6-Nights Fascinating Switzerland Self-Drive: Montreux, Lugano, Zurich & More

Bellinzona

Bellinzona is known as Switzerland’s most Italianate town, and holds some of the best-preserved medieval castles in Switzerland. Bellinzona lies in the valley of the Ticino River at the foot of the Alps, and acts as a gateway to Italy for those traveling from the north. Highlights of Bellinzona include the three UNESCO World Heritage site castles, the Old Town, museums and art galleries, and Teatro Sociale, the only theatre in Switzerland preserved from the 19th century.

Lugano

With its warm climate and Latin Character, Lugano is a carefree town nestled between the peaks of San Salvatore and Monte Bré. The swaying palms and cypress trees give it a distinct Italian feeling, and it is the largest town in the Italian-speaking Tessin canton. Due to its pleasant climate and breezy Mediterranean ambience, Lugano is one of the all time favorites and most visited resort areas during the warmer months. The old town has many buildings of historical interest. Palazzo Civico is filled with restaurants and boutiques and is the pulsating heart of the town. The irregularly shaped Lake of Lugano is spectacularly picturesque as is the bordering scenery. Indulging in some excellent shopping along Via Nassa. Lugano offers a wide variety of cultural, art and musical events each offering a unique way to explore the city's history and traditions. The famous Thyssen-Bornemisza art gallery, Villa Favorita, attracts countless visitors. Historic churches including Santa Maria degli Angioli and the cathedral San Lorenzo are well worth a visit.

Zermatt

Friendly, welcoming Zermatt, with its grandiose panoramas of snow-capped peaks that include the legendary Matterhorn, boasts the longest winter season in Europe and the highest skiiing area. Horse-drawn carriages in summer and snow sleighs in winter add further ambience to Zermatt's quaint Walliser houses and the elegant, often world famous hotels. The absence of cars has helped bestow an elite status on Zermatt. The picture perfect streets and snow-lined pathways are clean, pristine and romantic in atmosphere. In the summertime, walking and climbing enthusiasts can enjoy the unlimited scope of the magnificent mountains and glaciers, while skiing devotees enjoy the seemingly endless pistes in wonderful powder snow. Zermatt attracts tourists, not only for its fresh and clean mountain air, but also for its excellent restaurants, bars and nightclubs; the tempting, exclusive shops and boutiques and the friendly hospitality of the local residents.

Lausanne

Lausanne, Switzerland, and its port city, Ouchy (pronounced ou-SHEE), are on the northern bank of Lake Geneva, 35 mi/60 km northeast of Geneva. They can be seen either as a day trip from Geneva or (better) in a two-night stay. The older part of Lausanne, called the Cite, is fun to stroll; be sure to see the port area, the 13th-century tower, the exquisite 13th-century Gothic cathedral (best of its kind in Switzerland) and the 14th-century Chateau St. Maire.

If you have a few extra days available, you might visit some of the charming towns in the area, including Vevey, which is home to a wonderful Charlie Chaplin Museum (https://www.chaplinsworld.com/en), and Gruyeres. Other old villages that are worth a stop include Epesses and Riex. Most of them can be reached by following the well-marked Route de Vignoble (Route of the Vineyard), named after the many private vineyards and wine cellars dotting the hills (these specialty routes are almost always preferable to the major highways). And be sure to stop and taste some of the wines along the way.

You can also go across the lake to France. The spa and resort Hotel Royal is in Evian, where Evian water is bottled. For a long day trip, head to Chamonix to see Mount Blanc (the tallest mountain in Europe). Cable cars climb to a point near the top called Les Aiguilles du Midi, which offers stunning views on clear days.

For those who don't want to go up quite that high, there's also a cable car that goes to a glacier called La Mer de Glace. There you can walk upon and even go inside a tunneled portion of the glacier. If you go, remember to take your passport, as you will be leaving Switzerland.

Zurich

Zurich is often referred to as the "garden city on the lake". A stroll through the fascinating city will soon explain the reason for this. Zurich is one of the richest cantons in the country and home to the famous and very beautiful shopping street, Bahnhofstrasse. It is a bustling metropolis with many new buildings and modern architecture. Age-old landmarks and examples of unique design and artistic styles proliferate the city; the oldest and best preserved are most densely distributed in Neumarkt. The famous Grossmunster with its two tall towers is most dominant. Visit the late 15th century Wasserkiche and the Rathaus, a graceful town hall built in renaissance style. Famous for its traditional festivals and holiday celebrations, Downtown Niederdorf is the center of activities. From jazz clubs to restaurants & bars to cultural pursuits including galleries, museums and exhibitions, there is something interesting all year. To really get familiar with Zurich, experience it from the Lake of Zurich. The perspective of the city and its romantic surrounds from this vantage point is unique and not to be missed.

Montreux

It is easy to see why Montreux, with its magnificent scenery reflected in the shimmering waters of placid Lake Geneva, has acquired the title 'The Pearl of the Swiss Riviera'. Situated on the shores of Lake Geneva and surrounded by the majestic Swiss and French Savoy Alps, the region is blessed with a particularly mild climate. Take a pleasant stroll along the banks of the lake where exotic flowers grow in proliferation and white swans glide gracefully past. Or enjoy a sumptuous meal of fresh lake fish and delicious local wine, in one of the many terrace restaurants overlooking the lake. Small secluded beaches and picturesque marinas with yachts and old steamboats afford a picture-perfect view of vineyards and quaint old stone-housed villages.

Gruyere

La Gruyère is a spectacularly beautiful region of Switzerland. Deep valleys surrounded by high mountains hold wooded hamlets, farms and farmlands. The forests are without equal and are considered a national treasure. The village of Gruyere is known for the crafts produced there- from laces, the Waistcoasts of the Rock, which is knitted from wool, to pottery and hand carved wooden spoons.