Private Four-Country Day Trip from Zurich

Rhine Falls, Switzerland

The day begins at the Rhine Falls in Neuhausen, about 45 minutes north of Zurich. Here the Rhine plunges some 23 metres across a rocky ledge roughly 150 metres wide, creating one of the most powerful waterfalls in Europe. Laufen Castle sits on the cliff above the southern bank, while the small Wörth castle stands on an island in the calm basin below, giving the classic view across the foaming water.

Your driver-guide gives you time to follow the riverside paths and take photos from the free viewpoints; viewing platforms and boat rides to the central rock have separate tickets that you can buy on site if you wish. Early in the day the falls are quieter and the light is soft on the spray. From here the private tour crosses the border into Germany towards the northern shore of Lake Constance.

Meersburg, Germany

Meersburg climbs a steep slope above Lake Constance, the large lake shared by Germany, Austria and Switzerland. Its Old Castle, with roots reaching back to the early Middle Ages, is often described as one of the oldest inhabited castles in Germany, while the baroque New Palace was the residence of the prince-bishops of Konstanz in the 18th century. Between them, the Upper Town is a postcard of half-timbered houses, gateways and fountains.

Steep lanes lead down to the Lower Town and its lakeside promenade, where ferries cross to Konstanz and the Alps line the far horizon on clear days. Allow about an hour to wander, take photos and enjoy a coffee. On a private day trip from Zurich, Meersburg is a highlight because you can set your own pace on its hilly streets, and your driver-guide waits close by.

Lindau, Germany

Lindau's old town sits on a small island in the eastern part of Lake Constance, joined to the mainland by a road bridge and a railway causeway. Its harbour entrance is one of the most photographed scenes on the lake: a stone Bavarian lion faces a white lighthouse of 1856, the only lighthouse in Bavaria, with the Austrian and Swiss mountains rising behind the water.

In the lanes behind the harbour, the Old Town Hall shows off a richly painted façade, and Maximilianstrasse is lined with arcades, cafés and shops. Your driver-guide can drop you near the island and suggest a short route along the harbour and the main street. Allow about an hour. In summer the promenade is lively with boats; in late autumn the island is quieter, sometimes wrapped in lake mist.

Bregenz, Austria

A short drive along the shore brings you into Austria and to Bregenz, the capital of the province of Vorarlberg. Its long lakeside promenade faces a huge floating stage used each summer for open-air performances on the water, and the harbour and gardens make a relaxed place for a stroll. Above the lake, the Upper Town keeps old walls and the Martinsturm, a tower with an onion-shaped dome that has become a city landmark.

Behind the city rises the Pfänder, a mountain of 1,064 metres reached by cable car, with sweeping views over the lake and towards the Alps; the cable car ticket is optional and not included. Most guests spend 45 minutes to an hour here before the private tour continues south through the Rhine valley towards Liechtenstein.

Vaduz, Liechtenstein

Liechtenstein, one of the smallest countries in Europe, lies between Switzerland and Austria in the Rhine valley, and Vaduz is its capital. High on the hillside above the town, Vaduz Castle is the residence of the princely family; it is not open to the public, but its silhouette against the mountains is the defining picture of the country. Below, the car-free main street is lined with modern buildings, the government house, the neo-Gothic cathedral and several museums.

Is Vaduz worth visiting? As the final stop of a four-country day trip from Zurich, absolutely: it is calm, compact and surrounded by mountains, and many visitors enjoy a souvenir passport stamp from the tourist office. Allow about an hour before the drive of roughly 1.5 hours back to your hotel in Zurich.