Itinerary
- Day 1
St. Gallen
You'll arrive in St. Gallen on your own and have the full day to look around. The old town has winding alleyways that take you through the medieval district, which you can walk at your own pace. If history interests you, the Abbey Library is definitely worth checking out while you're there.
Optional Activities
- Visit to the Abbey Library
Landmarks/POIs Abbey District of St. Gallen Abbey Library (Stiftsbibliothek) St. Gallen Cathedral - Day 2
St. Gallen to St. Moritz
Today you'll ride from St. Gallen toward St. Moritz, passing through the half-timbered houses around Appenzell and continuing through Vaduz. Along the route you'll come across the Tectonic Arena Sardona near Bad Ragaz, where the mountain formations really show the geological story. You'll settle into St. Moritz for the next two nights.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Ride through Appenzell
- Journey through Tectonic Arena Sardona
Landmarks/POIs Appenzell Vaduz Tectonic Arena Sardona Pizolbahnen - Day 3
St. Moritz to Tirano
This day centers on the Bernina Express train to Tirano, Italy, which is one of the most notable train routes you can take and also a UNESCO World Heritage engineering site. After arriving in Tirano you'll have time to walk around and take in the Italian feel of the town, then you'll head back to St. Moritz by regional train the same day. Once you're back, there's time to relax and soak in the village atmosphere.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Bernina Express train journey to Tirano (2nd class with seat reservation)
- Regional train return from Tirano to St. Moritz
Landmarks/POIs Bernina Line (Rhaetian Railway) Tirano - Day 4
St. Moritz to Lugano
Leaving St. Moritz and the Upper Engadine region, you'll travel south into Ticino on your way to Lugano. You'll stop at the Three Castles of Bellinzona to step back into the medieval period, then continue on to Lugano where you'll stay for two nights on the lakeside.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit to Three Castles of Bellinzona
Landmarks/POIs Three Castles of Bellinzona Lugano - Day 5
Lugano
You'll spend today around Lugano exploring the area and getting to know the region. Monte San Giorgio rises about 1,100 metres between the southern arms of Lake Lugano and holds UNESCO World Heritage status because of its exceptional fossils - thousands of preserved reptiles, fish, and plants from ancient times. The fossil museum is worth your time if you want to learn more about what's been found there.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Visit to the fossil museum at Monte San Giorgio
Landmarks/POIs Monte San Giorgio Lake Lugano - Day 6
Lugano to Montreux
As you head toward Lake Geneva, you'll pass through the Swiss Alps Jungfrau-Aletsch region, which was the first Alpine UNESCO World Heritage Site. The landscape changes as you move into the Montreux Riviera, where the lake, mountains, and vineyards all come together. Montreux is your destination, and it's known for its mild climate and Chillon Castle, one of Switzerland's most significant cultural buildings.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Journey through Swiss Alps Jungfrau-Aletsch region
- Travel to Montreux Riviera
Landmarks/POIs Swiss Alps Jungfrau-Aletsch Chillon Castle Montreux Riviera - Day 7
Montreux
Today you'll check out two UNESCO World Heritage Sites around Lake Geneva's shoreline. Villa 'Le Lac' is an architectural work by Le Corbusier that you'll want to see, then you'll head to the Lavaux vineyard terraces which show how ancient farming methods continue to shape the landscape there. The terraces have been protected since 2007 and really demonstrate the viticultural heritage of the region.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit to Villa "Le Lac" by Le Corbusier
- Exploration of Lavaux vineyard terraces
Landmarks/POIs Villa "Le Lac" Lavaux Vineyard Terraces - Day 8
Montreux to St. Gallen
Your trip wraps up today as you leave Montreux and Lake Geneva behind. You'll return to St. Gallen by train on your own, or head to the Swiss border and continue from there at your own pace, depending on what works for you.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Train return journey to St. Gallen and/or Swiss border
