Lakes & mountains of Switzerland

A short train ride transports you along the edge of the lake, providing views of the Alps and Mont Blanc until you reach Montreux, where you’ll spend the next three nights. This section of the lake is known as the Riviera, so named for its Mediterranean-like climate. Previously home to notables such as Charlie Chaplin and Freddie Mercury, the region has plenty of history and culture to be explored. Stroll along the waterfront to admire the collection of sculptures and statues.

Your private guide will collect you from your hotel this morning for a half-day trip through the wine-producing region of Lavaux. Learn a little of the history of the region before tasting a selection of the local wines, accompanied by a typical Swiss lunch of cheese fondue or charcuterie board. Returning to Montreux, enjoy the afternoon at leisure — you might consider visiting medieval Château de Chillon.

Today, head away from the lake and up into the mountains to Glacier 3000, located at an altitude of 3,000 m (9,840 ft). At the summit, you can soak up the 360-degree views and hike across the glacier for lunch at one of the Alps’ many small, rustic mountain-top eateries known as refuges. Heading away from the glacier, your journey continues to Gstaad, the playground of the rich and famous. Enjoy an afternoon strolling among the designer boutiques and opulent hotels before riding the GoldenPass panoramic train down through meadows and vineyards, finally arriving back in Montreux.

Take a scenic train through the countryside and into the Alps to the resort town of Zermatt, where you’ll spend the next three nights. Wander among the wooden chalets and visit the Matterhorn Museum to explore the mountain’s history. Spend the afternoon traversing the wooden walkways through the deep Gorner Gorge.

Meet your private guide to spend half a day exploring Zermatt and its surroundings. You'll head up by funicular to the Matterhorn Glacier Paradise for far-reaching mountain views before being led through the Ice Palace and then head back toward Zermatt via forest trails, wildflower meadows and wooden huts.

Head out early this morning to ride the first cog train up to the Gornergrat, a rocky outcrop with exceptional views of Gorner Glacier, the longest glacier in the Alps. Take in the panoramic sweep from the observatory and, with the Matterhorn as your backdrop, enjoy a picnic lunch by a glacial lake before making your way back down to Zermatt on foot.

Take the train to Geneva or Zürich for your flight home.