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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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Start
Regional StudiesSmall GroupNew
Length
12 days
Rating
New
Activity Level
Starts at
8,199
Special Offer
Flights start at
1,200
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. Remember to bring your nametag (sent previously). Getting on/off a train; carrying luggage on/off the 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: 4:00 p.m. 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. We will learn from the Group Leader as well as local experts who will give lectures and lead field trips. Program-related travel and transfers will be via private motorcoach and public transportation. We will have meals in the hotel dining room and local restaurants. 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 a boat. Getting on/off a 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 by a local expert 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. Afterwards, we’ll set out on foot to the loading dock and board the boat for a scenic 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. Afterwards, we’ll take the train back to the hotel for some downtime before dinner.
Dinner:
At a local restaurant.
Evening:
At leisure.
Activity Note
Getting on/off a train; riding under 1.5 hours one-way. Walking about 1.5 miles with standing during the city walk. Extent and duration of walking and other activities during free time according to personal choice.
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 go on an expert-led city walk in the heart of Geneva.
Lunch:
At a local restaurant in Geneva.
Afternoon:
Free time. This period of time has been set aside for your personal independent exploration to see and do what interests you most. Please refer to the list of Free Time Opportunities. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions. Please note that the period scheduled for free time is subject to change depending on local circumstances and opportunities for independent exploration. At a predetermined 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 morning.
Activity Note
Walking about 2 miles throughout the day. Getting on/off a motorcoach; driving about 165 miles throughout the day, approximately 4.5 hours riding time. Extent and duration of walking and other activities during free hour in Zermatt according to personal choice. Getting on/off a train; riding approximately 1/2 hour.
Breakfast:
In the 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, we’ll have some time to independently explore Zermatt. We’ll regather at a predetermined time to board the train back to Täsch. We’ll then continue our transfer via motorcoach to Locarno. Upon arrival, we’ll check in to the hotel before gathering for dinner.
Dinner:
At the hotel.
Evening:
At leisure.
Activity Note
Walking about 2 miles throughout the day. Getting on/off public transportation; riding approximately 2 hours throughout the day.
Breakfast:
In the hotel dining room.
Morning:
We’ll first set out on foot for an expert-led walk in the 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 breathtaking 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. Back at the hotel, we’ll adjourn for the day.
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 a boat.
Breakfast:
In the hotel dining room.
Morning:
We’ll gather at the hotel for a lecture from a local expert on Ticino, the Italian-speaking regions 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 visit the Brissago Island Botanical Garden, led by a member of its staff. The gardens are homes to many subtropical 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. Afterwards, we’ll board the boat and head back to Locarno where we’ll have some downtime before dinner.
Dinner:
At a local restaurant.
Evening:
At leisure. Prepare for check-out and transfer in the morning.
Activity Note
Walking about 1 mile throughout the day. Getting on/off a train; riding under 2 hours. Getting on/off a boat. A luggage transfer will be provided on this day. We will receive our luggage at check-in in Lucerne.
Breakfast:
In the 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 the dock for a boat ride on Lake Lucerne, 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, we’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. Extent and duration of walking and other activities during free time according to personal choice.
Breakfast:
In the hotel dining room.
Morning:
We’ll gather at the hotel for a lecture from a local expert on the German-speaking region of Switzerland. Afterwards, we’ll enjoy an expert-led 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 a train; riding approximately 4.5 hours throughout the day. Getting on/off a motorcoach; driving about 50 miles, under 1.5 hours riding time throughout the day.
Breakfast:
In the hotel dining room.
Morning:
We’ll walk to the train station and board the train towards Grindelwald, following the Golden Pass line until we reach Interlaken. We’ll switch trains and head out on the Jungfrau Railway, riding 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. We will have opportunities to admire the mountains during a walk through the alpine meadows with the Group Leader.
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, an open-air museum which highlights traditional Swiss buildings and architecture from all over the country. Afterwards, we’ll board the motorcoach and travel back to Lucerne with some time to freshen up before dinner.
Dinner:
At the hotel.
Evening:
At leisure. Prepare for check-out and transfer in the morning.
Activity Note
Walking about 1.5 miles throughout the day. Getting on/off a train; riding about 40 miles, under 1 hour. Getting on/off a boat; riding approximately 2.5 hours. A luggage transfer will be provided on this day. You will receive 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 our Group Leader. Next, we’ll set out on foot to the train station and board the train to Rapperswil. On arrival, 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 exploration through Old Town Zurich, navigating through the narrow streets and historic buildings. We’ll end at our hotel for check-in. Before dinner, we will gather for a farewell presentation to relive our favorite memories.
Dinner:
In the hotel dining room. Share favorite experiences and enjoy camaraderie with new Road Scholar friends during our farewell dinner.
Evening:
At leisure. Prepare for check-out and departure in the morning.
Activity Note
Hotel check-out by 11:00 a.m. See your program’s “Getting There” information regarding transfers.
Breakfast:
At the hotel. This concludes our program.
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 like our Facebook page and follow us on Instagram. Best wishes for all your journeys!
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