SWISS ALPINE MAGIC BY RAIL

Day 1: Welcome to Switzerland!

Touch down in Zurich and kick off your Swiss adventure the way the locals do: efficiently. We’ll have your Swiss Travel Pass handy for you (you’ll be inseparable for the next two weeks) when you hop on the train, AKA the easiest way to get into town.

Your hotel for the night is located on Langstrasse, at the heart of one of the city’s edgiest, most happening neighbourhoods, and just a stone’s throw from Zurich’s Central Station. Once you’ve checked in, take a stroll in search of vintage shops and art galleries, before meeting your new Explorers crew this evening over a welcome dinner. The area’s littered with lively bars, speakeasies and trendy nightclubs, so let’s get this party started!

Accommodation: Hotel 25hours Hotel Zürich Langstrasse (or similar), Zurich
Included: Dinner

Day 2: Zürich – Bern – Interlaken 

Pack your bags (but don’t worry – you’ll see them again when they magically reappear at your hotel tonight). Swiss trains really do run like clockwork – no delays here! Press your nose to the glass as you trundle through Emmental’s rolling hills and fertile farmland (yep, it’s the valley with the holey cheese). Pass lovely Lucerne and arrive in Bern by lunchtime. Spend the afternoon wandering through the de facto capital’s UNESCO-listed Old Town, snapping selfies in front of the cathedral, posing with the puppets of the Zytglogge clock tower and of course the iconic brown bears. Dinner’s being dished up in Interlaken so you’d better get back to the station – that train won’t wait!  

Accommodation: The Hey Hotel (or similar), Interlaken
Included: Breakfast and dinner

Day 3: Interlaken to Giessbach

 Step board, you’re bound for the village of Stechelberg. From there, it’s a thrilling ride up to the Schilthorn via the world’s steepest cable car – maximum gradient 159.4% – you’ll make light work of the 775 metre climb up the Mürrenfluh cliff face to pretty Mürren. If you’re thinking this is movie-worthy you’d be right: the 1969 James Bond classic On Her Majesty’s Secret Service was filmed right here. Lunch in the Piz Gloria revolving restaurant will leave you giddy (not literally!) with delight but there’s more to come. This afternoon, visit Brig where the Thrill Walk – a suspended glass and steel walkway – is a heart-pounding optional extra. Dare you? Your second epic ascent of the day comes courtesy of the Grandhotel Giessbach funicular, whisking you up to your overnight stay in style from the boat dock. Fall asleep to the sound of the roaring Giessbach Falls.

Accommodation: Grandhotel Giessbach (or similar), Giessbach 
Included: Breakfast, lunch and dinner

Photo © Schilthornbahn AG

Day 4: The Golden Pass Express & Montreaux

Today, you’ll swap German for French. Settle in to your comfy seat on the minibus to Interlaken Ost railway station. There, you’ll hop on the fabled Golden Pass Express, where, yes, you’ll find more out-of-this-world scenery, but the real thing to get excited about is on your plate, a mountain platter piled high with local cheeses, cured meats and fresh bread. Yum! Add a drink, and suddenly, this train ride feels like a five-star experience.

Once in Montreux, it’s a short hop by bus to Chillon Castle, which perches on a rocky outcrop at the edge of Lake Geneva. From its Gothic dungeons to its fairytale turrets, this fortified landmark has many stories to uncover, so pay close attention as you tour the place with your audio guide. And as for your suitcase? It’s back! Greet it like an old friend as you settle into your new hotel for two nights.

Accommodation: Hotel Mövenpick (or similar), Lausanne 
Included: Breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 5: Vevey and UNESCO Lavaux Vineyards

Practise your best duck-footed waddle as you tour Vevey, the home of Charlie Chaplin. Did you know this is also the HQ of chocolate giant Nestlé? Afterwards, chug inland on a private Choo Choo charter through the UNESCO-listed Lavaux Vineyards which have been working their grape-growing magic for over 800 years. With vines clinging to steep terraces that tumble dramatically down to Lake Geneva, the setting is nothing short of “wow”!

Of course, you can’t visit Lavaux without stopping off at a local winery to uncover the secrets behind the region’s crisp whites and rich reds, and why it’s been the hub of Swiss winemaking for centuries. Then, it’s the moment you’ve been waiting for… it’s wine-tasting time! Swirl, sniff, sip and repeat, as you make inroads into platters laden with tasty cold meats and cheeses. A match made in heaven, if we do say so ourselves.

Accommodation: Hotel Mövenpick (or similar), Lausanne
Included: Breakfast and grazing lunch

Day 6: Zermatt, in the shadow of the Matterhorn

Swap vineyards for neck-craning  views as you head to Zermatt, the mountain town that plays host to the mighty Matterhorn. Yep, this Swiss mountain is the one you’ve seen on Toblerone packs and in your daydreams of Alpine travel your whole life. As the train climbs higher, the scenery cranks up the drama with every twist and turn. Get ready to trade ‘oohs’ and ‘ahhs’ with your fellow Explorers as the scenery ramps up with every mile. Once in Zermatt, check in, grab lunch at your leisure, and soak up the mountain town buzz before joining your guide to get busy exploring Zermatt’s history and highlights. The fact that the entire town is car-free just adds to the blissed-out vibes.

Accommodation: Hotel Simi (or similar), Zermatt
Included: Breakfast, dinner

Day 7: Gornergrat Ridge

Let’s check out Matterhorn from up-close – at the Gornergrat ridge with views so incredible they’ll knock the breath right out of your lungs (well, the 3,089m altitude will help with that). Sure, it’s a bit touristy here, but let’s face it: sometimes the touristy stuff is touristy for a reason. Soak up this perfect panorama where icy glaciers, towering peaks and that ever-iconic Matterhorn standing proud in the distance create a view you’d never get sick of! The evening is yours to wind down however you like, so prop your feet up in front of the fire to replay today’s Alpine highlights or head out and explore Zermatt’s cosy dinner spots with your Explorers crew. You’re only halfway through the trip, but you’ve already made new friends and experienced so much!

Accommodation: Hotel Simi (or similar), Zermatt
Included: Breakfast

Day 8: St Mortiz

You’ll be bouncing out of bed this morning because the day is finally here where you climb aboard the Glacier Express, Switzerland’s most famous train! Prepare for a day that pulls out all the stops – soaring peaks, plunging valleys and villages so spotless you’d think the mountains have a full-time cleaning crew. Lunch onboard is a three-course feast because, apparently, staring at world-class views burns calories. Try not to spill your soup while gawking at the Gotthard massive – the source of two of Europe’s largest rivers, the Rhone and Rhein. 

Rolling into St Moritz, you’ll notice something different right away. Maybe it’s the crisp air, sharper than anywhere else you’ve been, or the way the light dances off the lakes like it’s putting on a show just for you. You’ve seen a lot of mountain towns so far, but there’s something about St Moritz that just hits differently. The mix of German and Italian cultures means you’ll find schnitzels and espressos in equal measure. This unique vibe is sure to be the topic of conversation over dinner – and you’ll still be chattering away about it as you journey to tonight’s hotel in nearby Pontresina.

Accommodation: Hotel Saratz (or similar), Pontresina
Included: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner

Day 9: Say Hello to Italy!

Can you believe it’s Day 9 and you’re back on the rails to hop on the Bernina Express bound to… a whole new country? That’s right, who can resist making a quick day trip to Italy when it’s this close by? This engineering masterpiece will have you spiralling over circular viaducts, diving through tunnels carved into the Alps and passing scenes so wild and dramatic they don’t seem real. Just another regular old day on your Magnificent adventure!

By late morning, you’ll roll into Tirano, Italy. Woohoo! Grab a seat at a local trattoria, order whatever catches your eye and let the flavours of northern Italy remind you why crossing borders is worth it. After lunch, hop on an express bus to Lugano, a town that feels like Switzerland took a holiday in Italy and decided to stay. For the next two nights, this will be your home, where you can expect palm trees swaying by the lake, piazzas buzzing with life and gelato stands calling your name. 

Accommodation: Hotel De La Paix (or similar), Lugano
Included: Breakfast, dinner

Day 10: Castles, Cooking and Canton Ticino’s Highest Peak

Ready for a day packed with UNESCO magic, a bit of kitchen creativity, and views that will make you pinch yourself? Today, you’re hopping on a train from Lugano straight to Bellinzona, a spot famously known as Switzerland’s most Mediterranean town. Your first stop? Castel Grande, a jaw-dropping UNESCO World Heritage castle where you’ll get to wander through the ancient courtyard and soak in the history. Afterwards, enjoy a lazy stroll through the sun-drenched old town—think cobblestone squares, vibrant street cafés, and boutique shops that are just begging to be explored.

By lunchtime, you’re trading the sightseeing for an apron! You’ll be putting your culinary skills to the test as you whip up your very own, authentic Ticino risotto. Served with a side of perfectly prepared meat and a crisp glass of local wine, it’s the ultimate “I made this!” moment. Once you’re full and happy, another train journey sweeps you south to the Mendrisiotto region. Here, you’ll board a charming, vintage mountain train that climbs gracefully through lush chestnut forests to the very top of Ticino: Monte Generoso. The reward? Breathtaking, panoramic views of the entire region and its sparkling lakes. If the weather gods are smiling, you’ll even spot the snow-capped Alps in one direction and the skyline of Milan in the other! 

Accommodation: Hotel De La Paix Lugano (or similar), Lugano
Included: Breakfast, lunch

Photo © Switzerland Tourism – Roland Gerth

Day 11: Gotthard Panorama Express & a Cogwheel Train

All aboard the Gotthard Panorama Express, your front-row seat to Switzerland’s greatest hits.  You’d better have packed that nifty overnight bag this morning because you’re about to head way off the map in the afternoon. A cogwheel train (and not just any cogwheel railway – the oldest in Europe, in operation since 1871) will carry you straight up the mountain to Hotel Rigi Kaltbad, your overnight hideaway! Take a deep breath – you’re surrounded by alpine life here. Not only does the nearby forest tickle the air with a fresh pine scent, but the hotel’s mineral spa is calling your name, and ready to work its magic on you! Dinner is served at the hotel, so the only thing left to do is soak, savour and soak some more. Challenge accepted!

Accommodation: Hotel Rigi Kaltbad (or similar), Kaltbad
Included: Breakfast, dinner

Day 12: Cheese, Cruising and Lovely Lucerne

Your mountain escape comes to an end as you hop back on the cogwheel train for one last wow-worthy descent to Vitznau. But don’t get too misty-eyed – there’s still plenty more adventure ahead, including a yummy encounter with cheese! After a quick inspection of the dairy, a traditional mountain cheese lunch at Rigi Kulm featuring a cheese fondue and raclette tasting is bound to get your tastebuds jumping for joy. From Vitznau, you’ll board yet another lake cruise across the water to Lucerne, your next stop. On arrival, reunite with your luggage. This afternoon, you’ll trade the rails and waterways of Switzerland for some good old walking, as you explore Lucerne with a local expert. Between the crooked bridges, wonky clock towers and buildings so intricate they look hand-stitched, you’re in for a real treat!

Accommodation: Hotel Astoria (or similar), Lucerne
Included: Breakfast, lunch

Photo © Switzerland Tourism

Day 13: Voralpen Express and St Gallen

It’s almost time to close the chapter on this Swiss adventure, but not before squeezing every last drop out of it. Hop on the Voralpen Express this morning and glide through rolling hills and forested valleys on your way to St Gallen, a UNESCO World Heritage city with a history older than your great-great-grandparents. Once the tour wraps up, you’ll have free time to grab lunch in town before setting off back to where it all began: Zurich. Check in, freshen up and get ready to celebrate in style. Tonight’s farewell dinner is one for the books, with plates of Swiss specialities flying out of the kitchen and an opportunity to share those even-funnier-in-hindsight stories, a whole load of belly laughs and maybe one last round of cheese. The perfect send-off!

Accommodation: 25hours Hotel (or similar), Zurich
Included: Breakfast, dinner

Photo © Switzerland Tourism – Jan Geerk

Day 14: Farewell Friends!

Enjoy one final breakfast at the hotel before that time you’ve been dreading… it’s time to say your goodbyes. Swap contact details with your Explorer besties and relive the trip’s best bits (glacier views, clinking glasses and epic train rides that made every other commute in your life look tragic) as you say your farewells. It’s the last call for your Swiss Travel Pass and at this point, you’re basically honorary Swiss. See you next time!

Included: Breakfast