Explore Switzerland by train on this 10-day alpine adventure through the Swiss Alps. Based in Bern, enjoy breathtaking day trips by scenic rail excursions to some of the country’s most desirable destinations including Lausanne, Lucerne, St. Moritz and Grindelwald as well as neighboring Ticino in northern Italy.

View Dates and Prices Tour Highlights and Inclusions View Itinerary Tour Images Hotel and Train Accommodations

• 8-day Swiss Pass for travel on the Swiss Rail System for all train excursions, lake steamer cruises and other transportation as part of this itinerary
• Hotel accommodations for 8 nights
• 9 meals
• Sightseeing and scenic excursions per itinerary
• Complementary local transportation, attraction and museum admissions using your Swiss Pass
• Services of a professional Tour Director
• Baggage handling from arrival flight to hotel and from hotel to Zurich Airport. Passengers must check their own baggage onto their return flight. Limit one bag per person.

• Bern’s Houses of Parliament
• Lausanne
• Lucerne’s Chapel Bridge
• Locarno
• Ticino
• St. Moritz
• Swiss Alps
• Grindelwald
• Zurich

Day 1 – Depart USA for Zurich
Board your international flight for the journey across the Atlantic Ocean to Zurich. (Air travel not included in tour cost)

Day 2 – Arrival in Switzerland
Upon arrival, board a first-class express train to transfer from the airport directly to Bern. It’s just a short walk from the railway station to our hotel. The three-star Hotel Kreuz in the heart of the Swiss capital is our home for the next seven nights. Bern is an ancient, medieval city with all of the conveniences of a modern metropolis. Built between the 12th and 18th Centuries, it is still a fine old city of bygone days. It lies in the heart of Switzerland at the foot of the Alps, and is often called one of the loveliest cities in the world. Four miles of arcaded sidewalks in the central business district allow you to stroll and shop with little concern for the weather. The balance of the day is at leisure. You may wish to take a short stroll to explore the area near the hotel. Your tour escort will brief you on restaurants and attractions in the area and provide tips on how to get around on foot. Overnight Bern.

Day 3 – Bern
After breakfast, you will become acquainted with Bern on a morning walking tour of the “Old Town” District. Highlights will include the Houses of Parliament, the late Gothic Muenster Cathedral and the historic fountains. Visit the medieval Clock Tower and have an explanation of the astronomical clock with playing figures which dates from 1530. There will be free time in the afternoon for more personal exploration in “Old Town.” This evening join your tour members for dinner at a nearby restaurant. Overnight Bern. (B, D)

Day 4 – Lausanne
This morning walk to the railway station with your Tour Director to take your first of five train excursions into the Swiss countryside. Each day a different train trip destination will be offered for your pleasure. You will have time to browse, shop and purchase lunch before the afternoon return to Bern. You also have the option of taking a day at leisure in Bern if you wish.

French-speaking Switzerland is featured on our trip today. Enjoy panoramic vistas during a mountain railroad ride to the city of Montreux. Here we change trains and follow the shore of Lake Geneva to the city of Lausanne. Considered the Olympic Capital and a city of sports, Lausanne offers many interesting attractions. Stroll through the city’s historic district, visit the picturesque lakefront port area and sample the fare at one of Lausanne’s many restaurants. Return to Bern on an afternoon express train.

Entertainment and dining options will be available every night in Bern. Tour members will be able to participate in “no host” evening activities which will be coordinated by your Tour Director. Depending on the interest of the group, these events might include dinner at a quaint wine cellar, a visit to the city’s casino to try your luck or watch the action, or a local restaurant in the center of town. Overnight Bern. (B)

Day 5 – Lucerne
Lucerne, in the heart of Switzerland, is today’s destination. The narrow gauge Bruenig train from Interlaken offers views of shimmering lakes and the towering Alps. It stops at Meiringen, famous in the Sherlock Holmes legend, before climbing steep grades over the mountains to Lucerne. More spectacular scenery awaits from the noon cruise on Lake Lucerne. Later walk across Lucerne’s historic Chapel Bridge and visit the “Old Town” District. Overnight Bern. (B)

Day 6 – Alpine Tunnels/Ticino
A full day is scheduled on a circle trip to the Ticino region where Italian is spoken. The train climbs into the Alps, goes through the great Lotschberg and Simplon Tunnels and traverses Northern Italy. This route offers many spectacular panoramas. We have a mid-day lay-over at the delightful city of Locarno on the shore of Lake Maggiore. The afternoon return trip uses a different Alpine route which passes through the Gotthard Tunnel to Lucerne. Overnight Bern. (B)

Day 7 – St. Moritz
Today we head to the charming resort village of St. Moritz. Travel by fast intercity and mountain narrow gauge trains. Impressive engineering and imposing structures were required to carry scenic Albula Railway track through the mountains. The cities of Zurich and Chur are on this route. Overnight Bern. (B)

Day 8 – Alpine Wonderland
Three majestic Alpine peaks - the Jungfrau, Monch, and Eiger - tower over the tourist village of Grindelwald. This is the destination of today’s excursion. From Grindelwald you may choose to take the optional train trip to the Jungfraujoch* at 12,500 feet elevation, the highest railway station in Europe. Overnight Bern. (B)

Day 9 – Zurich
We leave Bern late this morning, walking to the railroad station to catch our train to the Zurich Airport. Our home for the night will be at the conveniently located Hotel Fly-Away near the airport and railway station. This afternoon and evening you will have an opportunity to explore the cosmopolitan city of Zurich just a few minutes away from the hotel. Overnight Zurich. (B)

Day 10 – Tour Conclusion/Return to USA
Our wonderful visit to charming Switzerland comes to an end. After a buffet breakfast at our hotel we’ll transfer to the Zurich Airport for home destinations. (B)

Hotels include the Hotel Kreuz and Hotel Fly-Away.

Rail transportation is via an 8-day Swiss Pass valid for travel on the Swiss Rail System.

Hotel accommodations are based on availability; substitutes will be of similar quality and amenities.