Alpine Swiss Villages & Rails

Duration: 9 Days | Meals Included: 7 Breakfasts, 5 Dinners

 

Starr has partnered with Premier World Discovery, a professional tour operator handling escorted tour arrangements. With 25 years of experience, PWD's goal is to provide travelers with an unforgettable experience featuring sightseeing, history, culture, and fun!

 

Trip Highlights:

 

Wengen

Wengen is a picturesque, small village in the Jungfrau region and could represent the Swiss Alps on post card as it features no cars, mountains all around, green meadows, and forests surrounding the village.

 

Zurich

Zurich, Switzerland, offers a captivating blend of urban sophistication and natural beauty. Explore its charming Old Town, indulge in the city's culinary scene, and enjoy stunning lakeside views and easy access to the Swiss Alps. From Michelin-starred restaurants to cozy cafes, Zurich's vibrant food scene is a delight.

 

Berner Oberland Rail Pass

This gives access to rail, cable car, bus, and boat. Travel by Cog Railway up to the enchanting alpine village of Wengen, your home for the next six nights.

 

Bern

The beautiful capital city of Switzerland featuring cobblestone streets under medieval arches making it one of Europe’s most picturesque cities & registered as a UNESCO historic site. See the Rose Garden, one of the most beautiful parks in Bern offering an unrivaled view over the rooftops of the historic Old Town. Also see the impressive Zytglogge (Glockenspiel), a landmark medieval tower built in the early 13th century that has served the city as guard tower, prison, and clock tower.

 

Interlaken

Interlaken, Switzerland, is a year-round adventure destination nestled between two stunning lakes and surrounded by majestic mountains. It's a gateway to the Jungfrau region and a hub for thrilling outdoor activities, attracting both adventure seekers and nature lovers.

 

Grindelwald

Visit the resort village of Grindelwald to explore, shop, or visit a local cafe.

Grindelwald, a charming Swiss village in the Jungfrau Region, offers a breathtaking experience for nature lovers and adventure seekers alike. Known for its stunning mountain views, including the iconic Eiger, it's a paradise for skiing and hiking, with year-round activities and opportunities to explore the Swiss Alps.

 

Grindelwald-Mannlichen Gondola Cableway

The Grindelwald-Männlichen Gondola Cableway provides a scenic and efficient journey to the summit of Männlichen, offering stunning views of the Swiss Alps, including the Eiger, Mönch, and Jungfrau peaks. It also serves as a gateway to various outdoor activities like hiking and skiing, with options for families and culinary experiences.

 

Gimmelwald

Gimmelwald, a car-free Swiss village in the Bernese Oberland, offers a unique and tranquil experience. Nestled high on a clifftop, it's accessible by cable car or hiking, providing stunning views of the surrounding Alps. This charming village retains its traditional character, with quaint houses and a peaceful atmosphere

 

Murren

Enjoy some time at leisure in this car-free village noted for hiking paths surrounded by bell-ringing cows, waterfalls, and wildflowers. Ride the funicular up to Allmendhubel (altitude 6,200 ft.) for the view, or take the Schilthorn Cable Car up to the summit Piz Gloria (additional cost, altitude 9,700 ft.). The panoramic revolving restaurant at the summit was featured in the 1969 James Bond movie On Her Majesty’s Secret Service.

 

Lucern City Tour

A Lucerne city tour offers a delightful exploration of this charming Swiss city, showcasing its iconic sights like the Chapel Bridge and the Lion Monument. It's a great way to discover hidden alleys, historic squares, and even the city's "crown," the Musegg Wall. Expect engaging guides, beautiful scenery, and an easy walking pace, making it a memorable experience.

 

Brienz Wood Carving School

To be a woodcarver in Switzerland requires 4 years of formal schooling from the Brienz Carving School. Potential students must pass an aptitude test prior to being accepted. The students in Brienz are trained to be exact and accurate artisans and also trained to be fast for production purposes. Upon graduation, a student must be able to do specialty commissioned carvings of any scale and also mass produce to be able to make a living at their craft. Three disciplines based on the traditional carving of Brienz are offered: ornamentation, animal figures and human figures. Students choose one of these three main areas of study.

 

Meiringen

Meiringen, a charming Swiss village, is renowned for its breathtaking natural beauty, historical significance, and, of course, its link to the legendary Sherlock Holmes. Located in the Bernese Oberland, Meiringen offers a variety of activities for outdoor enthusiasts and history buffs alike. As a town with a population of less than 5,000 in the middle of Switzerland, it’s hardly bustling. Most of the noise comes from the waterfalls, cowbells, or village alphorn practice. Meiringen is an ideal place to find some peace, and if you like the outdoors, it’s a good base for summer – you can head into the mountains on either side of the valley and easily get to other Berner Oberland highlights by train. Meringues are everywhere in Meiringen, from souvenir shops selling them by the bag to large sculptures of them… sometimes frighteningly embellished with large eyes and a face. As such, trying a meringue while in town is a must.

 

Lake Brienz Cruise

Lake Brienz is often calm in the early morning, reflecting the Alps of the Bernese Oberland, the turquoise waters exuding an energy of their own. It is only later in the day that the first whitecaps appear on the surface (depending on the wind and the weather) and waves disturb the glistening waters. Watching the hypnotic interplay of water, wind and weather can be absorbing. Sheer mountain slopes tower on both sides of the lake, creating a sense of security as you drink in the atmospheric scenery. At 14 km long and 2.8 km wide, Lake Brienz spans 29.8 km2; reaching 260 m at its deepest point, this is one of the five deepest lakes in Switzerland.

 

Aare River Gorge

Aare Gorge, a spectacular natural wonder where you can enjoy a 1.6km walking trail built into epic rockfaces shaped over thousands of years. Formed during the last ice age, the Aare Gorge was eroded into the stunning shapes you see now by the powerful Aare River. There’s a secure walkway that hugs the gorge’s sheer limestone walls where you can go for a wander, while marvelling at the narrow passages and towering cliffs. On a hot summer’s day, it’s also the perfect place to escape from the heat. At 1,400 metres long, up to 200 metres deep, and an indirect product of glaciation 10,000 years ago.

 

Rosenlaui Glacier Gorge

Rosenlaui Glacier Gorge, where you can do a relatively short and easy hike past some more impressive waterfalls, whirlpools and rock formations.

 

Need to Know:

• Every Starr trip includes deluxe round-trip motorcoach transportation from one or more of our departure locations.

• Services of a Tour Director will begin upon arrival in Zurich.

• Baggage handling at hotels is included.

• Baggage handling at airports is not included.

• Price includes round-trip airfare between PHL/EWR and Zurich.

• Transfers in Zurich (between airport and hotel) are included.

 

Proof of Citizenship Requirement: Valid Passport

 

Payment & Cancellation Policies for July 27, 2026

Deposit/Payment Policy: Deposit is $625.00 per person. Final payment is due by 04/08/2026

Cancellation Penalties: If cancellation occurs from booking date to 01/28/2026, a $25.00 per person penalty will be assessed. If cancellation occurs between 01/29/2026 and 04/08/2026, a $625.00 per person penalty will be assessed. If cancellation occurs between 04/09/2026 and 04/26/2026, a $2,325.00* per person penalty will be assessed. If cancellation occurs between 04/27/2026 and 07/27/2026, the passenger is in full penalty and no refund will be granted.

*In addition to the cancellation polices listed above, if additional payments have been made to Starr for the purpose of securing your airline reservation, these monies are non-refundable once received. Any name changes after final payment is made will be assessed a per person change fee. The amount of the fee will be determined by the airline.

 

Flight Schedule:

Departure: July 27, 2026

TBD *Flights are subject to change

Return: August 4, 2026

TBD *Flights are subject to change

**Only 1 piece of checked baggage is allowed on this trip and there will not be a charge by the airline for the 1st checked bag.**

 

Trip Insurance:

Travel Insurance provides protection for your travel investment and it should always be considered. We recommend The National Tour Association's (NTA) Travel Protection Plan administered by Aon Affinity. You can purchase the enhanced plan within 14 days of deposit to cover preexisting conditions or 'cancel for any reason' coverage.

For more information, click here.

For frequently asked questions, click here.

To purchase: Call 800-388-1470 or click here.

Starr's Tour Operator location # for Aon is 306035. 

 

Gratuities:

Gratuities to individuals noted below are not included in the price of your tour package. Customary recognized guidelines are as follows:

*Motorcoach Driver – $4-$6 per tour guest, per day

*Tour Director – $4-$6 per tour guest, per day

 

Accessibility:

Starr has a select quantity of wheelchair accessible motorcoaches available; therefore, we suggest you contact a Travel Advisor to discuss any needs you may have before reserving your trip.

Accommodations:

 

Day 2-7:

Hilton Silberhorn or Arenas Resort Victoria-Lauberhorn, Wengen or Similar

 

Day 8:

Dorint or Hilton Hotel, Zurich Airport Area or similar

 

Note: Hotels are subject to change and are assigned approximately 30 days prior to departure.

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