Grand Swiss Cities

Discover art, architecture, and lakeside charm across Switzerland’s cosmopolitan hubs

Private Itinerary
10 Days

Journey Highlights & Signature Inclusions

Journey through Switzerland’s most sophisticated cities, from Zürich’s cosmopolitan flair to Geneva’s lakeside elegance. Discover medieval Old Towns, world-class museums, and scenic rail journeys, complemented by a Lake Geneva lunch cruise and guided walking tours in Zürich, Basel, and Bern. This itinerary blends urban charm with Swiss precision and natural beauty.

  • 9 nights in an exquisite 4-star hotels
  • 9 breakfasts (B), 1 Lunch (L)
  • Guided small group walking tours in Zürich, Basel, and Bern
  • Scenic Lake Geneva cruise with 3-course lunch onboard
  • First-class Swiss rail travel with the Swiss Travel Pass
  • 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 10

DAY 1: Zürich

Cosmopolitan, elegant, and vibrant, welcome to Zürich, Switzerland’s largest city. After checking in to your beautiful hotel, enjoy an afternoon at leisure. Perhaps wander the Bahnhofstrasse, one of the world’s most exclusive shopping avenues, or stroll the lakeside promenade and Old Town’s charming alleys.

Hotel Glockenhof Zürich

Overnight Hotel / or similar

DAY 2: Zürich

Enjoy a guided small group city tour and uncover Zürich’s rich history, from its Roman origins to its medieval guilds. See iconic sites including the Fraumünster Church with Chagall’s stained-glass windows, Lindenhof hill, and the picturesque Niederdorf district. The afternoon is free to explore at your own pace.

Hotel Glockenhof Zürich

Overnight Hotel / or similar

Breakfast

Meals Included

DAY 3: Zürich – Basel

Activate your Swiss Travel Pass and board your first-class train to Basel, a cultural gem on the Rhine. After hotel check-in, enjoy an evening at leisure to perhaps visit the striking Tinguely Fountain or take a sunset stroll along the riverbanks.

Hotel Märthof

Overnight Hotel / or similar

Breakfast

Meals Included

DAY 4: Basel

Explore Basel’s beautifully preserved Old Town on a small-group guided walking tour. Discover the medieval Rathaus, the impressive Basel Minster, and hidden courtyards that tell stories of centuries past. The afternoon is yours to enjoy. You might consider a visit to the world-renowned Kunstmuseum or Fondation Beyeler.

Hotel Märthof

Overnight Hotel / or similar

Breakfast

Meals Included

DAY 5: Basel – Bern

Travel by first class train to Switzerland’s picturesque capital, Bern, a UNESCO World Heritage city. Upon arrival, check in to your hotel and enjoy an evening at leisure. Explore the atmospheric arcades or dine in a cozy local restaurant.

Hotel Schweizerhof Bern & Spa

Overnight Hotel / or similar

Breakfast

Meals Included

DAY 6: Bern

Uncover the charm of Bern on a small group guided walking tour through its medieval streets. See the iconic Zytglogge (Clock Tower), Gothic cathedral, and 15th-century fountains. Afterwards, relax or perhaps visit the Einstein Museum or walk along the River Aare.

Hotel Schweizerhof Bern & Spa

Overnight Hotel / or similar

Breakfast

Meals Included

DAY 7: Bern – Geneva

Enjoy a scenic first-class train ride to Geneva, a lakeside city known for diplomacy, elegance, and culture. After checking in, the rest of the day is yours. Take a walk through the Jardin Anglais or visit the Flower Clock in full bloom.

Hotel Bristol

Overnight Hotel / or similar

Breakfast

Meals Included

DAY 8: Geneva

Cruise across stunning Lake Geneva on a shared boat tour, taking in panoramic views of the Jet d’Eau, Mont Blanc, and charming lakeside towns. Enjoy a 3-course lunch served onboard, leaving your evening free to explore the city’s nightlife or dine along the Rhône.

Hotel Bristol

Overnight Hotel / or similar

Breakfast

Meals Included

DAY 9: Geneva

Enjoy a full day at leisure in Geneva. We suggest visiting the Red Cross Museum, strolling the Pâquis district, or relaxing in Parc La Grange. For a cultural touch, explore the art-filled MAMCO or take a chocolate-tasting walking tour.

Hotel Bristol

Overnight Hotel / or similar

Breakfast

Meals Included

DAY 10: Geneva

After breakfast, depart for your ongoing 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 $5,990 AUD PPFrom price (Private driver)

Upgrade Options

  • Upgrade to a 5-star hotel: recommended – Storchen Hotel or Baur au Lac in Zurich, Hotel Les Trois Rois in Basel, Beau-Rivage in Geneva
  • Enjoy a cruise on Lake Zurich to reach the charming village of Rapperswil
  • Reach the medieval town of Murten with an easy train ride from Bern
  • Experience Geneva’s countryside with its quaint villages and towns steeped in history and stop at a local winery
  • Extend your journey by pairing with our Switzerland Panoramic Rail Journey, or extend into Italy with our Milan City Break

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. 10 guests for 2025 and max. 12 guests for 2026), tailored private journeys (full F.I.T. services), and booking and coordination of accommodation. From airport transfers to fully customized 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.