Zurich-Lucerne-Lugano - Switzerland
Switzerland
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Aug 15 - Aug 23, 2025
We spent 8 amazing nights in Switzerland - 4 in Lucerne, 3 in Lugano and 1 in Zurich (flew in and out here). Our KimKim guide was very helpful and patient and designed a great trip for us. If we had any constructive feedback, it would be that we didn't feel like we received enough detail regarding our excursions (what to wear, how are we traveling and exactly what are we doing) and they weren't always what we expected (depended on the local guide we got that day)...and we wish we (our fault) had opted for more free/downtime as our days were crammed with activities, leaving little time to just explore on our own.
KimKim put us at the Seehotel Hermitage in Lucerne right on the lake/10 minutes from town - location and rooms were great/beautiful, great breakfast, beach club is a bit overpriced - we'd stay there again though. We got tickets to Lucerne Transportation Museum, but ran out of time to enjoy it - only spending an hour at the Swiss chocolate 'ride' which was ok. Our first tour day was to Mount Rigi - it was a good day overall, spent getting up the mountain, having a lovely but long lunch at the Michelin-starred Edelweiss restaurant on the mountain, and then heading to the spa and enjoying an impromptu stop at a small church with two Swiss women playing the accordion...the area of opportunity here was that our guide wasn't the most professional, organized or seemingly knowledgeable. She lost her phone on the bus (can happen to anyone) that set in motion us missing our train and being off schedule most of the day - it happens. Day two was better - a different and more professional guide/tour to Engelberg/cheese and Mt. Titlis (incredible natural beauty) although the guide was on his phone a lot. We expected more of a behind the scenes cheese experience but in KimKim's defense, it says 'cheese tasting' and that's what it was - we went to a shop in Engelberg that may belong to the monastery and we ate some delicious cheese there. Boat ride from Lucerne to Fluelen and Gotthard train to Lugano are must do's - magical - loved the attendant on Gotthard train - beautiful views and very friendly.
In Lugano we stayed a Luganodante - centrally located and decent hotel- rooms just smelled a bit of smoke which hotel ascribed to us leaving window open. Our first tour day in Lugano was lovely with a local guide Romina who was very professional and knowledgeable. Day two was even better with a local guide Patricia (aka Patti) who took us to Bellinzona which was an amazing day - she was the best guide we had all week.
We stayed at the Marriott on the river in Zurich - it was fine.
Best meal by far during the week was Galleria Arte - Michelin-starred - in Lugano right by the lake. Simply incredible - only 10 tables.
All in all, this was the first time we ever used a travel agent to plan a trip and it was a pretty great experience overall - Switzerland is one of the most beautiful places we have ever seen and visiting in August was wonderful.
Hotel Reviews
Activity Reviews
If we had any constructive feedback, it would be that we didn't feel like we received enough detail regarding our excursions (what to wear, how are we traveling and exactly what are we doing) and they weren't always what we expected (depended on the local guide we got that day). Our first tour day was to Mount Rigi - it was a good day overall, spent getting up the mountain, having a lovely but long lunch at the Michelin-starred Edelweiss restaurant on the mountain, and then heading to the spa and enjoying an impromptu stop at a small church with two Swiss women playing the accordion...the area of opportunity here was that our guide wasn't the most professional, organized or seemingly knowledgeable. She lost her phone on the bus (can happen to anyone) that set in motion us missing our train and being off schedule most of the day - it happens.
If we had any constructive feedback, it would be that we didn't feel like we received enough detail regarding our excursions (what to wear, how are we traveling and exactly what are we doing) and they weren't always what we expected (depended on the local guide we got that day). Day two was better - a different and more professional guide/tour to Engelberg/cheese and Mt. Titlis (incredible natural beauty) although the guide was on his phone a lot. We expected more of a behind the scenes cheese experience but in KimKim's defense, it says 'cheese tasting' and that's what it was - we went to a shop in Engelberg that may belong to the monastery and we ate some delicious cheese there. Boat ride from Lucerne to Fluelen and Gotthard train to Lugano are must do's - magical - loved the attendant on Gotthard train - beautiful views and very friendly.
If we had any constructive feedback, it would be that we didn't feel like we received enough detail regarding our excursions (what to wear, how are we traveling and exactly what are we doing) and they weren't always what we expected (depended on the local guide we got that day). Our first tour day in Lugano was lovely with a local guide Romina who was very professional and knowledgeable and friendly. She spent a lot of time with us. Definitely recommend her.
If we had any constructive feedback, it would be that we didn't feel like we received enough detail regarding our excursions (what to wear, how are we traveling and exactly what are we doing) and they weren't always what we expected (depended on the local guide we got that day). Day two was even better with a local guide Patricia (aka Patti) who took us to Bellinzona which was an amazing day - she was the best guide we had all week. Recommend the risotto cooking class and lunch - lot of fun. She was very patient, incredibly warm and kind and gave us a lot of her time.