DAY 1

OVERNIGHT FLIGHT

Today board your overnight flight to Europe

DAY 2

ARRIVE IN ZURICH, SWITZERLAND - LUCERNE

Upon arrival in Zurich, Switzerland meet your Premier World Discovery Tour Director. Travel 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”. This evening, enjoy a Welcome Dinner. (D)

Overnight: Lucerne

DAY 3

LUCERNE - WENGEN

Today, enjoy a Lucerne Walking Tour featuring the famous Lion’s Monument, the historic wooden Chapel Bridge and a walk along shores of beautiful Lake Lucerne. Later travel into the massive Swiss Alps and arrive in Lauterbrunnen with its towering cliffs. Say good-bye 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 5 nights. Wengen is a picturesque small village in the Jungfrau region and could represent the Swiss Alps on postcard as it features no cars, mountains all around, green meadows and forests surrounding the village. (B,D)

Overnight: Wengen

DAY 4: LAUTERBRUNNEN VALLEYGIMMELWALD - MURREN - ALLMENDHUBEL

This morning, board the Cog Railway for an excursion to the glacier-carved Lauterbrunnen Valley and take a cable car up 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 bellringing 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 Piz Gloria (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)

Overnight: Wengen

DAY 5

JUNGFRAU OPTIONAL - GRINDELWALD

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, a place 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. You may choose to continue on 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)

Overnight: Wengen

DAY 6

ROSENLAUI - AARE RIVER GORGE - MEIRINGEN

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 mountains to the amazing 600 ft. deep Aare River Gorge, carved over thousands of years by the Aare River. Travel through the village of Meiringen known for being the home of the tasty Meringue and the site of Sherlock Holmes’ final case. This afternoon ride the panoramic Express Train along Lake Brienz to Interlaken, then the Cog Train up to your hotel in Wengen. This evening enjoy dinner with your fellow travelers. (B,D)

Overnight: Wengen

DAY 7

DAY AT LEISURE - ZERMATT OPTIONAL

Today, enjoy free time in Wengen to shop, hike and explore with your travel pass. Maybe join the 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. In Zermatt, enjoy a brief orientation walk of the village before having time to explore, hike, shop and dine on your own. Perhaps peruse the luxury boutiques and shops or enjoy a meal in a ski lodge. If you choose, and the weather is good, ride the cogwheel train up to the Gornergrat Summit (altitude 10,134’) for stunning views of the Matterhorn and incredible views of 29 of the highest peaks in Europe. After an amazing day in one of the world’s most famous ski villages head back to Wengen and enjoy the  evening at leisure. (B)

Overnight: Wengen

DAY 8

WENGEN - BERN - ZURICH

This morning descend on the now familiar Cog Railway and board your motorcoach for the first time in days. Travel to Bern, the beautiful capital city 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 guard tower, prison, and clock tower. Continue to Zurich and visit the Old Town and the upscale shopping district, the Bahnhofstrasse. Later, check in to your hotel for your final night. This evening join your fellow travelers for a Farewell Dinner. (B,D)

Overnight: Zurich Airport

DAY 9: ZURICH - HOME

Transfer to the Zurich Airport for your flight home filled with wonderful memories of your Alpine Swiss Villages & Rails Tour. (B)