Swiss Alpine Adventure: Lucerne & Interlaken - 5 Days

Day 1: Arrive in Zürich, Train to Lucerne, Lake Cruise, Swiss Folklore Show

Grüezi! Welcome to Zürich, Switzerland's largest city. After settling in, you'll have plenty of time today to enjoy the city's charm. Rent a paddleboat on Lake Zürich, take in Lindenhof Hill's panoramic views, or stroll along Bahnhofstrasse. Stop at an outdoor café for some raclette (grilled cheese) before exploring the Altstadt's (Old Town's) winding streets, medieval squares, and churches. 

After lunch, catch a one-hour train from the airport to Lucerne (known locally in this German-speaking region as Luzern). Then, once you've checked in to your hotel, breathe in the clear Alpine air on a relaxing one-hour Lake Lucerne boat cruise, passing lush meadows, forested hills, and the snowcapped Swiss Alps.

You'll end the day immersed in Swiss culture at Lucerne's historic Stadtkeller Restaurant. Order a stein of their homemade beer, try some cheese fondue and zürcher geschnetzelte mit rösti (veal and mushroom stew with pan-fried potato), and learn how to yodel as the traditional band performs with alphorns, cowbells, and flag-throwing. 

Day 2: Day Trip to Rigi-Kulm, Explore Lucerne's Old Town

Grab your hiking boots today and meet your driver for a guided day trip to beautiful Rigi-Kulm (Mount Rigi), the "Queen of the Mountains." Cross the Albis Pass, ride the cable car to Rigi Kaltbad, then climb aboard Europe's oldest cogwheel railway to the 5,897-foot (1,797.5 m) summit of Rigi-Kulm. There, marvel at the 360-degree views of glacier-fed turquoise lakes and magnificent snowcapped Alps.

Explore some hiking trails or pause to eat at one of the cozy Alpine restaurants before you descend by cogwheel train to Vitznau. You'll board the local ferry for a one-hour lake cruise back toward Lucerne. Stroll the medieval streets of the charming Altstadt, pop into museums, and cross over the Kapellbrücke (Chapel Bridge)—the oldest wooden covered bridge in Europe, built in 1332 CE.

Day 4: Day Trip to Jungfraujoch: The Top of Europe

For today's mountain adventure, catch a 35-minute train to Grindelwald, then hop on the Eiger Express aerial gondola, a marvel of Alpine engineering. Travel beneath the imposing Eiger North Face, so close it feels touchable, then, at Glacier Eiger Station, switch to a cogwheel train that winds through century-old tunnels carved into solid rock up to the summit of Jungfraujoch, 11,332 feet (3,454 m).

Step out into the icy air and breathe in the panorama of the Swiss Mittelland and the Aletsch Glacier (longest in the Alps), bordered by 13,000-foot (4,000 m) peaks. Explore the summit's attractions, like the Ice Palace tunnels within the glacier and the Sphinx Observation Terrace. Then, after lunch, grab some chocolate from the world's highest Lindt store before you descend by the cogwheel train. 

Day 5: Interlaken E-Bike Tour, Train to Bern, Depart

Escape the bustle of Interlaken on a guided e-bike tour around the Bödeli—the alluvial land between Lakes Brienz and Thun. Experience three blissful hours in nature as you cycle the forested paths and picnic along the Aare River. Continue through the medieval Altstadt of Unterseen and other Bödeli villages, visit the UNESCO-listed subterranean Trümmelbach Falls, and taste fresh milk at a local bauernhof (farm).

Upon return, it's time to bid farewell! Catch a one-hour train to Bern, Switzerland's capital. If you have time, visit the Altstadt with its 3.7 miles (6 km) of historic lauben (arcades). Stroll up to the 18th-century Rose Garden for great views of the river loop around the Old Town and stop at the nearby Bear Park to meet the bears (Bern's namesake and residents since 1513 CE). Then, a 15-minute taxi ride will take you to the airport. Safe travels!

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