Luxury Winter Wonderland in France & Switzerland: Annecy, Chamonix & Grindelwald - 10 Days

Highlights

• Savor delicious Savoie fine wines and cheeses with three gourmet tastings
• Take a nighttime guided snowshoe hike through the glittering slopes of Chamonix
• Experience a once in a lifetime paragliding experience over Mont Blanc
• Stroll through the otherworldly tunnels of the Ice Palace at Jungfraujoch

Brief Itinerary

Detailed Itinerary

Day 1: Arrive in Annecy (France), Explore the Cuisine & Culture of the Alps

Welcome to France! Your flight lands in Geneva, Switzerland, where your driver will meet you and transport you to Annecy, a French Alpine village that sits along the pristine waters of Lake Annecy. Known for its cobbled streets, winding canals, and picturesque Vieille Ville (Old Town), this outdoors-focused village is considered the jewel of the Haute-Savoie region. You're sure to agree as you drive into town, taking in the pastel-colored houses, glittering lake waters, and serene mountain ranges. 

Arrive at your accommodations, the Black Bass Hotel, a 5-star retreat located just steps from the lake. Its 25 rooms offer modern, contemporary design, private terrace options, and lake or forest views. Start your stay with a swim at the spa's indoor pool (or the outdoor one if weather permits!) or relax in the sauna or hammam. If you're hungry, grab a snack at the hotel's gorgeous lakefront restaurant, but don't fill up, as you're about to head out on a privately guided gastro tour around Old Annecy. 

The cuisine of the Alps is closely linked to Savoyard gastronomic culture, and Annecy is no exception. Meet your guide and set out on foot, wandering the streets of the old town. You'll visit places that showcase regional cuisine, stopping first at a fromagerie (cheese shop), where you'll sample cheeses such as Beaufort, Reblochon, and Abondance, accompanied by fine Savoyard wines. Continue along the banks of the Thiou Canals, passing by the emblematic Palais de l'Île monument and ending with a stop for charcuterie, accompanied by local wines or artisan beers. 

Day 2: Discover Bauges Geopark, Farm Tour & Cheese Tasting, Chambéry Guided Tour

Today's excursion takes you into the Bauges mountain range, which stretches across the Savoie and Haute-Savoie regions and was labeled a UNESCO Geopark in 2011. Depart in the morning with your private driver, traveling along country roads surrounded by vast forests, fields, and meadows full of placidly grazing Alpine cows.

Drive by the impressive peaks of Mont Revard and Le Nivolet, stopping at a local dairy farm to get a firsthand glimpse into pastoral life. Meet the farmers and tour the yards, see the animals and learn about the exclusive cheeses produced in this region of the Alps. Try cheeses such as Tome des Bauges, Margériaz, Raclette, Reblochon, or Chèvre demi-sec. Enjoy lunch at a nearby inn, partaking in delicious regional specialties alongside flavorful Savoie wine, then continue to Chambéry, the largest city in the Savoie region and one of its most historic.

Take a private guided tour, strolling along the lively cobbled streets of Place Saint-Leger. See the Château des Ducs de Savoie (Castle of the Dukes), a medieval castle that, as the name suggests, was once the residence of the Counts and Dukes of Savoie. Continue to La Fontaine des Éléphants (Elephant Fountain), built in the 1800s and featuring four large elephant statues that spray water from their trunks, and stroll by the landmark Saint-Francois-de-Sales Cathedral. Afterward, your driver will return you to your hotel in Annecy.

Day 3: Wineries of Savoie: Tour & Tastings

Discover the vineyards of the Combe de Savoie, explore the wine-growing landscapes, and taste some of the region's top varietals. Your driver will collect you from your hotel, and you'll head out, starting with a visit to a local winery. Here, you'll learn about the craft and art of making wines such as Apremont, Chignin-Bergeron, Mondeuse, or Pétillant de Savoie, taking in the fruity aromas and tasting the complex flavors as the winemaker explains how each wine is created.

Visit a family-run Savoyard inn for lunch and enjoy a farm-to-table meal prepared from fresh, local ingredients. Afterward, you'll make your way back to Annecy, with the option to stop for a stroll around Lac de St André, a picturesque lake located near Mont Granier, or visit a small museum dedicated to Savoie's wines. 

Day 4: Transfer to Chamonix, Alpine Snowshoe or Hiking Adventure 

Your next destination is the city of Chamonix-Mont-Blanc (or just Chamonix as it's known to locals), a resort town sitting at the base of Mont Blanc, a looming massif and Europe's heralded highest peak. Chamonix is known for its outdoor activities, which include world-class skiing, mountaineering, and hiking. Depart Annecy via private transfer for the scenic one-hour drive. Then, check into your accommodations at the Hôtel L'Heliopic. This top-notch hotel offers chalet-style rooms, with amenities that include a ski shop, arcade, library, and a spa with an indoor pool, hammam, and sauna.

Once you've had a chance to rest and regroup, take advantage of the city's proximity to nature with an evening snowshoe walk and dinner. Meet your guides at sunset, and after a safety and equipment briefing, don snowshoes and ascend the mountain to the Montagnette Refuge, a high-altitude chalet and restaurant that offers hearty Savoyard dishes and a welcoming atmosphere.

Meet the owner and learn more about the history of the chalet; then, after dinner, you'll get back in your snowshoes and descend through the forest, guided by the light of the glittering stars and moonlight against the snow. Return to your hotel and finish the day with a relaxing swim in the indoor pool or drinks at the bar.

Day 5: Aiguille du Midi Cable Car, Hiking Excursion, Mer de Glace Glacier

See the Alps from a different view as you meet your guide in the morning and make your way to the Aiguille du Midi cable car, which transports you from central Chamonix into the high mountains, summiting more than 12,000 feet (3,842 m). Disembark at the top and enjoy the sweeping views from the terraces, then ride back down to the halfway point, where you'll hop off the cable car for a second time to hike along the trail to Montenvers.

This easy 2.5-hour trek takes you along giant boulders deposited by glaciers long ago, with impressive surrounding mountain views. Along the way, you'll likely see curious marmots perched on the rocks, sounding the alarm at "stranger danger" with a shrill whistle. Pause for a picnic lunch and see the Mer de Glace Glacier and the peaks of the Drus and Grandes Jorasses. Board the famed red railway train at Montenvers, riding in comfort back to Chamonix. 

Day 6: Paragliding Experience in Planpraz-Brévent, Spa Time at QC Terme

This morning's private tour takes you across mountaintops and glaciers via a tandem paraglide. Your guide will meet you at your hotel, and you'll make your way to the launch site, located at the intermediary of the Brévent domain and near the city center. After a safety briefing, you'll harness up with your tandem guide/instructor and explore the skies! See panoramic views of the Aiguille du Midi, Mont Blanc, and the surrounding glaciers as you soar at more than 3,000 feet (1,000 m) with the expert assistance of your guide. 

Wind down after an epic adrenaline rush with an afternoon at QC Terme Chamonix, a wellness spa located at the base of Mont Blanc. Echoing the philosophies of ancient Rome, where water was placed at the center of healing body and spirit, the thermal baths here are heated to a perfect 93-95 °F (34-36 °C), making for a relaxing and rejuvenating experience. Then, unwind with a massage, choose one of the spa's indulgent treatments, or grab a bite at the on-site restaurant.

Day 7: Transfer to Grindelwald (Switzerland) via Bern, Visit Bern Old City

Today marks your transfer to Switzerland. After hotel checkout, you'll meet your driver and journey across the border to the city of Grindelwald. Along the way, you'll stop at Switzerland's capital, Bern, for a private tour of the Old City, a designated UNESCO World Heritage site. Walk through historic city squares as your guide dives into the city's past and present, visiting sites such as the Parliament Building, the Kornhaus (Granary), and the Kindlifresserbrunnen (Ogre Fountain).

Continue to the Jungfrau region and the village of Grindelwald, home to the commanding mountainscapes of the Eiger North Face and the Wetterhorn, as well as one of Switzerland's largest ski resorts. Your driver will drop you at the Belvedere, a 5-star hotel featuring balcony rooms with mountain views, gorgeous parquet flooring, stylish decor, and an on-site spa and gourmet restaurant. Once you've checked in, explore some of the city on your own or relax at the hotel for the evening. 

Day 8: Winter Wonderland Railway Adventure & Day Trip to the Jungfraujoch

See the "Top of Europe" as you ride a cogwheel train to Jungfraujoch, Europe's highest train station and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Together with your private guide, you'll board the train and begin your spectacular ride, traversing past the world-famous triple peaks of Mönch, Jungfrau, and the imposing Eiger North Face as you ascend more than 11,000 feet (3,500 m).

At the summit, immerse yourself in the high Alpine wonderland of snow, rock, and ice. Visit the Sphinx Observation Terrace and Plateau for endless views of the snowcapped peaks, with glimpses of the Aletsch Glacier and neighboring countries in the distance. You'll also have the option to stroll through the intricately carved tunnels of the Ice Palace that take you deep into the glacier. Have dinner at one of the restaurants or cafés here, then descend back to the city for the evening.

Day 9: Wintersports & Skiing in Picturesque Zermatt

Make the most of your final day in Switzerland with a private transfer to Zermatt, one of the world's premier ski resorts, which, at more than 12,000 feet (3,883 m), is the highest ski area in Switzerland. Here, you'll find a wide range of different runs, from challenging routes for the most experienced skiers to bunny slopes for beginners.

You'll find plenty of private ski lessons available if your skills are a little rusty, or sign up for a ski tour or heliskiing adventure if you're confident and ready to hit the slopes. The resort also has a snowpark with jumps for any snowboarders in the group, and equipment rentals are available for all ages. End the day with dinner at one of the resort's excellent restaurants, then return to your hotel to rest up ahead of tomorrow's journey.

Day 10: Transfer to Zürich, Depart

The time has come to say goodbye to France and Switzerland. At the designated time, your driver will pick you up from your hotel and transfer you to the airport in Zürich, where your departing flight awaits. Safe travels!

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