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“The guides were great. I liked that they tweaked the itinerary for the group abilities and desires as the tour progressed.” - Cheese, Chocolate & the Alps guest
Upon arrival in Zurich, you will use your provided 1st Class rail pass to board the train that will take you on a picturesque 3-hour ride along the shores of Lake Geneva (Lac Leman) and arrive in the lakeside city of Montreux. The tour group will meet at 2:00 pm in the hotel lobby. We will ride the bus to the well-preserved 12th-century Chillon Castle. This remarkable citadel, set against the stunning backdrop of the lake, was made famous by Lord Byron. Following our visit to the castle, we will take a tranquil 45-minute walk along the lakeshore promenade to return to Montreux. (D)
Distance: just over 2 miles | Walking Time: 1 hour (may vary)
Today, we will travel to Maison Cailler Chocolate Factory to take a tour before continuing to the Gruyère Cheese Factory, where we will explore the world of cheese making. Just up the hill from the cheese factory is the walled medieval village of Gruyères, with its picture-perfect setting on a hill overlooking rolling pre-alpine farmlands. The cows that graze in the peaceful valley of the Sarine river, produce the milk for both the Gruyère cheese and Switzerland’s finest milk chocolate. We will have time to explore this historic village and its 13th-century castle, home to the Counts of Gruyères. To top off the day, we’ll enjoy the tradition of cheese fondue —made with the finest Gruyère cheese, of course. Following dinner, we will return by train to Montreux. (BD)
Today, we'll head off to explore the sun-kissed terraced vineyards of the Lavaux UNESCO World Heritage Site. We will wind through the vineyards, comprised of 14 wine villages, nestled among the vines and reflecting the region’s 1000-year winemaking heritage. We will then arrive at the Vinorama, which includes an explanation of winemaking, followed by a wine tasting. We will learn about the cultural traditions of the region and the complexity and terroir of the wine. (B) Guests will have the opportunity to enjoy dinner on their own in Montreux tonight.
Distance: 2.75-3.75 miles | Walking Time: 1-2 hours | Mostly walking downhill (may vary)
This morning, we’ll board the panoramic GoldenPass Express train that will take us through the beautiful pre-alp villages of Gstaad and Chateau d’Oex to arrive in the town of Interlaken, gateway to the Jungfrau region which is in the German part of Switzerland. In the afternoon, we will ride a cable car to Männlichen where we can walk the "royal walk" to Kleine Scheidegg before taking the train to Grindelwald. (BD)
Distance: 3 miles | Waking Time: 2 hours | Hike on dirt trails that are mostly level or slight descent (may vary)
This morning, we'll witness the process of cheese making in the Alps and gain insight into the age-old customs of being an Alpine farmer and cheesemaker. Perched in the high meadows above Grindelwald, the mountainside farm offers stunning views of the Eiger, Mönch, and Jungfrau peaks as we watch cheese being created in a cauldron over an open fire. In the afternoon, we'll embark on a journey into the heart of the Jungfrau region on a classic railway trip to the Jungfraujoch, known as the "Top of Europe." Our adventure begins with a ride on the Eiger Express cable car from Grindelwald to Eigergletscher, then continues with a cogwheel train through the tunnel inside the Eiger mountain, leading us to the Jungfraujoch. This is the highest railway station in Europe, offering views of the longest glacier in the Alps. Attractions at the summit include the Ice Palace, where we'll venture into the heart of the glacier, and Lindt Heaven, where we can taste the latest flavors of Lindt’s renowned Lindor Truffles, including exclusive creations not yet available to the public. (BD)
Today we will travel as a group by rail to Lugano which is a picturesque city located in the Italian-speaking region of Ticino, Switzerland. Known for its beautiful setting along the shores of Lake Lugano and surrounded by mountains, the city offers stunning views and a mild, Mediterranean-style climate. Once we arrive in Lugano, and settle into our lakeshore hotel, we will set out on a Lake Lugano cruise and end up at a charming grotto or quaint lakeside village for a Risotto workshop and dinner. (BD)
You can’t come to Switzerland without experiencing one of their famous Saturday markets! The Bellinzona market has vendors from all over the region bringing their locally produced foods and artisan wares. Cheese, bread, sausage, preserves, and fresh produce make up a colorful marketplace. Then it’s up to the iconic castle of Bellinzona which comprises yet another UNESCO World Heritage Site. In the afternoon, you will have some free time to explore Lugano on your own. (B) Guests will have the opportunity to enjoy dinner on their own in Lugano tonight.
After our final breakfast in the Italian speaking region of Switzerland, we head back to the German speaking city of Zürich. In the afternoon, we will visit the Lindt Chocolate Factory and experience the "Home of Chocolate." The hotel we will be staying in is on the famous Bahnhofstrasse, home to one of the most exclusive shopping avenues in the world. We will also be within walking distance of Old-town Zürich, which you will be free to discover. (BD)
After your final breakfast, you are free to leave for your onward departure from Zürich. The Zürich airport is a 12-minute train ride, but we recommend that you don't have any flights that leave before 9:00am, on this day. (B)
We rate this trip as easy to slightly moderate since there are some easier hikes on this tour and a fair amount of walking. You should be in good physical condition and capable of walking 2-4 miles per day, either on well-maintained and graded walking paths, or cobblestone streets, with a vertical elevation gain of up to 500 feet per day, at an elevation up to 10,000 feet above sea level. There will be times when stairs can not be avoided, so guests will need the ability to go up and down stairs. During some workshops, you should also be able to stand for up to one hour at a time, without assistance.
