France and Switzerland with Alsace and Black Forest

Welcome to your tour with Europamundo!

Optional Activities: During your trip, your guide will likely offer optional activities. If these activities are available in the Europamundo app or through your "My Trip" link, we strongly recommend booking them well in advance to ensure availability. Waiting until the last minute often means missing out on the opportunity to participate due to lack of tickets, coach seats, etc.

Joining the tour at the designated meeting point and time is crucial. Please verify these details in advance, as there are multiple joining points available. If you have any questions, contact Europamundo before your trip using the emergency telephone number or the chat feature on your "My Trip" website.

Please be on time as we travel together in a group; everyone´s cooperation is essential for a successful trip.

Enjoy your tour!

Total distance covered: 470 km.

Scenery: Enjoy the pleasant landscapes of central France and picturesque villages.

08:00 a.m. – Departure from Paris. We’ll head to the heart of France, passing through the Burgundy region, renowned for its picturesque vineyards and world-class wines.
12:15 p.m. - Beaune. We’ll arrive in this charming village in the Burgundy wine region, known for its flower-filled streets, historic hospice, and wine museum. You´ll have free time to explore.

02:30 p.m. – Departure from Beaune.
04:30 p.m. – Lyon, located on the banks of the Rhône River. We’ll arrive in France´s third-largest city that was once the capital of Roman Gaul. The city´s historic center is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. We´ll take a cable car up to Notre-Dame de Fourvière, offering spectacular views of the city. You´ll have free time to explore Lyon.

Note: In some cases, part of the group will stay in Chambéry, a city near Lyon. In these instances, we’ll travel from Lyon at 7:00 p.m. to Chambéry, with arrival at 8:30 p.m. for an overnight stay. In the morning, you’ll have time to visit this medieval-style city, the capital of Saboya, known for its beautiful historic center and impressive castle.

Total distance covered: 310 km.

Scenery: Stunning views of Lake Geneva, with vast lakes and towering snow-capped mountains in the distance.

Note: Please keep your passport handy as there may be border controls when entering Switzerland.

08:00 a.m. – Departure from Lyon. We’ll head into the mountainous regions as we make our way to Switzerland.
10:00 a.m. – Geneva, the capital of the French-speaking part of Switzerland. This city on the shores of Lake Geneva is home to the European headquarters of the United Nations, the International Labour Organization, the Red Cross, and many other international organizations. Our bus will pass by the Palace of Nations, stroll through the beautiful English Garden with its famous flower clock, and admire the Jet d’Eau, Europe’s tallest fountain.

12:45 p.m. – Departure from Geneva. We’ll follow Lake Geneva, passing through stunning vineyard landscapes and snowy mountains in the horizon.
01:45 p.m. – Lausanne, a city in western Switzerland crossed by four rivers that carry water from the Alps into Lake Geneva. Lausanne is where the International Olympic Committee was founded in 1894 and has hosted its headquarters ever since. We’ll stop at the Olympic Park, on the shores of the lake, an iconic spot dedicated to sports and Olympic culture.

02:30 p.m. – Departure from Lausanne.
03:30 p.m. – Gruyeres. Time to stroll through the center of this picturesque walled town, famous for producing the cheese that bears its name. Nearby are some of Switzerland’s major chocolate manufacturers, such as Nestlé. We’ll visit the Cailler Chocolate Factory and enjoy a sweet tasting.

06:00 p.m. – Departure from Gruyeres.
06:45 p.m. – Arrival in Fribourg, a bilingual French/German city with a charming old town.

Note: Due to the limited number of hotel options in Fribourg, accommodation may sometimes be arranged in a nearby town.

Total distance covered: 309 km.

Scenery: This stage offers spectacular views of year-round snow-capped peaks and beautiful lakes.

Tip: Bring some warm clothing for the boat ride to enjoy the experience on deck.

08:00 a.m. – Departure from Fribourg. We’ll take a charming and scenic route through the canton of Bern, passing hills, forests, and green fields. We’ll make a photo stop along the way, either at Schwarzenburg Castle or, depending on accommodation, at a viewpoint over Lake Thun or Lake Brienz.
09:30 a.m. – Interlaken. We’ll stop for a stroll in this tourist town nestled between Lake Thun and Lake Brienz, from which it takes its name.

10:30 a.m. – Departure from Interlaken.
11:15 a.m. – Aare Gorge. Admission included to walk along the pathways and tunnels of this stunning 200-meter-deep, 1.4 km-long gorge carved into limestone by the Aar River. Lunch will be included.

01:00 p.m. – Departure from Aare Gorge. We’ll head toward one of Switzerland’s most spectacular mountain passes: the Susten Pass—known for its eternal snow and glaciers. We’ll stop along the way to take in the breathtaking high mountain glacial scenery. Surrounded by these impressive landscapes, we’ll continue toward the Italian-speaking part of Switzerland, crossing the famous 17 km-long Gotthard Tunnel.
04:00 p.m. – Gandria. Brief stop in this charming village on the shores of Lake Lugano, known for its traditional architecture, narrow, steep streets, and picturesque setting.

04:45 p.m. – Gandria. We’ll board a boat (tickets included) for a cruise on the lake to Lugano, the main city of Italian-speaking Switzerland.
05:30 p.m. – Arrival in Lugano, a major financial hub and popular tourist destination, famous for its mild climate, lakeside promenade, parks, and vibrant cultural life. You’ll have free time to explore the city.

06:30 p.m. – Departure from Lugano.
07:00 p.m. – Arrival in Chiasso, a Swiss city on the border with Italy.

Note:
- From late May to early October, the Susten Pass may be closed due to snow. In that case, we’ll travel via the Brünig Pass, which is also very scenic.
-In winter, the Aareschlucht Falls are closed, so we’ll visit the charming towns of Brienz and Meiringen instead.
-Occasionally, accommodation may be in the metropolitan area of Como.

Total distance covered: 265 km.

Scenery: Panoramic views from the highway, featuring lakes and mountains.

08:30 a.m. – Departure from Chiasso after breakfast.
09:30 a.m. – Bellinzona. Free time in the capital of Italian-speaking Switzerland, renowned for its three medieval castles, which are a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Perched on the hills, these castles played a key historical role as Alpine fortifications.

10:30 a.m. – Departure from Bellinzona, heading towards the German-speaking region of Switzerland. We’ll cross the Gotthard Pass, with a photo stop at a breathtaking viewpoint.
12:45 p.m. – Arrival in Altdorf, the capital of the canton of Uri and the birthplace of William Tell, one of the founding cantons of independent Switzerland. You’ll have time to stroll and enjoy lunch.

02:00 p.m. – Departure from Altdorf.
02:45 p.m. – Lucerne, the tourism capital of Switzerland. You’ll have the chance to visit iconic landmarks such as the Kapellbrücke, the Lion Monument, the cathedral, the Jesuit Church, and the charming old town. The rest of the afternoon will be yours to explore.

06:30 p.m. – Departure from Lucerne.
07:30 p.m. – Zurich.

Total distance covered: 225 km.

Scenery: The charming little towns of Alsace.

08:30 a.m. – Departure from Zurich to northern Switzerland.
09:45 a.m. - Basel. Arrival in this important city on the banks of the Rhine, at the border of Germany and France. You’ll have time to explore the historic center, where the Town Hall Square is a highlight, and admire the cathedral that overlooks the Rhine River.

11:45 a.m. – Departure from Basel. We’ll continue our journey to Alsace, a French region with a rich history of being contested between France and Germany. Alsace retains its own German dialect, Alsatian, and boasts architecture and traditions with deep Germanic roots.
12:45 p.m. - Colmar. Arrival in this beautiful Alsatian city, known for its unique architecture, with colorful wooden houses and picturesque canals. You’ll have time for a stroll and lunch. Be sure to enjoy its renowned white wine and local cuisine.

04:00 p.m. – Departure from Colmar. We’ll continue through the heart of Alsace.
04:30 p.m. - Riquewihr. Time to explore this medieval town, with its cobblestone streets and colorful houses that look like they’re straight out of a fairy tale, and which inspired scenes from the movie Beauty and the Beast.

06:00 p.m. – Departure from Riquewihr.
07:00 p.m. - Strasbourg. Arrival in the evening. We suggest exploring the Cathedral and Petite France areas, which are full of charming spots and small restaurants.

Total distance covered: 258 km.

Scenery: Mountain towns of the Black Forest.

Note: We recommend wearing comfortable shoes for walking around Triberg.

We’ll start our day in Strasbourg, the capital of Alsace and home to the European Parliament. We recommend taking a stroll in the city’s beautiful historic center 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.

11:30 a.m. – Departure from Strasbourg. We’ll head into Germany, passing through the stunning mountain landscapes and quaint towns of the Black Forest.
12:45 p.m. - Freiburg. Time for lunch and a stroll through this vibrant university city, known for its medieval center and cathedral.

02:30 p.m. – Departure from Freiburg. We’ll continue our journey through the beautiful landscapes of the region.
03:45 p.m. - Triberg. Arrival in one of the most picturesque towns in the Black Forest, famous for its cuckoo clocks. We’ll include admission to the Triberg Waterfalls, the highest in Germany, which we´ll reach via a scenic walking path.

05:15 p.m. – Departure from Triberg.
06:15 p.m. - Gengenbach. Quick stop to photograph this charming town, known for its beautiful central square.

06:45 p.m. – Departure from Gengenbach.
07:45 p.m. - Baden-Baden. Arrival in this elegant Black Forest spa town, once a favorite among European nobility and the upper bourgeoisie. The town’s casinos, architecture, and parks reflect its storied past.

Total distance covered: 207 km.

Scenery: Vineyards and medieval villages along the Rhine River.

After breakfast, enjoy some time in Baden-Baden to stroll through its parks in the center.

10:00 a.m. – Departure from Baden-Baden. We’ll head toward the state of Rhineland-Palatinate.
11:15 a.m. - Speyer. Arrival in this beautiful city, founded by the Romans on the banks of the Rhine River. You’ll have time to visit its magnificent Romanesque cathedral, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and stroll through the old quarter, where Alte Münze stands out.

12:15 p.m. – Departure from Speyer.
12:45 p.m. - Heidelberg. We’ll take a cable car up to the impressive castle, which offers 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.

03:30 p.m. – Departure from Heidelberg.
04:45 p.m. - Frankfurt. Take some time to explore Germany’s financial hub, with its modern skyscrapers, historic old town, views over the Rhine River, and vibrant nightlife. In a typical beer garden located in the historic heart of the city, Römerberg Square, we’ll enjoy a tasting of a classic German specialty: beer paired with Frankfurt sausage and sauerkraut.

Total distance covered: 676 km.

Scenery: The rural charm of green hills blanketed with vineyards in the Champagne wine region.

08:00 a.m. - Departure from Frankfurt. We’ll journey to France, passing through the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, a small country where both Luxembourgish and French are spoken.
11:00 a.m. - Luxembourg. We’ll arrive in this cosmopolitan city, where rich history meets the modernity of a financial hub and the headquarters of European institutions. Some of its highlights include the old town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the city’s fortifications, the Grand Ducal Palace, and Notre-Dame Cathedral. Enjoy some time for a walk and lunch.

02:00 p.m. - Departure from Luxembourg. We’ll continue our journey into France.
05:00 p.m. - Reims. In the heart of the Champagne-producing region, we’ll pause to give you the chance to visit its Gothic cathedral, the historic site of numerous French royal coronations.

06:00 p.m. - Departure from Reims.
08:00 p.m. – Paris.

After breakfast, our journey will come to an end, leaving you with wonderful lasting memories.

Note: Please be aware that the hotel check-out time is usually 10:00 a.m. You can leave your luggage in reception upon check-out, allowing you to explore the city without carrying your bags. You can retrieve your luggage at your convenience later in the day. If you require additional time to use your room, we recommend booking an extra night at the end of your tour.