Arrive in Switzerland, and transfer by train to Lucerne (called Luzern in German), perhaps Switzerland’s prettiest city. Lucerne sits on the banks of a beautiful lake surrounded by mountain. The city itself compact and walkable, with a pedestrian-only Old Town core ringed by medieval city walls.

Stay in Lucerne’s charming Old Town center and see the Chapel Bridge, the Lion of Lucerne, and perhaps an excursion to Mount Pilatus or to nearby Rigi mountain. Both offer historic rides to the summit and sweeping views of the lakes and surrounding mountains.

Arrival: Plan to arrive by the day your tour starts. There is a train station at the Zürich airport, with frequent departures for Lucerne.  Travel time, 1 hr.

The Gotthard Panorama Express starts with relaxing boat ride across Lake Lucerne, pass the historic Rütli Meadow, where Switzerland was founded in 1291 to Flüelen, where you change to a first class panoramic train.  The Wassen church and the transition to sunny, Italian-speaking Ticino are highlights of the journey to Lugano.

Lugano is a pleasant lakeside village lined by palm trees and dotted with outdoor piazzas.  Take a stroll along the lake and enjoy and evening of la dolce vita.  We’ll splurge with a fabulous night at the 5-star Villa Castagnola.

The Bernina Express combines two great trips into one journey.  Start with a scenic bus ride, from Lugano along the shores of Lake Como to Tirano, Italy. From here, you switch to panoramic train and climb high into the mountains, past glaciers and wild gorges to the mellow mountain village of Pontresina.

We stay in a comfortable 3-star hotel with breakfast and dinner included.

The Engadine is a beautiful region and worth a 2nd day.  Visit nearby St Moritz, or take a train to Zernez to see wildlife in Switzerland’s only National Park.  Perhaps you’ll take the cable car up the nearby Diavolezza mountain, or hike to remote mountain hut.  Or even just relax at your hotel and nearby spa.  There is plenty to see and do.

You get to relax today, with a 1st class ride on the Glacier Express, the “slowest express train in the World”.  Switzerland’s premier scenic train ride covers almost 300 km of mountain goodness, with 291 bridges and 91 tunnels from the Engadine to  Zermatt.

We’ll set you up with 1st class seat reservation and a full hot lunch served at your seat.  The Glacier Express has air-conditioned wagons and huge picture windows.  But it’s an 8 hr trip, so bring a book and prepare to relax!

Zermatt is incredible, and atmospheric and vibrant mountain village nestled up at the foot of the Matterhorn. The Matterhorn is Switzerland’s most recognizable monument, a massive and distinctive mountain surrounded by dozens of sharp, glacier-clad peaks.

Hike along the 5 lakes route to a rustic mountain restaurant, or ride a cable car up to stunning viewpoints such as the Klein Matterhorn, where you can explore the glacier world of the high peaks.  Or just enjoy the ambiance of the village with great restaurants and hotels.

You’ll take the train through the Rhone valley to lakeside Montreux, a small city surrounded by vineyards and castles.  Sample the local Fendent white wine, explore the nooks and passages of the stately Chillon castle, or visit on the of the many museums nearby.

Montreux hosts a famous jazz festival each summer, but always has plenty to do.  If you’d like to relax, you can stroll the lakeside promenade or spend an afternoon taking in the lake views from the fabulous terrace of the Suisse Majestic hotel.

There is much to see and do in the Montreux area, but one of the most interesting days might be a ride on the Chocolate train.  This Express train is not included on your tour, but is easy to reserve.  They will take you up to Broc, home of the Cailler chocolate factory, where you get out to tour the factory and sample the chocolate.

Then it’s a short trip to the charming walled village of Gruyere, where you get to sample the famous Swiss cheese, and perhaps save time for a visit to the otherworldly Giger museum.

You’ll take the beautiful Goldenpass Express today, through the very underrated Simmental valley, to the Jungfrau region of the Bernese Oberland, our favorite mountain region in the Alps. You have the option to stay in car-free Mürren, but for up-close mountain scenery and easy access to cable cars, it’s hard to beat Grindelwald.

Grindelwald sits at the base of the Eiger North Face, a ginormous mountain wall stretching 10’000 ft above town. If you like, there’s time for a hike today, perhaps the scenic walk from the First gondola to the postcard-ready Bachalpsee lake mirroring the Eiger, Schreckhorn and Wetterhorn mountains that rise above town.

A second day in Grindelwald is not nearly enough, but it will have to do. What to do… there are so many choices! This is the Switzerland of fairy-tales, with soaring mountains, flower-munching cows, and countless waterfalls.

One great option is to ride the Jungfraujoch cable car and train up to the massive Aletsch glacier, taking in some of the most famous scenery in Switzerland.  Or you may decide to take a hike. We can send you up into the mountains on a narrow trail to an alpine hut hidden among the glaciers. Stop in for lunch as avalanches peel off the glaciers to the valley below. Return to your cozy Grindelwald hotel for dinner and a restful evening.

For your last full day, you’ll head to Switzerland capital city, Zurich.  Zurich also sits along a lake with the attractive Limmat river running right through town.  We’ll stay in the heart of the old town, a pedestrian-only zone filled with cobblestoned alleys, shops and great restaurants.  Enjoy a night on the town and settle in for your last night in Switzerland.

Your tour ends after another lovely breakfast at your hotel.

Departure: Zürich. The airport is just 15 minutes from the old town by train.