Explore the palm-lined shores of the Swiss Riviera from two beautiful towns on Lake Geneva, experiencing authentic tastings, two iconic rail journeys and a fairytale lakefront château

Your Swiss holiday begins today as you meet the Tour Manager and rest of the group at London St Pancras, before boarding the Eurostar to Paris. In Plus class seats, relax and enjoy a light meal at your seat as we journey towards the French capital.

In Paris, we change trains to continue our journey through the French countryside to Lausanne, Switzerland's fourth-largest city, set on the shores of glistening Lake Geneva. As we approach Switzerland, breathtaking views of the Alps can be admired from our windows.

Arriving in this scenic lakeside city, we transfer to our hotel located in the heart of Lausanne. Thanks to the city's hillside setting, many vantage points offer stunning views across Lake Geneva. After checking in, we enjoy dinner together at the hotel restaurant this evening.

This morning after breakfast, we get to know Lausanne on a sightseeing tour with a knowledgeable local guide. We explore the charming Old Town, built on hills between the Flon and Louve valleys and known for its steep cobblestone streets. In the Cité District, we admire the striking Gothic cathedral and the 15th-century St-Maire Castle before continuing to Place de la Palud, a bustling square home to the City Hall, the Justice Fountain - the oldest fountain in the city - and a mechanical clock that recounts scenes from local history.

After free time to seek out your own lunch spot, we head to one of Lausanne's most celebrated attractions, the Olympic Museum. Set within a beautiful lakeside park, this museum houses the world's largest and most comprehensive Olympic collection. Here, discover interactive exhibits, view the Olympic torch collection and explore the sculptures displayed throughout the Olympic park.

This evening, you are at leisure to continue exploring and dine independently. The city offers a wide range of restaurants where you can sample traditional Swiss cuisine or international flavours.

Leaving Lausanne after breakfast this morning, we board the train to Rivas to visit the Lavaux vineyards. This short but highly scenic rail journey showcases terraced vineyards cascading down the hillside above the sparkling waters of Lake Geneva, and the Alps rising in the distance.

On arrival, we walk to Lavaux Vinorama for a talk and tasting. This remarkable wine-growing region has been cultivated for centuries and is recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage landscape. During our visit, we learn about the traditions that have shaped the area while sampling some of the region's distinctive wines.

After time to explore the vineyards at leisure, we return to the station to board a train to Vevey, our scenic base for the next six nights. Located on Lake Geneva's northern shore and famous as the former home of Charlie Chaplin, this charming Swiss Riviera town offers a perfect blend of culture, history and stunning scenery. We check in to our hotel, where we enjoy dinner together this evening.

The beautiful resort town of Montreux awaits after breakfast today. Often referred to as the 'Pearl of Lake Geneva', the town's magnificent alpine backdrop and lakeside palm trees give visitors a true feeling of paradise. On arrival, we set out on a city tour where we follow in the footsteps of Freddie Mercury, stopping at locations that shaped his time here, including the famous Mountain Studios located inside the Montreux Casino.

Continuing along the lakeshore, we arrive at the fairytale setting of Château de Chillon, one of Switzerland's best-preserved medieval castles. Set on a rocky outcrop at the edge of Lake Geneva, this historic fortress appears to rise directly from the water. Stepping inside, we explore its atmospheric halls, ancient courtyards and vaulted cellars. From the castle's towers, there are magnificent views across the lake and surrounding Alps.

Afterwards, we enjoy a scenic cruise across Lake Geneva back to Vevey, soaking up views of vineyard-clad slopes and charming villages along the way. This evening, we dine together in the hotel restaurant.

After breakfast, enjoy a full free day to explore at your own pace. There are many excellent destinations within easy reach, and your Swiss Half Fare Card offers 50% discounted fares on rail, boat and most mountain railway journeys, making it easy to discover more of the region.

You might choose to visit Chaplin's World, located just outside Vevey, where the life and work of Charlie Chaplin are brought to life in his former home and studio. Alternatively, take a scenic journey to Geneva, where lakeside promenades, boutiques and historic landmarks await.

Another option is to cross the lake to the charming French spa town of Évian-les-Bains, home to the famous Evian mineral water. Here, you could stroll along the lakeside promenade, visit the historic Source Cachat to sample the water directly from its source or explore the elegant Palais Lumière, a former thermal spa and a masterpiece of Belle Époque architecture. Whether you choose to explore further afield or simply relax in Vevey, the day is yours to enjoy before returning to the hotel this evening.

This morning after breakfast, we journey by coach into the Swiss countryside to the medieval hilltop village of Gruyères, renowned for its timeless charm and sweeping views. Dominating the village is the impressive Château de Gruyères, an imposing fortress that has stood since the 13th century. Now a museum, it houses a prestigious collection of artwork, period interiors and historic treasures which we explore at leisure, offering a fascinating glimpse into the life of the region across the ages.

Over lunch, we enjoy a tasting of one the region's most famous dishes - fondue. This iconic Swiss delicacy, made with melted Gruyère cheese blended with white wine, showcases the rich, creamy flavours of the region's renowned cheeses.

We continue to nearby Broc this afternoon to visit the Maison Cailler Museum, Switzerland's oldest chocolate factory. During our visit, we discover the story behind Swiss chocolate-making, with plenty of opportunities to sample a variety of chocolates along the way. Coaching back to Vevey afterwards, the rest of the evening is yours to enjoy at leisure and dine independently.

Making our way by rail to Montreux after breakfast, a journey into the mountains awaits as we board the Rochers-de-Naye cogwheel railway for a spectacular ascent. Climbing steeply above Lake Geneva, the train winds its way through open fields, charming villages and dense forests before emerging into the high alpine landscape.

At the summit, breathtaking views await, stretching across Lake Geneva and, on clear days, as far as the distant peaks of the Alps. There is time to take in the scenery and perhaps enjoy a refreshment while surrounded by this remarkable landscape.

We make our return journey back to Montreux, where the afternoon is free. You may wish to stroll along the lakeside promenade, relax in a café or simply enjoy the town's beautiful setting before making your own way back to Vevey by rail for dinner this evening.

Travelling to Montreux station after breakfast this morning, a highlight of our trip awaits as we board the panoramic carriages of the GoldenPass Express for an incredible rail journey to Interlaken, taking us from palm-lined promenades to snow-capped mountains.

While this rail journey is newer and perhaps less well-known than Switzerland's other famous trains, it is equally captivating. Leaving Montreux, it winds its way through terraced vineyards, untamed forests and the rolling mountains of the Swiss Highlands before we reach the upmarket mountain resort of Gstaad. The final stretch glides down towards Lake Thun, offering breathtaking panoramic views across the sparkling waters and surrounding peaks.

Arriving in Interlaken, enjoy free time to explore this scenic town at leisure. Nestled between Lake Thun and Lake Brienz, and framed by the peaks of the Bernese Alps, Interlaken is a charming alpine town renowned for its stunning views. After free time to explore, we rail back to Vevey where we enjoy our final dinner of the holiday together this evening.

Throughout this stunning exploration of the Lake Geneva region, our stays in Lausanne and Vevey provided the perfect base from which to experience the elegance and beauty of western Switzerland. From the lakeside charm of Montreux to the fairytale setting of Château de Chillon, each day revealed a different side to this remarkable region.

We savoured the flavours of Switzerland with a wine tasting in the Lavaux vineyards and a traditional fondue in medieval Gruyères, while memorable rail journeys on the GoldenPass Express and the cogwheel railway to the summit of Rochers-de-Naye showcased the country's spectacular landscapes, leaving us with lasting impressions of this beautiful corner of Europe.

Leaving our hotel after breakfast this morning, we head to the station to begin our journey home. Travelling via Lausanne, we journey to Paris before continuing to London St Pancras, where your holiday comes to an end.

Our Classic range is what we're known for. Enjoy curated moments with plenty of inclusions. Centrally located hotels, premium travel options and engaging group tours with a seasoned expert are included. You'll be in groups with an average of 20-25 travellers and a maximum of 30*. *Scandinavian and Worldwide tours are on average 30-35 and a maximum of 40.

Step aboard the high-speed international rail service, linking London St Pancras to Paris and Lille in France, Brussels in Belgium and Amsterdam in the Netherlands.

Eurostar's Standard Class coaches feature two seats on either side of the central aisle, most of which are arranged in an 'airline' seating configuration with drop-down tray tables. There are two tables for four per carriage. Passengers travelling in Eurostar Standard Class coaches can take advantage of the Bar-Buffet which sells a range of snacks, meals, and hot and cold drinks - including Champagne!

The highest class of Eurostar travel available for leisure customers is Plus class. In your dedicated Plus carriage you'll find a less dense seat configuration, meaning the seats are larger and you have ample space to relax and stretch out. As part of the service, you'll enjoy complimentary drinks and refreshments, served at your seat by friendly, helpful waiting staff.

For the class of travel used on your chosen tour, please refer to the 'What's Included' section of the tour page.

Train journeys on The GoldenPass Line are a wonderful introduction to Switzerland and give you the opportunity to see the country at its very best. Travelling on ultra-modern panoramic trains, you experience unparalleled views of some of Switzerland's finest scenery from weathered timbered chalets sat in peaceful sunlit valleys to dramatic peaks, glittering lakes and remote, untouched forest.

The GoldenPass Line's picturesque route stretches between Montreux on the Swiss Riviera and lakeside Lucerne in the historic heart of Switzerland, taking us through Zweisimmen and Interlaken along the way. Various sections of this route are featured in a number of our Swiss tours.

Introduced in 1981, France's TGV (Train à Grande Vitesse) was the original European high-speed train. Linking Paris with Lyon, the new service revolutionised train travel and meant that travelling by air over medium and short distances was no longer seen as the best option, even for business travel.

The network has expanded rapidly and today these sleek, stylish trains offer links to over 60 destinations throughout France. Operated by SNCF, the French national rail operator, TGV trains travel over specially constructed high-speed lines. The trains can achieve speeds of up to 186mph (300km/h) on most long-distance routes and 200mph (320km/h) on the new TGV Est line, which links Paris with Strasbourg, Luxembourg and Basel. With the exception of shorter journeys, TGVs almost always have an on-board buffet car, serving a selection of drinks and light refreshments.

Perched high above the shimmering waters of Lake Geneva, the Rochers-de-Naye Railway is an unforgettable mountain rail experience in Switzerland. Departing from the elegant lakeside town of Montreux, this historic cogwheel railway climbs steeply through forests and alpine meadows, revealing panoramic views with every turn. At the summit, 6,700 feet above sea level, travellers are rewarded with breathtaking vistas stretching across Lake Geneva, the Alps, and even as far as the Jura mountains on a clear day.

Nestled in the charming town of Vevey, this 4-Star hotel combines modern comfort with a welcoming, local atmosphere. Just a short distance from the lakeside promenade and the town's cafés, shops and markets, it's an ideal base for exploring this part of Switzerland. Guests can unwind in the hotel's spa, enjoy a drink or meal at the restaurant and bar or soak up views of Lake Geneva and the Swiss Alps from the comfort of their well-appointed guest rooms. Each guest room is fully equipped with free Wi-fi, flatscreen TV, minibar, tea & coffee-making facilities, hairdryer and complimentary toiletries.

Located in the heart of Lausanne, this 4-Star hotel is perfectly placed a short distance from the station and the bustling Le Flon district, offering panoramic views of Lake Geneva and the Swiss Alps. Guests can enjoy local drinks and cuisine in elegant yet relaxed settings at the hotel bars and restaurants. Spacious guest rooms are tastefully decorated and are fully equipped with free Wi-fi, flatscreen TV, minibar, ironing equipment, tea & coffee-making equipment, hairdryer and complimentary toiletries.