Iconic Switzerland: 13 days Zurich to Lausanne

Welcome to Zurich. Framed by alpine mountains at the confluence of Lake Zurich and the Limmat River, this magnificent city is known for the extraordinary quality of life it offers to its citizens. It’s also Switzerland’s largest city and its commercial and cultural centre.

Check in to your luxury hotel and enjoy a relaxed evening before your journey commences.

This morning, discover Zurich’s treasures on a guided walking tour. Wander through the Old Town’s winding streets, the medieval square of Niederdorf, across bridges over the peaceful Limmat River, and admire the ninth-century Fraumunster Church with its renowned stained-glass windows created by legendary artist Marc Chagall.

Later, join your fellow guests for a memory that will be cherished long after you return home.

Scenic Enrich
Lunch and wine tasting: Zurich’s wine region stretches along the gentle hillsides of the Lake Zurich and the Limmat Valley. Today you will have the chance to sample some of the local wines before a delicious lunch.

Spend a relaxed morning enjoying the luxury amenities of your hotel or go in search of coffee and cake at one of Zurich’s vibrant cafes.

Later, transfer to Engelberg, a quintessential Swiss village surrounded by spectacular mountain scenery at the foothills of Mount Titlis, Switzerland’s highest year-round alpine attraction.

Spend today discovering more of Engelberg, a popular resort village known for its alpine activities like skiing, hiking, climbing and watersports.

Scenic Freechoice:
Explore your way this morning with one of these excursions:

Excursion to Mt Titlis: Take a journey on the world's first revolving cable car, which takes you more than 3,000 metres to the summit of Mt Titlis. Enjoy breathtaking alpine scenery with 360-degree panoramic views of snowcapped mountains, lush valleys and glaciers.

Cheesemaking in a local monastery: Immerse yourself in traditional Swiss alpine life with a visit to a local monastery and a hands-on cheesemaking workshop. Observe master cheesemakers as they demonstrate the art of crafting authentic Alpine cheese, perfected through time-honoured techniques and meticulous care. Conclude your experience with a delightful tasting, savouring distinctive regional varieties that capture the essence of the mountains.

This morning journey from Engelberg to Lucerne, sitting at the base of the mountains and beside its eponymous lake. Join your expert Scenic Tour Director to explore the town, admire its striking natural beauty. See the Jesuit Church, cross the quaint wooden Chapel Bridge and visit the Lion Monument, a detailed sculpture commemorating the Swiss guards who were massacred during the French Revolution.

This afternoon, board a train to Lugano. Set in the south of Switzerland close to the border with Italy, Lugano has a distinctly Italian feel. It blends Swiss efficiency and Mediterranean charm, exquisite cuisine and an abundance of charming squares with cafes made for people watching.

Enjoy a full day in Lugano, exploring the vibrant blend of cultures that make the town unique. Start with a guided walking tour of the city. Discover the elegant lakeside promenade, the historic Piazza della Riforma, and the picturesque Old Town with its narrow streets, ornate churches and bustling squares. The tour also takes in panoramic viewpoints overlooking Lake Lugano and the surrounding hills, while offering insights into local culture, art, and cuisine.

Later, an exclusive Scenic Enrich experience awaits.

Scenic Enrich
Risotto cooking class: Take a serene cruise on the magnificent Lake Lugano before joining a local chef for a private risotto making class. This rich, creamy rice dish is a specialty of the region. Afterwards, sit down to a delicious lunch.

From Lugano travel via coach to Andermatt before boarding a train for a panoramic rail journey to Zermatt. Nestled at the foot of the world’s most famous mountain, the 4,478-metre Matterhorn, the popular resort village of Zermatt looks as though it has been plucked from the pages of a fairytale. When the landscape is blanketed in thick white snow, visitors flock here for exhilarating winter sports, and in summer they come to hike more than 100 trails that weave around its valleys, lakes and ridges.

Wake in Zermatt today and breathe in the crisp mountain air flowing off the Matterhorn. Then take Europe's highest open-air cogwheel railway to Gornergrat, a rocky peak with a summit of more than 3,000 metres. It offers spectacular 360-degree views, including an uninterrupted vista of the neighbouring Matterhorn.

This afternoon, enjoy some free time to see more of Zermatt on your own. The city is largely car-free, so it’s ideal to explore on foot.

Tonight, enjoy a traditional Swiss meal of delicious cheese fondue.

Transfer by coach to Interlaken this morning. As the name suggests, Interlaken sits between two lakes, Lake Thun and Lake Brienz, in the beautiful Jungfrau region. Overlooked by the towering peaks of Eiger, Mönch, and Jungfrau, Interlaken is known for its stunning alpine scenery. This charming resort town is famous for its grand hotels and adventure activities.

Upon arrival, join a short orientation tour led by your Tour Director.

Spend today exploring more of the region surrounding Interlaken.

This morning, discover Jungfraujoch. Known as the ‘Top of Europe’, it’s home to the continent’s highest railway station at almost 3,500 metres above sea level. Take the famed cogwheel train to the top, which is covered in snow year-round, and enjoy mesmerising views of the towns and valleys below.

On the way back to Interlaken this afternoon, take a short tour of Grindelwald. One of Switzerland’s most spectacular alpine villages, it’s set beneath the dramatic north face of the Eiger. As you stroll through the village, you’ll take in traditional chalets, flower-filled balconies and sweeping views of the surrounding peaks.

Board the GoldenPass Express for a majestic journey through the Alps to Montreux. The train passes through tall mountains, green valleys and endless vineyards. Sit back and enjoy breathtaking views of mountains and its charming villages.

After your train journey, transfer to Lausanne. Switzerland’s fourth-largest city is also one of its most stunning and is scattered across three hills on the shores of Lake Geneva.

If you’re an early riser, the spectacular sight of the morning light rising over the Alps is one you’ll treasure forever. You may like to join the locals on a stroll around the beautiful lakeside promenade or simply relax over a leisurely breakfast at your hotel.

This morning, an orientation tour of Lausanne introduces you to the city’s graceful blend of history, culture and lakeside beauty. Highlights include the atmospheric Old Town with its winding streets, the impressive Lausanne Cathedral overlooking the city, and panoramic viewpoints offering sweeping vistas across Lake Geneva to the Alps.

Depart Lausanne after breakfast, taking with you memories of the beauty of Switzerland that will be cherished forever.

This itinerary is a guide only and may be amended for operational reasons. As such, the journey may operate altered from that stated above. Please refer to our terms and conditions.