20 days in Switzerland Itinerary

Geneva brings the world to one small city with a huge expat population and the highest number of international organizations in any one city.

Kick off your visit on the 29th (Tue): explore the activities along Lake Geneva. On your second day here, see the interesting displays at International Red Cross and Red Crescent Museum, then ponder the design of The Geneva Water Fountain, and then admire the landmark architecture of Cathedrale de Saint-Pierre.

To find maps, reviews, other places to visit, and other tourist information, read our Geneva trip planner.

Washington DC, USA to Geneva is an approximately 12.5-hour flight. Traveling from Washington DC to Geneva, you'll lose 6 hours due to the time zone difference. In September, Geneva is slightly colder than Washington DC - with highs of 70°F and lows of 52°F. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 30th (Wed) to allow time to drive to Montreux.

Mostly known for its world-renowned jazz festival, Montreux serves as a picturesque lakeside resort town on the Swiss Riviera.

On the 1st (Thu), have fun and explore at Chaplin's World, appreciate the history behind Freddie Mercury Statue, then see the interesting displays at Queen Studio Experience, and finally explore the historical opulence of Chateau de Chillon. Get ready for a full day of sightseeing on the 2nd (Fri): savor the flavors at Swiss Riviera Wine Tours and then step into the grandiose world of Gruyeres Castle.

To find more things to do, traveler tips, photos, and tourist information, refer to the Montreux online trip itinerary builder.

Getting from Geneva to Montreux by car takes about 1.5 hours. Other options: take a train. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 2nd (Fri) so you can go by car to Brig.

Brig, officially Brig-Glis is a historic town and a municipality in the district of Brig in the canton of Valais in Switzerland.The current municipality was formed in 1972 through the merger of Brig, Brigerbad and Glis.Together with other Alpine towns Brig-Glis engages in the Alpine Town of the Year Association for the implementation of the Alpine Convention to achieve sustainable development in the Alpine Arc.Brig-Glis was awarded Alpine Town of the Year 2008.The official language of Brig is German, but the main spoken language is the local variant of the Alemannic Swiss German dialect.HistoryThe name Brig is derived from Briva, or "bridge." Its older houses are very Italian in appearance, while its most prominent buildings (Stockalper Palace, former Jesuits' college and Ursuline convent) all date from the 17th century, and are due to the generosity of a single member of the local Stockalper family, the baron Kaspar Stockalper.The prosperity of Brig is bound up with the Simplon Pass, so that it gradually supplanted the more ancient village of Naters opposite, becoming a separate parish (the church is at Glis, a few minutes from the town) in 1517. Kick off your visit on the 3rd (Sat): appreciate the extensive heritage of Kleine Scheidegg, then take in the awesome beauty at The Eiger, and then explore the striking landscape at Aletsch Glacier. On the 4th (Sun), you'll have a packed day of sightseeing: hike along Maennlichen Romantic Trail, then take in the awesome beauty at Luftseilbahn Wengen-Mannlichen, and then pause for some serene contemplation at Burgkirche Raron.

For reviews, other places to visit, more things to do, and tourist information, refer to the Brig online holiday builder.

Getting from Montreux to Brig by car takes about 1.5 hours. In October, plan for daily highs up to 57°F, and evening lows to 42°F. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 4th (Sun) to allow time to drive to Zermatt.

Best known as home the Matterhorn mountain, Zermatt serves as a chic ski resort town of the Swiss Alps.

Mountaineers' Cemetery and Intercontinental Church Society will appeal to history buffs. There's lots more to do: take your sightseeing to a higher altitude at Gornergrat, go for a walk through Hinterdorfstrasse, pause for some serene contemplation at Roemisch-katholische Kirche Tasch, and contemplate in the serene atmosphere at Kapelle Winkelmatten "Zur Heiligen Familie".

To find reviews, ratings, other places to visit, and tourist information, refer to the Zermatt visit planner.

You can drive from Brig to Zermatt in an hour. Alternatively, you can ride a tram; or take a train. Finish your sightseeing early on the 7th (Wed) so you can drive to Brusino Arsizio.

Brusino Arsizio is a municipality in the district of Lugano in the canton of Ticino in Switzerland on the Lake of Lugano.HistoryThe village has been inhabited since the Roman era. Kick off your visit on the 8th (Thu): explore the ancient world of Parco Archeologico di Tremona-Castello, contemplate in the serene atmosphere at Baptisterium Riva San Vitale, then explore the ancient world of Monte San Giorgio, then contemplate in the serene atmosphere at Chiesa dei Santi Fedele e Simone, and finally stroll the grounds of Cimitero Monumentale.

To find other places to visit, ratings, more things to do, and more tourist information, refer to the Brusino Arsizio trip itinerary planning tool.

Getting from Zermatt to Brusino Arsizio by car takes about 3.5 hours. Finish your sightseeing early on the 8th (Thu) so you can travel to Lauterbrunnen.

A small village in a valley, Lauterbrunnen showcases an abundance of awe-inspiring waterfalls.

Lauterbrunnen is known for nature, adventure, and shopping. Your trip includes some of its best attractions: take a memorable tour with Jungfraujoch, take in the dramatic scenery at Trümmelbachfälle, hike along Gimmelwald - Tanzbodeli, and make a trip to Lauterbrunnen Church.

To find reviews, more things to do, photos, and more tourist information, refer to the Lauterbrunnen tour itinerary planner.

Use the Route module to find suitable travel options from Brusino Arsizio to Lauterbrunnen. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 11th (Sun) so you can go by car to Lucerne.

In north-central Switzerland, Lucerne represents a small city boasting a well-preserved old town.

Your inner history buff will appreciate Old Town and Jesuitenkirche. Venture out of the city with trips to Mosesbrunnen (in Bern), Lake Brienz (in Brienz) and Zurich (Bahnhofstrasse, Lake Zurich, &more). There's lots more to do: hit the slopes at Mt Pilatus, contemplate the waterfront views at Lake Lucerne, appreciate the history behind Lion Monument, and fly like a bird with a parasailing or paragliding tour.

To see where to stay, reviews, other places to visit, and tourist information, go to the Lucerne road trip planning tool.

Drive from Lauterbrunnen to Lucerne in 1.5 hours. Alternatively, you can take a train. In October, daily temperatures in Lucerne can reach 59°F, while at night they dip to 45°F. Wrap up your sightseeing by early afternoon on the 17th (Sat) to allow time for the flight back home.