Itinerary Details
Swiss Train Escape
Day 1: ARRIVE IN ST. GALLEN, SWITZERLAND Welcome to St. Gallen! At 6 pm, meet your Tour Director and traveling companions for a welcome dinner at your hotel. (Nearest airport is Zurich). (D)
Day 2: ST. GALLENSwiss Specialties This morning, join an orientation walk of St. Gallen’s Old Town and see the UNESCO-listed Abbey District with its baroque Cathedral, named after St. Gall an Irish monk doing missionary work, and world-famous library. Enjoy free time this afternoon and evening. (B)
ENHANCED FREE TIME
EXPLORE MORE It may not be the most famous city in Switzerland, but St. Gallen is one of the country’s gems. It boasts a charming old town, featuring half-timbered houses and carved bay windows, the oldest soccer team on Continental Europe, the oldest brewery in Switzerland, and was once responsible for approximately half the world’s embroidery production. Take a stroll down the Marktgasse and sample a famous St. Gallen Bratwurst.
Day 3: ST. GALLEN–LUCERNEScenic Surroundings This morning, board the Voralpen Express train for a scenic journey through Switzerland’s Pre-Alps, providing beautiful views of lakes, hills, and villages. Arrive in Lucerne, spend some free time exploring and settling into your hotel before [LF] enjoying dinner at a local restaurant this evening. (B,D)
TOUR HIGHLIGHT
PICTURE PERFECT Lucerne is considered an alpine gem, nestled among the mountains and set on the edge of a glacier lake. It is also home to one of Switzerland’s most iconic monuments - Bertel Thorvaldsen’s Lion Monument, a moving commemoration of the Swiss Guards who were massacred in 1792 during the French Revolution. Why not take a stroll to see why Mark Twain described it as 'the most mournful and moving piece of stone in the world.'
Day 4: LUCERNE Bridging History This morning, join an orientation walk to see the highlights of Lucerne. Admire the 14th century Chapel Bridge that crosses the River Reuss, and the charming Altstadt (old town) with its quaint streets and painted buildings. Enjoy free time this afternoon and evening to get better acquainted with this alpine gem. (B)
TOUR HIGHLIGHT
CITY SIGHTS See the symbol of Lucerne, the famous Kapellbrücke (Chapel Bridge), the oldest wooden covered bridge in Europe. Originally built in 1365, the bridge includes the Wasserturm (water tower) that once served as a prison. Today, this world-famous timber bridge is Lucerne’s most photographed landmark.
Day 5: LUCERNE–BERNComing Up Roses in Bern Board your train this morning and enjoy the views before arriving in beautiful Bern, capital city of Switzerland. Join your Local Guide for a sightseeing tour and stroll through the UNESCO-listed Old Town with its ornate fountains and entertaining Zytglogge (clock tower). Free time this evening to explore more and sample some local specialties. (B)
TOUR HIGHLIGHT
CITY SIGHTS Bern’s Old Town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, captivates visitors with its beautifully preserved medieval streets, perched on a hill embraced by the winding Aare River. Elegant limestone arcades, vibrant 16th-century fountains, and graceful sandstone buildings together form one of Europe’s most atmospheric historic centers. Iconic landmarks like the Zytglogge clock tower and the Bern Minster—Switzerland’s tallest cathedral—showcase the city’s rich cultural heritage.
Day 6: BERN–LAKE GENEVALife on the Lake Depart Bern by train and arrive at Lausanne, located on Lake Geneva, the largest freshwater lake in Central Europe. Enjoy free time to linger in Lausanne, stroll around the old town or perhaps discover its Olympic heritage (B)
TOUR HIGHLIGHT
PICTURE PERFECT The glistening waters of Lake Geneva lap against its French and Swiss shores in the serene surroundings of sublime vineyards and countryside. Belle Epoque sailboats traverse the lakeshores amid castles, museums, and resort towns as they have for over a century.
Day 7: LAKE GENEVA Grandeur in Geneva Today, enjoy an included excursion by train to Chillon Castle and Montreux. Be captivated by anecdotal accounts and historical background during a guided tour of the historic castle. Enjoy some free time in Montreux, often referred to as the Swiss Riviera, and favored by music stars as a recording location. Take time to stroll around town and along the stunning lakeside promenade. Join your travel companions this evening for a farewell dinner. (B,D)
TOUR HIGHLIGHT
HISTORIC SPOT Located in a strategic position on the banks of Lake Geneva, Chillon Castle has been a toll station for ships sailing on the lake. Learn about these fascinating stories while strolling through this serene location and take in breath-taking views of the surrounding area.
Day 8: LAKE GENEVASafe travels until we meet again! Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning. (The nearest airport is Geneva.) (B)
