Treasures of Lake Geneva & GoldenPass Express

Your Swiss vacation begins today as your flight arrives in Geneva. From the airport, board a train to Lausanne, a journey that takes just under an hour and skirts the shores of Lake Geneva, offering a scenic start to your time in Switzerland.

After checking in or leaving your bags at our central hotel, you are free to settle in and explore Lausanne at your leisure. Perhaps stroll along the lakefront to soak up views of the Swiss Alps across the azure waters of Europe's largest alpine lake.

This evening, return to the hotel to meet the Tour Manager and travel group and sit down for our first dinner together. Overnight Lausanne.

• Dinner

This morning after breakfast, we get to know Lausanne on a sightseeing tour with a knowledgeable local guide. We explore the charming Old Town, built on hills between the Flon and Louve valleys and known for its steep cobblestoned streets. In the Cité District, we admire the striking Gothic cathedral and the 15th-century St-Maire Castle before continuing to Place de la Palud, a bustling square home to the City Hall, the Justice Fountain - the oldest fountain in the city - and a mechanical clock that recounts scenes from local history.

After free time to seek out your own lunch spot, we head to one of Lausanne's most celebrated attractions, the Olympic Museum. Set within a lakeside park, this museum houses the world's largest and most comprehensive Olympic collection. Here, discover interactive exhibits, view the Olympic torch collection, and explore the sculptures displayed throughout the Olympic park.

This evening, you are at leisure to continue exploring and dine independently. The city offers a wide range of restaurants where you can sample traditional Swiss cuisine or international flavours. Overnight Lausanne.

• Breakfast

Leaving Lausanne after breakfast this morning, we board the train to Rivas to visit the Lavaux vineyards. This short but highly scenic rail journey showcases terraced vineyards cascading down the hillside above the sparkling waters of Lake Geneva, and the Alps rising in the distance.

On arrival, we walk to Lavaux Vinorama for a talk and tasting. This remarkable wine-growing region has been cultivated for centuries and is recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage landscape. During our visit, we learn about the traditions that have shaped the area while sampling some of the region's distinctive wines.

After time to explore the vineyards at leisure, we return to the station to board a train to Vevey, our scenic base for the next six nights. Located on Lake Geneva's northern shore and famous as the former home of Charlie Chaplin, this charming Swiss Riviera town offers a perfect blend of culture, history and scenery. We check in to our hotel, where we enjoy dinner together this evening. Overnight Vevey.

• Breakfast, Dinner

The beautiful resort town of Montreux awaits after breakfast today. Often referred to as the "Pearl of Lake Geneva," the town's magnificent alpine backdrop and lakeside palm trees give visitors a true feeling of paradise. On arrival, we set out on a city tour where we follow in the footsteps of Freddie Mercury, stopping at locations that shaped his time here, including the famous Mountain Studios located inside the Montreux Casino.

Continuing along the lakeshore, we arrive at the fairytale setting of Château de Chillon, one of Switzerland's best-preserved medieval castles. Set on a rocky outcrop at the edge of Lake Geneva, this historic fortress appears to rise directly from the water. Stepping inside, we explore its atmospheric halls, ancient courtyards and vaulted cellars. From the castle's towers, there are magnificent views across the lake and surrounding Alps.

Afterward, we enjoy a cruise across Lake Geneva back to Vevey, soaking up views of vineyard-clad slopes and charming villages along the way. This evening, we dine together in the hotel restaurant. Overnight Vevey.

• Breakfast, Dinner

After breakfast, enjoy a full free day to explore at your own pace. There are many excellent destinations within easy reach, and your Swiss Half Fare Card offers 50% discounted fares on rail, boat and most mountain railway journeys, making it easy to discover more of the region.

You might choose to visit Chaplin's World, located just outside Vevey, where the life and work of Charlie Chaplin are brought to life in his former home and studio. Alternatively, take a scenic journey to Geneva, where lakeside promenades, boutiques and historic landmarks await.

Another option is to cross the lake to the French spa town of Évian-les-Bains, home to the famous Evian mineral water. Here, you could stroll along the lakeside promenade, visit the historic Source Cachat to sample the water directly from its source or explore the elegant Palais Lumière, a former thermal spa and a masterpiece of Belle Époque architecture. Whether you choose to explore further afield or simply relax in Vevey, the day is yours to enjoy before returning to the hotel this evening. Overnight Vevey.

• Breakfast

This morning after breakfast, we journey by deluxe motorcoach into the Swiss countryside to the medieval hilltop village of Gruyères, renowned for its timeless charm and sweeping views. Dominating the village is the Château de Gruyères, an imposing fortress that has stood since the 13th century. Now a museum, it houses a prestigious collection of artwork, period interiors and historic treasures which we explore at leisure, offering a glimpse into the life of the region across the ages.

Over lunch, we enjoy a tasting of one the region's most famous dishes - fondue. This iconic Swiss delicacy, made with melted Gruyère cheese blended with white wine, showcases the rich flavors of the region's renowned cheeses.

We continue to nearby Broc this afternoon to visit the Maison Cailler Museum, Switzerland's oldest chocolate factory. During our visit, we discover the history behind Swiss chocolate-making, with plenty of opportunities to sample a variety of chocolates along the way. Boarding our comfortable motorcoach back to Vevey afterwards, the rest of the evening is yours to enjoy at leisure and dine independently. Overnight Vevey.

• Breakfast

Making our way by rail to Montreux after breakfast, a journey into the mountains awaits as we board the Rochers-de-Naye cogwheel railway for a spectacular ascent. Climbing steeply above Lake Geneva, the train winds its way through fields, villages and dense forests before emerging into the high alpine landscape.

At the summit of Rochers-de-Naye mountain, 6,700 feet above sea level, breathtaking views await, stretching across Lake Geneva and as far as the distant peaks of the Alps on clear days. There is time to take in the scenery and perhaps enjoy a refreshment while surrounded by this remarkable landscape.

We make our return journey back to Montreux, where the afternoon is free. You may wish to stroll along the lakeside promenade, relax in a café or simply enjoy the town's beautiful setting before making your own way back to Vevey by rail for dinner this evening. Overnight Vevey.

• Breakfast, Dinner

Traveling to Montreux station after breakfast this morning, a highlight of our trip awaits as we board the panoramic cars of the GoldenPass Express for an incredible rail journey to Interlaken, taking us from palm-lined promenades to snow-capped mountains.

While this rail journey is newer and less well-known than Switzerland's other famous trains, it is equally captivating. Leaving Montreux, it winds through terraced vineyards, untamed forests and the rolling mountains of the Swiss Highlands before we reach the upmarket mountain resort of Gstaad. The final stretch glides down towards Lake Thun, offering breathtaking panoramic views across the sparkling waters and surrounding peaks.

Arriving in Interlaken, enjoy free time to explore this scenic town at leisure. Nestled between Lake Thun and Lake Brienz, and framed by the peaks of the Bernese Alps, Interlaken is an idyllic alpine town renowned for its stunning views. After free time to explore, we rail back to Vevey where we enjoy our final dinner of the vacation together this evening. Overnight Vevey.

• Breakfast, Dinner

Throughout this stunning exploration of the Lake Geneva region, our stays in Lausanne and Vevey provided the perfect base from which to experience the elegance and beauty of western Switzerland. From the lakeside charm of Montreux to the fairytale setting of Château de Chillon, each day revealed a different side to this remarkable region.

We savored the flavors of Switzerland with a wine tasting in the Lavaux vineyards and a traditional fondue in medieval Gruyères, while memorable rail journeys on the GoldenPass Express and the cogwheel railway to the summit of Rochers-de-Naye showcased the country's spectacular landscapes, leaving us with lasting impressions of this beautiful corner of Europe.

Your vacation comes to a close this morning after breakfast at the hotel, and you are free to make your way home or continue your travels.

• Breakfast