Switzerland Travel Guide

Package Tours for the Independent Traveler

Before you start your search for the lowest airfare, you may want to consider booking your flight as part of a travel package. Package tours are not the same thing as escorted tours. Package tours are simply a way to buy the airfare, accommodations, and other elements of your trip (such as car rentals, airport transfers, and sometimes even activities) at the same time and often at discounted prices -- kind of like one-stop shopping. Packages are sold in bulk to tour operators -- who resell them to the public at a cost that usually undercuts standard rates.

One good source of package deals is the airlines themselves. Most major airlines offer air/land packages, including American Airlines Vacations (tel. 800/321-2121; www.aavacations.com), and Delta Vacations (tel. 800/654-6559; www.deltavacations.com).

Escorted General Interest Tours

Escorted tours are structured group tours, with a group leader. The price usually includes everything: airfare, hotels, meals, tours, admission costs, and local transportation.

There are many escorted-tour companies to choose from, each offering transportation to and within Switzerland, prearranged hotel space, and such extras as bilingual tour guides and lectures.

U.S. Tour Operators -- There are many different tour operators eager for a share of your business, but one of the most unusual is Abercrombie & Kent International, Inc., 1520 Kensington Rd., Oak Brook, IL 60521 (tel. 800/554-7016; www.abercrombiekent.com), a Chicago-based company established more than 30 years ago. It specializes in deluxe 10-day train tours of Switzerland, which, despite all the extras they offer, still cost less than any personally arranged tour.

Other well-recommended tour operators include outfits endorsed and approved by two of North America's largest airlines. These include Delta Vacations (tel. 800/654-6559; www.deltavacations.com) and American Airlines Vacations (tel. 800/321-2121; www.aavacations.com). Both outfits factor inexpensive airfare into land or hotel packages that can save substantial amounts of money over what you'd have paid if you'd booked the arrangements yourself.

Consider contacting one of the world's largest travel organizers, American Express Vacations (tel. 800/297-2977; www.americanexpress.com). Favored treatment and special discounts are usually offered to holders of gold or platinum American Express cards (if you have one of these, call tel. 800/443-7672), but a wide array of interesting and unusual tours are offered to the general public as well.

Other organizations that offer both escorted and package tours are: Trafalgar Tours (tel. 800/854-0103; www.trafalgartours.com); Globus & Cosmos (tel. 800/276-1241; www.globusandcosmos.com); Grand Circle Travel (tel. 800/959-0405; www.gct.com); Switzerland Tours (www.switzerlandtours.net); and Connection Tours (tel. 877/449-4652 in the U.S. or 416/449-4652; www.connectiontours.com).

For river cruises (also barge tours), the most reliable agency, for both Switzerland and Germany, is KD River Cruises of Europe (tel. 973/605-2442).

British Tour Operators -- HF Holidays, Imperial House, Edgware Road, Colindale, London NW9 5AL (tel. 020/8905-9556; www.hfholidays.co.uk for a brochure), offers a range of 1- to 2-week packages to Switzerland and an array of some 150 special-interest offerings throughout Europe.

One of the best purveyors of Swiss vacations in England is Waymark Holidays, 44 Windsor Rd., Slough, SL1 2EJ (tel. 01753/516-477; www.waymarkholidays.com). Walking and cross-country skiing are primarily featured, with destinations including the Engadine, Kandersteg, S-Chanf, and Santa Maria.