Leave from the pre-tour hotel in Zurich at 2:30pm this afternoon and travel by train to Lucerne. On arrival in this quintessential Swiss city, we check into our hotel. Explore the well-preserved medieval Alstadt (Old Town) with its covered bridges, candy-coloured houses and waterfront promenades. Continue to our hotel in the town of Weggis on Lake Lucerne. Enjoy a Welcome Dinner this evening and get to know your fellow travellers.

This morning, embark upon a ferry cruise along beautiful Lake Lucerne. Our destination is Mount Rigi, Switzerland’s ‘Queen of the Mountains’. Disembark in Vitznau and board a cogwheel train to the summit. From here, we enjoy breathtaking views over the lake and beyond. Dine at leisure within one of the restaurants upon the mountain, before we walk the Rigi Floral Trail, admiring alpine wildflowers along with panoramic views. The cable car then transports us back down the mountain to the town of Weggis. As with lunch, dinner is enjoyed at your leisure.

Known as the flower island, Mainau is our destination today. Occupying the waters of Lake Constance, near the German city of Konstanz, the island lies just over the German/Swiss border. A botanical discovery, featuring rose gardens, tropical greenhouses, an arboretum, and a Baroque palace awaits us here. We’ll see it all with a guided tour. We absorb the charms of nearby Konstanz during lunch, before returning to Weggis for a leisurely dinner.

This morning, we travel further south along mountain passes and past turquoise lakes on our way to Grindelwald. Along the way, gaze beyond your window to fields of wildflowers, spruce forests and alpine meadows. The city lies between Lake Thun and Lake Brienz under the watch of three mighty mountains, Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau, in the Bernese Oberland. We stop for lunch en route at Ballenberg, an open-air museum featuring 100 century-old buildings that have been relocated from all over Switzerland. Arriving in Grindelwald late this afternoon, we check into our five-star hotel which boasts stunning panoramic views of the colossal mountain, Jungfrau.

From the village of Wilderswil, a cogwheel railway takes us up to the mountain ridge of Schynige Platte. Here, high above Lake Brienz, hundreds of species of wildflowers bloom within the Schynige Platte Alpine Garden. Our local botanist guide shows us around the garden, pointing out species of edelweiss, gentian, poppies, primroses and lilies, among others. This diverse arrangement of wildflowers is set against the jaw-dropping beauty of the Alps and the turquoise waters of Lake Brienz below.

At Interlaken’s station, we board the celebrated Golden Pass train for the journey to Montreux. During our  visit to the Jardin du Montreux Palace and Montreux’s city centre, absorb spectacular views of grand buildings designed in the Belle Époque style and adorned with rows of yellow awnings. Enjoying its privileged location along the shores of Lake Geneva, Jardin du Montreux Palace features an exquisite garden. From here, we take a stroll around town. See a statue of rock legend Freddie Mercury, who fell in love with the city and later moved there, memorialised before the shores of the lake. Pause along the striking Montreux Riviera before capping off our tour with a chocolate tasting.

Our explorations of Lake Geneva continue today. Savour local varietals from the terraces of the Lavaux wine region’s vineyards. The specialty here is a white wine, Chasselas, produced only in limited quantities, ensuring it is coveted by connoisseurs. Nearby, Chillon Castle juts out into the waters of Lake Geneva. This historic building was formerly the residence of the Counts of Savoy. This evening, we dine at leisure.

Depart Montreux by train for our journey to the alpine garden of La Rambertia, found upon the mountain of Les Rochers-de-Naye. Along with its breathtaking views, the high-altitude garden presents us with around 1,000 alpine species, including two varieties of edelweiss. Upon our return to Lausanne, we enjoy free time before having dinner at a local restaurant.

After breakfast today, you have the option to be transferred to Geneva Airport, where your tour will conclude at approximately 11.30 am, or continue with the rest of the group to Dijon, France, for our 8-day Burgundy Canal Cruise.