Montreux & Lucerne: Chocolate, Cheese & Wine

Arrive in Zürich and transfer on your own to your hotel, where the day is yours to wander along the cobbled streets of Old Town and explore the city's restaurants and shops. Overnight Zürich.

This morning, enjoy breakfast at your hotel, then make your way to Zürich's train station. The train ride to Lucerne is less than an hour in length, which leaves ample time for exploration upon arrival. Zürich's skyline fades into the distance as the train makes its way past quaint cantons, along lakesides and through the green landscape until the Alps come into view in Lucerne. On arrival, make your way on your own to your centrally located hotel. Later today, set out on one of two excursions: Mount Pilatus, nicknamed the Dragon Mountain, or he Stanserhorn. Both mountain peak excursions offer rides aboard cable cars to the peaks, as well as unbeatable views over the mountains and surrounding towns and villages. As you make your way back to Lucerne, you will have the remainder of the evening to get acquainted with the city's offerings. Overnight Lucerne. 

• Breakfast

Today's travel takes 3 of Switzerland's unique trains which make up the GoldenPass line: the Lucerne-Interlaken Express, Interlaken to Zweisimmen via regional train, and Zweisimmen to Montreux on the GoldenPass Panoramic Train. Along the way, you will cross the Brünig Pass into the Bernese Oberland and pass by Lake Brienz and Lake Thun. Moving through vast rural expanses, the train offers a look at the contrasts of Switzerland, as Interlaken, Zweisimmen and the world-renowned holiday resort of Gstaad come into view. As Lake Geneva overtakes the vistas, you will arrive in Montreux. After making your way to the hotel, the rest of the day is yours to explore the offers of this resort destination. Overnight Montreux. 

• Breakfast

After breakfast, embark on a private guided tour of one of Switzerland's most famous landmarks, Chillon Castle. Your tour showcases the castle's cellar, prison, great halls, the Bernese chamber, the duke's chamber, the chapel, and the sentry walks. Plus, learn why the "forgotten chambers" aren't quite what they seem. Following your tour, gather around for a friendly glass of red or white Clos de Chillon, made from grapes grown in the
castle's vineyard. Locally produced bread "flutes" add the finishing touches to the regional aperitif known as the "verrée vaudoise." Alternatively, you may wish to upgrade to a private 3 hour experience exploring the Lavaux wine growing region including a wine tasting and lunch. Afterwards you will be dropped at Chateau de Chillon to explore the grounds on your own at your leisure. Overnight Montreux.

• Breakfast

Discover Switzerland's culinary traditions today aboard the Chocolate Train. Though the train route is named for chocolate, this ride offers a look at much more. After boarding in Montreux, the train will make its way to Montbovon where passengers disembark and board a luxury motorcoach to Maison de Gruyère. Here you learn about the production of Swiss cheese on a fascinating factory tour. Of course, samples of authentic local cheese are offered. Next, shuttle to the medieval town of Gruyères, known for its cheese of the same name, as well as its 13th century castle. After free time in the village, board the coach for the short journey to Broc for a visit to Maison Cailler, the famed Swiss chocolate maker, for a factory tour, a tasting of freshly made Swiss chocolate and a lesson on the history and production of these amazing treats. Return to Montreux with the remainder of the day to see the sites independently. Overnight Montreux.

Please note - Chocolate Train operates May through September. At all other times, tour to Gruyere and Broc will be self-guided using regional trains.

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Today's excursion takes you to Gstaad, an upscale resort town in the Bernese Oberland region of the Swiss Alps, and your base for mountain adventures at Glacier 3000. A favorite destination in summer and winter, Glacier 3000 offers breathtaking panoramas of the Swiss Alps as well as exciting activities including the Peak Walk by Tissot suspension bridge, connecting two mountain peaks and offering grand views of famous sights including the Matterhorn and Jungfrau; the Ice Express chairlift; the Glacier Walk, a one-hour hike along a marked glacier trail; and more. Return to Montreux with the evening at leisure. Overnight Montreux. 

• Breakfast

After breakfast, you will make your way to Montreux's train station for one final ride, this time bound for Zürich. Reflect upon your grand adventures as you make your way back through forests, along lakesides and in and out of villages en route to Zürich, where you rail vacation concludes. 

• Breakfast