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Swiss Christmas Markets
Tour only
Make your own way
Excursions
1 included
Meals
6 included
Swiss Christmas Markets
Few countries radiate the magic of wintertime more than Switzerland. In this the Alpine paradise of snow-capped mountains, cosy wooden chalets, and colourful towns and villages create a marvellous festive atmosphere – and a perfect pre-Christmas scene. Spend three nights in Château-d'Oex, visit Montreux and its colourful Christmas Market set out along the Lake Geneva shoreline, and perhaps join an optional excursion to the exquisite Swiss capital Bern, in the heart of the scenic Bernese Oberland.
Top Highlights
Enjoy views of Lake Geneva
Discover the Swiss capital, Bern, on an optional tour
Spend three nights in the wonderful alpine village resort of Chateau d'Oex, once home to David Niven
Shop for Swiss goodies at Montreux Christmas Market
Itinerary
Fly to Geneva, meet your tour manager and transfer by coach to Château-d'Oex. Beautifully set in a wide valley between the high Alps of the Bernese Oberland and the shores of Lake Geneva, this lovely resort was once home to British screen legend David Niven, and has a charming selection of shops, restaurants, cafes and bars, a fascinating folk museum, and even a cheese-making centre.
Settle in to your hotel, and depending on your arrival time perhaps take a stroll through the village before dinner is served.
As this is a short break, we don’t include checked-in hold luggage but do include the airline’s base-level hand luggage so you can choose how much luggage you want to add on when you check in for your flight.
Some airlines include a bag under the seat as their base luggage, others include overhead cabin bags – it varies from airline to airline – and there are always different options to increase the allowance. You may wish to add a hold bag if you anticipate buying lots of gifts at the Christmas markets or consider booking one hold bag between two people. The choice is yours, as we know everyone has different needs.
Today you’ll head to Montreux on Lake Geneva, where a delightful Christmas market awaits in this chic, sophisticated town. The stalls of the market, arranged on and around the lakeshore, offer an array of locally produced goods, interesting items from across the Alps and festive Swiss treats like vin chaud and cinnamon crepes.
You’ll also be able to explore the town’s shops, or perhaps pay a visit to nearby Château Chillon, one of Switzerland’s most famous landmarks (entry payable locally), where yet more Christmas stalls stand behind the ancient battlements, before we return to the hotel for dinner.
Spend a relaxed day in Château-d'Oex, or join us on a trip to Switzerland’s capital city, Bern. Our journey will take us into the heart of the Bernese Oberland, past the exclusive ski resort of Gstaad, and past Lake Thun, to the banks of the River Aare.
Barely changed since medieval times, Bern is often regarded as the world’s most attractive capital city. Its UNESCO-listed old town is a maze of arcades and cobbled streets arrayed around the Zytglogge – the elaborate clock and tower that was once the city's western gate. Soak up the festive atmosphere, and explore the Christmas markets in the shadow of the city’s towering Munster cathedral and on nearby Waisenhausplatz, where you'll find seasonal food and drink, beautiful hand-made trinkets and traditional Christmas gifts available to try and buy.
Say goodbye to Château-d'Oex, today, as we return to Geneva airport to catch the flight home.
What the price includes
- Three nights' half-board accommodation at the three-star Hotel Roc et Neige, Château-d'Oex
- A visit to Montreux Christmas Market
- Return flights from the UK to Switzerland
- Return airport-to-hotel transfers
- The services of a friendly, experienced tour manager
Dates & Prices
Accommodation
Further information
The transfer time from the airport to your hotel is approximately two hours.
Visit www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice to find out the latest Foreign And Commonwealth Office travel advice for your holiday destination, as well as information about passports and visas.
If you have notified us of any special requirements, please check that they have been noted and acknowledged. This is especially important with any dietary needs you may have.
The majority of our tours involve a certain amount of walking, including a short walk from the coach stop to the town, attraction or venue you're visiting. If you are bringing a wheelchair, please let us know at the time of booking so that appropriate arrangements can be made.
We sometimes need to combine transfers to and from your hotel. We always try to keep any wait to a minimum, but you may be asked to wait at the airport for up to an hour, while other incoming flights arrive, before the transfer to your hotel. Similarly, we may need to transfer you back to the airport up to three hours before your flight home departs.
Rules may have changed since you last travelled to European Union countries as well as Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland. The following are useful guidelines which will help you prepare for your next adventure. You do require government issued passport to travel.
Names - It is very important that all passenger names are exactly as per your passport although we do not require middle names.
Passport - Your passport must meet two requirements to travel to an EU country and to Switzerland, Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein. It must be: Less than 10 years old on the day you return home (please check the "date of issue") and valid for at least 3 months after the day you return home (please check the "expiry date").
Visa - You do not need a visa for short trips to most EU countries, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland. You’ll be able to stay for up to 90 days in any rolling 180-day period.
European Entry/Exit Scheme (EES) - EES is the new electronic entry/exit system for European countries which will replace the physical stamping of your passport. The expected date for its introduction is 10 November 2024. From this date, it means that when you go through passport control on arrival, you will need to produce your passport for checking as you do now, but also have your photograph taken and fingerprints scanned. The system will register your entry on arrival and your exit when departing. You will only need to do this on your first entry into Europe after the scheme starts.
Please note: Irish passport holders or British Passport holders with an EU residency are currently excluded. For those travelling via Eurostar, there is a dual British and French/Belgian) border in operational at St Pancras International. Therefore the EES system will be in place at the station, you will not need to be checked again on arrival at the other side. For further information please visit the ABTA website here.
European Travel Information & Authorisation System (ETIAS) - Due to commence in 2025, all citizens of the United Kingdom will require a ETIAS electronic form completed prior to their arrival into the EU and Schengen member countries. The cost for this travel authorisation will be €7.00 per person with exceptions for under 18’s and over 70’s. The latest information and further details can be found at www.etias.com.
Occasionally, for operational reasons, we may have to change the order of the excursions on your holiday. The final day-by-day itinerary will be confirmed on your Final Travel Documents, which you will receive approximately three weeks prior to your departure.
As this is a short break, we don’t include checked-in hold luggage but do include the airline’s base-level hand luggage so you can choose how much luggage you want to add on when you check in for your flight.
Some airlines include a bag under the seat as their base luggage, others include overhead cabin bags – it varies from airline to airline – and there are always different options to increase the allowance. You may wish to add a hold bag if you anticipate buying lots of gifts at the Christmas markets or consider booking one hold bag between two people. The choice is yours, as we know everyone has different needs.