UNESCO Holiday With Lucerne And Appenzell

Visit the World Heritage Sites of the Old Town of Bern and the St. Gallen Abbey

 

Switzerland boasts a number of UNESCO World Heritage Sites and this holiday is a fantastic way to experience two of the most important historical/cultural sites. Your first resort is Lucerne, an elegant town on the shore of sparkiling Lake Lucerne. As well as enjoying all the lakes and mountains excursions nearby, you can travel to Bern to visit the famous, historic Old Town with its impressive buildings. From your second resort of Appenzell you will be able to visit the Abbey district in St. Gallen, founded over 1200 years ago.  

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 Lucerne Jesuit Church, Lucerne

Flight from the UK to Zurich with rail travel to Lucerne. Check in to your hotel for your 4 night stay and get to know this favourite resort. Lucerne is a popular base from which to explore Lake Lucerne and the mountains of Central Switzerland. In the town itself you will find plenty of history and museums, chocolateries and cafés, plus fabulous views across the water. 

Day 1 - Arrive and explore Lucerne
Jesuit Church, Lucerne

Flight from the UK to Zurich with rail travel to Lucerne. Check in to your hotel for your 4 night stay and get to know this favourite resort. Lucerne is a popular base from which to explore Lake Lucerne and the mountains of Central Switzerland. In the town itself you will find plenty of history and museums, chocolateries and cafés, plus fabulous views across the water. 

 
Day 2 - The Old Town of Bern Historic Bern

With your Swiss Travel Pass you have a free day trip to Bern, an hour and a half's journey from Lucerne. 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 2 - The Old Town of Bern
Historic Bern

With your Swiss Travel Pass you have a free day trip to Bern, an hour and a half's journey from Lucerne. 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 - Free day to explore Lucerne and Central Switzerland region Schiller steamer on Lake Lucerne

You may like to spend today cruising on Lake Lucerne. Your Swiss Travel Pass gives you unlimited passage, so you can hop on and off at whichever lakeside villages take your fancy. Alternatively stay on board for a delightful lunch as you cruise (payable locally). If you prefer to make the most of the mountains, you will find both Mount Rigi and the Stanserhorn within easy reach. You have free travel to the summit of each with your Pass. There are mountain restaurants, walking trails and amazing views to enjoy!  

Day 3 - Free day to explore Lucerne and Central Switzerland region
Schiller steamer on Lake Lucerne

You may like to spend today cruising on Lake Lucerne. Your Swiss Travel Pass gives you unlimited passage, so you can hop on and off at whichever lakeside villages take your fancy. Alternatively stay on board for a delightful lunch as you cruise (payable locally). If you prefer to make the most of the mountains, you will find both Mount Rigi and the Stanserhorn within easy reach. You have free travel to the summit of each with your Pass. There are mountain restaurants, walking trails and amazing views to enjoy!  

 
Day 4 - Entlebuch Biosphere Reserve Entlebuch, near Lucerne Entlebuch is an attractive moorland region outside Lucerne which has been designated as a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. This 400km area of natural beauty with mountain streams and karst formations is worth exploring: use your Pass to take the train to Entlebuch or Schüpfheim. You can follow one of the peaceful walking paths, visit a mountain dairy or try the Kneipp facilities. The Information Centre is 20 minutes' walk from Schüpfheim. Alternatively, you may prefer to spend the day visiting one of Lucerne's more famous attractions. 
Day 4 - Entlebuch Biosphere Reserve
Entlebuch, near Lucerne
Entlebuch is an attractive moorland region outside Lucerne which has been designated as a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. This 400km area of natural beauty with mountain streams and karst formations is worth exploring: use your Pass to take the train to Entlebuch or Schüpfheim. You can follow one of the peaceful walking paths, visit a mountain dairy or try the Kneipp facilities. The Information Centre is 20 minutes' walk from Schüpfheim. Alternatively, you may prefer to spend the day visiting one of Lucerne's more famous attractions. 
 
Day 5 - Travel to Appenzell on the Pre-Alpine Express Sitter Viaduct, Pre-Alpine Express

Today you travel to Appenzell, which involves a delightful journey on the Pre-Alpine Express. Enjoy the scenic views of the pre-Alpine hills and moorland and the experience of travelling across Switzerland's tallest railway bridge: the 99m Sitter Viaduct. The journey takes around 2¼ hours to reach St. Gallen and from there it's a 40 minute rail journey to Appenzell. Check in to your hotel for 3 nights and take a stroll to get a flavour of the atmosphere in this town with its delightfully traditional buildings.

Day 5 - Travel to Appenzell on the Pre-Alpine Express
Sitter Viaduct, Pre-Alpine Express

Today you travel to Appenzell, which involves a delightful journey on the Pre-Alpine Express. Enjoy the scenic views of the pre-Alpine hills and moorland and the experience of travelling across Switzerland's tallest railway bridge: the 99m Sitter Viaduct. The journey takes around 2¼ hours to reach St. Gallen and from there it's a 40 minute rail journey to Appenzell. Check in to your hotel for 3 nights and take a stroll to get a flavour of the atmosphere in this town with its delightfully traditional buildings.

 
Day 6 - The Abbey District of St. Gallen St. Gallen Cathedral

Take the train to St. Gallen for the day (free with your Pass) and marvel at the UNESCO protected historical buildings and medieval treasures. The cathedral is beautiful inside and out and well worth a visit: don't miss the baroque choir stalls and the famous Abbey Library with one of the most beautiful rococo interiors in Switzerland. Dubbed the 'Pharmacy of the Soul', it is home to 170,000 precious books as well as 2,000 priceless medieval manuscripts. Take a stroll around the Old Town to admire the colourful oriel windows in the old merchant houses.

Day 6 - The Abbey District of St. Gallen
St. Gallen Cathedral

Take the train to St. Gallen for the day (free with your Pass) and marvel at the UNESCO protected historical buildings and medieval treasures. The cathedral is beautiful inside and out and well worth a visit: don't miss the baroque choir stalls and the famous Abbey Library with one of the most beautiful rococo interiors in Switzerland. Dubbed the 'Pharmacy of the Soul', it is home to 170,000 precious books as well as 2,000 priceless medieval manuscripts. Take a stroll around the Old Town to admire the colourful oriel windows in the old merchant houses.

 
Day 7 - Free day to explore the Appenzell region Ebenalp cable car

Use the complimentary Appenzeller Holiday Card (given for stays of 3 nights or more) to enjoy FREE trips to your choice of the many delightful alpine spots to explore in the region. The Wasserauen and Ebenalp cable cars are nearby - the gateway to the hiking region of the Alpstein. Highlights include the Wildkirchli cave chapel and the Aescher hostelry. Take the Brülisau-Hoher Kasten cable car for a revolving restaurant with a fantastic 360° outlook, or the Jakobsbad-Kronberg cableway with fabulous views of the Alpstein from the sun terrace. 

Day 7 - Free day to explore the Appenzell region
Ebenalp cable car

Use the complimentary Appenzeller Holiday Card (given for stays of 3 nights or more) to enjoy FREE trips to your choice of the many delightful alpine spots to explore in the region. The Wasserauen and Ebenalp cable cars are nearby - the gateway to the hiking region of the Alpstein. Highlights include the Wildkirchli cave chapel and the Aescher hostelry. Take the Brülisau-Hoher Kasten cable car for a revolving restaurant with a fantastic 360° outlook, or the Jakobsbad-Kronberg cableway with fabulous views of the Alpstein from the sun terrace. 

 
Day 8 - Last day of the holiday Traditional buildings in Appenzell Time for a last coffee in Appenzell's main square or a browse for souvenirs before your return rail journey to Zurich airport.   
Day 8 - Last day of the holiday
Traditional buildings in Appenzell
Time for a last coffee in Appenzell's main square or a browse for souvenirs before your return rail journey to Zurich airport.   
 
Your holiday price: 8 days in Lucerne and Appenzell

Prices from £1,199 per person staying in 3 star hotelsAvailable for travel year round
1st 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 return flights Heathrow-Zurich inclusive of all airport taxes and security charges
  • 2nd class rail travel from Heathrow airport to Lucerne and from Appenzell to Zurich airport
  • 2nd class rail travel from Lucerne to Appenzell including the Pre-Alpine Express
  • 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
  • Lucerne Visitor Card giving FREE local bus and rail travel around Lucerne
  • Appenzeller Card giving FREE travel on cable cars and local transport around Appenzell
  • 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 Lucerne and Appenzell

Prices from £1,199 per person staying in 3 star hotelsAvailable for travel year round
1st 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 return flights Heathrow-Zurich inclusive of all airport taxes and security charges
  • 2nd class rail travel from Heathrow airport to Lucerne and from Appenzell to Zurich airport
  • 2nd class rail travel from Lucerne to Appenzell including the Pre-Alpine Express
  • 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
  • Lucerne Visitor Card giving FREE local bus and rail travel around Lucerne
  • Appenzeller Card giving FREE travel on cable cars and local transport around Appenzell
  • 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 4 nights in Montreux (for the Lavaux vineyards and the old city of Bern) and 3 nights in Lugano (for the medieval castles of Bellinzona). Click here for more details... 


Planning your ski holiday

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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
Glacier Express
Bernina Express
GoldenPass Express
Gotthard Panorama Express

Planning your holiday 2024

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