Spend the entire day in the high Alpine country of lakes, glacial valleys and snow-capped peaks. Relax as you travel alongside Lake Lucerne passing Lungern Lake into the Aare valley with its shimmering Brienzer Lake and pass Interlaken with its magnificent view of the Jungfrau, known as the “Queen of the Alps”. We then descend into the Waterfall Valley of Lauterbrunnen to see the cascading falls of Staubbach. The village gets its name – Lauter Brunnen (loud springs) – from the 72 waterfalls that can be found there. Its landmark is the Staubbachfall: which cascades 300 metres over a vertical rock face. After a brief photo stop in Lauterbrunnen we board the cogwheel train to Jungfraujoch changing trains in Kleine Scheidegg. The total train travelling time from Lauterbrunnen to the Jungfraujoch is approx. 2 hours.

At Jungfraujoch, the highest railway station in Europe, you can visit the Ice Palace and the Sphinx Terraces - reached by lift affording breathtaking view of the Aletsch Glacier, the largest river of ice in Europe.  The UNESCO World Heritage Site Swiss Alps Jungfrau-Aletsch is the first natural heritage site of the Alpine region! Standing on the Jungfraujoch you will be 3,454 metres above sea level. An ultrafast lift will take you to the Sphinx Observatory, an international research station. It climbs 108 metres in 25 seconds. You need do nothing more than enjoy the view up there. Explore the Ice Palace where mountain guides created the aisles and halls in the 1930s with picks and saws in the middle of the Jungfraufirn. Today, artists create the ice – with a great deal of flair. On a mirror-smooth tour through a frosty world, visitors will discover their works of art in nooks and crannies. An eagle, penguin or bear, as though they had just turned to ice, appear quite natural. A simple Swiss lunch is included at the Crystal Top of Europe Restaurant (beverages NOT included).

After approx. 3 ½ hours at the Top of Europe, we will depart Jungfraujoch to Eigergletscher where will board the Eiger Express Cable Car. The 15 minute journey by cable car can transport up to 2,200 travelers per hour. Upon arrival at Grindelwald Terminal we will board our bus. Take a last look at the high Alpine country as you return to Lucerne.

Includes:

Bus Driver and Tour Guide

Train/Cable Car Tickets to and from Jungfraujoch

Simple Swiss Lunch including gratuity (beverages not included)

Activities at the Top of Europe such as the Ice Palace, Sphinx Terrace and a short multimedia tour.

Driver and Tour Guide gratuities

Not Included:

Beverages with your meal.

Monday, November 4

Approx. 8:00AM - 6:30PM

Cost:  $270 per person

A fascinating combination of Swiss countryside and Berne, the Capital, is being offered today.

We begin our day with a drive through the Emmental Valley, the dairy farming area, where the famous Emmental cheese is made. This is a region characterized by gentle, green pastures, soft hills, tiny villages scattered with farmhouses that hide beneath gigantic roofs and behind colorful flower beds. For our first stop, the Emmental cheese dairy is delighted to invite you to see the Emmentaler show dairy in Affoltern in the Emmental valley and to learn the secrets of cheese production.

How do the holes get in the cheese? We will learn this and much more on our guided tour through the show dairy. Together with a guide, we will visit the Küherstöckli (Herdsman’s cottage) from 1741, the fire engine cheese dairy from 1900 and then embark on the King's Way. At the end of the tour, we will enjoy a cheese tasting with various degrees of ripeness of Emmentaler AOP. Of course, the secret of how the holes get into the cheese will be revealed. There is also a Baker's and confection's shop with a big choice of homemade local specialties onsite.

Next, relax while we travel through this intimate countryside until we come to Berne. Wandering through the picture-postcard, UNESCO World Heritage–listed Old Town, with its provincial, laid-back air, it's hard to believe that Bern (Berne in French) is the capital of Switzerland. Built between the 12th and 18th centuries, Berne is still the fine old city of by-gone days. Nothing could spoil its charming appearance of ancient fountains, cellars and towers, as well as the sandstone steps which were worn down by past and present generations of walkers. The famous 4-miles of the arcaded streets of the old city is a paradise for browsers and shoppers! Weatherproof and traffic-free the shop windows tempt the passer-by with their attractive choice of goods.

After lunch on your own, we will embark on a 1 ½ - 2 hour walking tour of Berne. The main features of the city tour are the Houses of Parliament, the Town Hall and last but not least the Bear Park which is the pride of every citizen of Berne, as the bear is the heraldic animal of the city arms. The Parliament Building is a symbol of Swiss democracy and home to the country’s federal government. Marvel at its grand architecture and learn about its significance in Swiss politics. Rathaus Bern (Town Hall) is located in the heart of Bern’s Old City. This historic town hall serves as a hub for both the cantonal and city governments. As you approach the Rathaus, you’ll be struck by its impressive sandstone facade, adorned with intricate details and symbols of Bern’s heritage. The Bern bear pit is an attraction that is known far beyond the borders of Switzerland. Since 1513 bears have been at home in Bern; until 1857 in the town itself, then in the bear pit, and since 2009 in the new and spacious Bärenpark. Since 2009, the Bern bears have primarily had a modern, 6,000 square meter park at their disposal, which they reach through a tunnel - the BärenPark

Once our walking tour has concluded, we allow some time for independent activities and to indulge in some shopping before boarding our bus for the return back to Lucerne.

Includes:

Bus Driver and Tour Guide

Guided tour with tasting at Emmental show dairy

Approx. 2 hour walking tour in Berne

Driver, Tour Guide and local guide gratuities

 Not Included:

Lunch

Tuesday, November 5

Approx. 8:00AM - 7:00PM

Cost:  $270 per person

This morning we depart Lucerne, cross the Rhine River and pass by the city of Schaffhausen until we reach Neuhausen for a stop at the roaring Rhine Falls, the largest waterfalls in Europe. The Rhine Falls is located in northern Switzerland about 25 km south of the German border. At a width of 150 m and a height of 23 m, an average of 700 m3 of water rushes over the cliffs each second. Visitors are blown away by the sheer power of the Rhine Falls. We will visit the southern Rhine Falls viewing platform called Schloss Laufen am Rheinfall. This is the best of the viewing platforms as it is right over the falls and gives you an awesome view. We will have access to the panorama lift with wonderful views of the region. You may also visit the Historama exhibit explaining the history of the falls which is great to visit before or after the viewing platforms.

Next we depart to Zurich. Zurich is the commercial, intellectual and industrial center of Switzerland. We will take time for lunch (on your own) before meeting our guide at Munsterbrucke for a walking tour of Zurich. This tour will give you a good general idea of Zurich in all its aspects: through the business and shopping center (famous Bahnhofstrasse) and the Old town, along the Lake to the greenery of the recreational areas on the outskirts, with a stop at the Lake and a stop at a vantage point from where you will have a wonderful view of the City. From the iconic Münsterbrücke to the vibrant Bahnhofstrasse, the tour invites visitors to discover the rich heritage and hidden gems that define this captivating Swiss destination.

After a short time for shopping, we will travel to the Lindt Home of Chocolate to experience the interactive world of Lindt and dive into the world of chocolate. At the Lindt Home of Chocolate the biggest Lindt Chocolate Shop (500 m2) and the spectacular Lindt chocolate fountain are waiting for you, as well as an interactive chocolate tour all about the Swiss cultural heritage of chocolate. With your included audioguide, journey back to the origins of chocolate and experience how cocoa conquered Europe. Peek over a real LINDT Master Chocolatier’ shoulder to watch him create the finest chocolate and learn all about our favorite treat. Enjoy the tasting stations in the exhibition and dive into the world of chocolate.

Now that you have indulged your sweet tooth, we will head back to Lucerne.

Includes:

Bus Driver and Tour Guide

Tickets to the Rhine Falls

Approx 1 ½ hour walking tour in Zurich

Audio-Guided tour with tasting at Lindt Home of Chocolate

Driver, Tour Guide and local guide gratuities

Not Included:

Lunch