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Lakes and Mountains of Switzerland

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You are viewing the 2025 itinerary. Select your departure year
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7 days From $1,785 per person
4.2 stars(5 reviews)
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A seven-day Swiss getaway, exploring picturesque landscapes, charming cities like Lucerne, and train journeys through the Swiss Alps to Lugano and St. Moritz

Travel on your own following a well-planned itinerary

2025 Tour code: WE-LMSR-25

About the tour

Journey through the breathtaking Lakes and Mountains of Switzerland, on this seven day escape. Discover the charming city of Lucerne, nestled amidst the Swiss Alps and enjoy a leisurely boat cruise across its serene lake. Experience a first-class journey aboard the Gotthard Panorama Express, traversing dramatic landscapes to Lugano. Your adventure continues on the renowned Bernina Express to the alpine resort town of St. Moritz, where you spend two nights surrounded by majestic peaks and pristine lakes.

What’s included

Itinerary

Day 1 - Lovely Lucerne

Arrive at Zurich Airport and embark on your scenic journey to Lucerne by rail. As you travel, soak up the stunning Swiss landscapes. Upon arrival in Lucerne, settle into your accommodation and unwind after your travels. This city is surrounded by beautiful mountain scenery and sits beside the crystal-clear Vierwaldstättersee (Lake Lucerne). Overnight Lucerne.

Day 2 - Explore Lucerne

Today is yours to explore the charming city of Lucerne at your own pace. Wander across the historic Kapellbrücke, a quaint wooden bridge spanning the Reuss River that is lined with fascinating medieval paintings. In Glacier Garden, you will find the city's proud Lion Monument honoring Swiss Guards who fell during the French Revolution. Head to the bright atmosphere of the Old Town for even more history, beauty, and culture with local cafes and shops to enjoy.

Alternatively, consider indulging in optional excursions such as ascending the majestic Mt. Rigi or Mt. Pilatus for breathtaking views, joining a guided walking tour of Lucerne to uncover its rich history, or immersing yourself in the fascinating exhibits at the Swiss Transport Museum. Overnight Lucerne.

Day 3 - Journey to Lugano via the Gotthard Panorama Express

Enjoy a picturesque journey aboard the first-class Gotthard Panorama Express from Lucerne to Lugano. Start with a cruise from Lucerne to Fleulen before joining the panoramic train ride. Marvel at the scenic beauty along the way as you travel through picturesque valleys, passing by quaint villages amidst lush greenery. You'll catch glimpses of crystal-clear lakes shimmering in the sunlight, framed by towering mountains that punctuate the horizon. Upon arrival in Lugano, relax and enjoy the tranquil atmosphere of this lakeside city. Overnight Lugano.

Day 4 - Discover Lugano

Today offers a choice of optional activities to enhance your experience in Lugano. Explore Monte Brè for panoramic vistas, embark on a serene cruise on Lake Lugano to Gandria, indulge in a private cruise with wine tasting, or embark on a delightful food, wine, and city walking tour. You can also upgrade your tour to include a delectable lunch or dinner experience.

If you would prefer to discover the city at your own pace, spend your day leisurely exploring the charming streets, dotted with boutiques, cafes, and gelaterias. Discover cultural attractions such as the Museo d'Arte della Svizzera Italiana, showcasing works of art from the region, or wander through the historic Old Town with its charming squares and medieval architecture. Overnight Lugano.

Day 5 - From Lugano to St. Moritz via the Bernina Express

Today you enjoy a scenic journey from Lugano to St. Moritz aboard the Bernina Express, renowned for its breathtaking mountain landscapes and engineering marvels. As this extraordinary train travels places coaches and cars cannot, each moment is filled with a genuine sense of wonder, revealing a cascade of otherworldly landscapes. Enjoy the stunning views as you traverse through the picturesque Ticino region. Arrive in St. Moritz and settle into your accommodation for a relaxing evening. Overnight St. Moritz.

Day 6 - Enjoy St. Moritz

Savor a day of leisure in the enchanting town of St. Moritz. Your hotel provides you with an Engadine Inclusive Card, granting access to various exciting excursions such as the Muottas Muragl funicular, Piz Nair by cable car, Diavolezza by cable car, and more. Immerse yourself in the natural beauty and activities offered in this alpine paradise. Overnight St. Moritz.

Day 7 - Journey Home

Bid farewell to St. Moritz as you board the rail journey back to Zurich Airport for your departure home. Reflect on the unforgettable memories created amidst Switzerland's lakes and mountains, carrying them with you as cherished souvenirs of your journey.

Trains

Bernina Express
Gotthard Panorama Express

Reviews

4.2 stars4.2 / 5 · 5 reviews

  1. 5 stars
    (2)
  2. 4 stars
    (2)
  3. 3 stars
    (1)
  4. 2 stars
    (0)
  5. 1 star
    (0)

Yolanda Chong

4 stars

Submitted 28/Oct

Beautiful places visited but there was insufficient information given to support the traveller -especially for a first-time users of this type of vacation. The rail journeys were quite complicated in the connections required - e.g. no direct train route from St Moritz to Lucerne. On the whole, an interesting & adventurous experience.

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ROD VINCENT SGRO

4 stars

Submitted 23/Sep

We had a good time and would do it again

Collected by Trustpilot

customer

3 stars

Submitted 23/Sep

Buyer Beware: Poor Customer Service and Administrative Mistakes on Ticketing & Itinerary. We enjoyed the destinations, the hotels were lovely and the schedule gave us just enough time in each city. Unfortunately our tickets and itinerary didn’t always match. It was also spelled out in our Itinerary that we could leave from anywhere in Switzerland to begin our trip and end our trip traveling to anywhere in Switzerland. Our flight got cancelled at the start and we needed to make changes to our starting and ending point as a result. Unfortunately, we STILL have never received an answer to the email we sent requesting assistance with the change or reimbursement for additional funds spent to make necessary adjustments to our itinerary. The customer service and attention to detail on the part of Vacations by Rail are what have driven down the score of this review. Next time, I'll make reservations myself.

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JAMES HENRY ZEDER

5 stars

Submitted 4/Sep

Thoroughly enjoyed Switzerland!

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DANIEL SHIH

5 stars

Submitted 30/Aug

Generally, The arrangement of this trip is good. The trip from Lugano to St. Mortiz - the first segment is BUS not train as stated on the document. That was very confusing.

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