UNESCO Holiday With Montreux And Lugano

Visit the World Heritage Sites of the Lavaux Vineyards, the Old Town of Bern and the Bellinzona Castles

 

There are a number of UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Switzerland. During this holiday, you can enjoy two of three of the most delightful sites and stay in two lakeside resorts. Your first resort is Montreux, an elegant town on the shore of Lake Geneva. The UNESCO protected vineyards at Lavaux are just along the lake and you can easily travel to Bern to visit the famous historic Old Town with its impressive buildings. From your second resort of Lugano you will be able to visit the three medieval castles in Bellinzona - a splendid day out!

We can amend this holiday with different number of nights according to your requirements. You can also reverse the direction of travel or add extra resorts. The Swiss Travel Pass included with your holiday allows for free travel on other journeys you may wish to make while in the region. 

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Call us on 0800 619 1200 or email us at info@swissholidayco.com


Day 1 - Arrive and explore Montreux View over Montreux

Flight from the UK to Geneva with rail travel to Montreux.Check in to your hotel for your 4 night stay and get to know this genteel resort. Montreux is a popular base from which to explore the Lake Geneva region, with a variety of pleasure cruises and excellent rail connections for the surrounding mountains. There's plenty of shopping, a great café culture and even a casino here, plus fabulous views across the water. 

Day 1 - Arrive and explore Montreux
View over Montreux

Flight from the UK to Geneva with rail travel to Montreux.Check in to your hotel for your 4 night stay and get to know this genteel resort. Montreux is a popular base from which to explore the Lake Geneva region, with a variety of pleasure cruises and excellent rail connections for the surrounding mountains. There's plenty of shopping, a great café culture and even a casino here, plus fabulous views across the water. 

 
Day 2 - Lavaux, Vineyard Terraces Walking through the Lavaux vines

Your first UNESCO experience during the holiday is a visit to the historic vineyard terraces at Lavaux. Grapes have been grown here since the 11th century on the narrow terraces separated by stone walls. Monks originally tended the vines but nowadays there are 14 charming wine villages. Use your Swiss Travel Pass to make the short journey by boat, bus or train; you can then stroll amongst the vines, enjoy the views over the water and sample the local product! The wine is renowned for its quality thanks to the pecularities of the soil and the long days of sunshine. 

Day 2 - Lavaux, Vineyard Terraces
Walking through the Lavaux vines

Your first UNESCO experience during the holiday is a visit to the historic vineyard terraces at Lavaux. Grapes have been grown here since the 11th century on the narrow terraces separated by stone walls. Monks originally tended the vines but nowadays there are 14 charming wine villages. Use your Swiss Travel Pass to make the short journey by boat, bus or train; you can then stroll amongst the vines, enjoy the views over the water and sample the local product! The wine is renowned for its quality thanks to the pecularities of the soil and the long days of sunshine. 

 
Day 3 - The Old City of Bern Historic Bern

With your Swiss Travel Pass you have a free day trip to Bern, a 1 hour 40 minute journey from Montreux. The capital of Switzerland, Bern has many attractions including the Parliament building, Einstein's house and the bears which traditionally live beside the river. The old part of the city has been recognised by UNESCO - the crowded red roofs of historic streets, the medieval enclosed arcades which now house cafés and shops, and the famous clock tower. As well as all the history, there will be plenty of time to sit and relax and watch the world go by. 

Day 3 - The Old City of Bern
Historic Bern

With your Swiss Travel Pass you have a free day trip to Bern, a 1 hour 40 minute journey from Montreux. The capital of Switzerland, Bern has many attractions including the Parliament building, Einstein's house and the bears which traditionally live beside the river. The old part of the city has been recognised by UNESCO - the crowded red roofs of historic streets, the medieval enclosed arcades which now house cafés and shops, and the famous clock tower. As well as all the history, there will be plenty of time to sit and relax and watch the world go by. 

 
Day 4 - Free day to explore the Lake Geneva region Lake Geneva steam boat

A Lake Geneva cruise is a must while you are in Montreux - you can even sail across to France! Medieval Chillon Castle is close by, full of fascinating history and worth a visit (free entry with your Pass). If you would like to head into the mountains, we recommend Les Rochers-de-Naye at 2,042m for its stunning views, walking trails and alpine garden. The majority of the journey is covered by your Pass. Use the Montreux Riviera Card provided by your hotel for a free trip on the funicular to Mont Pèlerin. A pleasant 45 minute walk brings you to the Plein Ciel tower with 360° panoramic views. 

Day 4 - Free day to explore the Lake Geneva region
Lake Geneva steam boat

A Lake Geneva cruise is a must while you are in Montreux - you can even sail across to France! Medieval Chillon Castle is close by, full of fascinating history and worth a visit (free entry with your Pass). If you would like to head into the mountains, we recommend Les Rochers-de-Naye at 2,042m for its stunning views, walking trails and alpine garden. The majority of the journey is covered by your Pass. Use the Montreux Riviera Card provided by your hotel for a free trip on the funicular to Mont Pèlerin. A pleasant 45 minute walk brings you to the Plein Ciel tower with 360° panoramic views. 

 
Day 5 - Travel to lakeside Lugano Lugano lakeside

Today you'll leave Lake Geneva and travel across to the Ticino region and the resort of Lugano on the lake of the same name. We've included the routing via the Centovalli Line which takes you through Italian countryside and back into the very scenic Centovalli region of Switzerland. By taking a mid morning train, you'll arrive into Lugano in time to try one of the Italian influenced restaurants for dinner and enjoy an evening stroll along the lake. Lugano is your enchanting home for 3 nights. 

Day 5 - Travel to lakeside Lugano
Lugano lakeside

Today you'll leave Lake Geneva and travel across to the Ticino region and the resort of Lugano on the lake of the same name. We've included the routing via the Centovalli Line which takes you through Italian countryside and back into the very scenic Centovalli region of Switzerland. By taking a mid morning train, you'll arrive into Lugano in time to try one of the Italian influenced restaurants for dinner and enjoy an evening stroll along the lake. Lugano is your enchanting home for 3 nights. 

 
Day 6 - Medieval Castles of Bellinzona Historic Bellinzona

Use your Swiss Travel Pass on the half hour train journey to Bellinzona. The town was located in a strategically important position between competing duchies and is full of history. The main UNESCO attractions are the three medieval castles: Castelgrande, Montebello and Sasso Corbaro. The earliest fortifications date from the 10th century and the sites have been added to and rebuilt over the centuries. You can wander along ramparts and enjoy a fantastic view over the mountains! Purchase a day pass locally which covers entry to all 3 castles.

Day 6 - Medieval Castles of Bellinzona
Historic Bellinzona

Use your Swiss Travel Pass on the half hour train journey to Bellinzona. The town was located in a strategically important position between competing duchies and is full of history. The main UNESCO attractions are the three medieval castles: Castelgrande, Montebello and Sasso Corbaro. The earliest fortifications date from the 10th century and the sites have been added to and rebuilt over the centuries. You can wander along ramparts and enjoy a fantastic view over the mountains! Purchase a day pass locally which covers entry to all 3 castles.

 
Day 7 - Free day to explore the Ticino region View from San Salvatore

Today you can enjoy a cruise on the deep blue water of the lake (free with your pass). You may wish to try a mountain visit such as Monte Brè or Monte San Salvatore. Our hotels offer a ticket for a free return journey on one of the funiculars (when you stay 3 nights). Enjoy the mountain top restaurants with splendid views or embark upon on of the walking trails. If you would like to visit one more UNESCO site, why not travel to Monte San Giorgio - here you can see fossils dating back 240 million years to the Triassic era, when the region would have been a subtropical paradise! 

Day 7 - Free day to explore the Ticino region
View from San Salvatore

Today you can enjoy a cruise on the deep blue water of the lake (free with your pass). You may wish to try a mountain visit such as Monte Brè or Monte San Salvatore. Our hotels offer a ticket for a free return journey on one of the funiculars (when you stay 3 nights). Enjoy the mountain top restaurants with splendid views or embark upon on of the walking trails. If you would like to visit one more UNESCO site, why not travel to Monte San Giorgio - here you can see fossils dating back 240 million years to the Triassic era, when the region would have been a subtropical paradise! 

 
Day 8 - Last day of the holiday Relax in Lugano Time for a last coffee in Lugano or a gelato beside the lake before your return rail journey to Zurich airport.   
Day 8 - Last day of the holiday
Relax in Lugano
Time for a last coffee in Lugano or a gelato beside the lake before your return rail journey to Zurich airport.   
 
Your holiday price: 8 days in Montreux and Lugano

Prices from £1,244 per person staying in 3 star hotelsRecommended for travel April-October1st class rail supplement, 4 star hotel packages and half board prices on request.Price shown is for an example itinerary. We can tailor make your holiday to your individual requirements including additional nights. 


Your price includes:

  • Scheduled flights Heathrow-Geneva and Zurich-Heathrow inclusive of all airport taxes and security charges
  • 2nd class rail travel from Geneva airport to Montreux and from Lugano to Zurich airport
  • 2nd class rail travel from Montreux to Lugano including the Centovalli Line
  • 7 nights' bed and breakfast accommodation as described based on 2 people sharing
  • Swiss Travel Pass giving you free travel on the journeys described, plus may other journeys around Switzerland
  • Montreux Riviera Card giving FREE local bus and rail travel around Montreux
  • Full detailed itinerary sent with all tickets
  • Financial protection ATOL 3148. Booking conditions apply

View our booking conditions here.

Your holiday price: 8 days in Montreux and Lugano

Prices from £1,244 per person staying in 3 star hotelsRecommended for travel April-October1st class rail supplement, 4 star hotel packages and half board prices on request.Price shown is for an example itinerary. We can tailor make your holiday to your individual requirements including additional nights. 


Your price includes:

  • Scheduled flights Heathrow-Geneva and Zurich-Heathrow inclusive of all airport taxes and security charges
  • 2nd class rail travel from Geneva airport to Montreux and from Lugano to Zurich airport
  • 2nd class rail travel from Montreux to Lugano including the Centovalli Line
  • 7 nights' bed and breakfast accommodation as described based on 2 people sharing
  • Swiss Travel Pass giving you free travel on the journeys described, plus may other journeys around Switzerland
  • Montreux Riviera Card giving FREE local bus and rail travel around Montreux
  • Full detailed itinerary sent with all tickets
  • Financial protection ATOL 3148. Booking conditions apply

View our booking conditions here.

 

Request your holiday quotation

Speak to our team today to find out more!

Call us on 0800 619 1200 or email us at info@swissholidayco.com

More UNESCO holidays

We have a number of other suggestions for a holiday which takes in Swiss World Heritage Sites. A great recommendation is 3 nights each in Interlaken (for the Jungfraujoch), Brig (for the Aletsch Glacier) and St. Moritz (for the Bernina Express). Click here for more details... 


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Scenic rail holidays

Ask us about the Swiss scenic rail journeys - a great way of combining resorts to create your own two or multi centre holiday
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Bernina Express
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Gotthard Panorama Express

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