Winter Escape to the Swiss Alps - 10 Days

Highlights

• Go snowshoeing and skiing at some of the best locales in the Alps
• Tour colorful towns like St. Moritz, Zermatt, and Interlaken
• Enjoy boat tours on Lake Zürich, and gondola rides up the Matterhorn
• Soak in natural hot springs and snack on cheesy fondue

Brief Itinerary

Detailed Itinerary

Day 1: Arrive in Milan, Train to Lugano

Welcome to Italy! That's right, your grand Swiss vacation kicks off in the northern Italian city of Milan. From there, board a train for a two-hour ride north across the border to Switzerland and Lugano. Sitting on the eponymous lake, Lugano has grown from a simple fishing village to the largest Italian-speaking city outside of Italy in less than two centuries. This cultural fusion is seen throughout the city, from its cuisine to architecture. After checking into your hotel, you'll have the rest of the day to witness this cultural fusion on a self-guided tour.

A great place to start is in the city center, where you'll find many highlights. For example, in addition to Lugano's ornate Renaissance churches, the town features modern cultural landmarks like the Museo d'Arte della Svizzera Italiana (Art Museum of Italian Switzerland) and the Auditorio Stelio Molo, a cutting-edge concert hall with world-class acoustics. Lugano is also famous for its cuisine from the Ticino region (Switzerland's Italian-speaking southern area). If you like, beat the winter chill with a hot bowl of minestrone (vegetable soup)—a local specialty.

If you're here during the holidays, you won't want to miss the Christmas markets. Switzerland is famous for these seasonal marketplaces, which are often outdoors and typically feature dozens (if not hundreds) of vendor stalls, music, and Christmas decorations. They're great places to browse artisanal items, grab some hot roasted chestnuts, and enjoy a glass or two of glühwein (mulled wine).

Day 2: Snowshoe Excursion Near Lugano

You've had some leisure time in town; now it's time to visit the countryside and really immerse yourself in the Swiss winter. In the morning, transfer into the mountains outside Lugano and explore the majesty of the Swiss Alps in style on a full-day snowshoe adventure. It begins with your arrival in the village of Bosco Gurin, located at the highest point in the Ticino canton at 4,934 feet (1,504 m).

This village is a well-loved destination for winter sports enthusiasts and skiers. Upon arrival, you'll strap on your snowshoes and embark on a brief, scenic loo through wild and snowy mountain landscapes. The journey will take you to landscapes offering incredible vistas out over Bosco Gurin, as well as through native forests. Eventually, you'll arrive back in town and transfer back to Lugano.

Day 3: Train to St. Moritz, Self-Guided Tour

Rise early because it's a long travel day. Transfer to the station for the long mountain railway journey through the Alps to St. Moritz, an exclusive resort town nestled in the Engadin Valley. It features prominently in Olympic history, as it has hosted the Winter Games twice. Also, when the town's eponymous lake is frozen over, it hosts polo, cricket, and horse racing on snow. In addition to their well-maintained cross-country ski slopes, nearby mountains like Corviglia, Diavolezza, and Corvatsch offer skiing and snowboarding.

You'll get to experience the surrounding nature soon enough. For now, check into your hotel, after which you can spend the rest of the day exploring the town. If you like, take a scenic stroll on the waterfront, or indulge in some retail therapy at the luxury shops and boutiques on Via Serlas, St. Moritz's high street. There are also plenty of gourmet restaurants here that would make a nice dinner option.

Day 4: Ski Day Around St. Moritz

Wake up early and grab your lift tickets because you're off to one of Switzerland's world-famous ski resorts for a day of zipping down the slopes. You'll have your choice of two prominent resorts near St. Moritz: Corviglia and Corvatsch. The former offers a range of slopes suitable for all skill levels, plus a fun cable car ride up to the summit of Mount Piz Nair.

At Corvatsch, you'll enjoy vast and varied skiing terrain with long descents, challenging off-piste opportunities, and a freestyle park. Also here is the Corvatsch cable car, which takes visitors to the mountain summit at 10,837 feet (3,303 m), making it the highest cable car station in Switzerland. At the end of the day, you'll return to St. Moritz.

Day 5: Train to Zürich, Sunset Fondue Cruise

After breakfast, hop on a train for the three-hour ride north to Zürich. Located in northern Switzerland and sitting on the lake of the same name, this is the country's financial heart. But Zürich is much more than commerce, as you'll see when you stroll the streets after checking into your hotel. Embark on a self-guided tour around Altstadt (Old Town). Here, cobblestone streets lead past medieval buildings, historic churches, museums, and quaint squares.

Later in the afternoon, you're in for quite a treat (literally) as you enjoy a foodie boat cruise on Lake Zürich. At the waterfront, you'll board a ship for a three-hour sunset ride around the lake. During the outing, refreshments like wine and hot tea will be served with the main course: cheese fondue!

Day 6: Train to Interlaken, Ice Skating

Your adventure continues as you catch a train south for two hours to Interlaken. Located in the Bernese Oberland region of Switzerland between two turquoise lakes (Thun and Brienz), this picture-postcard town offers a breathtaking backdrop with the towering Swiss Alps peaks of Eiger, Mönch, and Jungfrau. Upon arrival, you'll check into your hotel.

Later, you'll head to the city center and Ice Magic. Whereas many cities and towns open ice rinks during winter, this attraction tops them all. Open from the middle of December to the end of February, Ice Magic combines five large rinks, all interconnected by ice ramps. So have fun skating from one area to another until your heart's content.

Day 7: Cable Car Up to Jungfraujoch

The Alpine adventures continue today with a trip up another famous mountain. This full-day excursion begins in the morning with a transfer a short distance south to the storybook mountain village of Grindelwald. Upon arrival at the station there, board a cable car for the 15-minute ride up to the Eiger Glacier Station, an access point to the mountain of the same name.

The station is located in the Jungfraujoch region of the Swiss Alps. Known as the "Top of Europe," this high mountain pass sits at an elevation of 11,371 feet (3,466 m). There are great views of Eiger's north face at the top station, but for truly epic vistas, head to the Jungfraujoch Sphinx Observatory. Here, you'll look out to the majestic Aletsch Glacier (the longest glacier in the Alps), a vast ice flow laid out like an enormous freeway running between mountain peaks.

While here, you can admire views of the glacier and surrounding peaks, plus tour the glimmering tunnels of the Ice Palace attraction. Then, after lunch at a mountaintop restaurant, you'll descend by cogwheel train to the mountain resort town of Wengen in the verdant Lauterbrunnen Valley. From there, you'll transfer by car back to Interlaken. 

Day 8: Train to Zermatt, Matterhorn & Fondue Party

This morning you'll board a train for the two-hour ride south to Zermatt. Located in Switzerland's Pennine Alps, this is yet another idyllic mountain town. Mostly, Zermatt is famous for its views of the nearby Matterhorn peak—an iconic mountain you'll see up close and personal a little while later. For now, check into your hotel and drop off your bags.

A short while later, you'll embark on perhaps the most famous gondola ride in all of Europe: the 40-minute journey up to Matterhorn Glacier Paradise. At 12,740 feet (3,883 m), this is the highest mountain station on the continent. At the summit, there's a viewing platform where you can enjoy 360-degree panoramas of the surrounding peaks that are unrivaled anywhere else in the world.

After some time at the summit, board another cable car for a fun activity that few visitors ever experience: a fondue party in your own private gondola. The classic Swiss fondue is a blend of high-quality cheeses, typically Gruyère and Emmental served with bite-sized cubes of crusty bread. There will be place settings for up to four guests, during which you and your friends/loved ones can enjoy this national delicacy amid incredible views of the Matterhorn. Later, ride a gondola back down to Zermatt.

Day 9: Day Trip to Leukerbad Hot Springs

Time for some well-earned rest! This morning, you'll transfer about an hour north by vehicle to the village of Leukerbad. Nestled in the Valais region of Switzerland, it's home to one of the largest and most renowned hot spring complexes in the Alps: the Leukerbad Therme. The entire region features subterranean geothermal springs that feed many natural pools and baths, which range in temperatures from around 124°F (51°C) to 145°F (63°C).

Upon arrival, you'll take a nice long soak in some pools. Afterward, feel free to take advantage of the spa facilities. These include saunas, steam rooms, and relaxation areas perfect for mind and body rejuvenation. Even better, the experience is complemented with epic views of the surrounding snowy Alps. Later, you'll transfer back to Zermatt.

Day 10: Train to Geneva, Self-Guided Tour, Depart

Hopefully your scenic tour through Switzerland has given you a respite from the winter doldrums. There's no need to rush out the door, as you'll have a bit more time in the country. Start with an early morning train ride from Zermatt west to Geneva. This attractive lakeside metropolis is home to the European offices of the United Nations, plus a well-preserved Old Town.

Take the rest of the morning to enjoy the city. You can stroll the waterfront, pop in at a café and warm up with some hot chocolate, visit a museum (like the Red Cross Museum or the Museum of Art and History), or browse the famous Christmas market if it's that time of year. Then, at the scheduled time, meet your driver for the transfer to the airport and your flight home. Adieu!

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