Dates are flexible. This day-by-day plan is provisional until you choose exact travel dates.
Allow roughly 9–11 hours door to door from Folkestone to Colmar, including the Eurotunnel LeShuttle crossing, breaks and summer traffic. Book the crossing ahead and leave early; after arriving in Calais, follow the A26/A4 towards Reims and Strasbourg, then the A35 to Colmar. Check your accommodation’s parking and access instructions before setting off: the old-town lanes can be awkward with a car, and nearby public car parks may be easier for unloading.
After checking in, take a gentle 45-minute wander through La Petite Venise, where the canals and timber-framed houses are especially lovely in the evening light. Then stop by Marché Couvert de Colmar, just beside the old town, for a look at its Alsatian produce and food stalls. It’s a daytime market, so after a long drive it may already be closed; opening days and hours vary, so check ahead and enjoy the building and riverside setting if you arrive too late to browse.
Finish at Wistub Brenner in La Petite Venise for Alsatian comfort food—allow around €25–40 per person, before drinks. After a full day on the road, book ahead if you can, and keep the evening unhurried.
Start in the old town at Collégiale Saint-Martin. Give the Gothic exterior and interior around 30–45 minutes; entry is generally free, though a small donation is welcome. Then walk to Musée Unterlinden—allow 1.5–2 hours for the collections and the Isenheim Altarpiece. Check the museum’s current opening days, hours and ticket arrangements before setting out; hours can vary, and advance booking may be useful in busy August.
Drive south to Eguisheim (roughly 15 minutes, depending on traffic). Leave the car in one of the signed car parks outside the historic centre, then spend about 1.5 hours wandering the concentric lanes and half-timbered streets on foot. Parking is paid and can fill up in summer, so arriving earlier in the afternoon is easier than leaving it until late.
Settle in for an unhurried Alsatian meal at Auberge Alsacienne in Eguisheim; allow around €25–40 per person, and check its opening hours and book ahead for an August evening. After dinner, drive back to your accommodation; the short return can take longer if the village roads or parking exits are busy.
After the 3.5–4.5-hour drive from Colmar, plus a break and any traffic, keep the afternoon gentle. Park in a designated car park in Lauterbrunnen—the village is not open to general car traffic throughout—and check your accommodation’s parking instructions before unloading.
Walk to Staubbach Falls at the edge of the village; allow about 45 minutes for the viewpoint and photos. The visit is free. Access conditions can vary, so check local signs before taking any path closer to the falls. Then spend about an hour strolling the valley floor through Lauterbrunnen village, where the cliffs and waterfalls make even an unhurried wander feel spectacular.
For an easy first evening, eat at Hotel Oberland Restaurant, a convenient spot with valley views. Budget around CHF 30–50 per person; check current dinner hours and reserve if you’re arriving late or visiting in busy August.
Take the Wengernalpbahn from Lauterbrunnen to Wengen; the train ride is about 12 minutes, with roughly 20–30 minutes door to door. A one-way ticket is typically around CHF 7–15, depending on discounts. Wengen is car-free, so leave the car in Lauterbrunnen and check your accommodation’s luggage arrangements. After checking in or dropping your bags, spend about an hour wandering Wengen’s lanes and taking in the views from the village viewpoints.
From the village, ride the cable car up to Männlichen for wide-open views towards the Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau. Allow 2–3 hours for the return journey and time at the top; fares can be substantial, so check the current price and any pass discounts before setting out. The cable car is seasonal, and both its operating schedule and visibility depend on conditions—check on the day, as cloud can quickly obscure the peaks. Keep a light layer handy even if Wengen feels warm.
Head back into the village for dinner at Restaurant Eiger, close to the centre. Budget around CHF 30–50 per person; in busy summer weeks, book ahead if possible and confirm current opening hours. After dinner, enjoy an unhurried stroll through the quiet lanes—there’s no need to plan more after a full afternoon in the mountains.
From Wengen, allow around 1–1½ hours to reach Mürren: take the Wengernalpbahn down to Lauterbrunnen, then the cableway to Grütschalp and train across to the village. Check connections and current fares in the SBB Mobile app; expect roughly CHF 25–40 one way, and leave extra time if you have luggage. Mürren is car-free, so arrange your bags and any valley parking before setting off. Once you arrive, follow the quiet lanes along the cliff edge for 1–1½ hours, pausing at the viewpoints—the mountain panorama is best when the clouds lift, so keep the route flexible.
Take the Allmendhubel funicular for an easy mountain outing; allow about 2 hours including the ride. Check operating conditions and the weather before you go, as service and visibility can change; budget around CHF 15–20 return, depending on current fares. For dinner, Hotel Alpenruh has a panorama-facing setting and Swiss mountain dishes; allow CHF 35–55 per person. In busy August, check its current opening hours and consider reserving a table.
Follow the marked downhill trail from Mürren to Gimmelwald—about 45–60 minutes at an easy pace. It’s a lovely way to arrive, but the path can be slippery after rain; check local conditions before setting off and use the Schilthornbahn instead if the weather is poor. Once in Gimmelwald, allow about an hour to wander its quiet lanes and admire the traditional chalets. The village is small and car-free, so take it slowly and keep clear of farm tracks.
Ride the Schilthornbahn up from Gimmelwald for far-reaching alpine views; allow 2–3 hours, depending on how high you go and how long you linger. Check the weather, lift operating status and current fares before you set out—cloud can quickly obscure the panorama, and higher stations may be affected by conditions. Return to Gimmelwald for a relaxed meal at Pension Gimmelwald; budget around CHF 25–45 per person for a hearty, straightforward meal. Check its opening hours and kitchen service locally, as small mountain businesses can vary their schedule.
Leave early for the mountain-to-lake transfer: take the cableway and bus back to your car, then allow 4.5–6 hours door to door to reach Cannobio, including connections, a break and possible August traffic. Check the cableway and bus times in SBB Mobile, and confirm where the car is parked and how luggage will be reunited with you before setting off. Your navigation may route you via Kandersteg and the car shuttle, then Brig and Domodossola; check the shuttle, roadworks and border conditions before choosing the route. Budget roughly CHF 10–20 for local transport and €35–65 for fuel and road charges, with any car-shuttle fare extra. After checking in, take it easy rather than trying to fit in much before dinner.
When you’re ready, stretch your legs with an easy 45-minute walk along Cannobio’s lakeside promenade; it’s a lovely first look at the lake, and you can pause at a café if the drive has caught up with you. Then visit the nearby Santuario della Santissima Pietà, allowing about 30 minutes for its quiet interior. Check the church’s access hours locally, as they can vary. Finish with dinner at Ristorante AD; expect around €30–50 per person, and reserve ahead in August if you can, especially for a lakeside table.
Take an easy wander through Cannobio old town, allowing about 1–1½ hours for its narrow lanes, arcades and little squares. The historic centre is best explored on foot; start early for a quieter feel, and look in on cafés along the lakefront for a coffee before the day warms up. The lanes are uneven, so comfortable shoes are useful.
Head to Lido di Cannobio, the lakeside beach at the edge of town, for a swim and a couple of unhurried hours by the water. Check the local swimming conditions and any facility fees on the day; bring water shoes, as the shore can be pebbly, plus sun protection. Return to the centre for Osteria La Scala—budget around €25–40 per person and check opening hours and reserve if you’re visiting in busy August, especially for dinner.
After your meal, stroll back through the historic centre to see Torre del Comune from the surrounding lanes; allow about 20 minutes. It’s a lovely detail to finish on, particularly as the old streets begin to quiet down. Keep the evening flexible: Cannobio’s lakeside promenade is close by if you fancy one last waterside walk.
Drive south from Cannobio to Cannero Riviera on the SS34; it’s usually about 30–45 minutes, but the narrow lakeside road can slow to a crawl in August. Leave after breakfast rather than in the middle of the day, and check your accommodation’s parking arrangements before setting off—spaces are limited, and unloading can be awkward. Once you’ve parked and checked in, take an easy hour-long stroll along Cannero Riviera’s** compact waterfront, enjoying the pastel houses and lake views.
From the waterfront, look out towards the Castelli di Cannero, the medieval ruins on small islands just offshore. You can admire them from the shore, or check locally for a boat excursion; sailings are seasonal and weather-dependent, so ask about availability and reserve ahead if possible. Allow 1–2 hours for the outing, including waiting time, and confirm the current price and departure point locally.
Have dinner at Ristorante Europa, right by the water. Budget around €30–50 per person; in August, book ahead if you want a lakeside table, and check the restaurant’s current opening hours before you go. Take a relaxed waterfront walk afterwards—the village is especially pleasant once the day-trippers have thinned out.
Allow 20–30 minutes to drive south from Cannero Riviera to Oggebbio on the SS34, then leave time to park and check in. The lakeside road is narrow and can be slow in August, so confirm parking with your accommodation before setting off. Once settled, explore a stretch of Oggebbio’s scattered hamlets on foot; settlements such as Gonte and Piazza are linked by steep lanes, so wear comfortable shoes and take it at an unhurried pace. Allow 1–1½ hours and avoid moving the car between hamlets unless you’ve checked where parking is permitted.
Set aside 1–2 hours for Spiaggia di Oggebbio: take a quiet lakeside break or swim, checking local access, water conditions and any facilities when you arrive. Shade and services can be limited at smaller beaches, so bring water and sun protection. For dinner, head to Ristorante La Trattoria da Gino in the Oggebbio area for a relaxed meal; budget about €25–45 per person. August opening days and hours can vary, so check ahead and reserve if possible.
Drive north on the SS34 from Oggebbio to Cannobio; it’s usually 25–35 minutes, but the lakeside road can be slow in August. Allow extra time to park, and check whether your accommodation or a public car park is the easiest option. If this day falls on a Sunday, browse the Cannobio Sunday Market along the waterfront for an hour or two; otherwise, take a relaxed promenade stroll and look into the local shops.
In the historic centre, stop at Palazzo Parasi for its small exhibition space if it’s open—allow 30–60 minutes, and check current opening arrangements before making a special trip. Then head inland to Traffiume and Orrido di Sant’Anna. Set aside 1–1½ hours for the gorge and church; check local access and conditions, as paths may be affected by weather.
Return to Cannobio for dinner at Ristorante Porto Vecchio, where lake-region dishes make a fitting end to the day. Budget around €25–45 per person; booking ahead is sensible in August.
Set off from Cannobio early: the drive to Colmar via the Swiss motorways and Basel takes roughly 5.5–7 hours door to door, before any extra sightseeing stops. Check your navigation and alpine-pass conditions before leaving, and allow for August traffic and a proper break; fuel and road charges are roughly €50–90, excluding a Swiss vignette if you still need one. Confirm parking with your accommodation in advance—Colmar’s centre is easiest to explore on foot, and unloading can be awkward on its narrow streets.
If you arrive with daylight to spare, spend about 45 minutes wandering the Tanner’s District. Its old houses and quieter lanes reward an unhurried look; keep the visit flexible, since the long drive may push your arrival later than expected. Then walk to Parc du Champ de Mars for a restful 45-minute break among the gardens. Both are open-air stops, so they’re convenient even if you reach town outside museum hours.
Finish with dinner at Le Fer Rouge in the old town, budgeting around €25–40 per person. Book ahead for an August evening if possible, and check the restaurant’s current service hours before setting out. If the drive runs long, head straight to dinner and save the garden stroll for a shorter wander nearby rather than rushing through the afternoon.
Allow 3½–4½ hours for the drive from Colmar to Reims, then add a break and time for traffic, parking and check-in. Leave in the morning so you have a chance to explore before dinner; confirm your accommodation’s parking arrangements in advance, as central parking can be limited.
Once settled, head to Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Reims for around 1–1½ hours. Take time to look at the Gothic west façade and the stained glass inside. Entry is generally free, but service times or visitor arrangements can affect access, so check the cathedral’s current guidance before setting out. Right beside it, visit Palais du Tau, the former archbishop’s palace; allow another 1–1½ hours if open. Its visitor schedule can change, so confirm opening and ticket details ahead of time—don’t assume it will be accessible on arrival.
Finish with dinner at Le Café du Palais, a characterful central restaurant known for its art-filled interior. Budget around €25–45 per person; reservations are a sensible idea in August. It’s an easy walk from the cathedral area, and a relaxed meal is a good way to wind down after the drive.
If time allows before setting off, visit Basilique Saint-Remi for 30–45 minutes; check its current visitor access and service times, as they can affect entry. Then stop at Halles du Boulingrin to pick up something local for the road. Allow another 30–45 minutes, but check the market schedule first—its stalls aren’t open every day.
Allow roughly 5–7 hours door to door from Reims to Folkestone, including breaks, traffic, the crossing and the terminal buffer. Take the A26/A16 towards Calais, then LeShuttle to Folkestone; the crossing itself takes about 35 minutes. Book directly with LeShuttle and follow your booking’s check-in deadline, leaving extra margin for summer traffic and queues. Fares vary considerably—often around €100–250 one way—so check the price when booking.
After arrival, head to The Harbour Arm for a relaxed seaside stroll and a casual bite; give yourself 1–2 hours if energy allows. Individual food and drink stalls may be closed, particularly outside busier periods, so treat this as a pleasant option rather than relying on it for a meal.
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