Switzerland: Majestic Peaks and Alpine Villages

Arrive in Milan, then transfer to your hotel on the shores of Lake Lugano. Gather with fellow travelers and trip staff for a welcome briefing followed by dinner at a local restaurant. (D)

Cross into Switzerland and ride the funicular to the top of Monte San Salvatore for sweeping views across the Alps, Lake Lugano, and the plains of Lombardy. Continue to the town of Lugano in the Swiss canton of Ticino, and soak up its Mediterranean atmosphere on a walking tour along streets lined with pastel-hued villas and palm trees. Step into the Church of Santa Maria degli Angioli to see its renowned Renaissance frescos, and enjoy lunch during free time in Lugano this afternoon. Return to Italy in time for dinner at the hotel. (B,D)

A short drive brings you to fabled Lake Como, nestled among the foothills of the Italian Alps. Cruise the lake’s northern reaches, taking in views of the stunning mountain scenery and lakeside villages and stop for a visit to the picturesque village of Bellagio. Disembark in Sala Comacina, where you’ll roll up your sleeves for an Italian cooking class and feast on your creations for lunch. Later, admire the artwork and lush gardens of  the waterfront Villa Carlotta on a guided tour. Enjoy an evening at leisure. (B,L)

Travel to the Italian town of Tirano, just across the border from Switzerland, and climb aboard for a spectacular train journey along the Rhaetian Railway, named a World Heritage site for its remarkable engineering. Pass through tunnels, across bridges and viaducts, and over plunging gorges to the beautiful Engadine Valley before arriving in St. Moritz. Here, enjoy a private visit to the Museum of Engadine Culture, set within a traditional Alpine house. Dine together at a local restaurant tonight. (B,D)

Start the day with a guided walk through lovely Chur, Switzerland’s oldest town, established by the Romans but inhabited as early as 3000 BC. Continue through towering Alpine peaks to Brunnen and enjoy free time for lunch. If you wish, stop in at a shop where Swiss Army knives are assembled by hand. Take a ferry across Lake Lucerne and travel overland to the charming resort town of Engelberg, tucked beneath the soaring peak of Mount Titlis. (B,D)

Join a monk for a morning tour of Engelberg’s 12th-century Benedictine Monastery, home to the complete works of Martin Luther. Then step aboard a revolving cable car which whisks you to the top of Mount Titlis, offering 360-degree views along the way. From the top—at more than 10,000 feet, the second tallest peak in central Switzerland—revel in an exhilarating panorama of craggy Alpine summits. Return to Engelberg for an evening at leisure. (B)

Journey toward the Bernese Oberland, stopping to explore the fairytale town of Lucerne, set on an inlet of Lake Lucerne. On a walking tour of the medieval center, view the Lion Monument commemorating Swiss Guards killed in the French Revolution and stroll across Kapellbrücke, Europe’s oldest covered bridge. After free time for lunch, travel by coach and train to Wengen, a car-free Alpine village considered one of the most beautiful in Switzerland—and your home for the next three nights. (B,D)

Climb toward the summits aboard the Jungfrau Railway, Europe’s highest cogwheel train, which brings you up the slopes of the Jungfrau to Jungfraujoch Station, perched at 11,323 feet. From the “top of Europe,” the views on a clear day encompass Germany’s Black Forest; the rolling hills of Alsace, France; and the jagged peaks of the Bernese Alps. You’ll have free time to savor this extraordinary vista and view the Aletsch Glacier, the longest in the Alps and a World Heritage site. Take advantage of a free afternoon in Wengen before gathering for dinner tonight. (B,D)

Travel to the village of Lauterbrunnen, nestled in a verdant valley surrounded by 72 waterfalls and a cathedral of cliffs and peaks. Set off on a gentle hike to see some of the waterfalls, including Staubbach Falls, which tumbles nearly 1,000 feet from overhanging cliffs to the valley floor. Later, travel to Stechelberg and ride a gondola to the car-free hamlet of Mürren, tucked at the foot of Schilthorn. Here, enjoy lunch with spectacular views of three of the great Bernese peaks: Eiger, Mönch, and Jungfrau. After free time to explore Mürren or walk nearby mountain trails, return to Wengen for an evening at leisure. (B,L)

A morning drive out of the Bernese Alps and along beautiful Lake Thun brings you to the medieval hilltop village of Gruyères, known for its namesake cheese and its 12th-century castle. Stroll the cobblestoned streets and stop for lunch at a local restaurant. Then head to the terraced vineyards of Lavaux, a World Heritage site dating to the 11th century, and enjoy a tasting of acclaimed Swiss wines. Later this afternoon, settle into Lausanne, on the shores of Lake Geneva. (B,L)

Board a ferry bound for Château de Chillon, the medieval castle immortalized by Lord Byron in his epic poem The Prisoner of Chillon. Perched on a rocky island at the eastern edge of Lake Geneva, the castle served as a toll station for the counts of Savoy for more than 400 years. On a guided tour, explore the castle from its underground vaults to its ramparts, then enjoy free time for lunch in the lakeside resort town of Montreux. Return to Lausanne for a short guided walk before toasting your Swiss adventure at a farewell dinner. (B,D)

After breakfast, transfer to Geneva to catch your flight home. (B)