Zürich, Switzerland

Day 1 & 2: Zürich, Switzerland / Zermatt

Arrive in Zürich this morning and board a train to the charming Alpine village of Zermatt, off-limits to cars. Check in to your hotel and gather for a welcome dinner in the evening. The next day, take a guided tour of Zermatt village; then ride gondolas up to Glacier Paradise for a fascinating walk through the inside of a glacier. Return to Zermatt by gondola or opt to hike back into town.

Zermatt, Switzerland at Night

Day 3: Zermatt / Gorner Glacier

Climb aboard the Gornergrat Bahn cogwheel railway, the highest train in Europe, and ascend to a summit far above Zermatt to experience one of the best viewpoints in the Alps. Admire a gorgeous vista that includes Monte Rosa, the Matterhorn and the Gorner Glacier. Hike down past Alpine lakes to Riffelberg and catch the train back to Zermatt. Pay a visit to the Matterhorn Museum, where a local mountaineer and Alpine historian will recount stories of early attempts to conquer the Matterhorn, as well as other climbing adventures.

Day 4: Glacier Express / St. Mortiz

Glacier Express

Take your seat on the world-famous Glacier Express and set off on a breathtaking journey over 3 high-mountain passes, across 291 bridges and through 91 tunnels. Enjoy the elegant atmosphere of the train as you soak up magnificent vistas of skyscraping, glacier-glazed peaks on your way to the Upper Engadin Valley. Disembark in St. Moritz and settle into your hotel for the evening.

---

Day 5: St. Moritz

St. Moritz from the train

Start the morning with a private tour of the Segantini Museum, housing the many works of Alpine artist Giovanni Segantini. Afterward, take a funicular to the top of Muottas Muragl, admiring the breathtaking landscapes that Segantini once painted. Enjoy lunch at your leisure at a mountaintop restaurant, then head to the village of Sils to explore its picturesque town center or hike the paths that wind through the surrounding Alpine landscapes. Back in St. Moritz, visit a local patisserie to sample delectable chocolates during a private tasting.

---

Day 6: Bernina Express / Poschiavo

Bernina Pass

Spend the day aboard the legendary Bernina Express, the highest mountain railway in the Alps, and ride into the heart of Italian-speaking Switzerland. Take in extraordinary views of the Morteratsch Glacier from the train’s panoramic windows as you climb to the highest point at Ospizio Bernina—7,578 feet (2310 m) above sea level. Descend to the town of Poschiavo, where you'll meet a local guide for a tour of its charming historic center. Return to St. Moritz via the Bernina Express later this afternoon.

---

Varenna

Day 7: St. Moritz / Varenna

A spectacular drive through Alpine valleys will bring you into the Italian Lake District. The countryside is strewn with tropical vegetation, lush gardens and gorgeous villas in hues of terra-cotta, pink, ochre and gold. Your destination is the lovely village of Varenna, perched on the eastern shore of the vast and beautiful Lake Como. Settle into a historic 19th-century hotel overlooking Lake Como, where famous guests including England's Queen Victoria have stayed.

Villa del Balbianello

Day 8: Lake Como

Board a private boat for a picturesque cruise and soak in the beauty of Lake Como’s lakeside towns. Behold a panorama of colorful waterside villages and elegant estates, fringed by palms and pines and backed by soaring mountains. Visit Villa del Balbianello, first founded in the 13th century as a Cistercian monastery and later owned by Italian explorer Guido Monzino. Continue to the delightful town of Bellagio and explore at leisure. This evening, learn secrets of Italian cooking during a demonstration by a local chef, followed by a delicious dinner with a selection of regional wines.

Lake Como

Day 9: Lake Como Day 2

Spend the day enjoying the treasures and charms of Como. Discover Como’s historic center, its sunny piazzas and the Teatro Sociale. Then join a private guide for a tour of the Como Cathedral. Later, return to your hotel and relax on the terrace, taking in the view before you gather to celebrate your journey with a farewell dinner.

Day 10: Milan

After breakfast, transfer to Milan’s Malpensa Airport for your flight home, or extend you stay and spend time exploring the sites of Milan.

Like what you see?

Contact a travel advisor and mention the Swiss Train and Lake Como itinerary for booking information.