Grand Tour of Switzerland - 8 Days

BMW Road Trip of Switzerland

If you are interested in a more leisurely drive around Switzerland, but still want to include plenty of time to enjoy the best scenic driving roads Switzerland has to offer, then our 1 week BMW Grand Tour Road Trip of Switzerland is a perfect choice. When it comes to the drives, this drive around Switzerland combines:

the majestic alpine lakes - in the German-speaking region of Switzerland, explore the shorelines of lake Zurich and Lake Luzern and in the Italian speaking south, the lakes of Lugano and Maggiore

the high mountain passes - drive half a dozen of the best mountain roads in the Alps, soaring high above the tree line on passes such as the Susten, San Bernadino, and 007 Furka, cruising past glaciers and soaring waterfalls as you head on your way

the wine regions - Switzerland produces some world-class wines, and as part of this drive, you will visit the wine region of Mainfelden, directly in the heart of Heidiland, above which your can Hedi's grandfather's hut.

Your tour will start and end in the beautiful city of Zurich, this compact yet international city is set at the top of Lake Zurich, and boasts a beautiful old town, and world-class luxury shopping quarter.  Once on the road, you will spend evenings in a selection of hand-picked luxury boutique accommodation, in some of the most scenic parts of Switzerland, including Grindlewald in the central Swiss Alps, St Moritz in the heart of the Graubunden Alps, Ascona set directly on the shores of the beautiful Lago di Maggiore. 

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1 Week Road Trip of Switzerland  

Our BMW Grand Tour Road Trip of Switzerland takes you on a journey through some of the most beautiful parts of this incredible country, from the shimmering lakes to the mountain passes, as well as deserted valleys and alpine villages along the way.  Each day and each drive offers a unique journey of discovery, showcasing some of the most beautiful regions of Switzerland.   

Day 1 - Arrive in Zurich, visit the old town and lake

Arrive in Zurich and check into the acclaimed 4 Star B2 Boutique Spa Hotel in Zurich - recognized as the finest 4 star superior in the city, with an incredible rooftop pool and spa. On arrival, your welcome pack and detailed day-by-day roadbook/itinerary will be waiting for you in your room.  Later, spend the afternoon exploring the cafes and boutiques of Zurich's old town, or take a stroll along the world-famous shopping street 'Bahnhofstrasse'

Later, dine at your hotel, or take a stroll into the city to dine/take in the vibrant nightlife, bars, cafes, and al fresco dining options close to the river and lake. 

Overnight: 4 Star B2 Boutique Spa Hotel / Zurich

Day 2 - First drive into the Central Swiss Alps / visit 007 Piz Gloria

The following morning your BMW will be delivered to the hotel by one of our team who will give you a full walkthrough of the car, plus the day-by-day roadbook and GPS unit that will navigate you on your way. You are now ready to hit the road!

From Zurich, your first drive will take you south and on a scenic run along the shores of Lake Lucerne where you will stop for a coffee at the beautiful lakeside town of Vitznau. Next, continue south and into the heart of the Central Swiss Alps where you will embark on a drive over the stunning Susten Pass, one of the most spectacular mountain passes in Europe.

The Susten Pass is carved into the 'granite-like' sides of the valley and is quite breathtaking to drive. After a visit to the Stein Glacier, lunch is taken at the sunny foot of the pass. After lunch, continue the tour to the lively town of Interlaken where you can enjoy afternoon teas with views across to the famous Jungfrau mountain.

Complete your run-up to the Aspen Lifestyle Hotel, set in the heart of beautiful Grindelwald, with mesmerizing panoramas of the surrounding peaks. This is truly a magical setting. Take a late afternoon tea on the hotel's wonderful terrace.

Overnight: 4 Star Aspen Alpine Lifestyle Hotel / Grindelwald

Day 3 - Tour the beautiful Bernese Oberland / visit Gruyeres and Gstaad

After breakfast, it’s time to set off for your next driving adventure. Today you will head into the heart of the stunning Bernese Oberland mountain range, with picture-postcard alpine villages dotted with wooden chalets, cows, and the sound of bells ringing out across the valleys. You will visit the medieval fortified village of Gruyères, famous for its cheeses and castle. The village is one of the most well preserved of its kind in the whole of Europe. Next, head to the Maison Cailler chocolate factory

Next, cross three stunning mountain passes including the Jaun Pass. The loop also includes a stop for afternoon teas at the 'jet-set' ski resort of Gstaad, the most fashionable in the 1960s with the likes of Elizabeth Taylor regularly frequenting, and now the base for the finest finishing schools in Europe.

Overnight: 4 Star Aspen Alpine Lifestyle Hotel / Grindelwald

Day 4 - Tour "through" the Swiss Alps and south to Lake Maggiore

You are nearly ready to leave the Alps behind and head south to the Swiss / Italian Lakes. However, that's not before some more fun in the passes, as you start your drive with a run over three of the most incredible on the tour, all topping out at more than 2000m including the iconic (007) Furka.

Take lunch once again in the heart of the Alps before heading down the final stretch of the Gotthard Pass and into Italian-speaking canton Ticino. Follow the sweeping Gotthard valley south past fortified castles as you make your way to the northern tip of Maggiore. As you loop across the top of the lake there is the possibility to divert up onto the Verzasca valley which takes you to the (007) Contra Dam, shoot location for the opening scene of the living Daylights' James Bond movie. Visit over, head down to the beautiful lakeside resort of Ascona, where you will spend the evening at the Boutique Hotel 7, directly on the shores of the lake.

Overnight: 4 Star Boutique Art Hotel Riposi

Day 5 - Spend a day at leisure on Lake Maggiore

Time for a little 'R&R' - there are plenty of possibilities for the day including a boat trip on the lake, either to the nearby Isole di Brissago, a small island that's now a dedicated, wonderful, botanical Garden. Alternatively, take a 2-hour cruise into Italy and the resort of Stresa with the nearby Isola Bella. You may instead wish to just relax in Ascona, enjoying a walk along the lakeside promenade, or take the short drive to the lakeside town of Lugano where the annual Ascona Film Festival is held annually. You can also find a more comprehensive selection of shops, boutiques, and restaurants. 

Overnight: 4 Star Boutique Art Hotel Riposi

Day 6 - head to jet set St Moritz via Lake Como, Italy

Now it's time for a short jaunt into Italy, heading from Lake Maggiore across to Lake Como via the shoreline of Lake Lugano. After crossing into Italy, follow the scenic western shoreline of Lake Como to the beautiful lakeside resort of Tremezzo where you can stop for lunch and admire the views across the lake to the village of Bellagio. Lunch over, continue to the northern tip of Lake Como, and then back into Switzerland, in the direction of St Moritz. Once in Switzerland, you have another beautiful mountain road to climb, the Maloja Pass which takes you up and onto the beautiful Engadin valley, the location for two of the most incredible glacial lakes in Switzerland - Sils and Silbersee.  Stop briefly on the lakes before making a stop at the 'jet-set' ski resort of St Moritz.  Visit over, continue along the valley until you arrive at the luxurious Grand Hotel Kronenhof for the night.

Overnight: 5 Star Grand Hotel Kronenhof

Day 7 - Return to Zurich via the Livigno / Italy and Graubunden Swiss Alps / Davos

Your final tour back to Zurich takes you south from St Moritz and onto the beautiful Bernina pass, tracing the path of the Bernina Express railway past glaciers and rivers. You then head into the 'tax-free' resort of Livigno, on the tip of the Stelvio National Park where you will stop for lunch. After which you head back into Switzerland and your return drive takes you across two further mountain passes - including the Flüela, before heading down into the glamorous resort of Klosters for afternoon tea.  Finally, head back to Zurich via the picturesque vineyards of the Maienfeld where have the chance to visit vineyards dating back to Roman times. The run back to Zurich takes you via the shores of Lake Zurich, stopping for a sunset drink in the Seerose Bar before completing your drive back to the hotel.

Overnight: 4 Star B2 Boutique Spa Hotel / Zurich

Day 8 - Final day at leisure then later departures

Spend the morning in Zurich, perhaps take a boat trip on the lake or explore the beautiful old town on either side of the Limmat river, before heading back to Zurich airport for your onward plans.

About Your Car

And your car?  Such a tour deserves the right sort of car to make the whole experience that much more enjoyable, and you won't be disappointed.  By default, the package is combined with the latest generation 2020, 6 cylinder BMW M340i Touring, a smooth yet powerful and highly capable machine.  With 350PS on tap, taking you from a standstill to 100Km/H in less than 4.5 seconds, yet with 5 doors and a panoramic glass roof to ensure you can take in all the breathtaking views this beautiful country has to offer. 

To ask us a question about our 'Grand Tour of Switzerland - 8 Days ' Driving Holiday, please fill out this simple form below. One of our experienced staff members will be in touch within 24 hours.

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