After breakfast and check out of your hotel meet your guide in the lobby for your private Zurich Walking Tour (you can store your luggage at the hotel). Discover why Zurich is frequently awarded "city with best quality of life" and learn about Switzerland's business and cultural center. You'll see the shopping and business district; Bahnhofstrasse, the Limmatquai with its medieval Old Town, and the Lindenhof, where the brave women of Zurich saved the city from the invaders. Later, view the biggest clock-face of Europe on St. Peter's church, the Guild-Houses, Lake Zurich, the University quarters, the gorgeous mansions of the Zurichberg, and finally Fraumunster Church with its world-famous Chagall-Windows. In the afternoon, pick up your bags at the hotel and make your way to the rail station for the less than 1 hour ride to Lucerne. This idyllic city is neatly divided into the Old Town (Altstadt) and New Town (Neustadt), the former being the most atmospheric quarter and easy to navigate on foot.

(Accommodations, Zurich)

After breakfast and check out of your hotel meet your guide in the lobby for your private Zurich Walking Tour (you can store your luggage at the hotel). Discover why Zurich is frequently awarded "city with best quality of life" and learn about Switzerland's business and cultural center. You'll see the shopping and business center; Bahnhofstrasse, the Limmatquai with its medieval Old Town, and the Lindenhof, where the brave women of Zurich saved the city from the invaders. Later, view the biggest clock-face of Europe on St. Peter's church, the Guild-Houses, Lake Zurich, the University quarters, the gorgeous mansions of the Zurichberg, and finally Fraumunster Church with its world-famous Chagall-Windows with detailed explanations. In the afternoon after picking up your bags at your hotel, make your way to the rail station for the less than 1 hour ride to Lucerne. This year, Condé Nast Traveler readers voted Lucerne their second-favorite city in Europe, just behind Florence in the annual Readers' Choice Awards. Lucerne is neatly divided into the Old Town (Altstadt) and New Town (Neustadt), the former being the most atmospheric quarter and easy to navigate on foot.

(Breakfast, Zurich; Accommodations, Lucerne)

Today is at your leisure for independent sightseeing. Enjoy some of the landmarks in this pedestrian-friendly town. Pass through the medieval Chapel Bridge that forms the centerpiece of Lucerne's townscape, the oldest, covered wooden bridge in Europe. A further landmark of the town is the Museggmauer, a wall which, with the exception only of one of its towers, has been preserved in its original, well-fortified state. Notice the historic houses decorated with frescoes, that line the picturesque town squares. On the south bank of the Reuss river is the 17th-century baroque style Jesuit Church of Saint Francis Xavier, defined by its dull-green twin onion domes and grand marble stucco interiors. It's regarded as Switzerland's first sacred Baroque building and the twin towers of the Hofkirche form an integral part of the surroundings. One of the best-known monuments in Switzerland is the figure of a dying lion which was hewn from the face of rock. It was constructed in remembrance of the heroic death of Swiss guards killed during an attack on the Tuileries in 1792.

If you want to venture outside the city, consider the optional tour to Mt Titlis. Travel directly from Lucerne to Engelberg on the Zentralbahn railway in only 45 minutes. From the Engelberg train station it is only a 10 minute walk to the Titlis valley station. The the rotating gondola from the middel station offers a 360 degree view. At the summit, breathe in the fresh air and enjoy the stunning vistas offered by this snow clad mountain. Tonight, try one of the restaurants specializing in fondue to end your memorable stay in this fairy tale town.

(Breakfast & Accommodations, Lucerne)

After breakfast, board your Golden Pass Line train for your trip to Grindelwald. After checking into your hotel, the remainder of the day is at your leisure. This picture-postcard village, nestled in the valley of the Bernese Alps, is a popular gateway for the Jungfrau Region with skiing in winter and hiking in summer.

(Breakfast, Lucerne; Accommodations, Grindelwald)

After breakfast, take the self-guided excursion to the Jungfraujoch. You'll board a cogwheel train en route to Kleine Scheidegg. After changing trains in Kleine Scheidegg you continue into the mountain before arriving at the Jungfraujoch. This station is situated in a valley between the peaks of the Jungfrau and Monch mountains. Visit the Sphinx Observation Terrace and Plateau for breathtaking panoramic views of the surrounding Alps and Europe's longest glacier, the Aletsch Glacier. Don't forget to stroll through the tunnels of the Ice Palace, located in the heart of a glacier before returning to Grindelwald. The remainder of the day is at your leisure.

(Breakfast & Accommodations, Grindelwald)

Today is free for exploring and the area surrounding this town offers a myriad of options for outdoor enthusiasts. For some high altitude fun, head to Mount First. To reach the mountain summit, you'll take two cable cars right from the center of Grindelwald with excellent views of the Eiger North Face. If you're looking for a speed thrill, try the First Flyer, a flying fox that stretches downhill for 800 meters from First to Schreckfeld. Strapped in to a secure harness, you can whiz along at speeds of up to 80 kilometers per hour! Another option is the First Cliff Walk; an elevated walkway that offers exceptional views. The walkway winds its way around the mountain face over sheer drops before finishing at the terrace at Berg Restaurant (a nice stop for lunch). Something slightly less strenuous are the numerous hiking trails. One of the most popular is the 5.9 kilometer (about 4 miles) round trip walk to Lake Bachalpsee.

(Breakfast & Accommodations, Grindelwald)

After breakfast, continue the scenic ride on the Golden Pass Line for 3 hours from Grindelwald to Montreux via Interlaken. As you cross into the French speaking part of Switzerland, you'll see sparkling lakes, vast mountain ranges, and quaint villages from your panoramic rail car. The town of Montreux nestles in a sheltered Lake Geneva bay, surrounded by vineyards and against the breathtaking backdrop of the snow-covered Alps. It's also the site of the famous Montreux Jazz Festival, which takes place every year in June/July. An attractive option is a visit to Chateu de Chillon, a historic castle, the country's most visited place, and only a 45 minute walk along the lakeside. As you walk along Quai de la Rouvenaz, you'll come across the best known statue in Montreux. Freddie Mercury, the voice of the rock band Queen, recorded his last album here, and you'll find admirers leaving flowers at the foot of his statue. Montreux has an attractive old town located at the top of a steep hill above the modern city. No funicular here, although you can easily take a taxi or ride the local bus. It's a fitting way to end your stay in Montreux with a romantic dinner overlooking the panorama of the lake and mountains.

(Breakfast, Grindelwald; Accommodations, Montreux)

Today, enjoy a brief, but scenic ride as the train hugs the lake on your way to Geneva. After checking in to your centrally located hotel, start exploring this historic city. Geneva has been a strategic mainstay in world politics, including home to the League of Nations. Besides the extravagant shops around town, Geneva is also infused with tradition, cultural activities and of course, dazzling scenery. The manicured beauty of the city is reflected in the Parc La Grange, home to very old and tall trees and an 18th century villa. But the highlight of this park is Geneva's largest rose garden with over 10,000 fragrant blooms. Looking for something different for dinner this evening? Hop across the L'Arve River to the Bohemian quarter of Carouge, filled with quaint boutiques and numerous artsy cafes, restaurants, and famous jazz clubs.

(Breakfast, Montreux; Accommodations, Geneva)

Today is free for independent sightseeing or for taking a full day tour to Chamonix/Mont-Blanc. History buffs might consider a visit to the Reformation Wall, honoring many of the main individuals, events, and documents of the Protestant Reformation. Closely related is nearby St Pierre's Cathedral; the adopted home church of the reformation leader, John Calvin.

The full day tour to Chamonix and Mt Blanc begins at 8:30am. The driving time to Chamonix is 90 minutes through the picturesque Arve valley. Chamonix was the site of the first Winter Olympics in 1924, and it has evolved into a world class ski resort. And despite its popularity, the town has retained its sense of tradition. The architecture is a mix of traditional and modern with quaint alpine chalets, lovely Baroque churches, and historic chapels. Chamonix is renowned for its upscale atmosphere and fancy boutiques and boasts dozens of top-rated restaurants. Lying at the foot of Mont-Blanc, the Aiguille du Midi is considered the gateway to the Alps. This point is reached by the Panoramic Mont-Blanc Gondola. The two-part cable car ride takes a total of 20 minutes from the center of Chamonix to the top. There you'll discover spectacular panoramic view of the Chamonix Valley and the French, Swiss and Italian Alps at 12,600 ft. On a clear day, you may even see the Mattherhorn, the icon of Switzerland. You may have the opportunity (weather permitting) to "Step into the Void": a glass room built around a metal frame with three glass walls, floor and ceiling panels it allows visitors to control their vertigo and experience 3,400 feet of space under their feet! Enjoy some free time at the top and snap unforgettable pictures. Afterward, meet your guide at the cable car station down below to take you back to Geneva.

(Breakfast & Accommodations, Geneva)

After a leisurely breakfast, travel by rail from Geneva to any Swiss airport city or border town, and then onward to your next Avanti Destination!

(Breakfast, Geneva)