee and surrounding mountains. This great location is the perfect base from which to explore and enjoy the beautiful Bernese Oberland region of Switzerland.

Your holiday itinerary:
Saturday: Completing our pick-ups we drive direct to Dover for the mid-morning ferry to Calais. Once across the channel we drive through the Ardennes and Luxembourg to Saarlouis on the French German border for our overnight stay.

Sunday: Leaving Saarlouis we drive through France to Basle. Crossing the border into Switzerland we pass Luzern as we make our up to Flueli Ranft and our hotel. With suitable stops along the way we aim to be at the hotel in plenty of time to unpack and get ready for dinner.

Monday: A free day to relax and unwind in this idyllic setting. This is a peaceful pilgrimage village where people come to pay homage to the Swiss National Saint, Saint Nicholas who was born here and lived as a hermit close by. Perhaps visit his birthplace, one of the oldest buildings in Switzerland or enjoy one of the several pleasant walks round the village and through the surrounding beautiful countryside (sturdy footwear is advisable).  If you want to go further afield there is the local bus which will take you down the valley to the little town of Sarnen, and its lake. There are cafes in both places providing light snacks and drinks.

Tuesday: A full day out as we complete the 3 Pass Tour. This circular drive takes us along some of the most photographed mountain roads in Switzerland and through some breath-taking Alpine scenery with mighty mountains and glaciers. We first negotiate the Furka Pass, the oldest of the 3 passes and the highest at around 8,000ft before going onto the Grimsel Pass, the lowest of the passes. It is then over the newest of the passes, the Susten Pass before returning to our hotel. During our drive there will be photo opportunities and stops for refreshments.  (Please note that this excursion is dependent on the weather, the day and route may be changed)

Wednesday: More picturesque Swiss scenery today as we drive through the Bernese Oberland, Switzerland’s alpine paradise. Leaving our hotel we drive over the Brunig Pass to Brienz, the picturesque woodcarvers’ town, on the shores of the lake of the same name. There will be some time to admire the views across the lake or even visit one of the woodcarving shops before we drive along the shores of Lake Brienz, lined with flower bedecked buildings to Interlaken. This famous holiday resort located between the two lovely lakes of Thun and Brienz is dominated by the Eiger, Monch and Jungfrau mountains. Early afternoon we leave Interlaken and drive up to the mountain resort of Grindelwald, located at the heart of the Jungfrau Region this little resort lies at the foot of the infamous North Face of the Eiger. Nicknamed “The Glacier Village”, as glaciers reach down from the high mountain gorges almost to the valley floor. We return to our hotel late afternoon.

Thursday: Today we visit the city of Lucerne one of the prettiest cities in the world, with its beautiful lakeside setting surrounded by mountains. There is some much to see including the Old Town with its pedestrianized alleyways, the famous Chapel Bridge, the landmark of the city, the Lion Monument commemorating the 700 Swiss mercenaries killed in Paris as well as the lake promenade and Europe’s largest transport museum.  This afternoon there will be the opportunity to enjoy a cruise across the lake before re-joining our coach and returning to our hotel.

Friday: Sadly we must leave Flueli Ranft and begin our journey home. Crossing the border again at Basle we enter France and break our journey in the Alsace town of Obernai. This picture postcard pretty town is noted for its delightful medieval houses each with a different colour lining the streets set within the original ramparts.  This afternoon we continue our drive back to Saarlouis and our overnight stop.

Saturday: Leaving our hotel after breakfast we make our way back to Calais and the mid-afternoon ferry crossing back to England. We arrive home early evening after a truly memorable holiday to Switzerland and the Bernese Oberland.

Your holiday hotel:

The *** Hotel Paxmontana is to be found in an idyllic position in the tranquil village of Flueli Ranft, on a plateau above Lake Sarnen, the surrounding mountain peaks providing the perfect dramatic backdrop. The Art Nouveau style hotel reopens in 2012 after a 2 year refurbishment programme in which the building’s historic integrity has been carefully preserved whilst the various lounges, restaurant and bedrooms have been remodelled and offer modern comforts. The overnight hotel for both the outward and return journeys is the *** Victor’s Residence Hotel, Saarlouis. In both hotels all rooms are en-suite and there is a lift.

Price per person:    £749.00 includes excursions worth over £100 per person if booked in Switzerland.

Price includes:
Executive coach travel and return ferry crossings Dover - Calais.
2 overnight stays in Saarlouis with buffet dinner, bed and buffet breakfast. 
Welcome drink & porterage at the Hotel Paxmontana.
5 nights dinner, bed and breakfast at the Hotel Paxmontana, comprising of a 3 course set dinner on arrival, buffet breakfast, 3 course dinner with a choice of menu on 3 nights with a Swiss barbecue evening on one evening (weather permitting).
En-suite rooms with balconies and views.
Excursions as outlined above including 3 Passes Tour, visits to Brienz, Interlaken, Grindelwald and Lucerne with a cruise on Lake Lucerne.
Travel insurance

IMPORTANT NOTICE: a valid passport is required for this tour and the currency used is the Euro and Swiss Franc. Also, please note that in order that we can keep to driver hours rules and regulations, this tour will only use a selection of the listed pickups.