The Swiss Alps by Train: From Zurich to Milan

It wouldn’t be right to leave Zurich without admiring its curiosities, so this morning you’ll be heading out with a friendly and knowledgeable local guide for a tour of the city. The walk is relaxed, spontaneous and tailored to your wishes. Fascinating sites you can visit include the Cabaret Voltaire, the birthplace of the world-famous Dada art movement; the Oerlikon district, a bustling post-industrial commercial hub; and the beautiful Käferberg woods, where you can enjoy views across the whole city. Then it’s time to board your first train of the trip: Zurich to Lucerne. The journey is just one hour but offers some beautiful views across this tiny sliver of Switzerland. On arrival, settle in for two nights in a contemporary hotel not far from the station. The rest of today is yours to spend relaxing and enjoying the facilities at the hotel before a hearty meal this evening.

From the well-preserved Spreuerbrücke footbridge to the IMAX of the transport museum, Lucerne has a lot to offer. One of the most popular things to do here is take the Rigi Kaltbad aerial cable car up to a fantastic viewpoint. On the way up you can admire the forest, the city and breathtaking Lake Lucerne. At the top you can also admire Lake Zug to the north and Rossberg to the east. You can also head up into the mountains on the world’s steeped cogwheel railway. Electric motors have replaced the old locomotives with vertical boilers that were used at its inception in 1869, however steam trips are still offered from July to September.

It’s time to bid farewell to Lucerne and head to your next destination: Lake Interlaken. After a delicious breakfast at the hotel this morning, board the Luzern–Interlaken Express. The journey takes around two hours and passes through some magnificent alpine landscapes made up of crystalline lakes and soaring mountains. On arrival in Interlaken, check in for one night in a beautiful chalet surrounded by nature. Once you’ve settled in and freshened up it’s time to head out for a tasting of Swiss wines and cheeses. The surroundings of Interlaken are one of the most important regions for Swiss wine-growing, particularly müller-thurgau and pinot noir. Enjoy a private visit to a beautiful vineyard on Lake Thun before sampling some of the region’s finest wines and cheeses.

Head back to the train station this morning to board a three-hour train to Montreux, a traditional Swiss resort town on Lake Geneva. You’ll be travelling along the breathtaking Golden Pass through colourful countryside and splendid mountain scenery. On arrival, settle in for two nights in a charming lakeside hotel. Spend the rest of today enjoying your new surroundings before tucking into a hearty meal this evening at the hotel’s restaurant.

To say there’s plenty to see and do on Lake Geneva is something of an understatement: your options for today are endless. You can visit some beautiful statues, including that of Elisabeth of Austria by Antonio Chiattone (1902) and that of Freddie Mercury by Irena Sedlecka (1996). An hour-and-a-half boat ride on the lake takes you to the beautiful city of Lausanne, where you can visit the Gothic Cathedral of Notre Dame, the Museum of Typewriters and the Olympic Museum. Just south of Montreux, in Veytaux, is one of the most romantic castles in the world: Chillon. Make sure to arrive by boat for the opportunity to admire the combined effects of architecture and nature. There is also the Château du Châtelard in Clarena, a 15th-century fortified house surrounded by exquisite vineyards specialising in pinot noir.

Today you’ll be swapping your lakeside environs for the mountain resort of Zermatt. After a fuelling breakfast at the hotel this morning, make your way back to the station to catch a three-hour train into the heart of the Alps. Your home for the next two nights is a charming chalet that looks towards the Matterhorn, a jagged-tooth shaped mountain soaring high into the sky. Enjoy an afternoon relaxing in your new setting before settling in for a traditional meal at the hotel this evening.

Make sure to eat plenty at breakfast this morning, as today you’ll be embarking on a hike up the heavily-glaciated Brethorn mountain range. The western summit of the Breithorn reaches to a height of 13,600ft, so, naturally, you’ll be heading up with an experienced local guide. A cable car will take you up to the Klein Matterhorn station, which sits at a height of 12,500ft. Here you’ll be kitted out in the necessary equipment to traverse the Breithorn glacier. The hike isn’t difficult in terms of technique, however it may be a challenge for inexperienced hikers. The views across the snow-capped mountains when you hit 13,000ft are magnificent. Head back to the hotel this evening to enjoy a much-deserved feast for dinner.

The time has come to bid farewell to the Matterhorn and continue on to your final destination in Switzerland: the luxury alpine resort of St. Moritz. You’ll be travelling on the Glacier Express route from Zermatt, which takes a good eight hours, so we can book you on an early train this morning. The journey is scenic throughout, offering beautiful views across the Swiss Alps. On arrival this afternoon, check in for the night in a comfortable, contemporary hotel in the heart of town. You’ll have a ski lift and cable car pass waiting for you at the hotel, making it possible to head into the nearby mountains before dinner this evening.

Your last full day in the Alps is split between St. Moritz and Milan. The journey on the Bernina Express between them is just two-and-a-half hours, so you’ll have plenty of time for sightseeing in both places. You’ll still have your ski lift and cable car pass, which you can make use of this morning to hike along one of the many beautiful trails in St. Moritz. Board the Bernina Express early this afternoon to make sure you have enough time to explore Milan this evening. On arrival, settle in for one night in a charming hotel in the centre of the city, perfect for sightseeing. Spend the rest of today enjoying Milan: stroll through town, admire the Cathedral and sample some delicious Italian nibbles. Head back to the hotel this evening to enjoy a classic dinner.