Charming Switzerland: Zurich, Lucerne & Saint Gallen

Discover Switzerland’s vibrant cities, scenic lakes, historic towns, and iconic mountains on this immersive round trip from Zurich. Experience guided walking tours, UNESCO sites, local culture, mountain excursions, and authentic culinary tastings along the way.

Private Itinerary
9 Days

Journey Highlights & Signature Inclusions

Discover the best of northern and central Switzerland on this immersive journey through Zürich, Lucerne, and Saint Gallen. Enjoy private guided walking tours in historic city centers, UNESCO-listed landmarks, scenic Alpine excursions, and local culinary experiences. Taste Swiss cheeses, wines, and craft beers, explore charming villages, and ride legendary cogwheel railways and scenic trains. This itinerary combines culture, history, and breathtaking landscapes for a complete Swiss experience.

  • 8 nights in beautiful 4-star accommodation
  • 8 breakfasts (B)
  • Private guided walking tours in Zürich, Lucerne, Saint Gallen, and the historic villages of Rapperswil, and Baden
  • Visit to the UNESCO-Listed Saint Gallen Abbey Library
  • Local cheese and wine tasting experience in Lucerne
  • Scenic Alpine excursion to Mount Rigi
  • Scenic train journeys through Swiss countryside
  • Private beer tasting at HERMANN brewery in Saint Gallen
  • Independent leisure time to explore city streets, boutiques, and cafés
  • Swiss Travel Pass and deluxe private transport where indicated
  • Note: Hotel city taxes, if applicable, are not included

Discover The Itinerary

Explore your itinerary in detail, featuring carefully selected hotels, unique experiences, and premium inclusions designed to elevate your travel experience.

Day 1
Day 2
Day 3
Day 4
Day 5
Day 6
Day 7
Day 8
Day 9

DAY 1: Zürich

Vibrant, cosmopolitan, and historic, welcome to Zürich! Arrive at your hotel and check in. Spend the evening at leisure exploring the Altstadt, strolling along the Limmatquai, or enjoying a lakeside walk with cafés and boutiques nearby.

Sorell Hotel St. Peter

Overnight Hotel / or similar
Image: My Switzerland Tourism

DAY 2: Zürich – Rapperswil – Zürich

After breakfast, meet your private guide for a walking tour of Zürich’s historic centre. Continue to Rapperswil, the “Town of Roses,” wandering its medieval streets, visiting Rapperswil Castle, and enjoying the views over Lake Zürich. Return to Zürich and spend the evening at leisure.

Sorell Hotel St. Peter

Overnight Hotel / or similar

Breakfast

Meals Included
Image: My Switzerland Tourism

DAY 3: Zürich – Baden – Zürich

After breakfast, take a scenic train journey to Baden, a UNESCO-listed spa town known for its Roman thermal baths, elegant architecture, and cultural heritage. Enjoy a private walking tour of its historic streets and fountains, learning about the town’s centuries-long reputation as a wellness destination, before returning to Zürich for an evening at leisure.

Sorell Hotel St. Peter

Overnight Hotel / or similar

Breakfast

Meals Included

DAY 4: Zürich – Lucerne

After breakfast, take the train to Lucerne. Meet your private guide for a local cultural experience: a walking tour of the city’s cobbled streets, the historic Chapel Bridge with its 14th-century paintings depicting Lucerne’s history, the waterfront promenade, and a tasting of local cheeses paired with a glass of Swiss wine. Your afternoon is at leisure to explore Lucerne’s charming shops, lakeside cafés, or the 17th-century Water Tower.

CASCADA Boutique Hotel

Overnight Hotel / or similar

Breakfast

Meals Included

DAY 5: Lucerne – Mount Rigi – Lucerne

After breakfast, embark on an Alpine adventure to Mount Rigi, Switzerland’s “Queen of the Mountains.” Travel by boat and cogwheel railway to the summit. Admire panoramic views of Lake Lucerne and the surrounding Alps, and enjoy optional hiking trails, cheese fondue or a coffee at the summit before returning to Lucerne.

CASCADA Boutique Hotel

Overnight Hotel / or similar

Breakfast

Meals Included

DAY 6: Lucerne – Saint Gallen

After breakfast, take one of Switzerland’s iconic panoramic trains, the Voralpen Express, to Saint Gallen, admiring rolling hills, lakes, and charming villages along the way. Upon arrival, your evening is at leisure to perhaps stroll through the old town’s colourful streets, enjoy riverside cafés along the Steinach, or dine on local specialties such as Zürcher Geschnetzeltes.

Sorell Boutique-Hotel City Weissenstein

Overnight Hotel / or similar

Breakfast

Meals Included
Image: My Switzerland Tourism

DAY 7: Saint Gallen

After breakfast, enjoy a private guided tour of Saint Gallen’s old town, hidden alleys, and colourful facades. Visit the UNESCO-listed Saint Gallen Abbey Library, one of the oldest and most beautiful monastic libraries in the world, housing over 170,000 ancient texts, exquisitely illuminated manuscripts, and a stunning rococo interior that transports visitors back to the 18th century. Finish with a private beer tasting at HERMANN brewery, paired with traditional Swiss snacks. You afternoon is at leisure to explore the city or relax at your hotel.

Sorell Boutique-Hotel City Weissenstein

Overnight Hotel / or similar

Breakfast

Meals Included

DAY 8: Saint Gallen – Appenzell – Saint Gallen

Enjoy breakfast before travelling to the postcard-perfect town of Appenzell, nestled in the rolling hills of northeastern Switzerland. Founded in the Middle Ages and long known for its strong independence and pastoral traditions, Appenzell remains one of Switzerland’s most culturally distinct regions. Spend the day at leisure exploring the town’s historic streets, boutique shops, and local cafés. Perhaps learn about the region’s centuries-old cheese-making traditions and taste the distinctive Appenzeller cheese, crafted using a closely guarded herbal brine recipe passed down through generations. You may also wish to sample regional craft beers at a local brewery, another proud part of Appenzell’s culinary heritage. In the afternoon, return to Saint Gallen and enjoy the evening at leisure.

Sorell Boutique-Hotel City Weissenstein

Overnight Hotel / or similar

Breakfast

Meals Included
Fraumünster Church Zurich

DAY 9: Saint Gallen – Zürich

After breakfast, check out of your hotel and take the train back to Zürich for your onward journey.

Breakfast

Meals Included

Upcoming Departures

Enjoy your private itinerary

Experience the freedom of a private, fully customisable itinerary with Ormina Tours. This itinerary can start on any date, with options to adjust activities, upgrade experiences, and tailor every detail to suit your travel style, ensuring a seamless and unforgettable journey designed just for you.

  • Depart on any date you choose
  • Fully customisable
  • Unique activities
  • Comfort and privacy
From $6,990 AUD PPFrom price

Frequently Asked Questions

What services does Ormina Tours provide?

Ormina Tours provides land services in Europe. We cover most of Europe and are continually expanding. If your destination is uncommon, please contact us to confirm availability.

We offer Small Group Journeys on set departure dates (max. 12 guests for 2026), tailored private journeys (full F.I.T. services), and booking and coordination of accommodation. From airport transfers to fully customised European travel, we cover everything, except flights

Where is Ormina Tours based, and do you serve clients worldwide?

We are an Australian company with offices in Sydney and Perth, as well as a team in Europe to ensure seamless service delivery. While based in Australia, we cater to clients globally and partner with over 250 travel agents across Australia, New Zealand, and the USA.

When is the best time to visit Europe, and do your tours operate year-round?

Europe offers charm year-round. May and September are popular for Australians, while beach destinations are busiest in August. Most Small Group Journeys run between April and October, while private journeys are available year-round. Early planning (at least 6 months) is recommended for busy regions like the Amalfi Coast.

Is travel insurance required?

Yes, we require all clients travelling to have travel insurance as this is a requirement for Tour Operators Insurances, otherwise guests must sign a release and discharge of liability waiver for us to accept the booking. If you need assistance arranging insurance, just ask.

Do you cater to travellers with mobility challenges?

We tailor all journeys to our client’s travel preferences and needs, including any mobility challenges whether it is special vehicles, travel scooters, hotel rooms with accessible showers and hoists. We also have expertise on most attractions and towns to know which are more accessible than others.

With our Small Group Journeys, any significant mobility challenge requires an accompanying minder/helper to attend on the tour as it is not always possible for our Tour Directors, drivers and guides to offer continuous care in a group environment. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact us.

What is the group size, and what happens if only two people book the tour?

Our Small Group Journeys are designed for a maximum of 10 guests (12 guests in 2026) to ensure an intimate experience. A minimum of 2 guests is required to guarantee departure (4 guests in 2026).

Should fewer than four guests be booked, you will have the exclusive opportunity to enjoy the same itinerary as a private journey at a preferential rate, giving you the confidence and certainty to book in advance. If you do not wish to undertake the small group journey itinerary as a private journey and we advised within the require deadline as disclosed, we will provide you with a full refund.

What is included and excluded in a Small Group Journey?

Our itineraries include accommodation, transportation, guided activities, and meals as marked – B (breakfast), L (lunch), or D (dinner). Exclusions typically include flights, city taxes, personal expenses, and any items not explicitly listed in the itinerary.

Do I need to tip?

Tipping is optional but appreciated for exceptional service. After booking you will be provided with some tipping guidelines should you choose to do so.

What is the luggage allowance?

Each guest can bring one standard checked bag and one carry-on. Please inform us if you need to bring extra luggage.

What is a private journey?

Private journeys (named City Breaks and Regional Discoveries) are not tours with other people. They are suggested itineraries for the city/region that can be fully customised with prearranged services, allowing independent exploration.

Can I choose my hotel?

For private itineraries, we recommend hotels in our itineraries, we can certainly work to accommodate your preferences.

Hotels are set for Small Group Journeys but you can opt to upgrade your room.

What currency are your tours priced in?

Tours (that is our Small Group Journeys) are priced in AUD for Australian residents, NZD for New Zealand residents, and USD for US residents. Other nationalities will pay in AUD unless otherwise arranged.

Prices are fixed once paid in full. In rare cases of significant currency fluctuations, unpaid bookings may be subject to price adjustments. If this occurs, we will contact you or your travel agent to advise you and you will have the option to either pay the full tour price by a certain date or accept the increase.

Do you accept credit cards?

Yes, though credit card fees may apply. Domestic wire transfers are also accepted.

What deposit is required?

Deposit amounts vary on the size of the booking and whether the booking includes tickets and admissions that maybe non-refundable or non-transferable after purchase. Full payment is due 3 months before your first service date.

Can I change or cancel my booking after making a deposit?

Changes incur a $100 fee per request unless additional services are added. Cancelling more than 50% of services is considered a cancellation, and fees will apply.
Any cancellation made by you prior to your travel (including any changes to your departure date) will result in the following cancellation fees:

Days of notice from notification to first date of service:

  • 91+ days: Loss of deposit
  • 90–75 days: Loss of Booking Deposit and 50% of the balance of the Tour Price
  • 75 days or less: Loss of Booking Deposit and 100% of the balance of the Tour Price

We always advise our clients to purchase comprehensive travel insurance to cover any unforeseen cancellations.

What are Ormina Tours’ COVID-19 guidelines?
  • Follow local laws, wear masks, and maintain social distancing as required.
  • Do not travel if you are symptomatic, recently exposed, or COVID-positive.
  • Stay updated on airline and country-specific protocols.

Have Questions? We’re Here to Help!

Reach out to our team for personalised assistance and start planning your next European adventure with Ormina Tours.