Switzerland’s Alps and Heritage

Day 1 – Lucerne

Welcome to Lucerne, upon your arrival, you will be greeted by your trip manager, and be treated with local specialities. Lucerne is known as the ‘city of lights,’ and home to Richard Wagner lazily lies around its eponymous indigo lake surrounded by beautiful Swiss scenery and towering mountains. Explore with your guide the many cobblestone alleyways with elaborately frescoed buildings and beautiful medieval squares. Follow the meandering cherry road as it winds you through magical lands of cherry trees and kirsch before heading towards the Chapel Bridge, considered the oldest covered wooden bridge in Europe. Savor the tradition and modernity harmoniously collide with its innovative designs and architecture and is showcased in Jean Nouvel’s Culture and Convention Centre.

Return to your hotel to rest or explore your immediate surroundings on your own or with your trip manager. Later, enjoy a delicious cocktail or two and a three-course Swiss dinner at your hotel.

Day 2 – Lucerne

Breakfast is packed with Lucerne delights such as open-faced freshly-baked bread slices, birchermüesli, and a fresh fruit salad or buttery and sweet croissants. Lucerne has an opulent heritage that you can continue to explore either under your own steam or with your trip manager. Along the banks of the River Reuss are fastidiously maintained esplanades boasting seemingly endless eateries that serve traditional hearty raclette, gooey fondue, rösti, and Zürcher Geschnetzeltes.

Wander through the narrow streets and admire the old burgher’s houses and little squares. If you prefer to go further afield, then you can choose from a carefully curated collection of explorations that will unravel the magic of Engelberg, Mt. Titlis, and Mt. Pilatus. If you prefer to discover regional cheese and beer offerings, Venez Discover Switzerland has tasty curated explorations that suit every palate, 

Day 3 – Lucerne to Zurich

After breakfast, board the luxury Swiss train in first-class accommodation and embark on a fleeting journey through magnificent countryside and mountainous landscapes: past whitewashed houses and pretty villages, cross viaducts over rivers as you head to Zurich.

When you arrive at your Zurich city hotel, you’ll have time to freshen up before exploring one of Europe’s most stylish cities. The Old Town enjoys guild houses, churches, and captivating historic places adorn the Limmat River banks. Your guide will take you through hidden streets and picturesque squares as he unravels the history of this magical lakeside city. He’ll pepper his stories with entertaining anecdotes and ancient secrets of the Bahnhofstrasse.

After an exciting morning filled with adventure, return to your hotel to rest or explore your local neighborhood before dressing up for a three-course dinner and divine cocktails at your hotel.

Day 4 – Zurich

After a hearty breakfast of fresh bread, butter, marmalade, and cheese, there is a comprehensive collection of curated explorations for you. Choose to discover the intricate art of traditional Swiss watchmaking or head to the Home of Chocolate Museum. In this ultimate Lindt chocolate attraction, you will learn how cocoa conquered Europe and made the lives of its inhabitants sweeter. Listen to the thunderous and most powerful waterfall in Europe, the Rhine Falls, which connects Schaffhausen and Zürich. Schaffhausen is a unique medieval town with pastel-colored houses that line the pedestrian-only Old Town on the Rhine banks; its Munot fortress stands proudly atop the vineyard dotted hill. If you want even more history, St. Gallen’s has a beautiful Baroque cathedral in which, The Abbey Library houses some 170,000 documents, some of which are hand-written and over a thousand years old.

Day 5 – Zurich to St. Moritz

Pack your bags, say farewell to Zurich and make your way to St. Moritz in the comfortable first-class seating aboard the magnificent Swiss Train. You’ll meander through meadows and white-peaked mountains, medieval villages and pastel-colored towns and fields of happy Braunvieh, Holstein and Swiss Fleckvieh cattle, Valais Blackneck goat, and the Engadine sheep.

En route to St. Moritz, you’ll make a stop at Chur, a UNESCO World Heritage, and city that was almost entirely destroyed by fire in 1464. Guided by your trip manager, savor the mountains and breathtaking vineyards encircle Switzerland’s oldest Altstadt (Old Town), which is like a vibrant gallery with arty boutiques, cool-vibed bars, and authentic restaurants.

In St. Moritz, with your trip manager, explore the town overlooking dark emerald green forests, an aquamarine lake proud, and imposing mountains. Since 1865, St. Moritz has been luring royals, celebrities, hosted the Winter Olympics in 1928 and 1948, and discovered the mineral springs 3000 years ago at this winter wonderland.

Upon arrival at your hotel, you can choose to rest, or if you prefer, you can continue to explore this prosperous town before indulging in a world-class dinner and plentiful cocktails.

Day 6 – St. Moritz

After breakfast, you can explore more of St. Moritz under your own steam or hop on the Bernina Express through the region’s prestigious UNESCO World Heritage sites. If you prefer adventure, head to the nearby mountains on a selection of curated explorations such as exploring Piz Nair, part of the Albula Alps, which overlooks St. Moritz in the canton of Graubünden.

Day 7 – St. Moritz to Zermatt

After a hearty mountain breakfast, you’ll make your way to Zermatt aboard the mesmerizing Glacier Express in first-class accommodation. Although known as the slowest express train in the world, the Glacier Express from St. Moritz to Zermatt is undoubtedly the most delightful. Almost 300 KM of mountains, valleys, 291 bridges, viaducts, 91 tunnels, medieval villages, churches, foaming rivers, and turquoise mirror-like lakes dot the spectacular scenery. You’ll know when you have arrived in Zermatt; the Matterhorn’ peacocks’ its hypnotic beauty as it towers above the town. The Matterhorn is a mysterious monolith that has captivated skiers and climbers for centuries. It’s seen the likes of Theodore Roosevelt and Winston Churchill scale their peaks.

At your chalet-style hotel, appreciate a rest, and after freshening up, enjoy the finest local cuisine and locally inspired cocktails.

Day 8 – Zermatt

Enjoy a local Matterhorn breakfast; you’ll spend the entire day mesmerized with Zermatt’s ever-changing beauty as the light moves across its rugged peaks. Your trip manager will highlight the indulged culture as you stroll along strewn streets dotted with 16th-century timber granaries propped up on stone disks and stilts to keep out bothersome vermin. Continue to the fountain that commemorates Ulrich Inderbinen, a Zermatt-born mountaineer Nicknamed the King of the Alps who climbed the Matterhorn 370 times, the last time at age 90. Breathe in the clean mountain air and revel in the offerings this extraordinary destination has to offer.

If you are looking for a day of adventure, fly high above the mountains in a helicopter, take the opportunity to heli-ski the Matterhorn, or walk around the five lakes, three of which reflect the Matterhorn with mirror-like precision.

Day 9 – Zermatt to Bern

Savor the last moments of Zermatt and the almighty Matterhorn as you head to Bern for the next leg of your journey. Aboard the Swiss Train, you’ll travel first-class through gloriously rolling countryside and yet more mountains as you head north past Interlaken Thunersee.

On arrival in Bern, you will explore Switzerland’s capital city and the UNESCO World Heritage Listed Old Town with your trip manager and wander through the ancient picture-postcard streets. Bern is built on a spectacular sandstone ridge predominately encircled by the River Aare as it lazily forms an island interspersed with ancient stone bridges. The Aare is a beautiful pale turquoise color; the water is rich with minerals from the rocks over which it flows.

After an exciting morning of discovery, retire to your hotel to rest or continue to explore your local neighborhood and region with a selection of curated explorations before relaxing for a hearty Bern-style dinner and cocktails at your hotel in the evening.

Day 10 – Bern

Begin your day with a breakfast of Bernoises specialties; Ovomaltine, Langgass-Tee, Mandelbäli, and more. Explore Bernese Oberland’s nearby cities’ region on your own or choose from a selection of Venez Discover Switzerland curated explorations. Head to Basel and uncover their love of beer, Interlaken and the top of Europe, or even visit Thun and hike around the famous Blue Lake. The lake is in a fairytale setting and holds an immensely sad folkloric tale.

Day 11 – Bern to Geneva

A big Bern breakfast will keep you going until you reach Geneva. Join the Swiss Train in the comfort of first-class accommodation. Watch the glorious countryside, and its magical colors swirl past your window as you take in the rolling countryside, sparkling lakes, and the prettiest Swiss villages. You’ll travel along the breathtaking shores of Lake Leman, Lake Neuchâtel, and its grand terraced vineyards with a spellbinding view of the Alps.

If you are in the mood for adventure, why not make a detour to Gruyères, the famous home of Swiss cheese, for a tour and a delicious cheese tasting accompanied by a private guide. Gruyères is a great melting cheese, particularly suited for fondues served from a caquelon (a communal pot). Be spellbound by the extraordinary Gruyères Castle that stands proudly at the peak of Fribourg’s imposing Alpine foothills. Discover the Cailler family factory, which has been producing indulgent chocolate since 1898; you will be able to sample the world’s finest chocolate.

Upon arrival in Geneva, freshen up in your beautiful hotel before exploring Switzerland’s most cosmopolitan city. The beautiful city is encircled by the Rhône, Lake Geneva, the snow-capped Geneva and Jura Mountains, and the famed Mont Blanc’s views. With your trip manager, explore fascinating museums, galleries, restaurants, and the birthplace of watchmaking. Wander in Geneva’s old town, explore magical cobbled streets, and discover where Jean-Jacques Rousseau was born. Explore Saint Peter’s Cathedral, walk under Parc des Bastions’ shady trees and flit across Lake Geneva’s shores in vibrant yellow mouettes.

After a busy afternoon exploring, relax, and enjoy a lavish dinner and cocktails back at your hotel.

Day 12 – Geneva

Breakfast is packed with Genevan delights such as open-faced freshly-baked bread slices smothered with Cenovis, honey or jam, birchermüesli, and a fresh fruit salad.

Geneva has a rich heritage that embraces multicultural communities that bring a fusion of traditions to the vibrant city. Explore the refined art of watchmaking in the Old Town. Feast on raclette, fondue, and delicious hot chocolate pots. If you prefer to go further afield, consider Montreux, Lausanne and Vevey Wines, Chamonix Mont-Blanc, Cern Nuclear Plant, or Evian’s Water Tour. Your trip manager is always on hand to assist you.

Geneva to your next destination or home

This is your last day. Depending on your schedule for your next destination or flight home, you might want to continue sightseeing around gorgeous Geneva, purchase some more souvenirs, or relax.