Adventure Travel
Switzerland
What Makes this an Adventure Travel Vacation?
Tour Hidden Trails & Majestic Peaks; Ascend 10,000 Feet on Europe's Highest Railway.
Hidden Trails & Majestic Peaks
From the soaring Alps to the picturesque Swiss Riviera - set your sights on an active journey across Switzerland by train. Walk through centuries-old vineyards and taste unparalleled Swiss wine. Soak in views of the Matterhorn from the mountain town of Zermatt. Admire the landscape from your train window as you journey along the country’s valleys. Receive your personal Swiss Travel Pass, granting you entrance into all of Switzerland’s 500 museums. Nestled between four countries, you’ll discover a world of pastoral splendor, striking mountains, and crystalline lakes.
The Details
- 10 nights accommodation
- On some dates additional accommodations may be used
- Services of a tour manager
- All on-tour transportation and related fees
- Hotel-to-hotel baggage handling
- Round trip home to airport sedan service provided when you purchase airfare through Member Choice Vacations. One transfer per person, per reservation. (Restrictions apply)
- 10 breakfasts, 2 lunches, 3 dinners
Full Itinerary
Day 1: Overnight Flight
You’re on your way to a world wedged between Germany, Austria, France and Italy - the country of four languages that’s one of the most heralded destinations in Europe. Your journey through Switzerland will be entirely by train, offering an up close and personal rendezvous with the best the country has to offer from the Alps to the historic villages of the Swiss Riviera. Get ready to experience the culture, history and lifestyle of Switzerland firsthand.
Day 2
- Dinner
- Best Western Premier Hotel Beaulac
Neuchâtel, Switzerland - Tour Begins
Willkkommen! Bienvenue! After you collect your luggage at the airport, board a Swiss Rail train to Neuchâtel, where Gothic landmarks and sandstone grandeur beckon you to discover the abundant history of this medieval waterfront city. This evening, look out over Lake Neuchâtel at dinner with your fellow travelers before retiring to your lakefront room.
Day 3
- Breakfast
- Best Western Premier Hotel Beaulac
Neuchâtel - Boudry - Neuchâtel
Start your morning on a walking tour and discover the treasures of Neuchâtel’s historic quarter, taking in its unique architecture and structures from the Belle Époque period. Your day continues at Château de Boudry, a 13th-century castle home to the Museum of Vine and Wine. Wander through the museum with an expert insider, ending with a taste of the local favorites and a sample of 4 different wines.
Day 4
- Breakfast
- Best Western Premier Hotel Beaulac
Neuchâtel - Môtiers - Neuchâtel
Embark on a rail journey to the village of Noiraigue at the eastern end of the Val de Travers. A visit to the Maison de l’Absinthe introduces you to the eventful history behind the region’s production of absinthe, while a stroll through the grounds of the museum yields the sight of some 1,200-strong plants and herbs – absinthe’s loyal ingredients. Enjoy a tasting of 2 absinthe varietals, and bring out the kid in you during a make-your-own absinthe ice cream workshop.
Day 5
- Breakfast & Dinner
- Hotel Alex
Neuchâtel - Bern - Zermatt
From Neuchâtel, travel via train to Bern, the Swiss capital city. Enjoy time at leisure to discover Bern’s enthralling blend of influences - old and new. Then it’s on to the resort village of Zermatt, nestled against the backdrop of the Matterhorn. This evening, join a resident expert for a discussion on how climate change is affecting the Alps and learn how villages like Zermatt are acting to create a sustainable future.
Day 6
- Breakfast
- Hotel Alex
Zermatt
This morning, scale the Alps on a funicular ride to the mountain paradise of Sunnegga* to take in breathtaking views of the famed Matterhorn. The remainder of the day is yours to explore all that Zermatt has to offer. Consider joining an optional tour with a local Alpinist and ascend more than 10,000 feet on Europe’s highest mountain railway - the Gornergrat. Set out on a leisurely hike and learn about the flora and fauna that inhabit the mountain landscape.
Day 7
- Breakfast
- Astra Hotel Vevey
Zermatt - Vevey
Head to the north shore of Lake Geneva to Vevey, one of the “Pearls of the Swiss Riviera,” with awe-inspiring views of the Alps. Enjoy a walking tour before exploring the sights and sounds independently during an afternoon at leisure.
Day 8
- Breakfast & Lunch
- Astra Hotel Vevey
Vevey - Lavaux - Vevey
A relaxed morning in Vevey preludes your journey to the terraced vineyards of Lavaux. Begin with lunch at a family-owned restaurant before visiting with our friends, Jacques and Aurelia, for a wine tasting nestled amongst the vines. Traipse the Lavaux vineyards (UNESCO) on foot before enjoying another tasting of the region’s finest varieties.
Day 9
- Breakfast & Dinner
- Astra Hotel Vevey
Vevey
Today, it’s your choice! Enjoy free time, perhaps taking advantage of your Swiss Travel Pass to discover the city’s museums, including the Swiss Camera Museum, Charlie Chaplin Museum, and the Nestle Foundation’s Nest -OR- discover Montreux and Château de Chillon, before ferrying back to Vevey on Lake Geneva. Join your travel companions for dinner this evening.
Day 10
- Breakfast
- Hotel Astoria Lucerne
Vevey - Lucerne
Travel by train to Lucerne, known as the “Swiss Paradise on the Lake.” Amble through Altstadt (Old Town) with your guide, uncovering the town’s 800-year-old secrets and history. You’ll walk along the famous covered Chapel Bridge, built in the early 14th century and stretching its way across the River Reuss. The remainder of the day is yours to explore however you’d like.
Day 11
- Breakfast & Lunch
- Hotel Astoria Lucerne
Lucerne
Make the most of a relaxing morning on your own. Wish Switzerland goodbye at a farewell lunch, taking an open-air cable car to the top of Mount Stanserhorn and dining at its revolving restaurant. Enjoy your meal as you take in stunning 360-degree views, the perfect ending to your Swiss sojourn. The evening is yours to soak up the last of Lucerne’s inviting ambience.
Day 12
- Breakfast
Lucerne - Tour Ends
Depart for home, dreaming of snowy Alps and captivating cultures.
Post Night
Hotel Astoria Lucerne
Would you like to end your vacation with an additional Hotel in Lucerne?