Wine, Cheese and Chocolate in the Swiss Alps

Welcome! Please be prepared to meet in the lobby at 6:00 P.M. for a welcome meeting, followed by 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.

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 train from Lausanne to visit the iconic Chillon Castle on the lakeshore. After the castle visit, you will have free time for lunch. In the afternoon, take a train to Cully for a guided visit of the terraced vineyards followed by a wine tasting. After the wine tasting, you will return to the hotel by train 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.

• 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 has been standing like a rock for almost 1000 years on a rocky island in Lake Geneva.You will be able to spend spend approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes exploring at your own pace. If you would like to grab a coffee, a nice cafe is available there for you to enjoy! You will have free time for lunch, or enjoy a lakeside walk (1.86 miles).

  10:00· 120 min· Montreux
• 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 Lausanne for a free evening at your leisure.

  14:00· 150 min· Lavaux
• Transfer · Lausanne → Veytaux-Chillon

  After breakfast, you will take the train to Chillion Castle.

  train · 40 min
• Transfer · Montreaux → Lavaux

  Take a 30-minute train to Cully and travel through the Lavaux Wine Region.

  train · 30 min
• Transfer · Cully → Montreaux

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

  train · 30 min

After breakfast, hop aboard the train for a scenic journey across the alps to Lucerne, 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.

• Walking Tour of Lucerne with Local Guide

  From the train station, transfer to your hotel to drop off your luggage. Then, you will be joined by a local guide who will take you on a 1.5 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.

  14:00· 90 min· Lucerne
• Transfer · Montreux → Lucerne

  Depending on the location of your hotel, you will either walk for 5 minutes or take a short 5-minute transfer 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. Upon arrival in Lucerne, you will either walk 5-10 minutes with your luggage, or take a short 5-minute private transfer to your hotel, depending on the location of the hotel.

  train · 180 min

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.

• 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 and 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 will continue on to the second part of your journey.

  09:30· 90 min· Lucerne
• Cogwheel Railway to Mount Pilatus summit

  From the dock, you will walk 10-15 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.

  11:00· 30 min· Alpnachstad
• 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.

  11:30· 120 min· Mount Pilatus
• 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.

  16:00· 20 min· Lucerne
• Transfer · Kriens → 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.

  private · 15 min

After breakfast, you will take the train to spend your final day in Zurich. Upon arrival, drop your bags off at the hotel and take some time to explore on your own, or join some of your fellow travelers 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.

• Transfer · Lucerne → Zurich

  Depending on the location of your hotel, you will either walk 5-10 minutes or take a short 5-minute private transfer to the train station to board your train to Zurich.

  train · 60 min
• Transfer · Zurich → Zurich

  A driver will pick up your group from the Zurich train station and take you to your hotel.

  20 min

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 you are departing directly from the hotel, we recommend flying out of ZRH.