Grand Tour of Switzerland

Spend your day exploring what many consider to be one of the world’s most beautiful cities. Hugging the shores of Lake Lucerne, with mountains as a backdrop, Lucerne’s must-see highlights include the 14th-century landmark of Chapel Bridge, the old city square of Weinmarkt and the fortified Musegg Wall. Don’t miss the Dying Lion of Lucerne – a rock sculpture described by Mark Twain as ‘the saddest and most moving piece of rock in the world’. Perhaps take a day trip to one of the spectacular mountains surrounding Lucerne, Mt Pilatus, Mt Titlis or Mt Rigi. In the evening, try regional specialities like Lucerne vol-au-vents, dried meats or fillet of lake trout. Overnight in Lucerne.

Depart Lucerne on a voyage along Lake Lucerne, passing Rütli Meadow (where Switzerland was founded in 1291) and Tell’s Chapel (where Wilhelm Tell is said to have made his daring escape). Arrive in Flüelen and transfer to the historic Gotthard Panorama Express to Lugano. Travelling in a first-class panorama coach, relax as you watch the spellbinding scenery slip past. Highlights include Wassen, where the train gains height in a series of loops, allowing you to admire the village’s striking Baroque church several times before travelling through the 15km-long Gotthard Railway Tunnel, a masterpiece of engineering dating from 1882. Travelling past the UNESCO World Heritage Site, the trio of 15th-century Bellinzona castles of Castelgrande, Montebello and Sasso Corbaro before arriving in the lakeside town of Lugano.

The Italian-speaking Swiss town of Lugano is not only famous for its spectacular views of the San Salvatore and Bré Mountains, but also for its colourful neoclassical architecture and intimate old town. With two days to explore Lugano, we’d recommend taking the funicular up to San Salvatore or Bré Mountain and then hiking back, taking a boat trip on Lake Lugano, sampling some local and seasonal cuisine and simply enjoying the town’s beautiful architecture – the cathedral of San Lorenzo is well worth a visit. Both nights in Lugano.

Your first part of the journey is on the 3-hour Bernina Express bus to Tirano, where you join another classic route: the Bernina Express train to St Moritz. Climbing to 2,253m, you’ll reach Ospizio Bernina station – the highpoint of this exciting trans-Alpine railway. Panoramic carriages provide unobstructed views of the surrounding glaciers and peaks. Spend the following two nights in St Moritz.

Birthplace of Alpine winter tourism, St Moritz has twice hosted the Winter Olympics – but summer is equally beguiling in this spa resort where mineral springs were discovered 3,000 years ago. With a full day to immerse yourself in this Alpine paradise, choose from a plethora of activities, ranging from hiking and mountain biking to sailing, horse riding and golf. Don’t miss a romantic carriage ride around the lake, through the town or Staz forest. Overnight in St Moritz.

Embark on the classic Glacier Express rail journey to the famous Swiss ski resort of Zermatt at the foot of the Matterhorn. This 290km, 7.5hr train ride takes you through a head-spinning kaleidoscope of snow-capped peaks and narrow valleys, through spiral tunnels and across the Obralp Pass. Perhaps the crowning glory of this epic train journey is traversing the Landwasser – a curved, six-arched limestone viaduct, completed in 1902 and carrying you 65m above a ravine before burrowing straight into a tunnel carved in the cliff face. Overnight in Zermatt.

Spend the morning and afternoon exploring this car-free village offering numerous summer activities. We recommend the cogwheel train ride to Gornergrat which takes you to over 3,000m for a breathtaking view of the Matterhorn. It’s also a great starting point for Alpine walks. In the late afternoon or evening, take a leisurely 2.5 hour train journey to Montreux via Visp. Following two nights in Montreux.

An idyllic montage of mountains, lake and vineyards… Montreaux has inspired artists, writers and musicians ranging from Freddie Mercury and Prince to Igor Stravinski. It feels almost Mediterranean along the shores of Lake Geneva between Villeneuve and Lutry where Montreaux Riviera enjoys a microclimate that sustains the famous terraced vineyard of Lavaux (a UNESCO World Heritage Site). Enjoy a wine tour, or venture from the lake shore into the forests where walking trails lead through alpine meadows to fabulous panoramic viewpoints. Overnight in Montreaux.

Today, you continue your journey on the Golden Pass Panoramic train. Leaving Montreux, enjoy the wonderful views of Lake Geneva before climbing to the glitzy Swiss resort of Gstaad and then on to a high point near Saanenmöser at 1,279m, finally weaving through the mountain-framed Simmen Valley, verdant with farms and forests, before arriving in Interlaken, where you spend the following two nights.

Boasting spectacular views of three famous Swiss peaks – Mönch, Jungfrau and Eiger – Interlaken makes a superb base for exploring the Bernese Alps by train, funicular, cable car and, of course, via an extensive network of hiking trails. An optional cruise on either Lake Thun or Brienz aboard an historic paddle-steamer is highly recommended. Overnight in Interlaken.

Spend the morning and afternoon to explore further in the Interlaken area before embarking on the 2 hour train journey to Zürich, where you spend the following 2 nights.

With a full day to explore Zürich, we suggest heading to the medieval old town, Altstadt, and strolling along the waterfront where you can admire the beautiful guild houses that were built for tradespeople such as carpenters, merchants and spice dealers. Zürich’s Niederhof area is also worth exploring. Dominated by the Romanesque church of Grossmünster, it’s riddled with cobblestone alleys lined with trendy boutiques and Swiss eateries. Don’t miss the Neo-Baroque Conditorei 1842 where you can treat yourself to traditional sweets or sample the truffles, pralines and cakes. Visit the Cabaret Voltaire to learn about the birth of the Dada movement over a century ago. Overnight in Zürich.

Board the morning train to Paris Gare du Lyon, then transfer to Gare du Nord for the evening Eurostar to London.