Switzerland By Train

Look past the silk-smooth chocolate and yodeling – contemporary Switzerland is all about epic journeys and sublime experiences. Switzerland's largest and wealthiest metropolis, Zurich, has emerged as one of central Europe's hippest destinations, with an artsy, post-industrial edge. Culturally vibrant, efficiently run and attractively set at the meeting of river and lake, Zürich is regularly recognized as one of the world's most livable cities. Much of the ancient center, with its winding lanes and tall church steeples, has been kept lovingly intact. Lucerne follows the recipe for a gorgeous Swiss city: a cobalt lake ringed by mythical mountains, add a well-preserved medieval town and a reputation for making beautiful music, then sprinkle with covered bridges, sunny plazas, candy-colored houses and waterfront promenades. Rearing above Lucerne from the southwest, Mt. Pilatus offers an above-the-treetops adventure, with 11 head-spinning trails from high-wire bridges to tree climbs. Mt Pilatus is fantastic for walking. Hikes include a steep, partially roped 2.8km scramble to the summit, affording views that stretch as far as the Black Forest on a clear day. Wandering through the picture-postcard Old Town, with its laid-back air, it's hard to believe that Bern (Berne in French) is the capital of Switzerland – but it is, and a Unesco World Heritage Site at that. In a nutshell, Bern seduces and surprises at every turn. Its museums are excellent, its bear park utterly unique, and its locals happy to switch from their famously inflected dialect to English – which all goes to show that there’s more to Bern than bureaucracy. Starting at $1,699 per person based on double occupancy.

In the morning take a 90-minutes optional city tour ($35 per person). On the public guided tour through Bern’s Old Town, you’ll learn more about the city‘s 800-year history. Come along and discover the Swiss capital and UNESCO World Heritage Site at its beautiful best. In the afternoon, take the train  to Montreux (around 1 hour and 30 minutes with one change of train). Overnight in Montreux at Hotel Helvetie or similar.

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• Round-trip airfare from JFK, EWR, BOS, and MIA.
• 2 nights of accommodations at Hotel Montana Zürich or similar in Zurich
• 2 nights of accommodations at Hotel Ambassador or similar in Lucerne
• 1 night of accommodations at Hotel Kreuz Bern or similar in Bern
• 1 night of accommodations at Hotel Helvetie or similar in Montreux (included with the deluxe option only)
• Daily breakfast
• Excursion to Mount Pilatus (non-guided)
• 90-minutes public guided tour through Bern’s Old Town Castle Chillon tour in Montreux with entrance fee and audio guide (included with the deluxe option only)
• Swiss Coupon Pass (2-for-1 dine-and-discover deals)

• Swiss Travel Pass - Advantages at a glance:

  1. Unlimited travel by rail, road and waterwayShow map of validity
  2. Free travel on most panorama routes
  3. Free travel on public transport in 75 towns and cities
  4. Free admission to more than 490 museums
  5. 50% discount off most mountain railways

• City tax is not included and needs to be paid directly to the hotel
• Drinks are not included with meals
• Any expenses of personal nature such as tips, laundry, table drinks, telephone calls, etc.
• Optional Travel Insurance
• Any item not mentioned above

• Book by December 29, 2016
• If hotels or airlines are not available at the time of reservation, alternative hotels at the same category or airlines could be used. Prices may differ.
• During trade fairs season and during Christmas and New Year’s Days, some hotels may require surcharges. The prices may increase.
• Ticket(s) must be issued and full payment must be received 90 days prior to departure
• Major credit cards accepted; credit card authorization required
• Change and cancellation penalties ($250-$600 per person) apply once ticketed; Pacific Holidays’ general cancellation policy applies
• Hotel upgrades, air upgrades, additional hotel nights, extensions to all other destinations, and add-on air fares from various US cities are available

For more information of these hotels, please click the hotel name.

• Standard
  • Montana Hotel - Zurich
  • Ambassador Hotel - Lucerne
  • Kreuz Bern Hotel
  • Helvetie Hotel - Montreux

Bern City Tour (90-minutes) $35 per person

On the public guided tour through Bern’s Old Town. you’ll learn more about the city‘s 800-year history. Come along and discover the Swiss capital and UNESCO World Heritage Site at its beautiful best.

The Best of Zurich city Tour public guided (2 hours 15 minutes) $50 per person

Discover Zürich, the hub of business and cultural heart of Switzerland, consecutively awarded "city with the world's best quality of life", on this two-hour classic city tour. Sit back and relax on a comfortable, air-conditioned coach as your guide points out the highlights of this unique city.