Switzerland
Mountains & Valleys: Exploring Switzerland at a Slower Pace
Program No. 25135RJ
Explore the icons of Switzerland, including its towering mountains, cultural centers and sparkling lakes, all at a slower pace.
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12 days
11 nights
26 meals
10B 9L 7D
1
In Transit to Program
In Flight
4
Geneva, Free Time
Montreux
5
Transfer to Locarno, Zermatt
Locarno
6
Locarno, Maggia Valley
Locarno
7
Lake Maggiore, Brissago Island
Locarno
9
Lucerne, Free Time
Lucerne
10
Jungfrau, Ballenberg
Lucerne
12
Program Concludes
In Flight
At a Glance
From the Matterhorn to Zurich, marvel at Switzerland’s natural wonders and explore its iconic cities while traveling at a slower pace. With independent time and relaxed walks built into your itinerary, experience the variety of cultures in Switzerland through expert-led explorations. Immerse yourself in the country’s natural beauty in Canton Ticino’s remote valleys and admire the breathtaking scale of the Bernese Alps. Whether it is on a boat sailing on the waters of Lake Lucerne or taking a cogwheel train up a local mountain, you’ll enjoy new perspectives on the stunning landscapes and history of Switzerland!
Activity Level
On Your Feet
Climbing on and off the bus or vans for city visits, walking up to 2 miles per day and standing up to 2 hours; cobblestone streets and uneven terrain.
Small Group
Love to learn and explore in a small-group setting? These adventures offer small, personal experiences with groups of 13 to 24 participants.
Best of all, you’ll…
- Explore major Swiss lakes, including Brissago Island on Lago Maggiore with an expert-led look at the botanical garden.
- Travel by train on the historic Gotthard Railway to enjoy panoramic views and spiral tunnels.
- Spend a day visiting the city of Geneva with a walking exploration led by local experts.
Suggested Reading List
(23 books)
Visit the Road Scholar Bookshop
You can find many of the books we recommend at the Road Scholar store on bookshop.org, a website that supports local bookstores.
Mountains & Valleys: Exploring Switzerland at a Slower Pace
Program Number: 25135
Eyewitness Guide Switzerland
A compact, thoroughly illustrated guide, featuring over 900 photographs, good maps, and plenty of information on hiking in the Swiss Alps, natural and tourist attractions and the history and arts of Switzerland.
Wild Flowers of Britain & Northern Europe
A colorful field guide featuring commonly encountered species of the fields and gardens of Europe.
Killing Dragons, The Conquest of the Alps
Fleming spins lively tales of man against nature in this entertaining history of the eccentrics, adventurers and publicity-hounds who sought to conquer the Alps, including Whymper and his first ascent of the Matterhorn 150 years ago.
Hotel du Lac
Funny, stylish and spellbinding, Brookner's novel tracks the story of a romance novelist seeking evasive peace and quiet at the luxurious Hotel du Lac in Switzerland. Winner of the Man Booker Prize.
The Alps, A Human History from Hannibal to Heidi and Beyond
In an entertaining narrative, O'Shea drives, hikes and climbs through 500 miles of the Alps while musing on the historic personalities who braved the forbidding range, including Napoleon, Hitler and James Bond. A thoughtful introduction to the Alps.
Slow Train to Switzerland, One Tour, Two Trips, 150 Years -- and a World of Change Apart
Bestselling author Diccon Bewes (Swiss Watching SWZ73) follows in the footsteps of an 1863 tour group who traveled from London to Lucerne, Switzerland. In his trademark breezy, intelligent prose, Bewes traces how tourism and time have caused a sea change in Switzerland.
Europe, A True Book
Part of the True Book series, this illustrated, readable volume geared toward ages 9 to 12 introduces children to the geography and diverse cultures of Europe.
Heidi
The beloved tale of a little girl who is sent to live with her curmudgeonly grandfather in a remote Alpine village. This handsome hardback edition retains the quaint prose and buoyant disposition of Johanna Spyri's 1880 original.
William Tell: One Against an Empire, A Swiss Legend
The classic tale of a Swiss hunter facing a terrible choice, as a graphic novel for ages 9-11.
Coming Out Swiss, In Search of Heidi, Chocolate and My Other Life
Part memoir, part history, part travelogue, Anne Hermann’s passionate celebration of what it means to be Swiss intertwines personal revelation with cultural fact.
Switzerland Map
A colorful, shaded relief map of Switzerland at a scale of 1:400,000.
Insight Guide Switzerland
This handsome guide gives a profusely illustrated overview of Switzerland, featuring concise essays by well-regarded authors on history, politics and culture, as well as hundreds of photos and maps and other practical information.
Alpine Cookbook
Subtitled "Comfort Food from the Mountain," DK’s Alpine Cookbook collects 110 delicious recipes from Bavaria, Austria and Switzerland. The dishes, which combine traditional cuisine with modern trends, include schnitzel, potato pancakes, meaty main courses and savory vegetarian options.
Swiss Watching, Inside Europe's Landlocked Island
An international bestseller. Diccon Bewees, a neutral Brit, covers cheese, chocolate, William Tell, bureaucracy and banks, all with humor and thorough research. His cultural portrait of the one-of-a-kind nation includes tips on local customs, greetings and etiquette. Second edition.
The Apple and the Arrow
Families will enjoy this spirited retelling of the famous legend of William Tell and his 12-year-old son, Walter, which won the 1952 Newbery Medal.
Banner in the Sky
A suspenseful tale of a young boy determined to keep his father's mountaineering dream alive.
La Place de la Concorde Suisse
McPhee deploys his usual insight and wonderful prose on the phenomenon of the Swiss army, presenting an irreverent portrait of Switzerland and the Swiss mindset.
Asterix in Switzerland
This entry in the Asterix series of comic books features excellent drawings of the Swiss Alpine landscape.
A Tramp Abroad
Written 11 years after Innocents Abroad, this is Twain's second foray into European travel. Filled with his characteristic wit and humorous observations, it documents his journeys through Germany, Switzerland, France and Italy. Now with an introduction by Dave Eggers.
The Theoretical Foot
MFK Fisher's first novel, considered too racy for its time, features two unmarried American couples tramping through Europe in the late 1930s whose love affairs are tested by the rise of fascism and looming war.
Culture Smart! Switzerland
A concise, no-nonsense guide to Switzerland's customs, etiquette and culture.
The Gilded Chalet, Off-Piste in Literary Switzerland
In this amusing guide, a grand tour of literary Switzerland, Rooney profiles 200 years of outstanding works and their strong Swiss influences. He argues that the land of luxury hotels, fresh air and fresh milk deserves wide renown as a literary hub.
Daisy Miller
A classic story of a young American woman's innocent flirtation and its misinterpretation by a sophisticated European man, set in Lac Leman and Chillon. This is James' first fictional work to gain mass popularity and one of his great American female portraits.
