I beam as Silvia – our guide for Intrepid’s eight-day Ultimate Switzerland train journey – leads us effortlessly through Zurich’s central station, holding our tickets bound for Lucerne. Although originally from Italy, Silvia frequently resides in both Germany and Switzerland these days, moving seamlessly through their transportation networks.
Arguably, trains offer the finest method to discover Switzerland, famous for their reliable transportation system and breathtaking views. However, traveling by rail involves more than just sitting back to enjoy the scenery; you also have to consider schedules, routes, and lodging options throughout your journey. Mastering all these elements demands knowledge and preparation, making it particularly daunting for those with limited time.
As a result, firms like Byway, which assist clients in arranging self-guided railway trips, are experiencing considerable success.
Still, there’s an even simpler option available through the increase in small-group rail excursions such as those offered by Intrepid. These trips come with the advantage of having a well-informed guide along with the opportunity to connect with fellow travelers who share similar interests.
Intrepid's Top Picks for Switzerland covers routes from Lucerne to the Alps, as well as Bulle to Bern.
These advantages motivated me to embark on my inaugural European Intrepid journey. As the popularity of rail travel has surged, this small-group adventure firm has recently introduced new offerings. rail-based collection From classic favorites to fresh itineraries, this is where I came across the Best of Switzerland. Cheese, chocolate, and breathtaking landscapes? Truly a taste of Swiss paradise.
Switzerland is expensive This tour embodies that sentiment, with costs beginning at €3050. It seems this price point attracted an older crowd within Intrepid’s typical age range; participants included 60-somethings from America and a woman in her forties from Australia. At 33 years old, I found myself among mostly older travelers, but much like many previous experiences, bonding occurred easily across different generations. Everyone thoroughly enjoyed the journey together.
The journey starts: Zurich as Switzerland’s largest city and Lake Lucerne
We start with an evening welcome session followed by a stroll. Zurich Before departing the following morning. Given the limited time spent in Zurich during this journey, I concur with Intrepid’s recommendation to arrive ahead of schedule and take some time for exploration.
In the historic district, you can enjoy fondue mixed with cherry liqueur, alongside an array of museums and the luxurious jewelry shops along Bahnhofstrasse. Beyond just watches and banking, there's much more to discover. It's advisable to plan for a stay of three to four days and purchase a Zurich Card, providing access to public transportation as well as reduced admission fees at various sites.
Following Lucerne came the destination, accessible within roughly an hour via train from Zurich. This part of the trip did not disappoint, offering breathtaking views as rugged snow-capped mountains shimmered far off in the background and buzzards gracefully circled above. Upon arrival at this compact yet enchanting urban center, one could admire an expansive sapphire-blue lake crisscrossed by charming wooden bridges, structures adorned with vibrant frescoes illustrating artisans and court jesters, along with narrow cobblestone lanes and ancient city fortifications—Lucerne truly embodies elegance, complete with its stunning alpine setting.
The two-day experience we have includes a 'golden round-trip' tour of Mount Pilatus, featuring a scenic steamboat ride across Lake Lucerne, followed by a journey via the world's steepest cogwheel railway to reach the peak. The trip concludes with a gondola descent. Unfortunately, this adventure was marred by misty conditions at Pilates; however, my subsequent visit—a 2.5-hour train ride away from Lucerne—demonstrated just how unpredictable mountain weather can be.
Journey into the Alps: Exploring the Jungfrau Area and 'Top of Europe'
Peaks adorned with gingerbread-like cottages, melodious cowbells, rivers cascading through pine woods; followed abruptly by fog, mist, a harsh landscape of stone and ice. This dizzying journey characterized my ascent toward Jungfraujoch, at an elevation of 3,454 meters, aboard the Eiger Express cable car.
I then catch the Jungfrau Railway - an impressive engineering achievement that involved blasting a tunnel through mountains well above the permanent snowline - and ending up at what is known as the 'Top of Europe', where visibility allows for a breathtaking alpine vista.
What do I think? Blustery snowstorms. Fortunately, Jungfraujoch offers indoor attractions as well, such as a karst cave and an ice palace.
The weather in the mountains can be quite unpredictable, yet I still appreciate our two days of leisure in the Jungfrau region. My favorite outing was to Trümmelbach Falls, where underground cascades thunder down rocky gorges with a vibrant blue hue. The surrounding wildflower fields, painted in shades of purple and yellow, add an almost Impressionistic touch, making it feel as though you've stepped into a scene from a fantastical film.
The Grindelwald Hotel stands out too, featuring plenty of wooden elements and warm lighting. My Alpine macaroni at the restaurant was quite indulgent. Speaking of which, our following destination is equally over-the-top.
Enjoy cheese, chocolate, and Giger in Gruyères
Following approximately three hours and two train transfers starting from Grindelwald, we reach Bulle: a charming pastel-colored town located in the French-speaking region of Switzerland.
Our last stop is near Gruyères, where we tour a tiny facility to discover more about its famous creamy and crunchy cheese. cheese. It is commonly utilized for fondues and has become so cherished that it has led to the creation of elaborately crafted wooden Gruyère spoons.
The standout moment for me was the chocolate tasting, which came after our visit to the chocolatier. Swiss chocolates are renowned worldwide, often crafted exceptionally well by artisans such as Richard Uldry. He obtains premium cacao beans from regions including Peru and São Tomé. Following an explanation of his method—from bean to bar—Richard treats us to samples of items like his Gruyère-infused double-cream truffles. Delicious!
Surrounded by a towering, tooth-shaped mountain reminiscent of the iconic Matterhorn seen on classic Toblerone packages, Gruyères boasts charm as appealing as its cuisine. This picturesque village features striking red roofs atop a hill, complemented by an ancient castle.
It also houses a bar and museum dedicated to science fiction artist H.R. Giger (famous for his contributions to the 1979 movie Alien). During my free time, I visit this place and find myself enjoying it nearly as much as the cheese. Nearly.
The tour concludes in UNESCO-listed Bern.
Alas, all good things come to an end. Our last stop, around a one-hour train ride from Bulle and back into German-speaking Switzerland, is Bern Home to a UNESCO-protected historic district featuring distinctive underground stores, Switzerland’s seat of government is also renowned for its 13th-century clock tower—a notable structure whose mysteries we uncover during an included exclusive tour behind the scenes.
Farewelling the group during a rösti dinner, I ponder upon my inaugural organized rail trip. Admittedly, this adventure was more relaxed compared to my typical European travels with friends or relatives. However, it allowed me to save time usually spent on planning and introduced me to wonderful people hailing from various corners of the globe.
Traveling smoothly from point A to point B with assistance from guide Silvia introduced a new experience for me; despite this, errors can still occur even in Switzerland, particularly when switching trains quickly. The combination of scheduled activities and leisure time was something I enjoyed as well.
Looking for a stress-free multi-stop rail journey? I think tours such as Intrepid’s could be exactly what you need.
The author was hosted by Intrepid.
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