8 DAYS RUSTIC EASTERN SWISS CHARM

Upon arrival in Zurich, meet your driver at the arrival hall.

Medieval Stein am Rhein Walking Tour
Drive approximately 1 hour, 55km to Stein am Rhein for a walk around their well-preserved old medieval town and visit Castle Hohenklingen, a medieval fortress built 590m above sea level on a hill. Enjoy a remarkable view of Stein am Rhein’s idyllic houses.

Rhine Falls’ Visit with Boat Ride
Head to Rhine Falls, the largest waterfall in Europe. Spend some time absorbing the majestic view of the roaring water fall with a 15 mins boat ride.

St. Gallen Old Town Guided City Tour (1.5 hrs)
Following that, transfer 1.5hours to St. Gallen, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Enjoy a 2 hours guided city tour through Old Town. Many houses in St. Gallen’s Old Town have their own exciting tales to tell. Hear a short lecture in the Cathedral about the late baroque period and the Abbey Library, which contains manuscripts dating back to the 8th century.

Appenzell is known for its gently rolling green hills, flowery meadows and rugged mountains. Choose a hike that fits your fitness level.

Option 1: Hike to the mountain top Hohen Kasten (Hiking Hours: 30 min, Level: Easy)
From the mountain top Hohen Kasten, you will enjoy a fantastic 360° panorama to Germany, Austria, Liechtenstein and Switzerland. Individual lunch at the revolving restaurant, then head back to Appenzell by cable car.

Option 2: Hike along the river between Appenzell and Weissenbad and back (Hiking Hours: 1.5 hr, Level: Easy)

Option 3: Hike over two bridges, passing three sanctuaries and enjoy great panoramic views of Appenzell. (Hiking Hours: 2.5hr, Level: Moderate)

Appenzell Village Stroll (Half Day)
After lunch (at your own costs), enjoy a stroll through the village of Appenzell. This car-free village beckons with pretty lanes and a myriad of small stores and boutiques that are ideal for shopping and browsing. The facades of the buildings are decorated with frescoes.

Optional: Yodeling Lesson with Experts (1 hr)
Try out a 1-hour yodeling lesson with the experts from Appenzell. Yodeling was used by early Alpine farmers to round up cattle and to communicate with other shepherds also wandering the Alps and now it has become a form of music and performance.

Stein Village Stopover
On the way back to St. Gallen you stop in the little village of Stein. Here you will learn all about cheese making and the Swiss Tradition. Visit the Appenzeller® Show Dairy and Appenzeller Volkskunde Museum.

Ebenalp Swiss Mountain Day
After breakfast, transfer to the little mountain village Wasserauen. Take a gondola to Ebenalp and take an easy hike down to the nearby Wildkirchli, a system of interconnected caves notable for the traces of Paleolithic Neaderthal habitations dating to 40,000 BP.

Have a typical Swiss lunch at the Berggasthaus Aescher, a guesthouse nestled precariously in the giant rock vault and offers an unusual setting. The unique mountain inn located 1,454 meters is only 15 hiking minutes away from Ebenalp. From Ebenalp you ride with the cable car back to Wasserauen. Transfer back to St. Gallen.

St. Moritz Orientation Walk
After lunch head to St. Moritz, the famous holiday resort location, often accredited as the birthplace of Alpine winter tourism. In Summer, this place thrives with sporting activities like sailing, rowing, mountain biking and more. Dotted with luxurious resorts, one is sure to be spoilt for choice.

After checking into your hotel, embark on a short orientation walk with your guide in St. Moritz.

Engadine Valley Towns Exploration
Today, we take a drive (1 hour) down to the lower Engadine Valley to explore the small towns of Ardez, Guarda, and Tarasp. Bordering Italy and Austria, these towns have made a name for themselves with their unique culture and language. Many of the splendid houses are covered in the paintings and “sgraffiti” typical of the Engadin. Scattered hamlets, a small lake, and above this the most imposing castle in Graubünden – all this you will discover in the village of Tarasp.

Bernina Express Train Ride
This morning, walk 10 mins to the train station to take and enjoy the breathtaking views with the famous Bernina Express today. It runs past mountains, lakes and glaciers down to the palms of Valtellina. The famous panoramic route is a true landmark which has UNESCO World Heritage status. Ending in Tirano, Italy, spend some time to explore this classic Italian border-town before a private transfer to Lugano.
*Note: In the morning, your luggage will be transferred from St Moritz to Lugano.

Lugano Leisure Exploration
At Lugano, spend the rest of the day at ease exploring the town of Lugano. The Southernmost town of Switzerland is heavily inspired by the Italian way of life, reflected in the language, food and architecture.

Lugano At Leisure
Enjoy a free day in Lugano, enjoy fantastic shopping experiences or villages one of the many villages surrounding Lake Lugano at your own pace on a river cruise.

Be transferred to Milan, passing the Italian border for your flight back.