Experience the best of Switzerland on this nine-night, self-guided holiday, designed to give you a true taste of this stunning country, including unforgettable experiences on two of the most spectacular panoramic journeys in the world: the Bernina and Glacier Express scenic trains. Discover the beautiful lakeside setting of Lucerne, with its pedestrianised Old Town and nearby Mount Pilatus. Experience the world-famous St. Moritz, enjoy a day aboard the incredible Bernina Express and ride the Glacier Express panoramic train to the ‘Matterhorn village’ of Zermatt.

Our Walking Experts can tailor your trip to dates, and hotels that suit you. This 9 nights self guided tour has Wednesday departures only.

Lucerne is a beautiful and historic city on the shores of Lake Lucerne, and is a great base for exploring the area. Stroll through the Old Town or along the lakeside, take a lunchtime boat cruise and discover picturesque villages dotted around the lake, or head out on one of the many scenic walks.

Our top tips for your time in Lucerne:

• Discover Mount Pilatus, which rises high behind Lucerne, with staggering views. It’s a mountain for families, walkers, adventure lovers and foodies, and is perfect for an exciting day out. 
• Take a paddle steamer over to Weggis and explore this pretty lakeside village, or head up Mount Rigi – nicknamed Queen of the Mountains. There’s 120 kilometres of walking trails to be explored.
• Spend some time wandering the narrow streets of Lucerne’s Old Town, where you’ll find frescoed old buildings and impressive architecture. There’s a culture of dining alfresco around the river by the Chapel Bridge, and it’s a particularly nice spot to enjoy a classic Swiss fondue.

The world famous town of St. Moritz is in the Engadine region of Switzerland, with beautiful scenery and lots of walking opportunities. Here you get unlimited use of St. Moritz’s mountain transport thanks to your guest card from the Hotel Monopol, so exploring the area is easy.

Experience one of Switzerland's most famous scenic train journeys on a stunning trip from St. Moritz to Tirano on the Bernina Express (included in your holiday price). The journey down to Tirano will be in 1st class and the return journey will be in 2nd class. There will be some free time in Tirano for coffee, ice cream or a snack before making your way back.

Our top tips for your time in St. Moritz:

• Explore some fantastic Engadine countryside surrounding St Moritz, with lots of stunning walking opportunities. Take a day hike to Corvatsch or Corviglis for inspiring 360° views along a panoramic trail, or take a leisurely stroll around the lake and stop for coffee en route.
• Cool off in one of the regions glistening mountain lakes or hire a stand-up paddleboard, canoe or kayak and enjoy some peace and tranquillity on the water. If the wind is good, the lakes are popular for windsurfing and sailing, too.
• Try out the St. Moritz Sky Bar which is a rooftop bar and terrace with fantastic views over the lakes and mountains of the St. Moritz area – a great place to enjoy a relaxing drink.

Depart St. Moritz on the famous Glacier Express panoramic train on your journey to Zermatt – have your camera handy because the views along the route are stunning. The journey is around eight hours, and we have reserved a 1st class seat for you. A lunch or lunch box is also included on board (not all services have the same catering). Some Glacier Express trains start in Chur which is around two hours from St. Moritz, meaning the first part of your journey may be by standard train, followed by the Glacier Express from Chur to Zermatt).

The charming town of Zermatt is a delight to explore, with rustic chalet style buildings and car-free streets. There’s nearly 400 kilometres of marked routes in Zermatt’s huge walking area, opened up by multiple mountain lifts, meaning you can enjoy the best views of the famous Matterhorn and surrounding mountains and glaciers with ease.

Our top tips for your time in Zermatt:

• For the best views of the Matterhorn, a trip up the historic Gornergrat railway is a must. Not far from the top of the lift is the Riffelsee where you can get the ultimate mirror reflection of the Matterhorn on a calm day. There’s plenty of lovely walking options up here too.
• Head up high to the Matterhorn Glacier Paradise, where you can visit the ice palace, enjoy spectacular views and take a trip on the new Matterhorn Alpine Crossing over into Italy.
• There are lots of adventurous activities in Zermatt too – hire a mountain bike for the day and explore on two wheels, or try some via feratta. 
• Visit Europe’s highest alpine garden at 2,800 metres altitude. The Alpine Garden is on the Gornergrat, directly below the Rotenboden station and displays around 150 species of plants.