Hidden Gems of Switzerland

We continue our journey, stopping in Riquewihr, a storybook village nestled in the Alsace region of France and the inspiration for the charming town in Beauty and the Beast. Colourful half-timbered houses and cobbled lanes create an enchanting scene, with courtyards, boutiques and cafés hidden amongst its well-preserved architecture. It's the perfect spot for a leg stretch and some lunch at your leisure!
Later, we arrive in Winterthur in time for dinner, our base for the next 4 nights, which offers a blend of history, culture and peaceful green areas. 

We walk with our tour manager to Winterthur train station and catch the train to Schaffhausen, where there's time to spend at leisure. You may like to visit the IWC watchmaking museum to learn about the history of the largest watchmakers in German-speaking Switzerland, walk up to the Munot Fortress for lovely views or stroll through the colourful Old Town. 
Later, we regroup at Schaffhausen station for the short journey to Schloss Laufen, where we enjoy entry to this historic castle plus the spectacular Rhine Falls. As the largest waterfall in Europe, cascading over a width of 150 metres and a height of 23 metres, there are plenty of photo opportunities and viewing platforms close to the roaring waters. It really is a sight to behold! Afterwards, we return by train to Winterthur, experiencing the beauty of the Swiss countryside, quaint villages and lush forests along the way. There's time to find somewhere for dinner at leisure before returning to the hotel.

Enjoy a day at leisure, relaxing at the hotel or exploring the local sights of Winterthur, including 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. Other highlights range from the art museum and the photography museum to the Swiss Science Centre Technorama, or you could wander back to the train station and catch an easy direct train to Zurich.
Or, join the customer highlight of this tour, the full-day optional excursion to some of the area's most beautiful sights. We journey by coach to Brülisau and then take the cable car to Mount Hoher Kasten, a stunning peak in the Alpstein range. Its summit features a rotating restaurant, perfect for indulging in Swiss delicacies while taking in the wonderful panoramic vistas over the Rhine Valley and the Alps, geological formations and diverse flora. We then continue to the lovely town of Appenzell, famous for its painted wooden houses and traditional Swiss architecture, as well as quaint shops and cafés offering local specialities, such as Appenzeller cheese. We then visit a local brewery for a beer tasting experience, or there are alcohol-free beers and soft drinks on offer too. Many of the snacks served are guided by the practices of sustainability, using the by-products from the beer-brewing process.  

This morning, we journey to St Gallen and head towards the Old Town and UNESCO World Heritage Abbey District, where 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 at leisure in the town, we take the short journey to the shores of Lake Constance, stopping at the cosy town of Arbon. 
Here, we can 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.

We begin our journey home after breakfast, stopping en route in Basel, where Swiss, French and German influences meet. There's free time to enjoy the city's sights, from the striking red sandstone Town Hall and medieval Old Town to the impressive Rhine-spanning bridges and the bold architecture of its modern art museums. Later, we continue to our overnight hotel in eastern France, with dinner included.