A Week In... Switzerland

Tour Begins: 6:00 PM, Lausanne Palace. A transfer is included from Geneva Airport to your historic hotel in the heart of the city, Lausanne Palace. Join us this evening for a cocktail reception and welcome dinner to meet your fellow travelers.

The city of Lausanne is rich with history, majestic landscapes, impressive art and architecture. This morning, embark on a walking tour with a Switzerland chocolate tasting to discover the Old Town and its Gothic-style cathedral, and take in the majestic views of Lake Geneva at its base. After lunch, enjoy an excursion with wine tastings at a nearby vineyard.

Lausanne is located on Lake Geneva and is a French-speaking region of Vaud, Switzerland. It's more than a charming lakeside medieval city; it's home to the International Olympic Committee headquarters. The Olympic Museum celebrates the history of the Olympics and the past and modern games. On a visit here you'll explore the Greek origins of the games, the evolution of sports equipment and rules, and the Olympics' mission to promote world peace. Enjoy lunch before boarding the Golden Pass Train en route to Interlaken, the scenic trip passes through the Swiss Alps, verdant valleys and endless vineyards. Dinner this evening is at your hotel.

This morning after breakfast, embark by coach to the Swiss village of Brienz, located on the northeast shore of Lake Brienz in Switzerland's Bernese Oberland region. Upon arrival, take note of the wooden chalets and numerous sculptures dotted throughout the village paying homage to Brienz's longstanding woodcarving traditions. And what better way to become familar with this longstanding tradition than on a visit to the Trauffer woodcarving factory, known for their handcrafted wooden toys and souvenirs - most notably their red-spotted cow. Following a tour and lunch at the factory, you're off to Ballenberg, an open-air museum displaying traditional buildings and architecture from across Switzerland. Home to over 100 original buildings, some of the buildings you'll see today still operate, and will provide you with demonstrations of traditional techniques including cheesemaking and rural craft making. Return to Brienz for free time, before returning to your hotel. Tonight, dinner is on your own.

It wouldn't be a complete trip to Switzerland without a visit to Jungfraujoch, the "Top of Europe" - the highest railway station in Europe and the center of a UNESCO World Heritage Site, standing at 11,332 ft. above sea level with panoramic views of a wonderland of ice, snow and rock. Enjoy the ascent with views of the longest glacier in the Alps towards Italy, France and Germany, and at the top on the Sphinx Terrace, take in views of the Black Forest and the Vosges, as well as the Aletsch Glacier. The highest manned research and weather station in Europe is also located on the Jungfraujoch. Enjoy lunch on your own up here before taking a cable car ride back down. Dinner this evening is back in Interlaken.

After breakfast this morning, you're off to Lucerne enjoying the magnificent views of breathtaking Alpine panorama, sparkling lakes and tranquil countryside.  A guided city walking tour is followed by lunch at the Pfistern Guild Hall and free time to explore.

A day filled with mountain and lake views awaits in Goldau, a town in the community of Arth. The short drive here welcomes with views of the Rigi and Rossberg mountains, and lakes Zug and Lauerz. Upon arrival at the base of Mount Rigi, embark the first mountain railway in Europe heading for the top. Enjoy lunch at the summit where the local gastronomy accompanies the fine views. An easy cogwheel train ride takes you back down the mountain for a cruise from Vitznau back to Lucerne. Join us this evening for a farewell reception and dinner at your hotel.

Tour Ends: 8:00 AM: Mandarin Oriental Palace, Luzern. Fly home anytime. A transfer from Mandarin Oriental Palace, Luzern to Zurich Airport is included. Please allow a minimum of three hours for flight check-in at the airport.