17 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.

Do some cultural sightseeing at Patek Philippe Museum and Cathedrale de Saint-Pierre. Let the collections at International Red Cross and Red Crescent Museum and House of Basketball capture your imagination. Step out of Geneva with an excursion to Tristan Carbonatto Chocolatier in Perroy--about 34 minutes away. Next up on the itinerary: explore the activities along Lake Geneva, ponder the design of The Geneva Water Fountain, get engrossed in the history at Maison Tavel, and take in the exciting artwork at MB&F M.A.D.Gallery.

To see other places to visit, maps, where to stay, and other tourist information, go to the Geneva online day trip planner.

Jeddah, Saudi Arabia to Geneva is an approximately 8.5-hour flight. You can also drive; or do a combination of ferry and car. The time zone difference when traveling from Jeddah to Geneva is minus 2 hours. Expect much colder temperatures when traveling from Jeddah in November; daily highs in Geneva reach 11°C and lows reach 3°C. Cap off your sightseeing on the 3rd (Fri) early enough to catch the flight to Zurich.

The financial hub of Switzerland, Zurich is most often associated with money and banks.

Visiting Mt Pilatus and Lake Zurich will get you outdoors. Attractions like Old Town and Altstadt Luzern make great kid-friendly stops. Explore Zurich's surroundings by going to Lucerne (Lake Lucerne, Lion Monument, &more). There's much more to do: shop like a local with Bahnhofstrasse, explore the world behind art at Museum Rietberg, examine the collection at FIFA Museum, and stop by Confiserie Sprungli.

To see where to stay, photos, reviews, and more tourist information, refer to the Zurich trip tool.

You can fly from Geneva to Zurich in 2.5 hours. Other options are to drive; or take a train. In December, plan for daily highs up to 5°C, and evening lows to -1°C. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 8th (Wed) to allow time to take a train to Bern.

The capital and political center of Switzerland, Bern sits on a peninsula formed by the U-shaped River Aare.

You'll explore and learn at Artilleriewerk Faulensee and Museum of Natural History of Bern. Get some historical perspective at The Cathedral of Bern and Central Railroad Station. Change things up with these side-trips from Bern: Golf Club Interlaken-Unterseen (in Unterseen), Ambra Minerals (in Murten) and Interlaken (Parasailing & Paragliding & Harderkulm). And it doesn't end there: wander the streets of UNESCO-Altstadt von Bern, delve into the lush surroundings at Creux du Van, see the interesting displays at Museum of Communication, and hunt for treasures at Federal Building (Bundeshaus).

To see traveler tips, maps, ratings, and tourist information, go to the Bern travel planner.

Traveling by train from Zurich to Bern takes 1.5 hours. Alternatively, you can drive; or take a bus. December in Bern sees daily highs of 5°C and lows of -3°C at night. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 14th (Tue) early enough to drive to Montreux.

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

Start off your visit on the 15th (Wed): contemplate the long history of Chateau de Chillon, examine the collection at Chaplin's World, and then see the interesting displays at The Olympic Museum Lausanne (Musee Olympique).

To see maps, ratings, other places to visit, and other tourist information, refer to the Montreux trip itinerary planner.

Traveling by car from Bern to Montreux takes 1.5 hours. Alternatively, you can take a train; or do a combination of bus and train. On the 16th (Thu), you're off to home.