Day 1

Welcome! Please be prepared to meet in the lobby at 5:30pm to depart for your welcome dinner. The dinner reservation time will be finalized closer to your trip date. If you plan on arriving today, we recommend flying into GVA.

dinner

Meet the group! You will have your first opportunity to taste some of the typical Swiss cuisines during a welcome dinner at a local restaurant. Perhaps try rösti or get the hang of a traditional fondue. Your meal tonight will be a set menu and will include a starter, main entree and a dessert, alcoholic beverages are not included.

Grand Hotel Suisse Majestic, or similar

Overnight in the Lac Léman region.

Day 2

Today is your first full day to explore the French side of Switzerland today, and no better way to do so than a visit to Lavaux, the UNESCO wine region. You will take a bus from Montreux to visit the iconic Chillon Castle on the lake shore. After the castle visit you will have free time for lunch. In the afternoon, with a train you will reach Cully for a guided visit of the terraced vineyards followed by a wine tasting. After the wine tasting, by train, you will return to the hotel where you will have the remainder of the afternoon on your own. Do not forget to wear comfortable shoes for the walk and bring your reusable water bottles, hat and sun screen.

breakfast

Breakfast at the hotel is included. A typical hotel breakfast is continental served buffet style. The exact breakfast offered will be determined by your finalized hotel.

Chillon Castle

The Chateau de Chillon, as the locals call it, is one of the most beautiful medieval castles in Switzerland and has an interesting history. It’s been standing like a rock for almost 1000 years on a rocky island in Lake Geneva. After breakfast you will take a public bus, a 5 min drive, to Chillion Castle. You will be able to spend spend approximately 1 hour 30 minutes exploring at your own pace. If you like to grab a coffee, a nice cafe' is available for you to enjoy it. With your tour leader, take the bus back to your hotel where you will have free time for lunch or enjoy a lakeside walk (1.86 miles). You should also pack your reusable water bottles, hat and sun screen.

Train to Cully

With your tour guide, take a 30 minute train to Cully and travel through the Lavaux Wine Region.

Lavaux Wine Region Visit and Wine Tasting

In the afternoon, meet your guide at the Cully train station for a transfer to the Lavaux Wine Region. Upon arrival you will be taken to explore the terraced vineyards on a 2 hour walking tour. This is an area that is a living cultural landscape, where people live and work. After the tour of the vineyards you'll be able to try some of the wine firsthand, with 3 tastings included. You will walk back to the train station and return to Montreaux for a free evening at your leisure.

Train from Montreux

Take the local train back to Montreux and enjoy the rest of the evening at your leisure.

Grand Hotel Suisse Majestic, or similar

Overnight in the Lac Léman region.

Day 3

After breakfast, hop aboard the train for a scenic journey across the alps to Lucerne, in the heart of the German side of Switzerland. After you arrive, stretch your legs on a walking tour of the historic city with a local guide. During your walk soak in the picturesque sights of Lake Lucerne and the medieval architecture of the city. You will have the remainder of the day on your own for lunch and to continue exploring. Do not forget to wear comfortable shoes for the walk and bring your reusable water bottles, hat and sun screen.

breakfast

Breakfast at the hotel is included. A typical hotel breakfast is continental served buffet style. The exact breakfast offered will be determined by your finalized hotel.

Train to Lucerne

You will walk for 2 minutes to board the train to Lucerne in a second-class carriage. The Swiss rail network is world-famous and is a quick and efficient way to travel through this mountainous country. There are restrooms and a snack carriage on board.

Walking Tour of Lucerne with Local Guide

From the train station you will walk to your hotel. You will be able to drop off your luggage and will be joined by a local guide who will take you on a 2 hour walking tour of Lucerne. You will learn how the city changed from a powerful city-state in the Middle Ages to one of Switzerland’s top travel destinations. Walk through the alleys of Old Town, the famous wooden Chapel Bridge and see the Lion Monument. Take a dive into local history, traditions and culture and learn from your new local friend about their favorite gems. At the end of the tour you will have the rest of the day on your own.

Continental Park Hotel, or similar

Overnight in Lucerne

Day 4

Today you will have the full day to explore the Swiss Alps! Your journey begins as you travel by boat across Lake Lucerne and take the famous cogwheel train up to the summit of Mt. Pilatus. Up top you will have time to soak in the sights from the observatory and will have free time for lunch. In the afternoon you will head down the mountain via the aerial gondola for more incredible alpine views. At the bottom you will be transferred by private coach so you can relax on the journey back to your hotel. You will have the remainder of the evening on your own. It is recommended to dress in layers or pack a windbreaker at any time during the year. Consider checking local weather forecasts for days with clear visibility and always equip a pair of good walking shoes.

breakfast

Breakfast at the hotel is included. A typical hotel breakfast is continental served buffet style. The exact breakfast offered will be determined by your finalized hotel.

Boat Ride to Alpnachstadt

From your hotel you will walk approximately 10-15 minutes to the dock where you will board the boat for a 1 hour 30 minute transfer on Lake Lucerne. During the boat ride, be sure to take in the views of the surrounding mountains. Your boat ride will come to an end at Alpnachstadt, where you'll head on the second part of your journey.

Cogwheel Railway to Mount Pilatus summit

From the dock you will walk 10 to 15 minutes to the Alpnachstad Station. Sit back on your 30-minute ride aboard the world's steepest cogwheel railway, reaching the summit of 2,132 meters. Travel to the top of the beautiful Mount Pilatus and take in stunning panoramic views over the Swiss mountains and Lake Lucerne.

Mount Pilatus Summit

Welcome to the top! Mount Pilatus provides a memorable experience for those seeking breathtaking alpine scenery and outdoor adventures in Switzerland. Once at the summit, you will have 2 hours to enjoy some time at your leisure to enjoy a nice lunch and soak in the magnificent vistas. At the end of your time on the summit you will begin to make your journey back down.

Aerial Gondola Ride to Kriens

Finish your trip off with a 20 minute gondola ride down to Kriens, where your private coach will meet you to transfer you back to to Lucerne. The gondola ride is one part of the "Golden Round Trip" experience that will allow you to enjoy the stunning views of the Swiss Alps, Lake Lucerne, and the surrounding landscapes.

Private transfer from Kriens to Lucerne

Time to rest and return to your hotel. A private coach will take you from Kriens to your hotel in Lucerne. The rest of the day will be at your leisure.

Continental Park Hotel, or similar

Overnight in Lucerne

Day 5

After breakfast you will take the train to spend your final day in Zurich. On arrival drop your bags and take some time to explore on your own, or join in for an optional chocolate tour. This evening you'll reconvene as a group for your farewell dinner and toast to a spectacular journey. Do not forget to wear comfortable shoes for the walk and bring your reusable water bottles, hat and sun screen.

breakfast

Breakfast at the hotel is included. A typical hotel breakfast is continental served buffet style. The exact breakfast offered will be determined by your finalized hotel.

Train from Lucerne to Zurich

Chocolate Tour (Optional)

During the tour you will learn about Swiss chocolate history, find out about each chocolatier's specialties and of course, try lots of sweets. Your guide will meet you at your hotel and will explain how to taste and pair chocolate. This will be a privately guided walking tour, you will visit of 5 stops and sampling at every stop and will take approximately 2 hour 30 minutes.

dinner

In the evening, get together to explore the food scene in Zurich on your farewell dinner – perhaps try raclette or Zürcher Eintopf (Hot-pot Zürich style). Dinner tonight is a set menu, appetizer, main entree and dessert. Alcoholic drinks are not included.

Hotel Central Plaza, or similar

Overnight in Zurich

Day 6

All good things must come to an end, but only until your next adventure! Enjoy a final breakfast and then make your own way onward. If departing directly from the hotel, we recommend flying out of ZRH.

breakfast

Breakfast at the hotel is included. A typical hotel breakfast is continental served buffet style. The exact breakfast offered will be determined by your finalized hotel.