Zurich - Rhine Falls - Stein am Rhein - Zurich
Itinerary:
On a leisurely afternoon, depart from Zurich and follow the scenic Swiss Grand Tour route to spend half a day discovering the natural beauty and historic towns of northern Switzerland. Get close to nature by exploring Europe's largest waterfall—the Rhine Falls; immerse yourself in culture by strolling through the medieval fairy-tale town of Stein am Rhein, admiring its well-preserved ancient frescoes and charming half-timbered historical buildings.
Itinerary:
△Follow the Grand Tour of Switzerland and watch as the romantic vineyards slowly pass by, with charming farms along the German-Swiss border gradually coming into view... After entering the medieval town of Laufenburg, you'll reach the first highlight of this journey—the spectacular Rhine Falls. As the largest waterfall in Europe, Rhine Falls is also one of the most popular tourist attractions in Switzerland. Take an hour to admire the grandeur of Rhine Falls from every angle.
△View the waterfall from the panoramic elevator and observe how an average of 700,000 liters of water per second plunges down the 150-meter-wide riverbed in an instant. Walk along the panoramic trail to the viewing platform above the falls, where you can feel the splashing water up close and experience the awe-inspiring roar of the cascades. (During summer, you can also opt for a boat tour to face the mighty Rhine Falls head-on—an unforgettable experience.)
The journey continues, passing through the picturesque town of Schaffhausen, where you can see the famous Munot Fortress built in the 16th century. Crossing the beautiful Swiss countryside, you'll arrive at the fairy-tale medieval town of Stein am Rhein.
△Join a guided tour of the quaint medieval town, where you'll explore historic winding alleys and learn about the local architectural features and the stories behind exquisite frescoes. Follow the guide through the half-timbered ancient buildings to visit the town's most famous landmark, the White Eagle, home to Switzerland's oldest surviving Renaissance fresco.
After enjoying some free leisure time, take a ride back to Zurich with your guide in the late afternoon.
[Rhine Falls] Known as Europe's largest waterfall, the Rhine Falls attracts visitors from around the world every year. Here, you can not only experience the waterfall's majestic power but also see two nearby castles: Schloss Laufen and Schloss Wörth. The latter has been converted into an upscale restaurant where visitors can dine while enjoying panoramic views of the falls through the floor-to-ceiling windows.
