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Switzerland

Mountains & Valleys: Exploring Switzerland at a Slower Pace

Program No. 25135RJ
Explore the icons of Switzerland, including its towering mountains, cultural centers and sparkling lakes, all at a slower pace.
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Regional StudiesSmall GroupNew
Length
12 days
Rating
New
Activity Level
Starts at
5,999
Special Offer
Flights start at
1,200

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Itinerary
While we make every effort to ensure the accuracy of our published materials, programs are typically advertised more than a year prior to their start date. Read More.
While we make every effort to ensure the accuracy of our published materials, programs are typically advertised more than a year prior to their start date. As a result, some program activities, schedules, accommodations, personnel, and other logistics occasionally change due to local conditions or circumstances. Should a major change occur, we will make every effort to alert you. For less significant changes, we will update you during orientation. Thank you for your understanding.
Duration
12 days
11 nights
What's Included
26 meals ( 10B, 9L, 7D )
5 expert-led lectures
15 expert-led field trips
An experienced Group Leader
10 nights of accommodations
Taxes and customary gratuity
Road Scholar Assurance Plan
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Activity Note
Hotel check-in from 3:00 p.m. Getting on/off train; carrying luggage on/off train. Luggage transfer available for those on the group transfer to Montreux.
Afternoon:
After checking in to the hotel and getting your room, take some time to freshen up and relax before our Orientation meeting followed by dinner. Orientation: The Group Leader will greet everyone and lead introductions. We will review the up-to-date program schedule, discuss roles and responsibilities, logistics, safety guidelines, emergency procedures, and answer questions. Unless otherwise noted, dinners on this program are typically a 3-course set menu and lunches on this program are typically a 2-course set menu. Breakfasts will offer a typical European-style breakfast buffet with breads, cheeses, cold cuts, yogurt, fruit, cereals, juice, milk, coffee, tea, and water. Please note that water is included in the program cost at all meals. Periods in the schedule designated as “Free time” and “At leisure” offer opportunities to do what you like and make your experience even more meaningful and memorable according to your personal preferences. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions. Program activities, schedules, personnel, and indicated distances or times may change due to local circumstances/conditions. In the event of changes, we will alert you as quickly as possible. Thank you for your understanding.
Dinner:
At the hotel.
Evening:
At leisure. Continue getting to know your fellow Road Scholars, settle in, and get a good night’s rest for the day ahead.
Activity Note
Walking about 2 miles throughout the day. Getting on/off boat. Getting on/off train. Museum paced walking and standing, and unavoidable stairs at the castle.
Breakfast:
In the hotel dining room.
Morning:
We’ll gather for an introductory lecture on Switzerland’s Geography and Cultural Regions. After a short coffee break, we'll continue our classroom learning with a focus on the French speaking region of Switzerland. After, we'll set out on foot to the loading dock and board the boat for a scenic boat ride on Lake Geneva.
Lunch:
Aboard the boat on Lake Geneva.
Afternoon:
We'll disembark the boat, and walk to travel to Chillon Castle, a medieval fortress dating back to the 12th century. We'll have the afternoon to explore the castle at our own pace while listening to the interactive audio-guide. After, we'll train back to the hotel and will have some down time before dinner.
Dinner:
At a local restaurant.
Evening:
At leisure.
Activity Note
Getting on/off train; ride is about 40 miles; approximately 1 hour and 15 minutes one way. Walking about 1.5 miles with standing during the city walk. Additional walking according to your independent exploration.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
We'll take a short walk to the Montreux train station and board the train to Geneva. Upon arrival, we'll have an expert-led city walk in the heart of Geneva.
Lunch:
At a local restaurant in Geneva.
Afternoon:
Free time. Take this opportunity for personal independent exploration to see and do what interests you most. Please refer to the list of Free Time Opportunities, which can be found in the first Information Packet. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions. At a pre-determined time, we will meet to board the train back to Montreux.
Dinner:
On your own.
Evening:
At leisure. Prepare for check-out and transfer in the afternoon.
Activity Note
Walking about 2 miles throughout the day. Getting on/off motorcoach; riding about 4 hours and 30 min, approximately 165 miles throughout the day. Getting on/off train.
Breakfast:
Hotel dining room.
Morning:
After checking out of the hotel, we'll board the motorcoach and travel to Täsch. We'll then transfer to the underground funicular to travel to the Sunnegga viewpoint.
Lunch:
At a local restaurant.
Afternoon:
After lunch, you'll have some time to independently explore in Zermatt. We'll re-gather at a predetermined time to board the train back to Täsch. Then we'll continue our transfer via motorcoach to Locarno. Upon arrival, we'll check in to the hotel before heading to dinner.
Dinner:
At the hotel.
Evening:
At leisure.
Activity Note
Walking about 2 miles throughout the day. Getting on/off public transportation. Additional walking based on independent exploration.
Breakfast:
Hotel dining room.
Morning:
We'll first set on our foot for an expert-led walk in picturesque lakeside town of Locarno. Then, we'll board the public bus and travel to Maggia Valley, located in the Ticino region of Switzerland, this valley is known for its charming villages and breath-taking landscapes.
Lunch:
At a local restaurant.
Afternoon:
We'll gather for an expert-led walk in one of the villages of Maggia Valley. After, we'll board the public bus and ride back to Locarno. The rest of the afternoon is free time.
Dinner:
On your own to sample more of the regional cuisine.
Evening:
At leisure.
Activity Note
Walking about 1.5 miles throughout the day. Getting on/off boat.
Breakfast:
Hotel dining room.
Morning:
We'll gather at the hotel for a lecture on Ticino - The Italian Speaking Region of Switzerland. Then, we'll take a short walk to Lake Maggiore and board the boat headed for Brissago Island.
Lunch:
At a restaurant on Brissago Island.
Afternoon:
After lunch, we'll have a guided tour of the Brissago Island Botanical Garden. The gardens are homes to a large number of sub-tropical flowers and plants, primarily from Asia, China, Japan, southern Africa, Australia and some of the islands of Oceania. The garden is arranged according to area to highlight each region. After, we'll board the boat and head back to Locarno where we'll have some down time before dinner.
Dinner:
At a local restaurant.
Evening:
At leisure. Prepare for check-out and transfer in the morning.
Activity Note
Walking approximately 1 miles throughout the day. Getting on/off train; riding about 1 hour and 45 minutes, approximately 102 miles. Getting on/off boat. A luggage transfer will be provided on this day. You will recieve your luggage at check-in in Lucerne.
Breakfast:
Hotel dining room.
Morning:
We'll check out of the hotel then walk to the train station to board the train to Flüelen. Upon arrival in Flüelen, we'll walk to Lake Lucerne for a boat ride on Lake Lucerne, a lake surrounded by Mount Pilatus, Mount Rigi and the Swiss Alps.
Lunch:
Aboard the boat on Lake Lucerne.
Afternoon:
We'll arrive in Lucerne and take a short walk to the hotel. After check in you'll have some time to freshen up before dinner.
Dinner:
At the hotel.
Evening:
At leisure.
Activity Note
Walking about 1.5 miles throughout the day. Additional walking dependent on individual exploration.
Breakfast:
Hotel dining room.
Morning:
We'll gather at the hotel for a lecture on the German Speaking Region of Switzerland. Afterward, we’ll enjoy a guided walking field trip through Lucerne’s old town. Highlights include iconic landmarks such as the Chapel Bridge, the renowned Jesuit Church, and the picturesque old town on both banks of the Reuss River.
Lunch:
At a local restaurant.
Afternoon:
Free time. Take this opportunity for personal independent exploration to see and do what interests you most. Please refer to the list of Free Time Opportunities, which can be found in the first Information Packet. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions.
Dinner:
On your own.
Evening:
At leisure.
Activity Note
Walking about 2 miles throughout the day. Getting on/off train. Getting on/off motorcoach; riding about 1 hour and 15 minutes, approximately 50 miles throughout the day.
Breakfast:
Hotel dining room.
Morning:
We'll walk to the train station and board the train towards Grindewald, following the Golden Pass line until we reach Interlaken. We'll switch train and board the board the Jungfrau Railway, and ride to Kleine Scheidegg at the foot of the famous north face of the Eiger Mountain in the Bernes Alps that rises more than 13,000 feet (nearly 4,000 meters). We will have opportunities to admire the mountains during a walk through the alpine meadows.
Lunch:
At a local restaurant.
Afternoon:
After lunch, we'll continue our train exploration to Lauterbrunnen. Upon arrival, we'll switch to a motorcoach and ride to Ballenberg, a Swiss Open Air Museum which highlights traditional Swiss building and architecture from all over the country. After, we'll board the motorcoach and travel back to Lucerne. You'll have some time to freshen up before dinner.
Dinner:
At the hotel.
Evening:
At leisure. Prepare for check-out and departures in the morning.
Activity Note
Walking about 1.5 miles throughout the day. Getting on/off train; riding about 50 minutes, approximately 40 miles. Getting on/off boat. A luggage transfer will be provided on this day. You will recieve your luggage at check-in in Zurich.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
We'll gather at the hotel for our final lecture featuring a Q&A session with your group leader. Then, we'll set out on foot to the train station and board the train to Rapperswil. Then, we'll take a short walk to Lake Zurich and board the boat to complete our transfer to Zurich.
Lunch:
Aboard the boat on Lake Zurich.
Afternoon:
Upon arrival in Zurich, we'll disembark and begin an expert-led walking tour through Old Town Zurich navigating through the narrow streets and historic buildings. We'll end at our hotel for check-in. Before dinner, we'll gather for a Farewell Presentation to relive our favorite memories.
Dinner:
Share favorite experiences with new Road Scholar friends during our farewell dinner in the hotel dining room.
Evening:
At leisure. Prepare for check out in the morning.
Activity Note
Hotel check-out by 11:00 a.m. See your program’s “Transportation Information” regarding transfers.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
If you are returning home, safe travels. If you are staying on independently, have a wonderful time. If you are transferring to another Road Scholar program, detailed instructions are included in your Information Packet for that program. We hope you enjoy Road Scholar learning adventures and look forward to having you on rewarding programs in the future. Don’t forget to join our Facebook page and follow us on Instagram. Best wishes for all your journeys!
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