Switzerland: Europe's Crown Jewel

Tour begins: 6:00 PM, Lausanne Palace. A transfer is included from Geneva International Airport to Lausanne Palace in Lausanne; the drive takes you through the vineyard country high above Lake Geneva to your hotel in Lausanne, overlooking the north-central shore of the famous lake. Meet your fellow Alpine travelers at our welcome cocktail reception and dinner tonight at the hotel.

Get set for a day filled with spectacular scenery, regal lakeside châteaux, quintessential Swiss villages, and snowcapped mountains. Lord Byron made Château de Chillon, a celebrated château on the shores of Lake Geneva, famous in his poem, "The Prisoner of Chillon." Visit it today en route to medieval Gruyères, known for its cheese, where you'll spend free time and enjoy lunch. Or, choose to tour the idyllic 13th-century Château de Gruyères, housing age-old treasures spanning eight centuries of art. A cogwheel train from Täsch takes you into the mountains to the car-free resort town of Zermatt for a two-night stay at your historic Alpine hotel, where dinner is at your leisure.

Beloved as a ski resort worldwide, Zermatt lies at the base of the majestic Matterhorn – one of the most iconic peaks in the Alps. This morning, ascend by cogwheel train to Gornergrat (elevation: 10,225 ft.) for spectacular views of the legendary pyramid-shaped mountain. Enjoy coffee or an apéritif before heading back to Zermatt (either by train the entire way, or by hiking with a guide – your choice) and visiting the Matterhorn Museum, where you'll get a glimpse of life in 19th-century Zermatt. Return to your resort hotel to spend the rest of the day as you please.

Descend by rail from Zermatt, then head through the majestic Simplon Pass en route to Italy's Lake Maggiore. After lunch in Stresa, a private water taxi to Isola Bella, owned by the noble Borromeo family, provides the opportunity to visit their impressive 17th-century palace and gardens, created in the shape of a ship. Back in Switzerland, head to Lake Lugano and a two-night stay.

Experience Lugano today, a lakeside city framed by the Western Alps and Mediterranean foliage. Join a local guide for a walk, where Lugano's Italian charm comes to life in graceful arcades, lively piazzas, and historic churches – from the elegant Santa Maria degli Angeli to the shaded paths of Ciani Park. Cruise the tranquil waters of this glacial lake and take in a new perspective – visually through the landscape, and culturally through an onboard wine tasting. Following lunch at a local grotto restaurant, spend the remainder of the day exploring the sights as you wish.

Journey through an ever-changing, wonderfully scenic landscape as you cross between Italy and Switzerland along the old Roman Via Regina, relishing views of Lake Como before climbing into the mountains and crossing the Maloja Pass. A highlight is the scenic road to glamorous St. Moritz, with its lovely vistas of sparkling lakes and mighty mountains. Enjoy accommodations tonight at one of Switzerland's truly grand hotels.

You're off by train this morning to Chur, Switzerland's oldest city, charming visitors with its fine mountaings, twisting alleys and historic buildings. Disembark the train and then countinue your journey by coach to Einsiedeln, rewarded with lunch and a tour of its cheese factory. A scenic drive leads you to your accommodations for the next two nights, a historic hotel surrounded by Alpine beauty in Interlaken that's rejuvenating... and a real pleasure. Late afternoon, enjoy a private ride on the Harderbahn funicular up to the Harder Kulm (or Harderkulm) viewpoint, overlooking Interlaken and Unterseen, for dinner at a restaurant with panoramic views of the spectacular scenery below.

In a section of the Bernese Oberland known as Switzerland's "jewel in the crown," climb through the Alps by cogwheel train, via the renowned mountain station at Kleine Scheidegg, to the Jungfraujoch... accompanied by a local guide who provides commentary during your ascent. Here, at over 11,000 feet – which truly feels like the "Top of Europe" – you'll enjoy a Tauck Exclusive... a private cocktail reception at the Ice Palace; take time to savor the astounding views of the lofty peaks of the Eiger, Jungfrau and Mönch! Spend the remainder of the day as you please back in the Alpine resort of Interlaken.

Depart Interlaken and drive through more of the Bernese Oberland, bound for Bern. Switzerland's capital is noted for its charming architectural styles; explore the Old City of Berne, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. After a buffet lunch at Bern's Bellevue Palace, continue to Lucerne, one of Europe's premier cities, on the shores of Lake Lucerne. Stop at the Löwendenkmal (Lion Monument) en route to your home, Hotel Schweizerhof Luzern, for the next two nights. A historic landmark built in 1845 and ideally located in the heart of Lucerne's Old Town, the hotel was a recent recipient of The Milestone Award, Swiss tourism's top accolade. Under the project titled "Wo Luzern Geschichte(n) schreibt" (Where Lucerne writes history/stories), every guest room has been allocated a guest with a unique story. They include great personalities such as thinkers, artists, politicians, athletes, musicians and crowned heads as well as unknown guests, whose stories are part of the hotel's history.

While a thoroughly modern, culturally rich city, lakeside Lucerne retains much of its Old World charm and a strong sense of its history, as you'll see for yourself on a guided walking tour and time to explore on your own today. Surrounded by an Alpine panorama, stroll over its medieval covered wooden bridges and discover the many Renaissance and Baroque fountains that dot the city – along with many wonderful galleries, shops and cafés. Late afternoon, join us for a boat ride across the lake that brings us to a special farewell dinner at the popular restaurant Seehotel Baumgarten – a fabulous way to end your Tauck Switzerland journey!

Tour ends: Zurich. Fly home anytime. A transfer is included from Hotel Schweizerhof Luzern to Zurich Airport, an approximate travel time of 60 minutes. Allow a minimum of three hours for flight check-in.