Day 1 – Zürich
Welcome to Switzerland! Arrive at the airport and meet your tour manager for a group transfer to the hotel. Transfers will accommodate guests arriving into Zürich before 10:30 a.m. Once at the hotel, check in, unpack and get settled. The remainder of the day is at leisure to relax or begin exploring this exciting city on your own. You may wish to visit a museum, marvel at the contrast of modern and centuries-old buildings, or simply get a taste of authentic Swiss chocolate. Join your tour manager and traveling companions this evening for a welcome dinner at your hotel. Overnight Zürich. (D)
Day 2 – St. Gallen Excursion
Today we take the train to St. Gallen. On arrival, we embark on a walking tour of the Old Town. Admire the historic building, including the famous Baroque cathedral, as we learn about the origins of the town. There is time for lunch on your own before returning to Zurich this afternoon. Overnight Zurich (B).
Day 3 – Zürich to Lucerne by Train
This morning we make our way to the local train station and board a train bound for Lucerne. The route is under an hour in length yet astounds with its scenic views. Take in the mountains, the rolling hills, bodies of water and rural villages as the train moves along to Lucerne.
Lucerne is one of Switzerland’s most idyllic medieval cities, surrounded by a beautiful lake and nestled amidst snowcapped Alps. Upon arrival, the day is yours to discover the delights of this charming city. Alternately, you may wish to join an optional excursion to Mt. Rigi. Two cog railways and a panorama cable car make the journey up the mountain for a truly unforgettable experience. At the summit, you are in store for breathtaking panoramic views across the Alps into Germany and France. Overnight Lucerne. (B, D)
Day 4 – Lucerne to Lausanne by Train
All aboard for a day filled with Switzerland’s spectacular trains as we travel along the GoldenPass Line. We depart Lucerne this morning on the Lucerne-Interlaken Express. The train passes through the Bernese Oberland and crosses the Brünig Pass en route to Interlaken, where we stop for a visit to gaze over the emerald waters of Lakes Thun and Brienz and to admire the storybook timber homes. From Interlaken, we take the BLS RegioExpress train to the alpine town of Zweisimmen. Here, we continue on the GoldenPass Panoramic, which offers large windows from which to see the amazing landscape on this unforgettable journey to Montreux. Continue to the Lausanne area, where the rest of the evening is at leisure. Overnight Lausanne. (B)
Day 5 – Montreux and Zermatt
This morning we depart Lausanne for the delightful Swiss mountain resort of Zermatt. Following the curve of Lake Geneva, we stop in the lakeside town of Montreux, known as the “Swiss Riviera.” You can choose to spend your time here taking in the amazing sights, or you may wish to join an optional guided excursion to Chillon Castle. Located on an island on Lake Geneva, the castle is one of the most visited historic sites in Switzerland offering hundreds of years’ worth of history. Our journey continues by train to Zermatt. Overnight Zermatt. (B)
Day 6 – Gornergrat Railway
The day begins with a mountain adventure. From the hotel, we travel to Zermatt city center to board the Gornergrat Railway. This fully electric cog railway has been taking passengers up Gornergrat Mountain since 1898. As we make our way up to the summit over the course of 33 minutes, you are treated to some of the most spectacular scenery in the world, including a look at the Matterhorn. Upon descending the mountain, we return to Zermatt for a day of leisure. Enjoy a walk through the historic village, where some structures date back 500-plus years; meander along the narrow streets and explore the local shops and cafés. Tonight, we indulge in a traditional fondue dinner. Overnight Zermatt. (B, D)
Day 7 – Glacier Express to St. Moritz
Today’s train journey aboard the spectacular Glacier Express is without a doubt one of the highlights of the trip. Enjoy an unforgettable 8-hour journey as the train winds through the unspoiled natural beauty of the Alps on its direct route from Zermatt to the world-famous mountain resort of St. Moritz. This sleek train travels across 291 bridges, through 91 tunnels and around tight curves as it travels through the Swiss Alps, unveiling something new to see at every turn. At lunchtime, savor a three-course meal served by onboard attendants as the train maneuvers around twists and turns, inclines and declines before arriving in St. Moritz. Overnight St. Moritz. (B, L)
Day 8 – Bernina Express to Tirano, Italy
Embark on one of Europe’s most spectacular and breathtaking train rides today as we step aboard the Bernina Express, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, for the 2-hour trip to Tirano, Italy. Travel across the lofty Bernina Pass via the Swiss Poschiavo area to Tirano in the Italian Valtellina, witnessing an array of beautiful mountain streams, glaciers, and alpine scenery along the way. In Tirano, the day is yours to sightsee amongst the various churches, the town’s palace and through the narrow streets. The train returns us to St. Moritz, where the remainder of the day is at leisure. Overnight St. Moritz. (B)
Day 9 – St. Moritz to Zürich
We depart St. Moritz this morning on our last rail adventure of the tour, this time returning to Zürich. Upon arrival, we get acquainted with the city during a guided tour. Switzerland's largest city is beautifully located on the banks of two rivers and a lake. Some of the sites you may see along the way include the National Museum, which looks much like a castle; the Opera House; the famous banking district; the elegant shops along the Bahnhofstrasse; Lake Zürich; and Fraumünster Church, where Marc Chagall’s 5-piece stained glass windows flood the chapel with light and color. Tonight, we celebrate our new experiences and new friendships with a group Farewell Dinner at the hotel. Overnight Zürich. (B, D)
Day 10 – Tour Conclusion
Your Swiss rail tour ends this morning with breakfast, followed by a group transfer to Zürich’s international airport for return flights home. Transfer will accommodate flights departing after 10:30 a.m. (B)
Destination & Sightseeing
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