From Zurich: Rhine Falls, Chocolate & cheese Small Group Tour
Description
Embark on an incredible journey from Zurich for the Rhine Falls and the Chocolarium and the Appenzeller Schaukäserei in Appenzel. The Rhine Falls are the largest waterfalls in Europe by water flow. With their impressive power and picturesque setting, the Rhine Falls offer an unforgettable experience. Come back to Zurich before Immersing yourself in the delicious world of Swiss Chocolate at the Chocolarium, where you will discover the secrets of chocolate making and the opportunity to taste the variety of delights. Head to Appenzeller Schaukäserei (cheese dairy) for an authentic experience. Explore the traditional way of Appenzeller cheese and taste different varieties. This self-guided tour promises a day that will stimulate your five senses. Followed by a discovery of a charming typical swiss village, nestled amid the rolling hills of northeastern Switzerland. Explore cobblestone streets, colorful buildings adorned with frescoes. Please note the shops are close on sunday.
Tour Options
Itinerary
Reach the Rhine fall on a 45 minutes drive. Discover the awe-inspiring majesty of Rhine Falls with Key Tours, your gateway to unforgettable adventures. Nestled amidst the picturesque Swiss landscape, Rhine Falls captivates with its thundering cascade, towering cliffs, and emerald-green waters. Feel the mist on your skin as you stand on viewing platforms, offering unparalleled vistas of the roaring waters. Plus, you can upgrade your tickets with the driver to go on the boat cruise allowing you to get even closer to the cascading waters and experience the full grandeur of Rhine Falls. Book your excursion today and embark on a journey to Rhine Falls that will leave you enchanted and inspired. You will spend 2.5 hours there before returning to Zurich
Embark on a delightful excursion to the Chocolarium – the "Factory of Happiness" by Munz and Minor, located on Toggenburgerstrasse in Flawil, Switzerland. Immerse yourself in a world of chocolate bliss as you step into this enchanting factory. Discover the secrets behind the creation of Switzerland's finest chocolates through interactive exhibits, guided tours, and hands-on experiences. Learn about the history of chocolate making, from bean to bar, and witness the craftsmanship that goes into each delectable treat. Indulge your senses with chocolate tastings, where you can savor the rich flavors and textures of premium Swiss chocolate. Don't miss the opportunity to explore the Chocolarium and uncover the magic behind one of Switzerland's most beloved culinary treasures. Join us for an unforgettable journey of chocolate discovery and sweet sensations at the Chocolarium.
Embark on a flavorful adventure to the Appenzeller Schaukäserei, a cheese factory in the heart of Appenzell, Switzerland. Immerse yourself in the centuries-old tradition of cheese-making as you witness skilled artisans crafting the renowned Appenzeller cheese. Experience the sights, sounds, and aromas of the cheese-making process up close, from the milk vats to the aging cellars. Learn about the unique techniques and natural ingredients that give Appenzeller cheese its distinctive taste and character. Indulge in samplings of this flavorful cheese at various stages of maturity, and discover the nuances of its complex flavor profile. With picturesque views of the Swiss countryside as your backdrop, the Appenzeller Schaukäserei offers a truly immersive and delicious experience for cheese lovers of all ages. Don't miss the opportunity to visit this iconic cheese dairy and taste the essence of Appenzell's culinary heritage firsthand.
Nestled amid the rolling hills and lush pastures of northeastern Switzerland lies the charming village of Appenzell. Steeped in tradition and rich in history, this idyllic Swiss town captivates visitors with its quaint cobblestone streets, colorful buildings, and the sound of cowbells echoing through the valley. Wander through the picturesque village square, where you'll find centuries-old timber-framed houses, artisanal shops and souvenirs, cozy cafes serving up traditional Swiss fare. Please note the shops are close on sunday in the city of Appenzell but you can take beautiful picture.
After the Rhine fall, you will be back in Zurich to start your chocolate and cheese afternoon. After 1h20 drive you will reach the famous chocolarium
Highlights
What's included
Pickup Locations & Times
Please look for a white vehicle with written Swiss Tour and KeyTours, we dot have an office, you can show directly your reservation to the driver
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- The drive from Zurich to Rhine fall is 45 minutes. In the afternoon, it takes 1h20 minutes to reach to chocolate factory,then 30 minutes drive to the cheese factory and 20 minutes to Appenzell. The return to Zurich takes approximately 1h15
- Please note the tour is divided in 2 parts: Rhine fall is a morning half day, chocolate and cheese afternoon half day, if you book the full day, the tour comes back to Zurich after Rhine fall before going to chocolate factory
- Please note the shops are close on sunday in the city of Appenzell but you can take beautiful picture.
Reviews(22)
This was a lot of fun. Was not so hot. Loved the Rhine Falls! Do not miss that. Bring your walking shoes.
Dear Guest, Thank you very much for your lovely review. We are delighted to hear that you had such a fun experience and especially enjoyed the spectacular Rhine Falls. It truly is one of Switzerland’s most impressive natural attractions. Thank you as well for sharing your helpful tip for future travelers. Comfortable walking shoes definitely make the experience even more enjoyable. We appreciate your feedback and hope to welcome you again soon on another excursion with Keytours. Best regards,
This was an amazing day. We got to experience so many unforgettable places to see.. our tour guide was very informative, and very experienced.
The places this tour visited were amazing--especially the Rhine Falls and the Chocolarium. The guide was very friendly, and the bus was comfortable. However, we hadn't read the description carefully enough and didn't realize that we would be going back to Zurich for a short stop in the middle.
Dear Sir, Thank you for your feedback! We’re glad to hear you enjoyed the amazing sights like Rhine Falls and the Chocolarium, and that you found the guide friendly and the bus comfortable. We understand that the stop back in Zurich wasn’t expected, and we appreciate your honesty. Thanks again for sharing, and we hope to welcome you on another tour soon! Best regards
Excellent the trip to Rhine falls was breathtaking I highly recommend the extra excursion under the falls
Dear guest, Thank you for your wonderful feedback! We’re delighted to hear you enjoyed the trip to Rhine Falls and found it breathtaking. The extra excursion under the falls is truly a unique experience, and we’re glad you recommend it. We hope to welcome you again on another adventure soon! Best regards
Going from Zurick to and back to the Falls is a total loose of time (1 hour each way). Our driver was a very nice gentleman but I would have expected more information about the places we were visiting. Also at the cheese and chocolate factories there are no guided tours so it's up to you to learn the processing of this products. I use and recommend Viator, however this time the tour did not meet my expectations.
Dear Guest, Thank you for sharing your feedback. We're glad to hear you appreciated the kindness of our driver, but we're sorry the tour didn’t fully meet your expectations. We understand your concerns about the travel time and the self-guided nature of the cheese and chocolate visits — these sites are designed for visitors to explore at their own pace, though we’ll take your comments into consideration as we work to enhance the experience. We truly value your input and hope to have the opportunity to offer you a better experience in the future. Best regards
We enjoyed this tour. The Falls are beautiful and well worth the visit. We added the rock boat tour to get up close to the falls. The cheese factory was interesting, but their self guided tour was a bit confusing. Loved the cheese though. The chocolate factory was great. Very interesting and lots of samples. This tour has just a driver, not a guide. Our driver was great, but I would have liked a guide since we spent a lot of time driving on the bus, with beautiful scenery, but we didn't learn anything about what we were seeing while driving.
Thank you for sharing your feedback—we’re glad to hear you enjoyed the tour, especially the stunning Rhine Falls and the delicious stops at the cheese and chocolate factories! We're happy the rock boat experience and the tastings were highlights for you.
Poorly organized, very long trip. Guide is a glorified driver- did not share any information with us. Rhine falls are beautiful but the other two stops are a waste of time, especially with a guide who doesn’t actually tell you anything.
Thank you for your feedback — we’re sorry to hear that the tour did not meet your expectations. We’d like to clarify that while the guide may not have provided live commentary throughout the entire drive, there are explanations shared during the journey, and our itineraries are designed to balance guided insight with free exploration. In addition to the stunning Rhine Falls, the tour includes two beloved and iconic Swiss experiences: 🍫 The Maestrani Chocolarium, where guests can discover the magic of Swiss chocolate-making, and 🧀 The Appenzeller Schaukäserei, a traditional cheese dairy showcasing one of Switzerland’s most famous and flavorful cheeses. These stops are consistently among the highlights for many of our guests, offering an authentic taste of Swiss culture, craftsmanship, and culinary heritage. That said, we truly value your input and will continue working to improve the experience for all our travelers. Thank you again for taking the time to share your thoughts. Warm regards,
We did not get to see the cheese factory in operation nor did we get to see the chocolate factory in operation. I would not have booked this part of the tour if it has stated that when booking it. Very disappointing. The Falls were lovely.
Thank you for your feedback and for joining us on the tour. We’re glad to hear you enjoyed the visit to the Falls, though we’re sorry to learn you were disappointed with the cheese and chocolate factory visits. To clarify, the cheese-making process — particularly for traditional Swiss cheeses — takes several days to complete. For this reason, the cheese experience includes a visit to the museum and aging cellars, which provide a comprehensive overview of the process rather than witnessing it live. Additionally, for hygiene and safety reasons, guests are not permitted inside the production areas of the factory. As for the chocolate factory, we visit the Chocolarium, a unique and interactive chocolate world by Maestrani. It’s much more than just a factory — it’s an engaging journey through the chocolate-making process, with tastings, exhibits, and behind-the-scenes views into how Swiss chocolate is created. Many of our guests find it to be a highlight of the tour! We truly appreciate your comments, as they help us ensure expectations are clear and experiences are continually improved. If you have any further concerns or suggestions, feel free to reach out directly. Warm regards,
Rhein falls was the highlight of the tour. The driver/guide was informative. Then it went downhill from there. We got back on the bus with no indication of what was happening. Once we returned to the bus for the next part of our trip, our driver/guide seemed more interested in talking to his tag a long friend than informing the group of anything. We got to Appenzell at 5pm when the shops were closing. I’m not sure what the point of this stop is when it’s not long enough to have a meal & no shops are open! Your drivers should always be .00% alcohol as well!
We’re pleased to hear that you enjoyed the visit to the Rhine Falls and found our driver/guide informative—though we’re surprised by the contradiction that follows, as you mention later that no information was given. Throughout the tour, our guides regularly provide commentary and instructions, and we regret if there was any confusion during transitions between stops. The Chocolarium and the Appenzeller cheese dairy are core highlights of this tour, offering an authentic taste of Swiss craftsmanship and culture. Appenzell village, meanwhile, is included for its charming architecture and scenic setting in the Swiss countryside—not specifically for shopping or dining. Most restaurants and shops there do indeed close around 5 PM, which is customary in smaller Swiss towns. Please note that lunch is not included in this tour, as stated at booking. We encourage guests to bring snacks or plan accordingly during the day. Finally, we want to assure you that all of our drivers adhere strictly to Swiss laws regarding alcohol consumption and safety standards. Any concerns on this matter are taken extremely seriously, and we found no indication of any misconduct during your tour. We appreciate your comments and hope you were still able to take some positive memories from your day in this beautiful region.
The places were good but the tour management was poor: 1. Pickup was not easy to schedule. Despite buying tickets with pickup, I had to call and email and wait for confirmation. 2. Pickup was too early. We were picked up at 7:30 am and made to wait for half an hour at the center where those without pickup had to arrive. 3. Drop-off was quite late because we had to go to the bus station and return to our hotel even though I had politely pointed out that our hotel is almost on the way there anyway. 4. The driver missed the exits/routes on multiple occasions. Twice while going to the chocolate factory and once while going to our hotel. 5. We were late to the chocolate factory due to the bus missing the route twice so they were rushing us from the start saying that they’re closing at 6 p.m. 6. We booked a full day tour but the driver and guide didn’t give any information about lunch. In fact, the guide got dropped off at his hotel after Rhine Falls and we were taken to the bus station! The driver didn’t even know at first that we had two more activities (chocolate factory and cheese factory). Only upon showing my ticket, he verified and confirmed that we have it and can wait!
Thank you for sharing your feedback. We’re very happy to hear you enjoyed the beautiful destinations included in the tour. We would like to clarify a few points regarding the pickup and drop-off service: Our pickup and drop-off are offered completely free of charge as an extra convenience to our guests. Since the main meeting point is at the bus station where the tour officially begins and ends, pickups are scheduled earlier to allow enough time for everyone to arrive and check in on time. Similarly, after the tour, we return to the bus station first before starting the free drop-offs. We understand that this might add a bit of waiting time, but it helps ensure the tour runs smoothly for all participants. Thank you once again for traveling with us. We appreciate your trust and hope to welcome you back for an even better experience in the future!
