Alpaca-licious Adventure

Amazing day of Alpine Delight!

Join us on a spectacular Swiss adventure and travel to the pristine shores of Lake Geneva. Renowned for its stunning water views, the lake is framed by the soaring peaks of the Swiss Alps.

Geneva is widely known as the City of Peace, home to the European headquarters of the United Nations and the International Red Cross, and is the diplomatic hub of Europe. It boasts beautiful shops and a charming cobbled city center. We will begin the day with an orientation walk to the famous center of Geneva, which boasts an inviting old town with medieval charm and romantic cobbled streets.

The day is free for independent exploration, giving you the chance to soak up the town's unique and romantic ambience, marvel at the beautiful shops, sample the most delicious Swiss chocolate, or sit down for one of those famous cheese fondue meals. Later that afternoon, we will gather for another highlight: a scenic boat ride. Lake Geneva is the deepest and largest freshwater lake in Central Europe. We will cruise along the stunning shoreline of the lake, taking in unparalleled views that can only be seen from the water. If we're lucky with the weather, we might catch a glimpse of Mont Blanc (White Mountain), Europe’s highest peak, which provides the perfect backdrop for this picturesque city.

Austrian & Swiss Apline Country by Rail

If you are craving an escape to the serene and majestic alpine region of Europe, combined with an amazing railroad adventure you won’t want to miss this mini-holiday in the mountains of Austria and Switzerland!  Discover the natural beauty of alpine country with RTT aboard the Glacier Express, the world’s “slowest speed train” that travels to incredible heights and panoramic vistas along one of the most scenic railways in Europe.

Day 1 (Thursday):  Our morning journey by bus takes us into the famous Allgäu Region of Germany, through the foothills of the Alps into Austria, past the shimmering blue waters of Lake Constance and surrounding meadows. In the late afternoon, we arrive in the Austrian city of Feldkirch, where we check into our hotel, followed by a relaxed 3-course dinner.  After our meal, the evening is free for you to relax or venture out and explore the local area.

Day 2 (Friday):  After breakfast and hotel check-out, we continue our alpine route by bus, crossing the Austrian-Swiss border into Chur, the oldest, and arguably one of the most picturesque cities in Switzerland.  It is here that we board the prestigious Glacier Express Train and embark on a breathtaking mountain expedition by rail.

During our voyage, we will be served an exquisite 2-course lunch, primarily sourced from local farms and purveyors, surrounded by a feast for the eyes!   Our route will snake and weave through everchanging views, over bridges, through tunnels and past the Rhine Gorge, one of Europe’s most fascinating mountain riverscapes.  The massive panorama windows on the Glacier Express were designed to create an uncompromising view of the untouched alpine wilderness, and snowcapped mountain peaks as we slowly climb up to Oberalp Pass to reach a staggering height of over 6500 feet!  Our descent takes us through the high valley town of Goms, where stone cliff faces transition into hillsides covered in a rich and luscious canopy of green.  Our amazing ride comes to an end in Brig, where our bus will be waiting to pick us up and take us to our hotel in Brig and home for the next two nights. After check-in and a 3-course dinner at the hotel, the evening if free for you to further explore the area or take time to recharge.

Day 3 (Saturday): Our morning begins with breakfast at the hotel to fuel us up for a day of delicious discoveries.  We begin with a ride on the Little Simplon Express, a motorized sightseeing train that will take us on an exploration of the Old Town Brig and the architectural treasures found here.  Along the way, we will see the Chavez Fountain, Stockalper Castle, and the Kaspar Stockalper Rottenbrücke Bridge that takes us across the river into the quaint town of Naters.  Next, we will tour a local cheese farm where the Fromager here will share all the cheesy details about the alchemy that turns the rich, flavorful milk into prized golden wheels of Swiss cheese. Our visit here would not be complete without sampling the amazing cheese and indulging the senses in the intoxicating aroma, flavor, and site of this luscious dairy delight.  The afternoon offers leisure and free time to stroll the streets of Brig and take a closer look at the sites seen earlier from the train. After a thorough exploration of Brig, we will regroup and return to our hotel and enjoy one last 3-course dinner together in Switzerland.

Day 4 (Sunday):  After breakfast and hotel check out, we will begin to make our way north through by bus on a scenic journey through the Swiss Alps, along the shore and pristine emerald waters of Lake Geneva into the resort town of Montreaux.  Upon arrival, your guide will provide a brief orientation, before you are free to independently explore for several hours.   This is an opportune time to take in the natural splendor, stroll the lakeside promenade, or relax in one of the local restaurants and enjoy a traditional Swiss fondue.  Later in the afternoon we will regroup and board our bus. The relaxing drive home is the perfect time to share and reminisce on the flavors you sampled and the unforgettable experiences you take home with you.

Grandiose Lakes, Glaciers and Glorious Alps

Join us on a spectacular Swiss summer adventure, to the pristine shores of Lake Geneva, renowned for the stunning water views framed by the soaring peaks of the Swiss Alps.  Here you will find a host of luxury shops to temp you, charming city centers with a maze of cobblestone streets, quaint corners, and nestled in a bounty of natural beauty.  All nights are spent at the same hotel in Geneva where morning and evening meals are included, providing a relaxed sightseeing experience along with wine and cheese tasting in some of Europe’s most beautiful settings.

Day 1 (Thursday):

Traveling south through the Alpine region of Switzerland, we’ll make a savory stop in the medieval town of Gruyères and tuck into the fantastic flavors of Gruyère’s famous cheese. Here we will learn what makes this premium cheese so delicious, from the special care each milk cow receives to the high standards and artisanal approach used to create this full-flavored dairy delight.  Your cravings for this mouthwatering snack will be blissfully satisfied with a sampling of cheese from the local fromagers with over a century of cheese-making experience.

Afterward, we invite you to explore the sites of the historic town of Gruyere at your own pace. Visit the magnificent 13th-century Castle of Gruyères, take in the natural alpine scenery, shop the charming array of stores, or sample an authentic Swiss Fondue for lunch. Movie enthusiasts can find a special treat at the H.R. Giger’s Café & Museum, where Giger’s peculiar aesthetic, made famous by his set designs and monsters in “Aliens”, is displayed and celebrated.  As the evening draws near we continue to the magnificent Lake Geneva, the deepest lake and largest source of fresh water in Central Europe. We check in to our hotel in Geneva followed by a savory dinner before turning in for the night.

Day 2 (Friday):

After a good night’s rest, it’s time for a hearty breakfast before embarking on another exciting day of exploration. We begin with a guided tour through the famous center of Geneva, home to the highest number of international and diplomatic organizations in the world including the European United Nations, the International Red Cross and the Olympic Committee. We will see the picturesque Jet d'Eau water fountain, an inviting old town with its medieval flair, colorful clock, and romantic cobblestone streets. Here, you will have some free time to take in what interests you most and sample the local culinary delights.

After lunch, we return to our bus for a relaxing and scenic drive to the French border region where the stunning alpine town of Annecy, about 40 kilometers from Geneva, is waiting to be explored. The town is known as the “Pearl of the French Alps”  with its picturesque silhouette formed by one mighty castle complex and serene surroundings. Our time in Annecy begins with a guided stroll through narrow cobblestone streets, taking us by countless canals lined with a rainbow of pastel-colored houses and bridges adorned in flowers. Here we board our boat and set out on a cruise along the lake’s stunning shoreline, taking advantage of an unparalleled view only available from the lake. The remainder of our time here is free for independent exploration and the chance for to soak up the unique and romantic ambiance of the town and perhaps take a boat tour through the turquoise alpine lake where the scenery can be taken in from another perspective. In the late afternoon, we will regroup and return to Geneva where another delicious dinner is awaiting at our hotel.

 Day 3 (Saturday)

After breakfast, we make our way by bus to the beautiful city of Lausanne, picturesquely located on the lake shores, opposite Geneva. Here our local guide will introduce us to this medieval cityscape as we walk along the shop-lined streets to the town's crown jewel, Notre Dame of Lausanne, a 12th-century Gothic cathedral boasting an ornate façade and beautiful stained glass windows.  We will admire the wonderful Lavaux terraced landscape and one of the most beautiful wine-growing regions in the world, now included in the UNESCO World Heritage List.  Next, we will board a small train on a wonderful winding journey through the terraced vineyards, where you will be treated to a breathtaking view over the lake and snow-covered alpine peaks beyond. The best is yet to come at the end of the ride we will enjoy a wine tasting and offerings from the local vineyards.  From here we travel by bus back to our hotel for dinner and a chance to relax after another “alp-mazing” day.

Day 4 (Sunday)

After breakfast and hotel checkout, it is time to begin our journey home and bid Geneva farewell,  but we’re not done with Switzerland yet!  On our way north, we will stop in the beautiful baroque city of Solothurn, a favorite stop among history buffs and culinary connoisseurs.  Here you will have time to sample the town’s lunchtime delights and do any last-minute shopping before beginning the last leg of the trip home.

City of Illumination

Lucerne, known throughout Europe as the “City of Lights,” is framed by the stunning Swiss Alps and the pristine shores of Lake Lucerne.  Travel with us on this alpine extravaganza of natural beauty for the best in Swiss cheese and city flair. Have you ever wondered where all those holes in Swiss cheese come from? We’ll solve this mystery on our first stop to the traditional Emmentaler Dairy Show! We’ll take a tour through four cheese dairy generations and learn all the fascinating aspects of producing artisanal Swiss cheese, followed by an in-depth tasting before we continue our drive through the ravishing beauty of the Swiss countryside to Lucerne. 

Next on our itinerary is a visit to the alpine city of Lucerne. Romantic, quaint, and inviting; stroll along the iconic Chapel Bridge with its scenic turquoise alpine water extending in both directions to make Lucerne one of the world’s prettiest cities and the Chapel Bridge the most photographed sight in town. We invite you to discover hidden alleys, and quaint town squares and to try all the sweet and savory delights the city is famous for. As the evening draws near the city blazes with light. Artists from all over the world will present the fascinating facets of light all around us. More than 20 squares, alleyways, and sights will be artistically illuminated in the most beautiful colors. We encourage you to stroll around, take in the atmosphere or attend one of the light presentations in town (not included).