Mountains & Valleys: Exploring Switzerland at a Slower Pace

After you enroll, we’ll ask you to provide or update your personal information and preferences, which includes your health information, lodging and meal preferences for your program.

A passport is required for this program. It must be valid for at least 6 months after your return date.

This information about travel documents pertains to participants holding U.S. passports. Non-U.S. citizens should refer to their country's requirements to ensure they have the necessary documentation for travel.

United States citizens don’t need a visa for any of the countries you’ll be visiting. Non-U.S. citizens should refer to their country's requirements to ensure they have the necessary documentation for travel.

If Road Scholar is arranging your air travel to and from the program, and you travel on the scheduled start and end dates, you’ll receive free round-trip transfers from the airport to the hotel.

Arrival day is on August 31, 2027

Meet the group at Eden Palace Au Lac in Montreux

Start of Trip:  3:00 p.m. hotel check-in; 4:00 p.m. Orientation followed by Welcome Dinner.

Getting to the site: Trains to Geneva depart every 30 minutes. Upon arrival, proceed to the airport's railway station to purchase your ticket. You'll board the train bound for Montreux Station (approximately a 1 hour and 15 minute train ride). The hotel is a 10 minute walk from the station. You will exit the station and walk south on Av. des Alpes, then turn right on Rue de la Paix which turns into Rue du Quai. The hotel in on the corner on Rue du Quai and Rue du Theatre. This options costs approximately 35 CHF. Alternatively, upon arrival at the Montreaux Station, you can take a taxi directly from the station to the hotel. The ride is about 5 minutes and costs approximately 20-25 CHF. Please note that travel time and costs are estimates and can fluctuate.

Getting to the site by train or bus: Train from Basel is available.

Your trip ends on: Friday, September 10, 2027 in Zurich at Hotel City Zürich

End of Trip: 10:00 a.m. after breakfast; 11:00 a.m. hotel check-out. Transfers continuing through the day depending on flight times.

Getting to the airport: There are a few options: Train: Trains depart from Zurich HB to Zurich Airport every 10 minutes (between 5:00 – midnight). Take a short walk from the hotel to Zurich HB, then board the train towards the Zurich Airport. This journey takes approximately 10-15 minutes, and the cost will be included with your Swiss Rail Pass. Tram: Take Tram Line 10 to the Zurich Airport. This journey will take approximately 35 minutes, and the cost will be included with your Swiss Rail Pass. Taxi: Your group leader or the hotel can assist with the process to book a taxi. This journey will take approximately 10-20 minutes, and costs between 45-65 CHF. Please note that travel time and costs are estimates and can fluctuate.

Information if you are purchasing your own airfare: Road Scholar no longer offers complimentary transfers to participants with “Program Only” status. However, the Arrival transfer on this program is an exception to the policy due to the nature of transportation included on this program. If you are arriving early or booked your own air, there is a possibility to reserve a seat on the group arrival transfer. Please note if you are arranging your own air, your flight should arrive no later than 11:30 a.m. in order to ensure that you will be able to join the transfer. The Final Information Packet, which is released 6 weeks prior to the program start date, will include instructions on how to reserve your space on the transfer. Reservations for the arrival group transfer are only available after you have received the Final Information Packet, but no later than 30 days prior to the program start date. Transfer times will vary from departure to departure. There is no guarantee that the transfer schedule will coincide with independently booked flights. If you wish you purchase airfare through Road Scholar, please call (800) 241-1404. Please note: In the unlikely event Road Scholar must make changes to the program's arrival or departure details, we will notify all participants as soon as possible. Participants who have purchased Road Scholar airfare are protected against airline change fees; however, anyone who has not purchased Road Scholar airfare will be required to make their own adjustments and may incur fees imposed by the airline.