The Grand Tour Deluxe “UNESCO World Heritage sites” route starts in the Swiss capital of Bern. Check into one of two Swiss Deluxe Hotels (Bellevue Palace or Hotel Schweizerhof & Spa). Then embark on an exploration of Bern’s old town, classified as a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1983 because it has in essence retained its original character from the Middle Ages.

On the second day, the Grand Tour of Switzerland leads from Bern to Zurich via Lucerne. It’s time for a little stopover in Switzerland’s largest city. Road trippers will find no place better to recover from the events of the day and enjoy a wonderful gourmet dinner than one of the city’s Swiss Deluxe Hotels (La Réserve Eden au Lac, Widder Hotel, The Dolder Grand, Baur au Lac).

The Grand Tour Deluxe takes in Winterthur and Schaffhausen on the way to St. Gallen. The Abbey District with its Baroque cathedral and library has been a UNESCO World Heritage site since 1983. Lunch will be enjoyed at the Einstein Gourmet restaurant. The Deluxe Tour then passes through the Appenzell region to Bad Ragaz and the Grand Hotel Quellenhof & Spa Suites.

Out into nature! After a lavish breakfast, the day is all about the Swiss Tectonic Arena Sardona, a UNESCO World Heritage site since 2008 that impressively illustrates the history of the Alps. Unique formations bear witness to the awesome power of nature when the continents of Africa and Europe collided. An eventful day is followed by relaxation in the hotel’s wellness area or in the Tamina Therme thermal baths. Dinner is served in one of the hotel’s gourmet restaurants.

Today, the Grand Tour of Switzerland makes for Davos and goes over the Flüela Pass to St. Johann in Val Müstair. The famous Benedictine monastery has been a UNESCO World Heritage site since 1983. Inside the monastery church, visitors can marvel at the world’s largest cycle of early medieval wall paintings. Onwards to the Engadin, then check into one of five Swiss Deluxe Hotels in St. Moritz/Pontresina.

The ride on the red Bernina Express panoramic train is a unique experience. The Albula/Bernina railway line has been on the UNESCO World Heritage list since 2010 and is regarded as one of the world’s most spectacular routes. From St. Moritz/Pontresina, the panoramic journey takes in Ospizio Bernina, Alp Grüm and the Brusio spiral viaduct on the way to Tirano (Italy). Indulge in a taste of la dolce vita for a little while, before taking the same route back. Enjoy dinner and an overnight stay in a Swiss Deluxe Hotel.

Today, the Grand Tour of Switzerland goes to Ticino, Switzerland’s very own sun trap. It takes around three hours to reach Bellinzona. The three mediaeval castles of Bellinzona are unique within the Alps and have been listed UNESCO World Heritage sites since the year 2000. Lunch will be served at the gourmet restaurant Locanda Orico. Onwards to Ascona or Lugano, then check into one of three Swiss Deluxe Hotels in Ticino.

Monte San Giorgio has a truly rich inner world: at just under 1,100 metres in height, this mountain in the sunny south of Ticino has been a UNESCO World Heritage site since 2003 and is a Mecca for fossil scientists. Here, fossils that are more than 240 million years old were found in the rock strata.

From Ascona/Lugano, the Grand Tour Deluxe heads towards Lake Geneva via Andermatt. Along the way, be sure to stop and marvel at the Great Aletsch Glacier. At 23km in length, it is the longest glacier in the Alps. In 2001, the Jungfrau-Aletsch region became the Alps’ first UNESCO World Natural Heritage site. Then drive on to Lake Geneva and check into one of the three Swiss Deluxe Hotels the region has to offer.

Two UNESCO World Heritage sites can be found in the Lake Geneva Region. Covering over 800 hectares, the terraced vineyards of Lavaux (2007) form Switzerland’s largest contiguous winegrowing area. They stretch for about 30km from Chillon Castle to the eastern outskirts of Lausanne. Wine lovers and connoisseurs will find much to delight them in the wine cellars and traditional restaurants here. Fans of architecture should visit the “Le Lac” villa by Le Corbusier. It was added to the UNESCO World Heritage list in 2016, together with other works by Swiss architects (including the Immeuble Clarté apartment building in Geneva).

From Montreux/Vevey, head west along the southern shore of Lake Geneva towards Geneva itself. As the home to the European seat of the UN and headquarters of the Red Cross, it is also known as the “capital of peace”. A symbol of the city is the Jet d’Eau, a 140m water fountain at the edge of the lake. Check into one of four Swiss Deluxe Hotels.

The final stage of the Grand Tour Deluxe “UNESCO World Heritage sites” route makes for Neuchâtel, right on the shore of the eponymous lake. Check into the Swiss Deluxe Hotel. The UNESCO World Heritage site (2001) “Prehistoric pile dwellings around the Alps” comprises 111 archaeological sites, 56 of which are in Switzerland (a great many on the shores of Lake Biel, Lake Murten and Lake Neuchâtel). The remains of these pile dwellings are submerged in water or still buried underground. The Laténium Museum features around 3,000 objects, while reconstructed pile dwellings are dotted around the Archaeological Park.

From Neuchâtel, the Grand Tour heads northwest to La-Chaux-de-Fonds and Le Locle. The two towns bear unique witness to an industrial past and exemplify the close links between a world-renowned watchmaking tradition and town planning choices. Together, the neighbouring towns were given UNESCO World Heritage status in 2009.