Country Roads of Switzerland - Small Group

Arrive in Zurich and transfer to your hotel in Lucerne, where storybook charm meets alpine splendour. This evening, settle into your hotel before joining your Travel Director and fellow small group travellers for a relaxed dinner at a local restaurant.

Rise to crisp mountain air as you board an open‑top cable car powered by solar energy on a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience. Catch views of jagged alpine peaks, rolling meadows and, on a clear day, glimpses of France and Germany beyond the horizon of as you glide up Mount Stanserhorn. Up top, breathe in the scent of wildflowers as you wander peaceful trails and meet a Swiss ranger who shares stories of marmots, birds of prey and the fragile mountain ecosystem. Back in Lucerne, step into the pages of history as you cross the covered Chapel Bridge and pause at the poignant Lion Monument. You’re free to spend your afternoon at leisure.

In Bern join your Travel Director for a city orientation to see the grand Cathedral of St. Vincent and the Federal Palace Nearby, the curious Ogre Fountain adds a touch of folklore to the floral-filled streets. Afterwards, you’ll travel through the lush valleys of the Vaud Alps before arriving in Gruyères, a fortified hilltop town wrapped in vineyards and alpine meadows. Explore its cobbled streets and 13th-century castle at your own pace before heading to your hotel in Montreux.

Step into a medieval world with a special tour of the Chillon Castle — once home to the Dukes of Savoy and brought to fame by Byron’s Prisoner of Chillon. Wander stone courtyards and echoing halls and be on the lookout for the poet’s rumoured etching. Afterwards, head to a winery and enjoy a tasting of tantalising, local wines with a Farm-to-Table light dinner, made with locally sourced produce, and learn how the family is preserving the estate for future generations on this MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience.

Follow the lakeshore to elegant Geneva, where your orientation reveals the soaring Jet d’Eau, the colourful Floral Clock and rows of diplomatic buildings. Later, step aboard a sleek boat and drift past vineyards and grand villas during a first-class cruise on Lake Geneva. Back in Montreux, enjoy a free evening by the water — the perfect setting to take in the surrounding landscape and connect with your fellow travellers.

Journey through the Rhône Valley, stopping in Martigny to see a Roman amphitheatre. Next, continue on to Sion and admire twin fortresses perched high above the medieval Old Town. Finally, you’ll complete your journey via cogwheel train to the car-free mountain resort of Zermatt.

Zermatt in the summertime offers many leisure possibilities: try swimming, hiking or relaxing in the fresh alpine surrounds. Perhaps take a trip to the Klein Matterhorn, see the Matterhorn from the church bridge or sample the delicious cakes known as Kuchen?

Travel to Täsch for a scenic drive to Brig, then ascend over the Simplon Pass — taking in magnificent views over the Alps from the 2,005-metre summit. You’ll stop in the Italian town of Stresa for time at leisure to enjoy lunch and explore. Afterwards, continue to the beautiful town of Lugano for the evening.

Head up Monte Brè, riding the historic funicular, first opened in 1908, up to Switzerland’s sunniest mountain with views over Lake Lugano and the surrounding peaks. At the top, enjoy an easy hike to the best viewpoints with your Travel Director, and spend time exploring the artists’ village of Brè, before enjoying a light lunch featuring local Ticinese specialities, served with wine. Then continue through the Grisons Region, travelling via San Bernardino and the town of Tiefencastel, as you follow the Rhine River. Finally, you’ll head east towards the Julier Pass and the glamorous resort of St. Moritz, set in the Engadine Valley with the majestic Grisons Alps towering above.

Enjoy a day at leisure with your small group in this elegant resort or perhaps take a train ride over the Bernina Pass. To help you make the most of your day, your Travel Director will provide you with a mountain railways pass, offering free travel on all cable cars, funiculars and chairlifts (when available) in Engadine .

Enjoy a scenic rail journey across the Landwasser Viaduct and into the Oberalp Valley. Rejoin your coach to descend through the dramatic Schöllenen Gorge and Devil’s Bridge. Marvel at the Wetterhorn Peaks as you travel along the Grindelwald Valley. You’ll follow the sparkling Lütschine River to Lauterbrunnen, at the head of the Valley of Waterfalls, and see the Staubbach Falls plunge 300 m (984 ft) from the plateau above.

Enjoy a full day at your leisure to explore Grindelwald, a charming village nestled in the Bernese Alps. Perhaps take a cogwheel train ride to the summit of the Jungfraujoch Mountain, known as the “Top of Europe” to marvel at the panoramic views of the surrounding Alps and a chance to explore the Ice Palace and the Sphinx Observation Deck. Alternatively, hike one of the many trails that wind through the lush valleys and up into the high mountains, where the diverse flora and fauna are a delight for nature enthusiasts. If you prefer a more relaxed pace, spend your day shopping in the quaint village shops or simply soaking in the serene beauty of the area.

Take in the spectacular lake views, as you journey to Brienz, famous for its woodcarving traditions. Here, you’ll visit the Jobin Swiss Woodcarving Centre to trace the history of the trade back to the early days of the 19th century, before continuing over the Brünig Pass alongside the lakes of Lungern and Sarnen. Return to Zürich, where your Travel Director will give you a brief orientation of the Bahnhofstrasse, Grossmünster, River Limmat and Frauenmünster. Later, join your travel companions at a local restaurant for dinner and wine — raise your glass to toast to your adventures.

Say a fond farewell to Switzerland and your newfound friends at the end of an unforgettable journey. Your final hotel is located at the airport, just a short walk from the terminal.