Hidden Gems of Switzerland - JG Explorer

Ferry from Dover to Calais and journey onwards for our overnight stay in the Reims area.

We continue our journey and arrive in Winterthur in the mid-afternoon, which offers a blend of history, culture and peaceful green areas. Discover the iconic Stadthaus, an architectural masterpiece that serves as the city's town hall and the picturesque Old Town, where narrow cobblestone streets are lined with medieval buildings and charming boutiques. Take a stroll among beautifully maintained rose bushes in the Rosengarten or indulge in the culinary delights of traditional Swiss dishes and international flavours. Our short orientation tour allows us to find out more about the city's rich heritage. 

This evening we enjoy a welcome dinner at the hotel.

The Rhine Falls, located near the town of Schaffhausen in northern Switzerland, is the largest waterfall in Europe and travelling by train lets us experience the exquisite beauty of this country's landscape. We travel through picturesque Swiss countryside, enjoying views of quaint villages and lush forests, then spend a relaxing morning in Schaffhausen, before a visit to the IWC watchmaking museum. Learn about the history of the largest watchmakers in German-speaking Switzerland through a tour of the museum. The rest of the morning is ours to spend at leisure. Walk up to the Munot, Schaffhausen's historic fortress or stroll through the colourful Old Town.

After lunch, we make our way along the Rhine to nearby Neuhausen, a delightful town with stunning views and easy access to the waterfall.

We journey by coach to Brülisau and then take a cable car to Mount Hoher Kasten, a stunning peak in the Alpstein range. Its summit features a rotating restaurant where we can enjoy a hot drink while taking in the wonderful panoramic vistas, geological formations and diverse flora. We then continue to Appenzell, where we stop for lunch.

This afternoon, there's the chance to learn more about Appenzell's authentic Swiss culture on a guided tour. The town is famous for its beautifully painted wooden houses and traditional Swiss architecture, as well as quaint shops and cafes offering local specialities, such as Appenzeller cheese. We then visit a local brewery for a beer tasting experience.

Later on this evening, guests can choose to dine at the hotel or in Winterthur’s Old Town (not included).

This morning, we journey to St Gallen and head towards the Old Town and UNESCO World Heritage Abbey District, in which we are immersed in the medieval charm and the intricate details of the grand library and interiors that tell stories of the past. There's also time to explore other sides of St Gallen, such as the embroidery museum or relax at one of the quaint cafés.

After lunch in the town, we take the short journey to the shores of Lake Constance, stopping at the cosy town of Arbon. Here, we take a stroll to pass by the traditional houses on the relaxing lakefront and admire the view that stretches to the German shore of Lake Constance.

Our journey takes us through the scenic Thurgau countryside back to the hotel, where a farewell dinner awaits this evening.

This morning, we begin our journey home, stopping en route to make the most of our beautiful surroundings. Our first stop, Rapperswil, is adorned with rose gardens and enveloped by stunning views of the lake. After exploring here, we continue our journey along the shores of Lake Zurich. Take a moment to enjoy the serene atmosphere and lush greenery before we continue to our overnight in the Nancy area, with dinner at our hotel.

We stop en route in the Reims area for lunch (not included) before we continue to Calais for our return ferry home.