Switzerland
Switzerland in a Nutshell: Cities and Peaks by Train
Program No. 22543RJ
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Switzerland in a Nutshell: Cities and Peaks by Train
Switzerland in a Nutshell: Cities and Peaks by Train
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Participant Reviews
Based on 61 Reviews
SHOWING
A truly enjoyable and instructive experience.
— Review left November 5, 2025
Perfect guides in the perfect place. This was such a wonderful adventure. The country is lovely as are the people we met. Our guides wer the best ever and even arranged extra outings on our free time. We got a real bargain. The guides were extra kind when we had problems keeping up. This is a don’t miss trip.
— Review left October 30, 2025
I have worked and travelled internationally for many years. I would never have learned as much or had as much fun doing it on my own. The guides provide answers to just about any question, give plenty of tips on getting about and manage all the logistics so that you can enjoy each day. Their detailed daily planning is excellent.
— Review left October 13, 2025
This program introduces you to the culture and languages in the various areas of Switzerland which I found to be a plus. Add to that the history of some ancient cities, you get a very good overall Swiss experience. And the train/transportation system is the best! I highly recommend this program.
— Review left October 13, 2025
Wonderful trip.
— Review left October 13, 2025
Switzerland is everything I imagined it to be! Seeing it by train was just amazing. The tour directors, Nina and Mary were personable and organized. It takes a lot of work to keep everyone where they are supposed to be and they did it flawlessly. Both went above and beyond to make the trip perfect. All of the hotels were very nice and comfortable. The food was delicious. Getting to go on the Glacier Express was such a thrill and absolutely breathtaking. Seeing the Matterhorn on a bright day was a bucket list item for me! I will never forget this trip and thank Nina and Mary for making it special.
— Review left October 9, 2025
Nina and Mary are the best team, getting us on and off the trains and all around Switzerland. Full of information and energy, they are a delight to travel with.
— Review left October 2, 2025
This trip was a lifelong dream of mine. Thank you Road Scholar for helping me to realize the fulfillment of my dream.
— Review left October 1, 2025
If you want a program that gives you a real immersion in the country and culture, this is the company for you. The leaders are knowledgeable, kind, and helpful. This is not a glamour tour, this is a life changing event!
— Review left September 30, 2025
The 'Switzerland in a Nutshell' program was a very enjoyable, and informative one. We saw much of the beautiful country and experienced it firsthand from the people, to the geography, and it's rich history. The stunning beauty of the mountains, to the incredible efficiency of the transportation system need to be experienced. The leaders are top notch humans, and the tour is well thought out and compelling. You will gain a perspective of how one small country overcame so much, and how they make multiculturalism work so well. Do not miss this one!
— Review left September 29, 2025
I highly recommend this program. We have so much to learn from the Swiss: Their form of government, their transportation systems, their tremendous organization, their beautiful views and scenery. You will love this program,
— Review left September 29, 2025
We just finished a marvelous Switzerland in a Nutshell tour with RS. Our tour guides Nina (primary) and Noelin (assistant) were absolutely fabulous! We’ve been on many group tours, and this tour runs with the same precision as a Swiss watch! The small group size (22) was very beneficial as the entire trip was accomplished on the incredible Swiss railway system.
The itinerary is exemplary, and allowed us to visit so many places in this small but extremely diverse country. From cityscapes and tiny villages to alpine cows and mountain vistas, we truly enjoyed the majesty of this culturally diverse country. In addition to our guides’ local knowledge, we had excellent “local” guides throughout the trip, which added tremendously to the educational component of the journey.
Travelers need to understand that Switzerland is an expensive country to visit, so be prepared for that. Additionally, and as you might suspect, the food options lean primarily towards cheese, potatoes, pork, and, of course, chocolate! The beers are very good, and the western regions have a plethora of local wines.
Overall, we found this to be a wonderful trip. Many congratulations to Nina for creating such a fabulous journey.
— Review left September 20, 2025
We had a wonderful time. If you want to learn and see a great deal about another country, this trip is for you. The trip exceeded our expectations. The guides and docents in various locations added to the success.
— Review left September 19, 2025
This was a fabulous trip and I really enjoyed getting to know Switzerland’s excellent transportation system - so fast, clean and easy to use. Our group leader, Nina, was one of the best we have ever had and the guest speakers were also excellent. I thoroughly enjoyed my trip to see the Alps!
— Review left September 15, 2025
If you love train travel and walking with excellent guides this is a wonderful program
— Review left September 14, 2025
Fabulous trip. Loved Nina and Gen, our group leaders. Wonderful fellow travelers; Road Scholar attracts really interesting people. Loved all the train rides -- such a civilized way to travel! And loved seeing/learning about Switzerland.
— Review left July 4, 2025
This was a fast-paced trip that covered a lot of ground by train (clean and efficient, and environmentally friendly), Metro, bus (very short trips), funicular and gondolas. Our group of 23 guests visited several cities -- Zurich, Basel, Zermatt, St. Gallen and others.
We had great views of the Matterhorn on a beautiful, wam and sunny day. Our trip leader, Nina, and her assitant, Gen, were wonderful. Nina's organizaqtional skills are outstanding, and every participant received a handout with the daily schedule. There was no excuse not to know what was coming up.
My only complaint is that the last two hotels had no air conditioning, and sleeping was a challenge. We Americans are used to cool temperatures when we sleep.
Potential participants should be able to walk at a quick pace and handle lots of stairs. Some in my group used walking/hiking poles and seemed to struggle at times.
This trip provided a wonderful introduction to the beautiful country of Switzserland. Speakers, with one exception, were informative and entertaining.
A bit more unscheduled free time to provide a break from the hectic days would have been nice.
This was a very enjoyable trip that I highly recommend.
— Review left July 1, 2025
This trip was beautifully organized and led in order to experience public transportation at its best.
— Review left June 10, 2025
Nina rates as one of the best tour guides we have ever had.
— Review left May 18, 2025
This was another great RS trip. We see quite a bit in a short time. Transportation is by the public rail system which is excellent but also fast paced. I used the "SBB Mobile" app which is great but takes a short lesson to master. Once you are familiar with it you feel free to travel anywhere. The trip focuses on the larger cities and their historic areas with less time spent in the small villages. You do see much of the countryside however traveling on the rail system. I spoke with several swiss who said they did not own a car - I can see why. The rail system is just that good! Because you are traveling by rail things will not feel as easy as the usual bus tours but you'll get a good feel for how the locals live and travel - a great lesson in itself. I made a video of our tour if interested. It’s posted on YouTube https://youtu.be/pldxcUtKVRM?si=W45jZ8HKbYihz_pv or you can do a search on YouTube using the trip title.
— Review left May 12, 2025
It was a great program; very well organized; wonderful tour leaders; knowledgable lecturers and very interesting and thoughtful fellow participants
— Review left October 5, 2024
Switzerland in a Nutshell was both beautiful and informative. The scenery was superb, the old towns picturesque and the program very informative. Our guides were fantastic, knowledgeable, approachable and most importantly, kind. If you are interested in Switzerland I do not think you will be disappointed if you choose this trip.
— Review left September 20, 2024
I was upset that travelers came on the trip who were sick and made many of us sick. I agree with other reviews that there was too much travel time between sites. I would have liked more excursions in the smaller towns. I don’t think we got a good feel for these areas with so much free time.
I think the tour guides were excellent and really appreciated the care and concern when I got sick.
— Review left July 12, 2024
When I previously thought about Switzerland, I thought about cheese - It is so much more and is an inspiration for other nations with their active and open democracy!
— Review left June 29, 2024
The Swiss Alps and the Matterhorn were everything I had hoped to see. Upon reflection, I did not like the Group Leader!
— Review left June 14, 2024
For the service and amenities on this trip, considering the extraordinary price - it was quite deplorable.
This was my first (maybe my last) Road Scholar trip.
They insist that you tell them your dietary restrictions and any medical alerts, which I notated as: low fat, low cholesterol, low carb diet (basically heart healthy) and no pork, and that i am on a blood thinner.
The first FOUR meals were pizza, followed by 3 meals consisting of merely a bowl of spaghetti and a small salad. After the 3rd carb meal, they claimed they didn't "understand" low carb and I ended up purchasing my own food because I was already sick from too many carbs.
For every meal that was served to us, we only saw one meal with a green vegetable at all, and it was broccoli (except for a few salads of lettuce).
For the bratwurst meal (which was pork) i was given - a bowl of spaghetti again.
Except at breakfast we never saw one bit of fresh fruit.
Our Group Leader advised me that he "didn't understand my dietary restrictions and since i'm on a blood thinner I wasn't allowed to eat sugar - he said he googled it. Not only was he 100% wrong about that, I felt my privacy had been violated by him (not a medical worker) googling my medicine and telling me what i could or couldn't eat.
This tour was supposed to include the Glacier Express. We did NOT get to go on the Glacier express - we were told that Road Scholar "forgot" to book our group on the train.
We went to the charming village of Appenzel - however, again due to poor planning, ALL the shops were closed, as they are every Monday. Mind you this was the only town where shopping would have been...wonderful. Everyone was disappointed at their lack of planning.
2 of the hotels were fabulous, the others definitely lower quality - one (in Brig) had construction directly outside my room from 7am till 10:30pm. I had a patio that was the roof of a garage where they were constructing a building. 2 nights of no privacy or peace. No solution was offered.
— Review left June 13, 2024
I would describe this as a rigorous trip since we saw a lot every day and moved sometimes more often than every 2 nights. But Road Scholar trucked our suitcases from hotel to hotel for us. And I enjoyed all that we saw, even in the often persistent rain.
— Review left June 12, 2024
Need to be prepared to change modes of transportation several times a day.
— Review left June 11, 2024
Wonderful introduction to Switzerland's beauty, cultures, and languages. Nina and Michael went above and beyond expectations, any truly made it a unique experience for me. Can't forget the Glacier Express, and majestic Matterhorn and Swiss chocolate.
— Review left June 5, 2024
The scenery is beautiful but be prepared to keep on the move. 5 hotels in 9 days is a lot so pack light and understand the pace before you sign up for this trip.
— Review left May 27, 2024
This program is an excellent introduction to Switzerland. The formal presentations and the local guides were outstanding. Maybe it was a result of all the fun train travel, but our group was among the most convivial I've encountered in all my Road Scholar trips.
— Review left May 24, 2024
We so enjoyed our Roads Scholar trip Switzerland in a Nutshell. Met wonderful travelers with a lot in common. I would recommend this trip for the train travel and scenery. Fun from start to finish.
— Review left May 19, 2024
It was a wonderful adventure. The group leaders did a spectacular job sharing their love for the country. I have learned much about the people, politics, art, and architecture. If you have a specific interest, the group leaders will go above and beyond in helping you to explore the sights and local options. Thank you so much for having such a great option available.
— Review left December 9, 2023
Road Scholar Swizterland tour product and services were exceptional. Depiction of required Switzerland outlet adapter was very inaccurate.
— Review left October 27, 2023
This is a trip of a lifetime. The scenery, guides, food and delightful travelling companions make it a must do for all. Lots of walking, but it was not too strenuous.
— Review left October 18, 2023
Traveling by train is Switzerland was a fantastic experience! It is a beautiful country and a superbly planned and executed adventure. Nina Wyser is among the best of RS's trip leaders!
— Review left October 3, 2023
Prior to this trip, Switzerland had not been a country on my "bucket list." Now that I have been there, I rank it as one of the best programs I've attended. Our tour guides were absolutely amazing and I will always remember both of them with fondness. I loved learning about this country. I was able to enjoy the great beauty of the Alps, see a glacier, view the Matterhorn with awe, and there was still time to visit two world class art museums and pursue that love, as well.
— Review left September 13, 2023
This is the Switzerland trip you take, if you have only 12 days. Richard T. Canada.
— Review left September 12, 2023
Just finished this trip and it was wonderful. Our group leader Nina went above and beyond for us. On our free time she took us to a glacier and another free afternoon to a boat ride on lake Geneva. She made sure we were all keeping up on our walking tours. Our luggage was transported by van to each hotel. We took trains, trams, buses, and walks to get from place to place. It was a great group of 22 who got along great and shared free time together. Only down side was 4 out of 5 hotels did not have air conditioning and we were in a heatwave. I highly recommend this trip and if you are lucky enough it will be lead by Nina.
— Review left September 12, 2023
What a wonderful trip! We saw so many different areas of Switzerland, a beautiful and friendly country, with a long history. I enjoyed riding the trains, and our excellent leader made all the logistics go so smoothly. There was a great mix of guided walks, expert presentations, and free time to visit museums, places of interest, and lovely lakes. Did I mention the varied and good/fresh food?
— Review left June 30, 2023
We enjoyed traveling through Switzerland by train. Having the luggage transported separately by van gave us more freedom to focus on the trip. Dmitrij and Andrew were an excellent team whom we came to count on to get us moving as a group at exactly the right tIme. In particular,Dmitrij's insight into Swiss culture and politics added tremendously to our experience.
— Review left June 30, 2023
We loved our trip!! Our travel guides Nina and Micheal were delightful and excellent; it was well organized and we learned a great deal about Switzerland. The guided tours of the “old towns” in the different cities were informative and so were the lectures.
— Review left June 5, 2023
Our train trips thru Switzerland were educational, rewarding and delightful. Our guides, Nina & Michael, were friendly, professional, knowledgeable and always available to us for information and to make our trip enjoyable. I miss them already! Things that Road Scholar can do for all programs: 1) go back to providing the spiral bound information packets. It’s a money saving option for RS, however, not good marketing. I loan my spiral bound note books to friends who are considering RS programs. I also keep them for personal reference. Road Scholar frequently asks for donations and then cuts corners with loyal travelers by asking us to print our own info packets…..poor customer service. I have a trip planned with RS in October/23 but sorry to say I plan to be less loyal to Road Scholar simply because I don’t think you reward those of us who have been loyal travelers over the years.
2) Road Scholar sometimes schedules the end of programs in smaller towns without an airport that has sufficient international airline access. Not customer friendly and not the way I plan personal travel. Catching an early morning train from Basel to Zurich airport to board a plane for the USA is poor planning. RS should give more thought into the logistics of our return home.
— Review left May 16, 2023
Switzerland in a Nutshell was excellent in all respects and fully worth the time and money I invested.
— Review left October 28, 2022
A well-organized program filled with interesting activities! Pleasant, helpful and efficient guides take the work and worry out of travelling!
— Review left October 4, 2022
We had a wonderful time learning about Switzerland and the ease of traveling by train. We were kept busy with visits to castles, cathedrals, lake cruise and exploring the towns and cities. Dmitrij and Laura were excellent guides and went above and beyond. I would highly recommend this trip.
— Review left September 24, 2022
this program was stimulating, varied and surprising; above all, the group leaders Dmitrij and Laura, enhanced every aspect of the program with good humor and care. Go--you'll love it.
— Review left September 14, 2022
Switzerland in a Nutshell was an excellent trip and I highly recommend it
— Review left June 26, 2022
I highly recommend this tour because there is a lot to see and do and our guide was absolutely amazing. Would love to have him again the next time we go back.
— Review left June 24, 2022
This trip captured the outstanding beauty of Switzerland and offered a knowledge of the history as well as the diverse cultures of this country. It was an outstanding tour.
— Review left June 18, 2022
This trip exceeded my expectations. We were fortunate to have perfect weather the entire trip and had picture postcard views of the Matterhorn. The ride on the Glacier Express is breathtaking & a highlight. It is an active trip with lots of walking and many steps to climb, and well worth the effort.
Our Group Leaders Nina & Dimitrij were fun, knowledgeable & went way beyond what would be expected to solve problems and help each participant!!
This is the trip of a lifetime, I'm so glad I went!
— Review left May 17, 2022
Switzerland in a Nutshell was wonderful, though could use more time, small country but a lot to see. Packing light highly recommended, but I don't know what we would have done if someone wasn't taking our luggage to each destination. Cannot imagine carrying. Changing hotels every 2 days was certainly a drag. Program Leaders very knowledgeable & a joy to be around.
— Review left November 2, 2021
The Switzerland in a Nutshell covered all the bases ... countryside, culture, mountains, cities, history ....LOVED
— Review left October 25, 2021
Interesting cities and breathtaking scenery - a perfect combination for a vacation!
— Review left October 20, 2021
Switzerland is a beautiful country, and it was good to travel around it by train. The train section of the trip was not as interesting as I expected, as there was no commentary during the travel. We had wonderful weather, and were able to see the Matterhorn, which was a highlight.
— Review left October 12, 2021
This program is interesting and you see and learn a lot of beautiful Switzerland. The activity level is very aptly described. If you can't walk fast this is not for you.
— Review left September 24, 2021
A well organized trip worth taking. Beautiful scenery. Great memories.
— Review left August 25, 2019
This was my first Road Scholar trip and I absolutely loved it. The itinerary was great, along with the preparation and execution. I highly recommend Road Scholar as a way to see and better understand the world around us.
— Review left June 14, 2019
This trip was a great introduction to Switzerland and train travel; so much more fun and interesting than coach travel. The scenery along the way was just breathtaking. A well organized trip (of course, the Swiss are efficient and on time!) David and Paula took care of our group of 23 with ease; they were terrific. If Switzerland is on your bucket list, you would not be disappointed.
— Review left June 14, 2019
This was our 3rd trip with RS and the most enjoyable yet. Switzerland is absolutely breathtaking! Our tour leaders, Dimitrij and Ursula, were wonderful - so helpful and a lot of fun. Our group consisted of such pleasant and interesting people who were not only good company, but also provided us with some great travel tips and insights. Train travel in Switzerland is the way to go—just sit back, relax, and take in the beauty!
— Review left June 6, 2019
it was a relaxing and wonderful trip, just what I was expecting to appreciate Switzerland
— Review left May 23, 2019