MOUNTAINS, VALLEYS AND LAKES OF SWITZERLAND Blue-Roads | Europe Explore remote Alpine valleys by mini-coach and scale mountain slopes by railway on this unforgettable tour of Switzerland. Along the way, you’ll gain an insight into local life and time- honoured traditions – while enjoying some of Europe’s most sublime scenery. TOUR CODE: BEHMVZZ-0 Thank You for Choosing Blue-Roads Thank you for choosing to travel with Back-Roads Touring. We can’t wait for you to join us on the mini-coach! About Your Tour Notes THE BLUE-ROADS DIFFERENCE Uncover Switzerland's best-kept secrets, including Appenzell, St Gallen These tour notes contain everything you need to know and Weggis before your tour departs – including where to meet, Visit a master chocolatier and learn what to bring with you and what you can expect to do the secrets behind Swiss chocolate on each day of your itinerary. You can also print this making document out, use it as a checklist and bring it with you Be blown away by some of Europe's on tour. most breathtaking and majestic scenery Please Note: We recommend that you refresh this document one week before your tour TOUR CURRENCIES departs to ensure you have the most up-to-date accommodation list and itinerary information + Switzerland - CHF available. Your Itinerary DAY 1 | ZURICH-SCHAFFHAUSEN-APPENZELL This morning we’ll meet the group in one of the most impressive cities in the world: Zurich. Then, it’s all aboard the mini-coach as we make tracks to Schaffhausen – which we’ll explore on a walking tour – and Roemerstrasse Wines, where we have a wine tasting session to look forward to. We’ll then move on to our final destination of the day: Appenzell, where we’ll learn how to make traditional biberli (gingerbread pastries) before getting to know each other a little better over a welcome dinner. Accommodation: Romantik Hotel Säntis (or similar) MEALS: Dinner DAY 2 | APPENZELL-ST GALLEN-APPENZELL After breakfast it’s off to St Gallen – where a walking tour awaits us this morning. We’ll spend some time exploring the city’s Old Town and UNESCO World Heritage-listed Abbey District before we return to Appenzell for a brewery tour this afternoon. After sampling a taste of the beer (not to mention some delicious local cheese and meats), the evening will be yours to spend as you wish. Accommodation: Romantik Hotel Säntis (or similar) MEALS: Breakfast DAY 3 | APPENZELL-LUCERNE-WEGGIS A day of indulgence awaits us in Lucerne today, where we have an appointment to keep with a local chocolatier. After learning the secrets behind Swiss chocolate making, we’ll take the time to savour a delicious sample (or two). Later on, we’ll swap our mini-coach for a scenic boat ride across Lake Lucerne, setting ashore in Weggis: our base for the next two nights. Accommodation: Hotel Central am See (or similar) MEALS: Breakfast Dinner DAY 4 | WEGGIS-EINSIEDELN-MOUNT RIGI-WEGGIS Leave room at breakfast – this morning we’ll be visiting a local farm in Einsiedeln, where we’ll have the chance to make our own cheeses before indulging in a fondue tasting session. Then, it’s all aboard the cog railway – Europe’s first ever mountain line – as we scale the towering Mt Rigi, taking in some magnificent views of deep blue lakes and snow-capped peaks along the way. Afterwards, we’ll make our way back down to Weggis – where you’ll have the evening to yourself. Accommodation: Hotel Central am See (or similar) MEALS: Breakfast Lunch DAY 5 | WEGGIS-EGGIWIL-BERN Today we’ll leave Weggis behind us and make tracks to Eggiwil – where we’ll meet a local alphorn maker. After learning how the traditional instrument is made, we’ll move on to captivating Bern. With a guided walking tour on the agenda, there will be plenty of time for us to soak up the picture-perfect scenery! Accommodation: Hotel Sternen Muri (or similar) MEALS: Breakfast Dinner DAY 6 | BERN Today, the day will be yours to visit Bern’s excellent museums and wander the cobbled centre at your leisure. Accommodation: Hotel Sternen Muri (or similar) MEALS: Breakfast DAY 7 | BERN-THUN-INTERLAKEN-WENGEN Today our path will carry us away from Bern and onwards towards the striking Thun Castle and breathtaking Trümmelbach Falls. After a day filled with spectacular sights, we’ll climb aboard the train to photogenic Wengen, where you’ll be free to explore as you please. Accommodation: Sunstar Alpine Hotel Wengen (or similar) Please note: On tours departing between November and February, we will stay in Interlaken instead of Wengen. MEALS: Breakfast DAY 8 | WENGEN-JUNGFRAUJOCH-WENGEN Today we’ll be treated to some more intoxicatingly beautiful vistas as we travel to the top of Mt Jungfrau aboard the Jungfrau Railway. After travelling back down to Wengen, we’ll come together for one last group dinner. What a trip it’s been! Accommodation: Sunstar Alpine Hotel Wengen (or similar) MEALS: Breakfast Dinner DAY 9 | WENGEN-ZURICH After bidding a fond farewell to Wengen, we’ll board the mini-coach to Affoltern im Emmental, where we’ll enjoy a cheese tasting session at a local Emmental factory. After that, there’s still time for a walking tour of Baden before we move on to Zurich – where our adventure will end. MEALS: Breakfast Tour Information Meals Blue-Roads Travel App INCLUDED MEALS Breakfast (B) is included daily. Why not check in for your tour using the Back- Some of your lunches and dinners are also Roads app? included, either in hotels or local restaurants. This handy tool allows you to view your These are indicated by (L) and (D) in the bookings, check your itinerary, see tour maps itinerary. and more – making it the perfect travel Please note that drinks will not always be companion for your Back-Roads trip. included. How to Download the Back-Roads app We will do our best to accommodate any specific dietary requirements you may have. 1. Launch the App Store or Google Play on Please ensure to make these clear to us your device before your tour begins so we can 2. Search ‘Back-Roads’ and click ‘OK’ communicate them to our hotels, restaurants 3. Select the Back-Roads app in the search and suppliers. results 4. Click the download/install button 5. The app should be installed in your device’s applications page Other Information Finances CHANGING MONEY SPENDING MONEY CASH: Foreign money can be changed at Naturally, everyone’s spending varies. Many of banks, airports, railway and tube stations, and your meals are included in the price of your at major hotels (though at a less favourable tour, so this just leaves a few meals and your rate) personal spending to budget for. CREDIT CARDS: Visa and MasterCard are widely Tips for the Tour Leader and Driver are not accepted. American Express is only accepted in included. Tipping is entirely at your some larger establishments discretion; however, if you feel you have CASH MACHINES: ATMS are widely available received exceptional service, it is recommended that you tip £1-2/€ per day for Drivers and £4-5/€ per day for Tour Leaders. Insurance Passports and Visas You will need to take out full travel insurance We advise you either to carry a photocopy of before travelling with Back-Roads Touring. your passport (and visa, if applicable) with you Please ensure that you have adequate medical, while abroad, or to ensure that you leave a personal effects and cancellation cover. copy with relatives back at home. We recommend that you carry your insurance This will enable the local embassy or high details with you at all times. You may be asked commission to arrange a replacement if the to provide details of your medical insurance or original should be lost or stolen. a payment guarantee in some countries before If you do take copies with you on your trip, medical assistance can be provided. please ensure that you keep these separate Your insurance company may not assist you from your original documents. with your claim if the instructions given in the It is your responsibility to obtain any visas policy have not been followed. necessary to enable you to travel in Europe or Asia. Contact your local consular office for more information. Transport We travel in premium mini-coaches equipped with comfortable seats, air conditioning and large windows for enjoying the view. With far more flexibility than a standard-size coach, we’re able to take the scenic route – winding through beautiful countryside to the heart of tiny villages and coastal towns. What to Bring Suggested Packing List Wondering what to take with you on tour? Our packing list can be used as a guide. Please Note: What you pack will depend on the countries you’re visiting and the time of year you plan to travel. The following is a suggested clothing list only, based on our experience: Sun hat Sunglasses Shorts/skirts Long-sleeved tops Short-sleeved tops Trousers Light jacket Waterproof jacket and Warm jacket umbrella Walking shoes/comfortable shoes Smart casual evening Sleepwear Swimwear and towel wear Other things to pack: Multi-use travel adapter Camera Batteries Phone Personal medication Sunscreen Paracetamol or aspirin OPTIONALS TO CONSIDER: Motion sickness tablets Anti-diarrhoea tablets Sewing kit Lip balm That's it! We look forward to seeing you on tour..