Upon arrival in Zurich, Switzerland, meet your Premier World Discovery Tour Director. Travel to Bern, the beautiful capital of Switzerland, featuring cobblestone streets under medieval arches, making it one of Europe’s most picturesque cities & registered as a UNESCO historic site. See the Rose Garden, one of the most beautiful parks in Bern, offering an unrivaled view over the rooftops of the historic Old Town. Also, see the impressive Zytglogge (Glockenspiel), a landmark medieval tower built in the early 13th century; it has served the city as a guard tower, prison, and clock tower. 

Later, travel into the massive Swiss Alps and arrive in Lauterbrunnen with its towering cliffs. Say goodbye to the motorcoach for a few days as you begin using your included Berner Oberland Regional Rail Pass, which gives access to rail, cable car, bus, and boat. Travel by Cog Railway up to the enchanting alpine village of Wengen, your home for the next 6-nights. Wengen is a picturesque small village in the Jungfrau region and could represent the Swiss Alps on a postcard as it features no cars, mountains all around, green meadows, and forests surrounding the village. This evening, enjoy a Welcome Dinner. (D)

Included meals are shown at the end of each day with the initials of Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner.

Photo: Bern's Zytglogge (glockenspiel clock)

This morning, board the Cog Railway for an excursion to the glacier-carved Lauterbrunnen Valley. Board a Postbus to Trummelbach Falls, a series of ten glacier-fed waterfalls inside the mountain made accessible by a tunnel-funicular, built in 1913. Go inside the mountain and see how the falls have carved incredible caves. Next, take the cable car to Gimmelwald, a small traffic-free village in the Bernese Oberland. 

Then, continue to Murren to enjoy some time at leisure in this car-free village noted for hiking paths surrounded by bell-ringing cows, waterfalls, and wildflowers. Ride the funicular up to Allmendhubel (altitude 6,200 ft.) for the view, or take the Schilthorn Cable Car up to the summit of Piz Gloria (additional cost, altitude 9,700 ft.). The panoramic revolving restaurant at the summit was featured in the 1969 James Bond movie On Her Majesty’s Secret Service. Later, return to Wengen, where dinner is included this evening with your fellow travelers. (B,D)

Photo:  Lauterbrunnen Valley & Trummelbach Falls, Switzerland

Today begins with a visit to Wilderswil to board the vintage Cog Railway up to Schynige Platte for incredible views of the surrounding mountain peaks (altitude 6,800’). 

Later, take in the scenery as you cruise across turquoise-blue Lake Brienz. Then ride the Brienzer Rothorn Steam Train to the heights of the Rothorn through alpine meadows and the sound of Swiss cow bells to experience more views of the impressive Alps. Later, return to Wengen and enjoy dinner with your fellow travelers. (B,D)

Photo: Lake Brienz.

Today, enjoy free time in Wengen to shop, hike, and explore with your travel pass.

Maybe join an optional day trip to the famous car-free ski resort village of Zermatt, situated at the foot of the majestic Matterhorn, one of the world’s most famous mountain peaks. Enjoy time at leisure to explore Zermatt on your own. Perhaps peruse the luxury boutiques and shops or enjoy a meal in a ski lodge. Maybe ride up the Cogwheel Railway to the Gornergrat (additional cost, weather permitting, 9,500 ft.), offering incredible views of the Matterhorn and 29 of the highest peaks in Europe. Return to Wengen after a long but rewarding day and enjoy the evening at leisure. (B)

Photo: Zermatt, Switzerland. Gornergrat tourist train with Matterhorn

This morning is at leisure to relax or maybe join the half-day Optional Jungfraujoch Mountain Rail Excursion, referred to as the Top of Europe, where the highest railway station in Europe is located (11,300 ft.). 

This afternoon, travel via Cog Railway to enjoy the included visit to the resort village of Grindelwald to explore, shop, and maybe visit a local cafe. Later, continue to “Summit in First” via the Grindelwald-Männlichen Gondola Cableway, Europe’s longest cable car, to an altitude of 7,600 ft. Later, return to Wengen for an evening at your own pace. (B)

Photo: Grindelwald

Today, travel by Cog Train along the sheer walls of the Swiss Alps back to nearby Grindelwald. Then, board a famed yellow Postbus and travel through the most remote portions of Switzerland for exploration of the Rosenlaui Glacier Gorge, which features waterfalls, natural whirlpools, and fantastic rock formations. Later, descend out of the Aare River Gorge, carved over thousands of years by the Aare River. 

Later, travel to the village of Meiringen, known for being the home of the tasty Meringue and the site of Sherlock Holmes’s final case. Enjoy some time on your own to visit the Sherlock Holmes Museum and try a Meringue at a cafe. This afternoon, ride the panoramic Express Train along Lake Brienz to Interlaken, then the Cog Train up to your hotel in Wengen. Later, enjoy dinner with your fellow travelers. (B,D)

Photo: Rosenlaui Glacier Gorge

This morning, descend on the now familiar Cog Railway and board your motorcoach for the first time in days. Visit one of the most scenic local resident streets in Europe, the Brunngasse in Brienz, which will include a visit to a local Wood Carving Shop. 

Then, travel over Brunig Pass to Lucerne, situated in the geographical heart of Switzerland and poetically described by Alexandre Dumas as “a pearl in the world’s most beautiful oyster.” Enjoy a Lucerne Walking Tour featuring the famous Lion’s Monument, the historic wooden Chapel Bridge, and a walk along the shores of beautiful Lake Lucerne. 

Continue to Zurich and check in to your hotel for your final night. This evening, join your fellow travelers for a Farewell Dinner. (B,D)

Photo: Lucerne

Transfer to the Zurich Airport for your same-day flight home filled with wonderful memories of your Alpine Swiss Villages & Rails Tour. On arrival at O'Hare board our private vehicle to Champaign. (B)

Photo:: Brienz Brungasse for wood carving shop visit