Switzerland

With its steep, dramatic slopes and soaring, snow-capped peaks, you might think Switzerland is the last place in the world for a bike tour. We respectfully disagree. And you’ll understand why when you reel along VBT’s carefully selected routes that favor the down and around more than the up and over. On a VBT Switzerland bike tour, clanging cowbells greet you as you roll by vivid green pastures and riveting vistas that lead to the glittering shores of Lake Constance.

In VBT’s Switzerland, a stunning canvas of alpine beauty and pristine countryside gently unfolds before your two wheels. Revel in fresh mountain air as you rise and coast along the hills of the Untersee, the lower edge of tranquil Lake Constance to the medieval city of St. Gallen, known for its baroque cathedral and amazing Abbey library.

On a VBT biking trip, enjoy time off the saddle, too, amidst the rich past and magnificent settings of two Swiss cultural centers. Wander the cobbled medieval lanes of Basel’s Old Town – where Swiss, German and French culture converge – and take time to witness a thriving arts scene in its numerous museums. Zurich provides a glimpse of the Swiss love of the arts, with museums, operas and ballets taking center stage. Set on its namesake lake amidst snow-covered peaks, its colorful guild houses and tidy squares recall its days as part of the Swiss Confederacy.

Your VBT Trip Leader will be with you every step of the way, equally adept at pointing out the prettiest cove along Lake Constance and steering you toward the café with the flakiest strudel and, of course, the finest Swiss chocolates. Deluxe accommodations evoke the comforts of home and the character of place, from a private boutique property next to Zurich’s Opera House to a Basel hotel hosting an art gallery and Michelin-starred restaurant.