Switzerland Pure - Exclusive Photo Tour

July 2023 dates will be announced soon

10 days | 12 nights | max. 8 people
Zurich - Lucerne - Berne - Montreux - Zermatt - Lugano - Zurich - Route may vary
German and English speaking Photo guides

TOUR DETAILS

Switzerland – my home, my country, where I was born, live and love from the bottom of my heart. A small country in the midst of Europe with old cities, beautiful landscapes, great food, traditions and an incredible history.

During our 10 days of adventure we will take you through amazing landscapes, while visiting German, French and Italian speaking regions highlighting our diverse culture.

We will not chase every sunrise or set and be exhausted for the rest of the day  - I want you to enjoy your time here! We will go up high on mountains, cruise on lakes, visit local manufacturers, enjoy vineyards, eat local food, take some small hikes and just immerse ourselves in the beauty this country has to offer.

This tour offers you numerous photographic highlights!

• Charming old cities with historic sights

• Picturesque Lakes and Rivers

• Breathtaking mountains and countrysides

• Impressive panoramic views

• Traditional craftsmanship

Itinerary

DAY 1: Arrival in Zurich

You will be picked up at the airport driven by public transportation to your hotel. The Hotel is located in the center of the city with many photographic opportunities within walking distance   Welcoming dinner at a beautiful Swiss restaurant.  Overnight in Zürich  (Public Transportion for airport and Dinner included)

DAY 2: Glassblowers Hergiswil - Lucerne / Sunset Cruise

Lucerne – our next destination for two nights – we will stop in Hergiswil and visit the famous „Glasi“ (glassblowing factory). As I do know the owner from my childhood he will allow us access to the restricted area to take close-up pictures of the glassblowers.   

We will continue our drive to Lucerne and check into the Hotel in the middle of the downtown area.  Time to settle and rest.

At 7pm  we will board a sunset boat tour that takes us on the lake for 2,5hours. A four course dinner will be served (included). We will have plenty of time to enjoy the lake, the view and the sunset. Back at 9.30pm and return to the hotel by foot. Overnight in Lucerne (Dinner, Breakfast included)  Travel time by car:  approx. 1.5hours

DAY 3: Lucerne - Bürgenstock - Hammetschwand lift

Today we will go to the Bürgenstock (mountain) by car and higher up with the Hammetschwand lift. It is the highest outdoor elevator in Europe that makes 152m vertical run in less than a minute. We will enjoy a terrific view of the lake and its surrounding.  Lunch or coffee break on top of the mountain.  A 40min hike downhill will bring us back to the Bürgenstock resort and car.  (transportation available - Hammetschwand lift)

In the afternoon we will have plenty of time to stroll and photograph the beautiful town of Lucerne. Overnight in Lucerne (Breakfast included)

DAY 4: Cheese farm Emmental - Downtown Berne

On our way to Berne, the capital of Switzerland, we will stop at a cheese farm in the Emmental where we will be able to watch how our famous cheese with the holes is made.  After a small lunch at the farm we will continue our drive to Berne and check into our Hotel in the heart of the city. Free time and late afternoon walk through the downtown area for some picture taking.  Overnight in Berne (Breakfast, Lunch included) Travel time: 1.5hours

DAY 5: Berne House of Parliament - Montreux

Before we are continuing our trip today I would like to show you our House of Parliament in Berne where we will have a private tour through the beautiful building in the morning.  Check out of hotel and drive through the picturesque Simmental to Gstaad where we will have time for lunch and from there it will take us another 1.5hours to Montreux.

Montreux lies in the French part of Switzerland right by the beautiful lake of Geneva. We will stay here for 2 nights at an amazing hotel right by the lake ( with swimming pool). All rooms, single or double occupancy will have a lake side view and balcony.  

Check in hotel and time to rest and enjoy the ambiance -  dinner at the hotel (included).  If the weather allows, and for those who are up for some sunset pictures by the castle of Chillon, we can either walk (45min along the lake) or take the car/bus.  Overnight in Montreux (Breakfast, Dinner included)   Travel total time: 4hours

DAY 6: Montreux - Chillon Castle / Vineyard

Montreux –  morning walk along the lake to the castle of Chillon (approx. 45 min - bus available) and plenty of time within the castle grounds to take pictures. Small lunch / or coffee-break at a lakeside restaurant.   

Special treat late afternoon! We will be visiting a 400 year old home in the midst of a vineyard for appetisers and drinks. The house has an incredible history and was once the watch tower of the Glérolles Castle as well used as a courtroom. Later it belonged to the painter Ernest Biéler.  From this viewpoint numerous pictures were painted by famous artist Ferdinand Hodler ( Biéler's friend).  Back to hotel. Evening at your leisure. Overnight in Montreux (Breakfast, Afternoon appetisers included)

DAY 7: Zermatt - Downtown Zermatt

Drive to Zermatt -  a very scenic drive with multiple stops for picture taking.  Once in Zermatt (car-free, train ride included) we will check into our hotel in the village where we will stay for 2 nights and spend the rest of the day to take pictures of the unique houses and scenery (Breakfast included) Travel time: approx. 3-4hours

DAY 8: Zermatt - Riffelalp / Gornergrat / Riffellake

Early morning we will take the cog-rail to the top of the mountain (Gornergrat) where we can enjoy a breathtaking view of the Glacier and the Matterhorn. We will hike down to the Riffelsee (lake) where reflections offers beautiful photographic opportunities (cog rail available on the way down to the Riffle Alp but a small hike is still necessary). A small hike up brings us back to the cog rail station where the train will take us back to Zermatt. Afternoon hike/walk to the small village of Zmutt. For more than 500 years, the hamlet of Zmutt has stood on a small rise at an altitude of 1,936 m, among lush alpine pastures. The traditional wooden houses, closely huddled together, tell of a long history. Zmutt is easy to reach along a gentle footpath from Zermatt. About 20 dark wooden houses radiate tranquillity and the peace of the solitary mountains. The small houses are closely huddled, as if they wanted to protect each other from the whims of nature. Dinner in Zermatt in a typical Swiss restaurant (Breakfast, Dinner included)

DAY 9: Zermatt Matterhorn sunrise - Lugano downtown

Early morning sunrise pictures of the Matterhorn. Breakfast at the generous buffet and cog-rail down to the village and train down to Täsch, where we will take our bus to drive to Lugano Tessin, the Italien region of Switzerland. It will be a very scenic drive over the Swiss mountains ( Nufenenpass) to Airolo.  Check into our Hotel in Lugano right by the lake (swimming pool).  Rest of day at your leisure to enjoy this beautiful city.  Overnight in Lugano (Breakfast, included) Travel time: approx. 4-5hours)

DAY 10: Lugano - Monte Bré / Boat ride

With the very unique Funiculare ( cog rail) we will be driving up the Monte Bré (mountain) today to enjoy the gorgeous view of the Lake of Lugano. Late afternoon boat ride on the lake which will bring us to a Grotto, a local restaurant, for a typical Italien dinner. Drive back to hotel by car.  Overnight in Lugano  (Breakfast, Dinner included)

DAY 11: Drive back to Zurich over the Gotthard pass - Altdorf (William Tell)

Today we will be driving back to Zürich with multiple stops along the way following the history of Switzerland. Driving over the massiv Gotthard Pass on the famous Tremola (winding road) is a true adventure and a stop at the Devil's Bridge for some picture taking is a must.  Time for lunch in Altdorf (William Tell) , where Switzerland was founded on the Rütliwiese in 1291.  Check into hotel in Zürich and farewell dinner at a beautiful restaurant by the Lake. Overnight in Zürich (Breakfast, Dinner included) Travel time: approx. 4 - 5hours

DAY 12: Zurich - End of tour

Time to say goodbye - departure at your own schedule (Breakfast included)

PRICE - will be announced soon

GOOD TO KNOW

PHOTO GUIDES

Testimonials

”Stunning quality and composition of images! Every new trip/safari/organised tours by Nikas Photography exceeds every expectation and makes you feel like you are part of the journey! Simply fantastic!”
Philipp Maerky

”Seeing beyond what the eye can see, this is Nikas Photography!”
Elif Celebioglu Oral

”I had a wonderful day with Monika. She guided us around her own neighbourhood showing us quaint little corners in and around the old streets of Zurich. I got to see some parts of Zurich I would otherwise never have seen. The tour was well organised, enabling us to take advantage of the right light conditions in each location. Monika is a great instructor, discussing composition and techniques with her students offering good, informed advise. I’m very happy with my photo’s I took during the day.”
Jason Treanor 

“Thank you so much, Monika, for this wonderful event. It was not just a class, it was an experience. I really enjoyed it and I advice anyone to go on a tour with Monika. She did a marvellous job!”
Andreas D.