Switzerland

Why Choose an Escorted Holiday to Switzerland?

Switzerland is one of those destinations that exceeds the expectations of almost everyone who visits for the first time. The mountains are bigger than the photographs suggest. The lakes are a colour that seems implausible until you are standing at the edge of one. The towns - Lucerne, Bern, Interlaken - are immaculate without being sterile.

Switzerland is also consistently one of the most popular destinations with our Indian passengers. The scale of the scenery, the mountain railway experiences and the clean, safe environment make it particularly well-suited to multigenerational travel - couples, families and solo travellers alike. Many of our groups include travellers joining from India as well as from the UK.

Indian-Friendly Features on Our Switzerland Tours

• Indian dinners included - typically three or more evenings on a standard Swiss itinerary
• Jain and vegetarian meals available on request and pre-confirmed
• Hindi and Gujarati commentary available on selected departures
• No beef in any included meal - Swiss cuisine naturally accommodates this on most dishes
• Pick-up points across the Midlands and London, with direct coach departures requiring no connecting travel

Best Time to Visit Switzerland

June to September is the primary mountain season - alpine wildflowers through June and July, high passes fully open, warm lake temperatures.

December to February brings Christmas markets and winter scenery without ski-season prices.

May is underrated - valleys green, crowds absent, snow still visible on the peaks.

October offers spectacular autumn foliage across the vineyards and hillsides.

Popular Destinations Within Switzerland

Lucerne - arguably the most beautiful city in Switzerland. The wooden chapel bridge, the lake and the backdrop of Mount Pilatus combine to produce something no photograph quite captures.

Interlaken and the Bernese Oberland - set between two lakes with the Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau on the horizon. This is the Switzerland of postcards, and it earns it.

Geneva - the lake, the Jet d'Eau, the old town and a genuinely cosmopolitan character.

The Glacier Express route - the slow train between Zermatt and St Moritz passes through 91 tunnels and 291 bridges. We include scenic rail journeys where they add something the coach cannot match.

Zermatt and the Matterhorn - the car-free village beneath the most recognisable mountain silhouette in Europe.

Practical Information

• Currency: Swiss Franc (CHF). Cards widely accepted; some rural areas prefer cash.
• Language: German (north and east), French (west), Italian (south). English everywhere in tourist areas.
• Time zone: Central European Time (GMT+1 in winter, GMT+2 in summer)
• Electricity: Type J plugs (230V). A Swiss adapter differs from standard European - worth checking before you travel.
• Tipping: Included in your Star Tours holiday price
• India bookings: Call our India line free on 1800 123 181 181 (10am–7pm)
• ABTA & ATOL: All our Switzerland holidays are fully protected