Journeys in Switzerland

Our centrally-located Zurich hotel will be our home for the next two nights. We will have breakfast at the hotel daily. Zürich is the most important industrial and commercial center in Switzerland and a city that is world-famous for its watches and banks. Take a walking tour of the Altstadt (Old Town) of Zurich, featuring cobblestone streets, small stores and restaurants, and religious landmarks.

This evening, dinner will be provided in a local restaurant.

Visit the Swiss National Museum, which offers an epic survery of the culture and history of the Swiss people. The collection is housed in a Feudal-looking building and includes religious art, prehistoric artifacts, Roman and medieval artifacts, and a display of Swiss weaponry and armor

Explore Fraumunster, easily distinguished by its slender blue spire, and built by Emperor Ludwig, grandson of Charlemagne. Highlights of the church include the stained-glass windows, the elaborate organ and Gothic basilica.

Visit this Romanesque and Gothic cathedral, which, according to legend, was founded by Charlemagne when his horse bowed down, marking the spot of the graves of three early Christian martyrs.

This evening, dinner will be provided in a local restaurant.

Our performance will take place in Zurich today. The three most important churches in Zurich are Grossmunster, Fraumunster, and St. Peter's. The Museum Rietberg has also hosted concerts by WorldStrides ensembles.

Today we will travel from Lucerne to Geneva. We will stop in Lausanne en route.

View the Place de la Palud, featuring the Hôtel de Ville (town hall), which has a 17th-century Renaissance facade and today is the headquarters of the Communal Council. Also on the square is the Fountain of Justice, dating from 1726. We continue up the Escaliers du Marché, a covered flight of medieval stairs on one side of the square, to the Cathedral of Lausanne.

Visit one of the most beautiful Gothic structures in Europe. The cathedral stands 500 feet above Lake Geneva, and those who choose can climb the 225 steps to the Observation Deck of one of the cathedral’s towers.

For the next two evenings, we will enjoy the convenience of our centrally-located Geneva hotel, where daily breakfast will be included. Geneva is situated in a prime Rhône Valley position at the southwestern corner of Lake Geneva, within view of the pinnacle of the Mont Blanc. The city's strong French influence shows itself everywhere, from its mansard roofs, iron balconies, sidewalk cafes, and French signs. Geneva is a cosmopolitan city and home to more than 200 international organizations, including the European headquarters of the United Nations.

View the Jet d’ Eau, Geneva’s trademark. This beautiful fountain throws water 460 feet into the air and is visible for miles. Continue to the Jardin Anglais, where we will view the world famous Flower Clock, which is made of carefully landscaped beds of flowers. The clock keeps perfect time.

We will dine this evening in a local restaurant.

Visit The Red Cross Museum. It features magnificent and unique exhibits on the sweep and drama of the historic organization.

Enjoy a tour of the second largest complex in Europe after Versailles. The building originally was the headquarters for the League of Nations following WWI, and it is now the European headquarters of the United Nations.

We will dine this evening in a local restaurant.

Our performance will take place today in Geneva. St. Peter's Cathedral is Geneva's most prestigious ecclesiastical venue. Performances at the Conservatory of Music, along with a tour of the Grand Theater (Opera), can also be arranged. School groups may also enjoy performing at the International School of Geneva.

Today we will travel from Geneva to Lucerne. We will visit Interlaken and Mt. Pilatus en route.

Our stop in Interlaken will immerse us in splendid mountain scenery. Our touring begins in the Höheweg Promenade, which covers 35 acres in the middle of town between the two train stations. Once the property of Augustinian monks, it was acquired in the 19th century by hotel keepers, who turned it into a park. On our Walking Tour, we will admire the famous view of the Jungfrau Mountain as well as the flower clock at the Kursaal.

Visit beautiful Mount Pilatus, which is easily accessible by riding the Pilatus Railway or a scenic Cable Car. The Pilatus Railway is the steepest cogwheel railway in the world. Enjoy stunning panoramic views of the surrounding and pristine area (NOTE: due to construction of a new cable car system, this activity will be subject to availability at time of travel. If unavailable, WorldStrides will look for an alternative Alpine mountain experience for your group!).

For the next two nights, our base will be in Lucerne (area). Breakfast will be included at the hotel. Lucerne is the most populous city in Central Switzerland and a focal point of the region. Due to its location on the shore of Lake Lucerne, within sight of Mount Pilatus and Rigi in the Swiss Alps, it is traditionally considered first and foremost as a tourist destination. One of the city's famous landmarks is Chapel Bridge with a wooden bridge first built in the 14th century. It has also been voted as the 5th most popular tourism destination in the world

Dinner this evening will be in a local restaurant.

We will begin by viewing the Lion Monument which was created in 1820 in honor of the Swiss Guards who lost their lives in 1792 during the French Revolution. Next we will view the impressive Jesuitenkirche which was the first large baroque church built in Switzerland. The baroque style architecture is quite ostentatious but is supposed to represent the power and glory of the Catholic tradition. Lastly, we will bask in the beauty found in the historical heart of Lucerne as we stroll through the picturesque medieval Weinmarkt square and the Kornmarkt square which contains the Town Hall and beautifully painted Pfistern guildhall.

Visit the Cathedral of St. Leger. Originally built in 735, the Renaissance style cathedral takes its name from St. Leger, the city’s patron saint.

Visit one of the world’s few panorama paintings still existing. The painting is now housed in a brand new Museum, depicting the French-German war of 1870 with recorded narration tells a mournful but stirring account of wartime follies and heroism.

Dinner this evening will be in a local restaurant.

Our performance will take place today in Lucerne. There are many small churches, schools and community venues that WorldStrides can look to place your group in the area.

Our rewarding and enjoyable tour comes to an end as our Tour Director accompanies us to the airport on our final day.