DAY-BY-DAY ITINERARY
Lake Lucerne - Bernese Oberland - GoldenPass Line - Saanenland - Lake Geneva - Zermatt - Glacier Express - Lake Lugano - Bernina Express - St Moritz
Day one : Travel to Lucerne via Zurich
Choose to either arrive in Zurich by air or to travel by rail via Paris and Basel to Lucerne , depending on time constraints and preferences . If travelling via Zurich , either spend an hour or two exploring this crisp , historic city , or immediately board the train to Lucerne . This short train journey leaves you plenty of time to explore the city before retiring to your choice of luxury hotel .
Day two : Lucerne
An essential visit on any stay in Lucerne is the Chapel Bridge , the city ’ s main landmark and the most photographed monument in Switzerland . Walk along the bridge , taking in the views of the Reuss River , the so-called Water Spike , and the Water Tower . For both historical significance and architectural beauty , visit the 17th century Jesuit Church , which overlooks the water and is topped by two droplet-shaped domes . Above the city is the Musegg Wall , a 14th century structure that once protected the city within . Though the city now sprawls outside of this wall , the nine defensive towers still remain , three of which are open to the public . Enjoy lunch in a pavement café on the Kornmarkt Square , beside the colourful Pfistern Guildhall , the Hirschenplatz Square , or the Weinmarkt Square , where Lucerne swore its federal oath with Schwyz , Uri , and Unterwalden . To see some exemplary Swiss culture , visit the prestigious KKL Luzern gallery , the Rosengart Collection of works by Picasso and Klee , the Wagner Museum in Tribschen , and the Swiss Museum of Transport . Finish your days with a sumptuous dinner back at your hotel , or in one of Lucerne ’ s many gourmet restaurants .
Day three : Lucerne to Bernese Oberland
This touring itinerary then takes you southwest from Lucerne into the Bernese Oberland . The train journey takes you along the western shore of Lake Lucerne , Lake Sarnen , Lake Lungern , and north around Lake Brienz . Change trains at Interlaken , perhaps spending an hour admiring the stunning location of this town , and move on up the steeper cog railway to Grindelwald or Wengen .
Day four : Bernese Oberland
The enchanting chocolate box villages of Grindelwald and Wengen afford stunning views of the surroundings from your location at over 1,000m above sea level . The two nearby villages are connected by two cable cars , by bus , or by train , and both sit at the base of the Jungfrau . Your stay here is therefore perfectly placed for enjoying the most iconic attraction
Lake Lucerne
of the Bernese Oberland . Travel by funicular railway up to Jungfraujoch , the highest railway station in Europe , to appreciate the stunning views . For hiking trails , take cable cars up to the Monch and the Eiger , or simply follow the softer trails that lead out of Grindelwald . The picturesque Lake Fallboden makes for idyllic and relaxing afternoon and evening walks . Complete or begin your stay in Grindelwald with a self-guided stroll between the rustic wooden chalet houses .
Day five : Bernese Oberland to Saanenland
At around lunchtime , board the train from Grindelwald back to Interlaken , on to Zweisimmen , and then to Schoenried or Gstaad along the first section of the GoldenPass Line .
Day six : Saanenland
On the border between the cantons of Bern and Vaud , the Saanenland marks the surreal convergence of five individual valleys . Schoenried itself sits on slightly higher ground than its famous neighbour , Gstaad . The area is known for its delicious Alpine dairy products , which are served in many of the 100 gourmet restaurants that line Gstaad ’ s main promenade in the form of fondue or raclette . The boutique shops and quaint cafes housed inside these iconic chalets are well worth a few hours of your time as they capture a great deal of Swiss authenticity . The Molkerei Gstaad allows visitors to taste a selection of the 3,000 cheeses produced in the Saanenland . We
would recommend spending a few hours in the Saanenland joining the dots between the traditional farmhouses that surround the fields outside Gstaad , and perhaps venturing further out on one of the hundreds of Alpine trails and paths . Adventurous visitors will want to take a trip up to Glacier 3000 to take in the views of 24 of the surrounding mountains that measure above 4000m . In the evenings , retire to your hotel in Schoenried or Gstaad for a gourmet dinner and a drink beside the cosy fireplace .
Day seven : Saanenland to Montreux on the Golden Pass Line
In the late morning , board one of the panoramic coaches of the GoldenPass Line for the two hour journey from Schoenried to Montreux . After Gstaad , the GoldenPass Line crosses the border into Vaud , stopping first in Rougemont , and then Chateau-d ’ Oex . Here the mountainscapes are dotted with quaint chalets , small churches , and petit castles ; an image that is very typical of the Pays-d ’ Enhaut . The villages you will pass next all retain their own individual architectural character , emerging out of plumes of evergreen trees . In Rossiniere and Montbovon , passengers can view the startling translucent turquoise water that runs in rivers crossed by ancient wooden bridges . At Les Avants , the train begins to wind its way down the hillside towards Montreux , where you will stay for one night on the banks of Lake Geneva . During your stay in Montreux , we would recommend exploring the railway history of the area , taking the Vineyard Train ( S31 ) through the
Telephone number 01392 441250 Email info @ expressionsholidays . co . uk 3