France and Switzerland with Alsace and Black Forest (2025)

اليوم 2

Today, we’ll travel to Switzerland. In Geneva, we’ll pass by the Palace of Nations (the European headquarters of the United Nations) and stop at the beautiful English Garden with its flower clock before admiring the Jet d’Eau, the tallest fountain in Europe. You’ll then have free time to explore and enjoy lunch. We’ll continue along the shores of Lake Geneva, passing vineyard-covered hills and snow-capped mountains, until we reach Lausanne, a city in western Switzerland that is home to the International Olympic Committee. We’ll stop at the Olympic Park, a lakeside landmark dedicated to sports and Olympic culture. Afterward, we’ll head to the walled town of Gruyeres, world-renowned for its cheese. Nearby, we’ll find some of Switzerland’s top chocolate producers, including Nestlé. We’ll visit the Cailler Chocolate Factory, with a tasting included! We’ll then continue to Fribourg, a bilingual French-German city with a charming old town.Note: Occasionally, accommodation may be arranged in a nearby city.

اليوم 3

We’ll depart along a small, scenic road through the Bern canton, passing hills, forests, and green fields. We’ll make a photo stop along the way, either at Schwarzenburg Castle or, depending on accommodation, at the viewpoint overlooking Lake Thun or Lake Brienz. We’ll then continue to Interlaken, a tourist town nestled between two lakes. Afterwards, we’ll head to the Aare Gorge, where we’ll explore its impressive ravines (tickets included), followed by an included lunch. Next, we’ll journey toward one of Switzerland’s most spectacular mountain passes, the Susten Pass, with its eternal snow and glaciers. We’ll stop en route to take in the majestic glacier scenery. Surrounded by dramatic peaks, we’ll continue toward the Italian-speaking region of Switzerland, passing through the famous Gotthard Tunnel and stopping in Gandria, a charming lakeside village on Lake Lugano, known for its traditional narrow and steep streets. From there, we’ll board a boat (tickets included) to Lugano, the main city in Italian-speaking Switzerland, famous for its mild climate and beautiful lakeside promenade. Finally, we’ll head to Chiasso, arriving in the late afternoon.Note: -From late May to early October, the Susten Pass may be closed due to snow; in this case, we’ll travel through the equally stunning Brünig Pass.-Occasionally, accommodation will be in the Como metropolitan area.

اليوم 4

After breakfast, we’ll depart for Bellinzona, the capital of Italian-speaking Switzerland, renowned for its three medieval castles, which are a UNESCO World Heritage Site. You’ll have time to stroll through the picturesque streets of the town center. After, we’ll return to the German-speaking region of Switzerland, crossing the Gotthard Pass, where we’ll stop for a photo at a breathtaking viewpoint. Next, we’ll arrive in Altdorf, the capital of the Uri canton, known as the birthplace of William Tell and one of the founding cantons of independent Switzerland. You’ll have free time for lunch before we head to Lucerne, where you can visit the famous Kapellbrücke, the Lion Monument, the impressive cathedral, the Jesuit Church, and the charming old town. Lucerne is considered the country’s tourism capital. By evening, we’ll arrive in Zurich.

اليوم 5

We’ll depart from Zurich and travel to Basel, a key city on the banks of the Rhine at the intersection of Germany and France. Here, you’ll have the chance to explore the old town, with its standout Town Hall Square and the impressive Cathedral that overlooks the Rhine River. Next, we’ll continue to Alsace, a French region historically contested between France and Germany. Alsace preserves its own German dialect, Alsatian, and features architecture and traditions with strong Germanic roots. We’ll stop in Colmar, a city renowned for its unique architecture, with colorful wooden houses and charming canals. Colmar is also famous for its white wine and excellent cuisine. You’ll have time for lunch and a leisurely walk through the city. In the afternoon, we’ll visit one of Alsace’s most beautiful villages: Riquewihr, a medieval town with cobblestone streets and colorful houses that look like they’re straight out of a fairy tale—and were, in fact, the inspiration for scenes in Beauty and the Beast. We’ll arrive in Strasbourg in the evening. We suggest taking a walk through the Cathedral and Petite France areas, both filled with charming spots and cozy restaurants.

اليوم 6

We’ll start our day in Strasbourg, the capital of Alsace and home to the European Parliament. The city’s historic center is a true gem, with its charming medieval streets, a stunning Gothic cathedral, and picturesque canals lined with flowers. We’ll include a boat trip through the canals of Petite France to fully appreciate this beautiful area. Afterward, we’ll cross into Germany, passing through the scenic mountain landscapes and towns of the Black Forest. In Freiburg, you’ll have time for lunch and a walk through this lively university city, known for its medieval center and impressive cathedral. We’ll then continue through the Black Forest to Triberg, one of the most picturesque towns in the region, famous for its cuckoo clocks. We’ll include admission to the Triberg Waterfalls, Germany’s highest waterfalls, which we´ll reach via a lovely walking path. Next, we’ll make a quick stop so you can take some pictures of Gengenbach, a charming town with a beautiful central square, before heading to Baden-Baden for the night. This spa town, once a favorite retreat for European nobility and the upper bourgeoisie, still exudes an air of elegance with its casinos, architecture, and parks.

اليوم 7

We’ll begin the day with some free time in Baden-Baden for a relaxing stroll through its lovely parks before we head to Rhineland-Palatinate. Our first stop will be Speyer, a historic city along the Rhine River. Here, you can explore the grand Romanesque cathedral, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and wander through the old quarter, where Alte Münze stands out. We’ll then make our way to Heidelberg, where a cable car will take us up to the impressive castle, offering breathtaking views over the city (tickets included). Your ticket includes access to the castle’s gardens, wineries, and the apothecary museum. Afterward, you’ll have time for lunch and a leisurely walk through the old town, including the Marktplatz. In the afternoon, we’ll arrive in Frankfurt, a bustling financial center known for its modern skyscrapers, historic old town, scenic views of the Rhine River, and vibrant nightlife.

اليوم 8

We’ll journey to France, beginning with a visit to the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, a small country where both German (Luxembourgish dialect) and French are spoken. We’ll arrive in Luxembourg, a cosmopolitan city that seamlessly blends its rich history with the modernity of being a financial hub and a key location for European institutions. Some of its highlights include the old town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, as well as the city’s fortifications, the Grand Ducal Palace, and the Notre-Dame Cathedral. After lunch, we’ll continue our journey into France. In the heart of the Champagne-producing region, we’ll stop in Reims, where you can marvel at its stunning Gothic cathedral, the historic site of numerous French royal coronations. We’ll arrive in Paris by the end of the day.