First-Class GoldenPass Express & Lake Geneva

Your Swiss vacation begins today as your flight arrives in Geneva. From the airport, board a train to Vevey, a journey that skirts the shores of Lake Geneva, offering a scenic start to your time in Switzerland.

Arriving in the scenic lakeside town of Vevey, our scenic base for the next seven nights. Located on Lake Geneva's northern shore and famous as the former home of Charlie Chaplin, this Swiss Riviera town offers a perfect blend of culture, history and stunning scenery. After checking in to our hotel, you meet the Tour Manager this evening before we enjoy our first dinner together. Overnight Vevey.

• Dinner

This morning after breakfast, we travel by First Class rail to nearby Lausanne for a sightseeing tour with a knowledgeable local guide. We explore the charming Old Town, built on hills between the Flon and Louve valleys and known for its steep cobblestone streets. In the Cité District, we admire the striking Gothic cathedral and the 15th-century St-Maire Castle before continuing to Place de la Palud, a bustling square home to the City Hall, the Justice Fountain - the oldest fountain in the city - and a mechanical clock that recounts scenes from local history.

After free time to seek out your own lunch spot, we head to one of Lausanne's most celebrated attractions, the Olympic Museum. Set within a beautiful lakeside park, this museum houses the world's largest and most comprehensive Olympic collection. Here, discover interactive exhibits, view the Olympic torch collection and explore the sculptures displayed throughout the Olympic park.

Returning to Vevey, you are at leisure to continue exploring and dine independently. The town offers a wide range of restaurants where you can sample traditional Swiss cuisine or international flavors. Overnight Vevey.

• Breakfast

A short First Class rail journey to Rivas after breakfast showcases terraced vineyards cascading down the hillside above the sparkling waters of Lake Geneva, and the Alps rising in the distance.

On arrival, we walk to Lavaux Vinorama for a talk and tasting. This remarkable wine-growing region has been cultivated for centuries and is recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage landscape. During our visit, we learn about the traditions that have shaped the area while sampling some of the region's distinctive wines. This is a special opportunity to taste Swiss wine as, with less than 2% exported annually, it is a rare experience outside the country. With fresh, mineral-forward notes, the crisp white Chasselas variety is the most common but the vineyards in this area also produce reds such as pinot noir and gamay.

After time to explore the vineyards at leisure, we return to the station for a short First Class journey back to Vevey. There's time to unwind at our hotel before we gather in our hotel restaurant for dinner. Overnight Vevey.

• Breakfast, Dinner

The beautiful resort town of Montreux awaits after breakfast today. Often referred to as the "Pearl of Lake Geneva," the town's magnificent alpine backdrop and lakeside palm trees give visitors a true feeling of paradise. On arrival, we set out on a city tour where we follow in the footsteps of Freddie Mercury, stopping at locations that shaped his time here, including the famous Mountain Studios located inside the Montreux Casino.

Continuing along the lakeshore, we arrive at the fairytale setting of Château de Chillon, one of Switzerland's best-preserved medieval castles. Set on a rocky outcrop at the edge of Lake Geneva, this historic fortress appears to rise directly from the water. Stepping inside, we explore its atmospheric halls, ancient courtyards and vaulted cellars. From the castle's towers, there are magnificent views across the lake and surrounding Alps.

Afterward, we enjoy a cruise across Lake Geneva back to Vevey, soaking up views of vineyard-clad slopes and charming villages along the way. This evening, we dine together in the hotel restaurant. Overnight Vevey.

• Breakfast, Dinner

This morning after breakfast, we journey by coach into the Swiss countryside to the medieval hilltop village of Gruyères, renowned for its timeless charm and sweeping views. Dominating the village is the impressive Château de Gruyères, an imposing fortress that has stood since the 13th century. Now a museum, it houses a prestigious collection of artwork, period interiors and historic treasures which we explore at leisure, offering a fascinating glimpse into the life of the region across the ages.

Over lunch, we enjoy a tasting of one the region's most famous dishes - fondue. This iconic Swiss delicacy, made with melted Gruyère cheese blended with white wine, showcases the rich, creamy flavors of the region's renowned cheeses.

We continue to nearby Broc this afternoon to visit the Maison Cailler Museum, Switzerland's oldest chocolate factory. During our visit, we discover the story behind Swiss chocolate-making, with plenty of opportunities to sample a variety of chocolates along the way. Coaching back to Vevey afterward, the rest of the evening is yours to enjoy at leisure and dine independently. Overnight Vevey.

• Breakfast

Making our way by rail to Montreux after breakfast, a journey into the mountains awaits as we board the Rochers-de-Naye cogwheel railroad for a spectacular ascent. Climbing steeply above Lake Geneva, the train winds its way through open fields, charming villages and dense forests before emerging into the high alpine landscape.

At the summit, breathtaking views are unveiled, stretching across Lake Geneva and, on clear days, as far as the distant peaks of the Alps. There is time to take in the scenery and perhaps enjoy a refreshment while surrounded by this remarkable landscape.

We make our return journey back to Montreux, where the afternoon is free. You may wish to stroll along the lakeside promenade, relax in a café or simply enjoy the town's beautiful setting before making your own way back to Vevey by rail for dinner this evening. Overnight Vevey.

• Breakfast, Dinner

Traveling to Montreux station after breakfast this morning, a highlight of the trip awaits as we board the panoramic carriages of the GoldenPass Express for an incredible rail journey to Interlaken, taking us from palm-lined promenades to snow-capped mountains.

While this rail journey is newer and perhaps less well-known than Switzerland's other famous trains, it is equally captivating. Leaving Montreux, it winds its way through terraced vineyards, untamed forests and the rolling mountains of the Swiss Highlands before we reach the upmarket mountain resort of Gstaad. The final stretch glides down toward Lake Thun, offering breathtaking panoramic views across the sparkling waters and surrounding peaks.

Arriving in Interlaken, enjoy free time to explore this scenic town at leisure. Nestled between Lake Thun and Lake Brienz, and framed by the peaks of the Bernese Alps, Interlaken is a charming alpine town renowned for its stunning views. After free time to explore, we rail back to Vevey where we enjoy our final dinner of the vacation together this evening.

• Breakfast, Dinner

Throughout this stunning exploration of the Lake Geneva region, our stay in Vevey provided the perfect base from which to experience the elegance and beauty of western Switzerland. From the lakeside charm of Montreux to the fairytale setting of Château de Chillon, each day revealed a different side to this remarkable region.   

We savored the flavors of Switzerland with a wine tasting in the Lavaux vineyards and a traditional fondue in medieval Gruyères, while memorable rail journeys on the GoldenPass Express and the cogwheel railway to the summit of Rochers-de-Naye showcased the country's spectacular landscapes, leaving us with lasting impressions of this beautiful corner of Europe.   

Your vacation comes to a close this morning after breakfast at the hotel, and you are free to make your way home or continue your travels.

• Breakfast, Dinner

Throughout this stunning exploration of the Lake Geneva region, our stays in Lausanne and Vevey provided the perfect base from which to experience the elegance and beauty of western Switzerland. From the lakeside charm of Montreux to the fairytale setting of Château de Chillon, each day revealed a different side to this remarkable region.

We savored the flavors of Switzerland with a wine tasting in the Lavaux vineyards and a traditional fondue in medieval Gruyères, while memorable rail journeys on the GoldenPass Express and the cogwheel railway to the summit of Rochers-de-Naye showcased the country's spectacular landscapes, leaving us with lasting impressions of this beautiful corner of Europe.

Your vacation comes to a close this morning after breakfast at the hotel, and you are free to make your way home or continue your travels.

• Breakfast