SAMPLE ITINERARY

Day 1: Arrive Geneva and take train to Lausanne

Begin your holiday by travelling to Geneva, either by plane or train. Perhaps spend an hour or two exploring the city, home to fine watchmaking, the headquarters of the United Nations and the landmark ‘Jet d’Eau’ – the Geneva Water Fountain. Wander around the Vieille Ville, the largest Old Town in Switzerland, and visit St Pierre Cathedral.

From Geneva, catch a train along the northern shore of the lake to Lausanne. During your time in Lausanne, you can choose from its many elegant attractions, seeking out the impressive historic monuments as well as the newer modern additions. Lausanne Cathedral is believed to be one of Europe’s most beautiful Gothic monuments, crowned by spires of unusual purple and orange hues. A new Olympic Museum has opened in the heart of Lausanne’s Old Town, with three levels depicting its Olympic history in all its colourful grandeur. Beside the Olympic Park is the promenade at Ouchy Harbour which, when lit up in the evening, is delightful. The promenade takes you from the gardens along to the Haldimand Tower, the Bellerive swimming pool, the Chateau d’Ouchy and the port. You can enjoy dinner in this beautiful area before returning to your hotel. You spend one night in Lausanne.

Day 2: Lausanne to Zermatt

Today you travel by train from Lausanne to Zermatt. This train journey takes just under three hours, passing the 80 hectares of the stunning Lavaux terraced vineyards, Montreux, Chillon Castle and Martigny. At Visp you change trains for the narrow gauge, single track railway to the mountain resort of Zermatt.

Your hotel in Zermatt will send a complimentary shuttle to collect you from the station, and you will stay here for two nights.

Day 3: In Zermatt

Under the imposing stare of the Matterhorn, Zermatt is a charming Alpine resort immersed in Switzerland’s most sublime landscapes.

It is best known for its winter sports and a haven for elite sports visitors and the glamorous. The town centre is car free, so retains a real sense of peace and serenity, without sacrificing its sophisticated, exclusive feel. A peaceful village in the summer months, it is a wonderful place for food lovers, with many gourmet restaurants serving typical Swiss cuisine. Quaint boutique shops are found within the chalet houses in the village centre.

The icy Matterhorn is Zermatt’s main attraction. You can hike or take the cable car up to view the glacier from Europe’s highest viewing platform. The Matterhorn Museum on the slopes of the mountain is divided into 14 huts that mimic the style of the original mountain villages.

You can also enjoy the sights from the smaller railways. Gornergratbahn, the world’s highest open air cog railway, takes you up from Zermatt to Gornergrat at 3,100m, from where you can walk to the Gorner Glacier and view the peaks of 38 surrounding mountains. The village of Gornergrat holds a great deal of historic significance, with a parish church containing intriguing murals, a collection of very old timber houses, a cemetery that is the final resting place of many mountaineers and the Alpine Museum.

Also consider visiting the famous Hornlihutte, where climbers have stayed for decades before advancing up the sides of the Matterhorn via the Hornli Ridge, the Zmutt Ridge, or through the north wall. To learn more of the intriguing history of the area you can visit the Zermatlantis Matterhorn Museum, an archaeological site that has been faithfully recreated.

Day 4: Zermatt to St Moritz, on the Glacier Express

After your final night in Zermatt, catch the Glacier Express to St Moritz at 08:52 in the morning, with a view to arrive at around 17:03. We include a three-course lunch served at your seat.

From Zermatt travel to the peaceful and enchanting village of St Niklaus, punctuated by alpine chalets, rustic houses with peaked roofs, and a smattering of golden and green trees. Next pass through Brig, where you can hope to glimpse Stockalper Castle, the largest 17th century private building in Switzerland and the emblem of Upper Valais. Enjoy views of the onion domes, monastery and Old Town.

Continue on through Fiesch and through the Furka Tunnel, part of the Furka Steam Railway that links Realp to Oberwald. This 2 hour stretch weaves its way through vast mountainside panoramas, passing wooden chalets, ice caves near the Rhone Glacier, wonky houses with moss-covered roofs and light stone walls, and the quaint river and bridge of Oberwald itself.

Your next stop will be in Andermatt, nestled in the indomitable Gotthard Pass, initially avoided by the Romans but conquered when the Scholenen Ravine, an important north-south connection, was established. Zigzagging roads are dug into and supported above the craggy rocks, overlooking flat agricultural plains and clusters of white houses.

To get from Andermatt to the next stop in Disentis, the Glacier Express takes you over the Oberalp Pass; a network of tunnels, viaducts, and winding roads and railway tracks. At its highest point, the Pass reaches 2,044m above sea level, affording passengers in the panoramic carriages unforgettable, breathtaking views of undulating green countryside. Disentis itself sits in the upper half of the Anterior Rhine, the Surselva. A large Benedictine monastery crowns the town, which is dominated by snow-capped chalets, mountain views, and is distinctive due to its proximity to the source of the Rhine in Tomasee.

From here, travel through the Ruinaulta, or Rhine Gorge, taking in one of the most picturesque landscapes in the Alps, which makes for a sensational experience. The winding river changes altitude beside the railway tracks, passing sheer white cliffs, hilltop towers and slinking under arched viaducts.

Next you will pass through Chur, the oldest city in Switzerland that is affectionately called the ‘Alpine City’, and the lowest altitude stop on this route. With wonderful Alpine flora and scenery, this is the land of Heidi and it still retains a chocolate-box feel with twisting streets, historic buildings, restaurants, bars, museums, galleries, boutiques and a pedestrianised Old Town, so you may wish to disembark for a night. If you wish to appreciate a selection of Alpine flora and more fantastic views, you can take the Dreibundenstein Panorama Path from Brambruesch to Dreibundenstein and Feldis. Nearby, thermal waters spring from the earth in Bad Ragaz, making this a very enjoyable spa destination. The waters reach their warmest, at 37 degrees, in the atmospheric Tamina Gorge.

The Glacier Express will then take you through the Domleschg Region, the area with the most castles and palaces in Switzerland. Some areas of this lush region resemble fairytale English countryside, with paths sheltered by trees and shady groves. Next pass through Thusis and Tiefencastel, the latter of which has ochre-fronted houses and stunning narrow stone bridges. It is crowned by a solitary tower.

The train then takes a brief diversion east to Davos, which is beautiful both when covered with snow and when graced with summer sunlight. It lies on a flat area of land between domed mountains. Small chalets sit beside modern buildings, winter resorts and the tall narrow spire of its church.

From here the Glacier Express traverses the Bernina Railway Line, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. One of the highlights of this stretch is the towering curve of the Landwasser Viaduct, built in 1901. This route takes you on through Filisur, gaining altitude via a series of loops, before entering the Albula Tunnel at 1,789m above sea level and heading towards Bergun, where you may wish to stop to visit the Bergun Railway Village, home to the Albula Railway Museum and the Railway Adventure Trail. Ensure you take in the sight of the crystal clear blue waters that run in the rivers.

From Bergun, the train continues on to Samedan, a small town hemmed in by lakes and the lower verdant banks of the mountains. Hurtle on towards St Moritz, passing the ‘Cresta Run’ in Celerina, one of the area’s most famous attributes. At 1,856m above sea level, on arrival in St Moritz you are welcomed by stunning views across the lakes of the Upper Engadine Valley and a refreshingly dry and clear Alpine climate. Transfers can be arranged from St Moritz station to your hotel, where you will stay for 2 nights.

Day 5: In St Moritz

At leisure to explore St Moritz, a chic ski resort situated in the south-east of Switzerland, in the stunning Engadine Valley. At 1,822m above sea level, it is easy to see why St Moritz is famous for its winter sports, but this altitude gives you access to breathtaking vantage points and high altitude rocky pathways. It also has three sublime lakes and a modern town centre, with Via Serlas as the main shopping street. With a population of only just over 5,000 people, St Moritz has retained its authentic Swiss character and peaceful atmosphere.

You can navigate the local peaks via railway. Piz Nair stands at 3,057m above sea level and its summit offers fantastic views of the lakes and valleys. It can be accessed by a three hour hike, or by funicular railway through Chantarella to Corviglia, where there are a number of gourmet restaurants, followed by a cable car ride. Piz Corvatsch is accessible via cable car from Surlej.

There is much to see and do in St Moritz. You can take a romantic carriage ride through Staz forest, and enjoy walking and hiking along over 120 km of trails. St Moritz has its own leaning tower, a landmark dating back to the 12th century that is a remnant from the destroyed church of St Mauritius. The Segantini Museum is dedicated to a local artist, and Engadine Museum will give you insight into regional architecture and history. Celerina is home to the famous Olympic Cresta Run, the oldest bobsleigh run in the world, and is just a 30 minute walk from St Moritz.

Day 6: St Moritz to Tirano, on the Bernina Express & coach to Lugano

Depart from St Moritz today on a train journey across northern Italy to Tirano on the Swiss-Italian border, travelling on the distinctive red Bernina Express, with its tall angular windows and comfortable, airy interiors.

Less than 10km from St Moritz is Pontresina. It sits on a sloping mountainside terrace at the entrance to the Val Bernina, which adds to the village’s quaint majesty. The next leg of the journey passes two exceptional sights: the Montebello Curve and the Morteratsch Glacier. The curve itself has a minimum radius of 45m, turning a total of 180 degrees, and remains one of the most photographed sections of the track, with plenty of time to view the glacier.

After this brief descent, the Bernina Express gains higher ground - the highest ground, in fact, of the Rhaetian Railway, reaching 2,253m above sea level at Ospizio Bernina, your next stop. This secluded station is a beautiful sight, with soft light stone walls and distinctive red shutters on its windows. During the winter months, the building is often cloaked in a blanket of snow.

From here, move on to perhaps the most unique stop on the Bernina Express route: Alp Grum. This restaurant is the only restaurant that is exclusively accessed by rail. As a result, the dining experience is equally exclusive, with unrivalled views of the Val Poschiavo all the way to the Bergamo Alps. If you wish to dine here, this is best done on a day trip specially for this purpose.

The journey then takes you on to regal Poschiavo, a town surrounded by deep green vegetation, with a serene lake on one side. The train will stop in Le Prese, a small village captured in a bubble of peace and quiet, then the Bernina Express takes you through to Brusio. Though not a stop, this particularly unique viaduct stretch has a novel way of negotiating the changing altitudes. After coming along the mountainside, the track spirals back on itself, allowing passengers plenty of time to take in the views before they descend under the viaduct they have just passed over.

After passing orchards and vineyards, the Bernina Railway ends across the Italian border in Tirano, where the influences of Italy can be seen in the architecture of the townhouses lining the riverside. In Tirano, you have an hour to enjoy the charming combination of Italian architecture and Alpine backdrop. Perhaps stop off at the Sanctuary of Madonna of Tirano on the central square, or seek out the historic monuments and paintings dotted around the town.

Then board the Bernina Express coach, travelling three hours by bus to Lugano. You will pass beautiful Lake Como and the picturesque villages of northern Italy along the way. You will spend two nights in Lugano.

Day 7: In Lugano

Use your time in Lugano to explore this cultural lakeside town, which is quintessential of the Ticino region. The Old Town will be a highlight of your stay here, with its relaxed café culture influenced by both the Italian border and the prominent Swiss towns to the north. Pay a visit to the Cathedral of Saint Lawrence, which sits at the top of the gently stepped Via Cattedrale. This Roman Catholic cathedral was founded in the Middle Ages and was drastically rebuilt in the late 15th century. Its tower still rises high above Lugano, crowned by a distinctive green dome.

For further insight into Swiss cultural history, visit the pink fronted waterside Museum of Cultures. Lake Lugano is perfect for a final sweeping boat trip, or for trying the local water sports. The peak of nearby Monte Bre can be reached by funicular railway from Casserate, from where you can take in sublime views, seek out forested beauty spots or embark on a hiking trail. San Salvatore can also be reached by funicular railway from Lugano and offers an alternative, but no less stunning, perspective.

Day 8: Lugano to Lucerne on the Gotthard Panorama Express train & boat

Today embark on the Gotthard Panorama Express train and boat ride to Lucerne, a route made famous by the Swiss hero of liberty – the legendary William Tell.

We pass through Bellinzona, the most Italianate town in Switzerland and home to three of Switzerland’s best preserved medieval castles, where you may need to change for Fluelen. The train weaves its way along the valleys of Ticino, passing the waterfalls of Biasca, the Italianate architecture of Faido and the town of Airolo.

On your way out of Ticino you will see waterfalls, winding streams and historic chalets hidden between rocks, forests and mountains, as the train follows the Ticino River, before entering the Gotthard Strassentunnel. When you get to the important junction at Goschenen, you will see a complex network of roads and railway lines. The tracks weave back on themselves, with viaducts and tunnels allowing the train to cross and recross the Reuss River, as it crashes into the smooth rocks that mark its course. As you pass through Wassen, notice the hilltop Wassen Church in the Urner Oberland, visible at three different points as you navigate the Gotthard Loop Tunnels. Chocolate-box villages dot the hillsides, linked by winding tracks and you will see solitary houses perched on top of jutting rocks, as you travel through the canton of Uri towards the southernmost point of Lake Lucerne. The train stops in Erstfeld, which has a few houses, shops and a church, then the railway track follows the course of the river across flat wide valleys, as it loses altitude.

In Fluelen disembark from the train and make your way to the nearby marina, where you will board your boat to Lucerne. If you have time before your connection, you can wander along the rocky pathway that separates the harbour from the lake, as this is one of the best places to take in the sublime panoramas of the fjord like Urner Lake, as well as the chalets and grand houses of Fluelen that stretch out along the shore, skirting the steep slopes of the mountains and punctuated by the tower of the church. 

You will then board your choice of steamboat or saloon motorboat, for the scenic journey across the length of the lake to Lucerne. The boat sails to the romantic village of Bauen and past the Rutli Meadows, the setting for Friedrich Schiller’s famous poem about William Tell. This was also the site where the four cantons swore their Oath of Eternal Alliance in 1291 and thus founded Switzerland. At Sisikon you can see Tell’s Chapel on the water’s edge. It is said that it was here that Tell jumped from the bailiff’s boat before kicking it back into the storm to aid his escape. The chapel itself is intricately decorated with four frescoes depicting iconic moments from the legend.

The boat continues to the bustling town of Brunnen, with its tall townhouses that sit right on the waterfront, each with a traditional brown roof and large dormer windows that look out across the Alpine panoramas. The next stop is Treib, a small community consisting almost entirely of a dock and a chalet with yellow and black striped shutters. The hillside is laced with zigzagging roads and railway tracks. In contrast with this quiet spot, continue to Gersau on the northern shore of the lake - the ‘riviera’ of central Switzerland. It is located at the base of Rigi Mountain and is surrounded by hiking routes, due to the self-contained shape of the hollow in which it sits.

You then cross to Beckenried on the southern shore. Another small port town, it is adorned with cable cars, small lakeside beaches and good access to the ski slopes that the area is so famous for. Sailing through the narrow neck of Lake Lucerne, the boat continues to Vitznau. Crowned by a Chateauesque waterside hotel, this tiny port village has a scenic cog railway and a Roman Catholic Church with an unusual clock tower. Following the curve of the lakeside, slightly further west is Weggis. Here white-fronted houses climb the gently sloping lake shores,  just a few metres from the water’s edge. The typically Swiss feel of this charming town is completed by the distinctive red spire of its small church. 

The last stop on your lake cruise is Hertenstein, a small collection of houses and a single hotel that cluster around the shores of a green, forested peninsula. Disembark from the boat at the lido of the Swiss Museum of Transport in Lucerne, where you will spend two nights.

Day 9: In Lucerne

Known as the ‘City of Lights’ because of an old legend, Lucerne is set on a crystal-clear lake surrounded by snow-capped mountains, and has a well preserved medieval Old Town (‘Altstadt’).

Enjoy its cosmopolitan atmosphere and rich historical significance, as you wander through its pretty streets lined with boutique shops and charming pavement cafés. You can enjoy lunch on Kornmarkt square, beside the colourful Pfistern Guildhall, on Hirschenplatz square or on Weinmarkt square, where Lucerne swore its federal oath with Schwyz, Uri, and Unterwalden.

An essential visit on any stay in Lucerne is the Chapel Bridge, the city’s main landmark and the most photographed monument in Switzerland. Walk along the bridge, taking in the views of the Reuss River, the ‘water spikes’ (weirs) and the water tower. You should also visit the beautiful 17th century Jesuit Church, which overlooks the lake and is topped by two droplet shaped domes.

Above the city is the Musegg Wall, a 14th century structure that once protected the city. Though the city now sprawls outside this wall, the nine defensive towers still remain - three of which are open to the public. If you venture out into the surrounding countryside, you can visit the Titlis Glacier.

To appreciate some Swiss art and culture, visit the prestigious KKL Luzern gallery, the Rosengart Collection of works by Picasso and Klee, the Wagner Museum in Tribschen or the Swiss Museum of Transport. Finish your day with a sumptuous dinner at your hotel, or in one of Lucerne’s many gourmet restaurants.

Day 10: Lucerne to Bernese Oberland

Today travel southwest from Lucerne into the Bernese Oberland. The train journey takes you along the western shore of Lake Lucerne, past Lake Sarnen and Lake Lungern, and north around Lake Brienz.

Change trains at Interlaken, perhaps spending an hour admiring the stunning location of this town, then join the steeper cogwheel railway to Grindelwald or Wengen, where you stay for 2 nights.

Day 11: In Bernese Oberland

The charming chocolate-box villages of Grindelwald and Wengen are located at the base of the mighty Jungfrau - each in a different valley above Interlaken, Lake Brienz and Lake Thun. With the Eiger and Mönch nearby, these villages are not only enveloped by phenomenal views, but have over 90 km of walking and hiking trails suitable for all abilities. They are connected by two cable cars, bus and train. You are therefore perfectly placed to enjoy the most iconic attractions of the Bernese Oberland, with its rustic wooden chalet houses.

Travel by funicular railway up to Jungfraujoch, the highest railway station in Europe, to appreciate the stunning views. The Aletsch Glacier, the longest in Europe, is a spectacular sight. For hiking trails, take cable cars up to the Mönch and the Eiger, or simply follow the softer trails that lead out of Grindelwald. The picturesque Lake Fallboden makes for a relaxing afternoon or evening walk.

Day 12: Bernese Oberland to Saanenland

Today board the train from Grindelwald back to Interlaken. Here you can choose to stop and spend a few hours enjoying this town’s remarkable location between two lakes, before boarding another train and travelling through the Simmental Valley to Zweisimmen, situated on the border of the French and German speaking regions and the gateway to the Saanenland.

In Zweisimmen you will board the Golden Pass train, with its distinctive golden carriages, for the remainder of your journey to Schönried and Gstaad, where you will stay for two nights.

Day 13: In Saanenland

Located on the border between the cantons of Bern and Vaud, the Saanenland marks the convergence of five individual valleys and is dotted with traditional Swiss farmhouses. The area is known for its delicious Alpine dairy products, which are served in many of the gourmet restaurants that line Gstaad’s main promenade. This includes traditional ‘fondue’. Gstaad Dairy (‘Molkerei’) will allow you to taste a selection of the over 3,000 cheeses produced here.

The region has hundreds of Alpine trails and paths, making it ideal for walkers and hikers of all abilities, with access by cable car to mountain tracks. If you are adventurous, take a trip up to Glacier 3000 from where, at over 4,000m, you can take in the views of 24 surrounding mountains.

In the evening retire to your hotel in Schönried or Gstaad for a gourmet dinner and a drink beside a cosy fireplace.

Day 14:  Saanenland to Montreux, on the Golden Pass Line

This morning board the Golden Pass Line for the two hour journey to Montreux. After passing through Gstaad, the Golden Pass Line crosses the border into Vaud, stopping first in Rougemont and then Chateau-d’Oex. Here the mountains are dotted with quaint chalets, small churches and castles - an image that is very typical of the Pays-d’Enhaut district. The villages you will pass all retain their own individual architectural character, emerging out of plumes of evergreen trees.

In Rossiniere and Montbovon you can view the startling translucent turquoise waters that run in rivers crossed by ancient wooden bridges. At Les Avants, the train begins to wind its way down the hillside and steep vineyards that line the slopes towards Montreux on the banks of Lake Geneva, where you will stay for two nights.

Day 15: In Montreux

During your stay in Montreux, we recommend exploring the railway history of the area by taking one of its local trains - the Vineyard Train (S31) through the Lavaux terraced vineyards between Vevey and Puidoux-Chexbres; the cogwheel railway through the meadows and up the mountain of Rochers-de-Naye, with excellent views over Lake Geneva (you can sometimes see the iconic Jet d’Eau water fountain); or the Chocolate Train to the Maison Cailler chocolate factory and museum.

The highlight of your visit to Montreux may be Chillon Castle, perched on a rocky outcrop and seemingly emerging out of the water. This is Switzerland’s most popular historical landmark and, with its fairytale beauty, it is easy to see why.

Day 16: Fly from Geneva to London

If flying home, today take the train from Montreux to Geneva airport.

Alternatively if you are travelling home by train, depart for Paris and connect with the Eurostar to London.

PRICING

Price is based on two adults sharing en-suite accommodation on a bed and breakfast basis. This price includes flights from London and second class rail travel, with supplement for first class of about £650 per person.

We offer a choice of hotels at different prices, so please discuss your requirements with us. All hotels are subject to availability.

Before your departure, you will receive personalised holiday information, including full directions and suggestions on places to visit, to help you get the most from your trip.

It is essential that you have personal holiday insurance. The FCO should also be consulted.