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Montreux with Zurich & Lucerne
Tour Description:
TAKE ON THREE INCREDIBLE SWISS CITIES - ZURICH, LUCERNE AND MONTREUX - IN SEVEN ADVENTURE-PACKED DAYS ON THIS LEISURELY RAIL TOUR.
A round-trip tour from Zurich, this week-long expedition takes you from a booming metropolis to a beautiful mountain town then out to a lakeside resort. Your time will be spent gazing upon the picturesque Swiss Alps, riding aboard wonderful railways and seeing sites both modern and medieval. The tour begins in Zurich, where you will have a day to enjoy all the best things the largest city in Switzerland is famous for. From Zurich, it is on to Lucerne for an independent mountain excursion of your choosing, then to the piece de resistance of the tour, Montreux, for three days of sightseeing and excursions that present the very best things this Lake Geneva locale has to offer. Whether it is history, scenery or once-in-a-lifetime experiences you seek, this tour offers something for everyone.
Highlights:
* Rail travel on the Swiss Travel System
* Hotel accommodations for 6 nights
* 6 meals
* Ride aboard GoldenPass Line
* Excursion aboard the Chocolate Train
* Montreux Riviera Card
* Swiss Coupon Pass
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Destination & Sightseeing
ITINERARY
ITINERARYDay 1 - Arrive in Zurich
Arrive in Zürich and transfer on your own to your hotel, where the day is yours to wander along the cobbled streets of Old Town and explore the city’s restaurants and shops. Overnight Zürich.
Day 2 - Lucerne
This morning, enjoy breakfast at your hotel, then make your way to Zurich’s train station. The train ride to Lucerne is less than an hour in length, which leaves ample time for exploration upon arrival. Have a look around - the skyline of Zurich fades into the distance as the train makes its way past quaint cantons, along lakesides and through the green landscape until the Alps come into view in Lucerne. Make your way to your centrally located hotel independently, then you will have the rest of the day to set out on one of two excursions: to Mount Pilatus, nicknamed the Dragon Mountain, or to the Stanserhorn. Both mountain peak excursions offer rides aboard cable cars to the peaks, as well as unbeatable views over the mountains and surrounding towns and villages. As you make your way back to Lucerne, you will have the remainder of the evening to get acquainted with the city’s offerings. Overnight Lucerne. (B)
Day 3 - GoldenPass Line to Montreux
Breakfast is served at your hotel today, then it is off to the train station to board the GoldenPass Line bound for Montreux. This train offers a truly unique travel experience, as its comfortable seating and panoramic windows allow you to focus on soaking in the amazing scenery. Along the way, you will cross the Brünig Pass into the Bernese Oberland and pass by Lake Brienz and Lake Thun. Moving through vast rural expanses, the train offers a look at the contrasts of Switzerland, as Interlaken, Zweisimmen and the world-renowned holiday resort of Gstaad come into view. As Lake Geneva overtakes the vistas, you will arrive in Montreux. After making your way to the hotel, the rest of the day is yours to explore the offers of this resort destination. Overnight Montreux. (B)
Day 4 - Montreux
With your Montreux Riviera Card in hand, spend your day at leisure enjoying everything Montreux and the surrounding region has to offer. This card gives you access to free public transportation within the region, as well as 50 percent off the admission price to local attractions, such as mountain railways, museums, amusement parks and boat trips. Perhaps you will spend your day at Chillon Castle, which dates back to the 1100s, or maybe you will visit Queen’s recording studio and the memorial to beloved international musician Freddie Mercury. There are local vineyards, lakeside walkways and promenades, and gardens you can explore. Montreux Museum is always a favorite with visitors, as well. Your options are limitless. Overnight Montreux. (B)
Day 5 - The Chocolate Train
Discover Switzerland’s culinary traditions today aboard the Chocolate Train. Though the train route is named for chocolate, this ride offers a look at much more. After boarding in Montreux, the train will make its way to Montbovon where passengers will disembark and board a luxury motorcoach to Maison de Gruyère. Here you will learn about the production of Swiss cheese with a fascinating factory tour. Of course, samples of authentic local cheese will be offered. You will then be shuttled to the medieval town of Gruyères, which is known for its cheese of the same name, as well as its 13th century castle. After free time in the village, board the coach for the short journey to Broc. It is here that you will visit Maison Cailler, the famed Swiss chocolate maker, for a factory tour, a tasting of freshly made Swiss chocolate and a lesson on the history and production of these amazing treats. Your luxury will return you to Montreux, at which time you will have the remainder of the day to see the sites independently. Overnight Montreux. (B)
Day 6 - Montreux
Your final day in Montreux is yours to enjoy as you please. One exciting way to spend it is with an excursion to Rochers de Naye. To reach this destination, you will board a cog railway in Montreux and enjoy a 55-minute ride through forests and countryside en route to the summit. Upon arrival, there are hiking trails to enjoy, restaurants in which to sample authentic Swiss cuisine, gardens to gaze upon, biking and rock climbing expeditions and a wildlife park - Marmot Paradise - that offers a look at some of the mountain’s smallest inhabitants. Overnight Montreux. (B)
Day 7 - Tour Conclusion
After breakfast this morning, you will make your way to Montreux’s train station for one final ride, this time bound for Zurich. Reflect upon your grand adventures as you make your way back through forests, along lakesides and in and out of villages en route to Zürich Hauptbahnhof, the largest train station in Switzerland. This is where your tour concludes you have the option to rail or fly back home. (B)
