Lakes, Mountains & Railways Of Switzerland

Itinerary

11-Day Itinerary

• Day 1

  We fly from London Heathrow to Geneva. From here, we take the train along the shores of Lake Geneva to Montreux. On arrival, we take the short walk to our hotel, where we stay for two nights. Montreux is located in a sheltered bay on Lake Geneva, surrounded by vineyards and snow-capped Alps. Due to its mild climate, it is often referred to as the Swiss Riviera. This evening, we include a welcome dinner at the hotel.

  Meals - Dinner

• Day 2 - Chillon Castle, Lausanne & Montreux

  After a leisurely breakfast at the hotel, we travel on the local bus to Chillon Castle, where we include entrance. Located on a rock on the shores of Lake Geneva, this moated castle is the most visited historical building in Switzerland, and it was the residence of the Counts of Savoy for almost four centuries. Whilst here, we enjoy a guided tour followed by a wine tasting.

  Afterwards, we join a lake cruise from Chillon Castle to Lausanne, where you’ll have free time to explore at leisure.

  We return to Montreux by train and enjoy a relaxing evening at the hotel.

  Meals - Breakfast

• Day 3 - Golden Pass Express to Interlaken

  After breakfast, we board the Golden Pass Express train from Montreux to Interlaken. For your convenience, your main luggage will be transported separately to the hotel in Interlaken. The Panoramic Express is part of the famous Golden Pass Line, and the elegant train takes you from the banks of Lake Geneva via the famous resort town of Gstaad to Interlaken. As the train climbs uphill, the views offered from the streamlined golden cars are spectacular. The journey continues through pristine mountains to Lake Thun and the well-known resort town of Interlaken in the Bernese Oberland. On arrival, there is a short walk to the hotel, or you can take the local bus if you prefer.

  Meals - Breakfast

• Day 4 - Interlaken

  Today, you are free to relax and explore Interlaken at your own pace. Interlaken lies in the Bernese Oberland between Lake Thun and Lake Brienz and is presided over by the three mighty mountains, Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau. Why not use your Swiss Travel Pass and visit Jungfraujoch? Travel to the ‘Top of Europe’ on the spectacular Jungfrau Express, experiencing jaw-dropping views of Switzerland’s iconic peaks and the Aletsch glacier from Europe’s highest train station.

  Meals - Breakfast

• Day 5 - Glacier Express to Chur

  After breakfast, we take the train from Interlaken to Brig, which is nestled next to the Rhône at the northern edge of the famous Simplon Tunnel. Here, we board the iconic Glacier Express for the journey to Chur. For your convenience, your main luggage will be transported separately to the hotel in Chur. This amazing journey takes us through the alpine heart of Switzerland, passing through tunnels and across bridges. Be sure to keep your camera at the ready throughout our journey to capture this stunning landscape, mountain forests and alpine meadows. We include a delicious 3-course lunch which is served at your seat, so sit back, relax and enjoy! We arrive at Chur later today and take the short walk to our hotel.

  Meals - Breakfast, Lunch

• Day 6 - Chur

  After breakfast, we are joined by a local guide for a walking tour of Chur. Chur is Switzerland's oldest city, and you’ll be charmed by its fine mountain setting, twisting alleys and historic buildings. Numerous boutiques, restaurants, bars, museums and galleries in the largely traffic-free Old Town create a Mediterranean-style atmosphere. The walking tour will take in the bustling centre, the winding alleys of Chur's Old Town and the 800-year-old cathedral. This afternoon is free to explore Chur at your own pace and dine out in one of the many restaurants.

  Meals - Breakfast

• Day 7 - Bernina Express to Lugano

  Today, we board the Bernina Express for the journey to Tirano in Italy. For your convenience, your main luggage will be transported to your hotel in Lugano. The Bernina Express is one of Switzerland's most scenic rail journeys, and you’ll be able to take in the stunning views from the train's panoramic windows. The route connects Switzerland and Italy via the highest mountain railway in the Alps, navigating through snow, ice, and some very steep gradients. Sit back, relax and enjoy the ever-changing scenery, from Alpine delights to a Mediterranean atmosphere as you reach Tirano.

  On arrival, you’ll have free time to explore before we take the Bernina Express Bus to Lugano. When we reach Lugano, we’ll take a local bus to our hotel and enjoy a relaxing evening.

  Meals - Breakfast

• Day 8 - Lugano

  Today, you have time to explore the Mediterranean side of Switzerland and the picturesque lakeside resort of Lugano at your leisure. You’ll be given a Ticino Transport Ticket, which grants you free access to most public transport within the region, whilst tickets for boats, cable cars and attractions can be purchased at a reduced price. Lugano has a wonderful promenade that hugs the crystal waters of Lake Lugano and has an array of restaurants serving both Italian and Swiss specialities.

  Meals - Breakfast

• Day 9 - Gotthard Panorama Express to Lucerne

  Today, we embark on one of Switzerland’s most beautiful railway journeys – the Gotthard Panorama Express. For your convenience, your main luggage will be transported to your hotel in Lucerne. From palm trees to high mountains, the famous Gotthard train line is a wonderful piece of railway engineering with many spiral loops, bridges and tunnels. We leave the Mediterranean landscape behind, and from the comfort of your first-class seat, the panoramic train will take us along the historical Gotthard route, passing through the Gotthard tunnel.

  On arrival in Flüelen, we take a steamboat on Lake Lucerne, sailing past bays and the beautiful Swiss landscape. You will pass countless locations steeped in Swiss history – most notably the Rütli meadow, where Switzerland was founded in 1291, and Tell’s Chapel. On arrival in Lucerne, there is a short walk to the hotel, where we check in and enjoy a relaxing evening.

  Meals - Breakfast

• Day 10 - Lucerne

  After a leisurely breakfast, we are joined by a local guide for a walking tour of Lucerne. Lucerne is an iconic city, with its beautiful Chapel Bridge and the Museggmauer – a wall which, with the exception of one tower, has been preserved in its original, well-fortified state. Lucerne is also a city of town squares and churches – the Jesuit church dates back to the 17th century and is regarded as Switzerland’s first sacral Baroque building, while the twin towers of the Hofkirche form an integral part of the townscape. Your local guide will point out all the main sights on this morning’s tour. This afternoon is free for you to explore at your own pace. Why not visit the Swiss Transport Museum, where you could learn about the development of transport and mobility by road, rail, water air and outer space? Be sure to make use of your Lucerne Guest Card which you’ll be given; this provides free public transport in the main centre.

  This evening, we include a farewell dinner and traditional folklore show at the Stadkeller Lucerne – the perfect ending to our Swiss adventure!

  Meals - Breakfast, Dinner

• Day 11

  After breakfast, we take the train from Lucerne to Zurich airport for our return flight back to London Heathrow.

  Meals - Breakfast

Accommodation

You will stay for two nights at the Hotel Helvetie in Montreux, two nights at the Hotel Metropole in Interlaken, two nights at the Hotel Stern in Chur, two nights at the Hotel City Lugano in Lugano and two nights at the Hotel Waldstatterhof in Lucerne. 

Exact hotels will be confirmed in your final travel documents.