Switzerland in a Nutshell

Arrival to Zurich

Welcome to the largest city in Switzerland - Zurich! Upon arrival, your driver meets you at the airport and transfers you to your remarkable hotel for check-in.

The rest of the day is free, so you can relax in your room, have dinner in a local restaurant, start exploring the nearby attractions or join our carefully planned optional tour.

• Please, note: in case of early arrival, city tour may be moved to Day 1 to make an introduction of the city

• Optional tour: Zurich Sunset Tour with Fondue Tasting
  This evening join a group to take a trip around the most famous gastronomical places in the Zurich area. At first visit the chocolate factory Lindt & Sprungli and enjoy a ride on the aerial cable car ride. When you reach the hilltop station Felsenegg, go to a restaurant overlooking Lake Zurich, where you enjoy the great view and taste a glass of wine or Gluhwein, then continue to another traditional restaurant to try a freshly prepared chocolate dessert and natural cheese fondue!

Exploring Lucerne Region

Following breakfast, you head to the railway station to take a train to Lucerne. In about 50 minutes you meet your guide at the station of Lucerne.

Then you are invited to take an unforgettable trip with your private guide who shows you the magnificent views of Mount Pilatus and the Lucerne region. The tour starts with a cruise across the Lake Lucerne to Alpnachstad. There you board the famous cogwheel train that takes you across the world's steepest railway passing through lush Alpine meadows, spectacular rocks and sparkling mountain streams to the top of Mt Pilatus, an altitude of which is 2132 m (6995 ft).

For the return journey, you ride a cable car to enjoy the fantastic scenery once again. As the last part of your magnificent tour, you take a 20-minute bus from Kriens to Lucerne. Tickets* for a public boat cruise, cogwheel train, cable car, and bus are included.

• Please note: boat and cogwheel train are available only from middle of May to September. The rest of the year they are replaced with cable car and bus.

After the tour, you take a train back to Zurich. The rest of the evening is free.

Zurich City Tour & Train to Chur

After breakfast, you check out from the hotel and leave your luggage in the hotel storage room. Then you meet your private guide and enjoy a perfectly-planned sightseeing tour around the most beautiful landmarks of Zurich.

Immerse yourself in the unique atmosphere of the Old Town for the following 3 hours, walking through its narrow cozy streets and exploring its breathtaking medieval houses, churches and town hall.

After the tour, you pick up your luggage and head to the railway station for a train ride to Chur. In about an hour and a half, you arrive in Switzerland's oldest city. Then you go to your cozy hotel, which is easily accessible on foot, for check-in. The evening is free, so you can explore this lovely Alpine city on your own, stroll through the largely car-free Old Town enjoying its historic buildings, galleries, boutiques, and restaurants.

Glacier Express

Following breakfast, you check out from the hotel. Today you enjoy a once-in-a-lifetime railway journey to Zermatt on board the iconic Glacier Express that presents you with fantastic views of the picturesque Swiss Alps taking you through lots of tunnels and over several hundred bridges. The so-called 'slowest express train in the world' snakes its way through valleys, mountains and even canyon.

The world-famous red trains are equipped with modern dining cars and large panoramic windows to view the spectacular scenery. This is a journey you will remember for years to come.

After a 5.5-hour train ride, you finally arrive in Zermatt, a traffic-free mountain village and enjoy views of the Pfyn-Finges Nature Park along the way. Zermatt is famous not only for being a popular ski resort. This lovely village is located in the southern canton of Valais which is home to some of the world's most spectacular mountains, including Matterhorn. Upon arrival, you go to your hotel for check-in and have the rest of the day at leisure.

Please note: Glacier Express is not running between October 14 to December 14, 2019

Day Trip to Gornergrat

After breakfast you walk to the railway station, where you board a cogwheel train equipped with large windows which allow you to enjoy a journey across the highest open-air railway in Europe. The Gornergrat Bahn is the cog railway which was the first in the world to be fully electrified. Nowadays regenerative braking system of this eco-friendly railway generates electricity on the descent and so saves energy.

After about 45 minutes you reach the station of Gornergrat which is considered to be the highest open-air railway station of Europe at an altitude of 3, 090 m (10,135 ft). Gornergrat observation platform is accessible all year round and offers one of the finest panoramas in Switzerland. From there you have a glorious view of more than 20 four-thousand m (13,123 ft) peaks, one of which is Matterhorn. A truly unforgettable experience you cannot miss!

• Please, note: It is important to wear something warm and wind/rain protective when going to Gornergrat. The temperature there is usually lower than in the cities even in summer. In case you feel too cold you can always go inside the restaurant which is close to the observation platform. The trains to/from Gornergrat are heated well.

After some free time in Gornergrat you have a train ride back to Zermatt. The rest of the day is free.

Train to Montreux & Trip to Chillon Castle

In the morning after breakfast you check out from the hotel, go to the railway station and have a train ride to Montreux also known as 'Swiss Riviera' (you have a train transfer in Visp). In about 2.5 hours your train arrives to the traditional resort town located on the shores of Geneva Lake.

After check in you take a public boat cruise on Lake Geneva to reach the most recognizable historic monument in Switzerland - Chillon Castle which dates back to medieval ages. Its charming architectural style and rich history inspired such literary geniuses as Victor Hugo, Jean-Jacques Rousseau and Lord Byron. First you admire the exterior of this historical monument from water. Upon disembarkation you have a private guided touring around the most spectacular parts of Chillon Castle.

• Optional activity: Wine Tasting in Chillon Castle

Following Chillon you head for Montreux where you meet your guide and have a private walking tour. You learn about the history and culture of charming 'Swiss Riviera' strolling along the lake shores where the summer Jazz Festival takes place. On the way up to the old town you enjoy stunning views over the lake and pass by the oldest house in Montreux, dating back to the 16th century.

After the tour you return to your hotel. The rest of the day is free.

Train to Geneva & Geneva Sightseeing

Following breakfast, you check out and go to the train station for a 1-hour train ride to Geneva, surrounded by the Alps and Jura mountains. Upon arrival, you go to your centrally-located hotel, which is easily accessible on foot, for check-in. Then you meet your guide in the hotel lobby and start exploring the highlights of Geneva, the second most populous city of Switzerland and a capital of Romandy, the French-speaking region.

You start discovering Geneva sights by the lakefront. You see one of the most famous landmarks, the Jet d'Eau fountain of 140 m (460 ft) and enjoy the view of the mountains. After you proceed to the astonishing Old Town and see St. Peter Cathedral, Reformation Wall, the English Garden with Flower Clock, Ile Rousseau and Castle Tour-de-l'ile. Finally, you take advantage of your public transport pass to view the international district of Geneva and its heart - United Nations Office located in the Palace of Nations.

The rest of the day is at your own leisure to relax, spend time enjoying views of Geneva Lake or continue exploring Geneva on your own.

Departure from Geneva

This is the final day of your tour. Following breakfast, you check-out from the hotel and your driver takes you to the airport for the departure. We wish you a safe flight and hope to work on your future vacations!

• Optional extension: If you wish, you may extend your stay in Geneva. Please contact your travel specialist for details.