Marvel at the majesty of the Swiss Alps, glacier valleys, turquoise lakes, and mighty waterfalls as we explore the picturesque villages in the awe-inspiring region of Jungfrau via cog railways, cable cars, and boats.

Renowned for its postcard-perfect views of snow-capped mountains, nostalgic timber homes, and hotels dating back to the Belle Époque period, the enchanting village of Wengen is our home for six nights. There are no cars, only pristine meadows, forests, and mountains surrounding the town. The tranquility of the place allows you to enjoy the fairytale landscapes even more. None other than J.R.R. Tolkien most likely used the towns of Lauterbrunnen, Wengen, and Grindelwald as inspiration for his ‘Middle Earth.’

June 17 – 25, 2025

 

Package Includes:

• Round-trip airfare — Raleigh/Durham International Airport or Charlotte Douglas International Airport
• Seven nights’ hotel accommodations
• Twelve meals: seven breakfasts and five dinners
• Wine & Beer Reception
• All sightseeing and admissions as listed
• Deluxe motor coach transportation
• Professional tour guide and driver
• Our State host
• Baggage handling and hotel transfers
• 6 nights in Wengen
• 1 night in Zurich
• International Air Departure Taxes/Fuel

 

Accomodations:

• 6 Nights – Hotel Silberhorn or Arenas
• Resort Victoria-Lauberhorn, Wengen
• 1 Night – Dorint or Hilton Hotel, Zurich

 

Itinerary Highlights:

• Berner Oberland Rail Pass
• Swiss Rail Excursions & Transportation – Trains, Cogs, Cable Cars, Boats, & Buses
• Bern
• Interlaken
• Grindelwald
• Gimmelwald
• Mürren
• Lake Brienz Cruise
• Wood Carving School
• Meiringen
• Grindelwald-Männlichen Gondola
• Cableway
• Trümmelbach Falls
• Lucerne City Tour with Chapel Bridge
• Aare River Gorge
• Rosenlaui Glacier Gorge
• 6 Nights – Wengen
• 1 Night – Zurich

 

Detailed Itinerary:

DAY 1: OVERNIGHT FLIGHT

Today board your overnight flight to Europe.

 

DAY 2: ARRIVE IN ZURICH, SWITZERLAND -BERN – WENGEN

Upon arrival in Zurich, Switzerland meet your Premier World Discovery Tour Director. Travel to 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. Later travel up into the massive Swiss Alps and arrive in Lauterbrunnen with its towering cliffs. Say good-bye to the motorcoach for a few days as you begin using your included Berner Oberland Regional Rail Pass which 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. 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. Tonight enjoy a wine and beer reception followed by a welcome dinner with your fellow Our State travelers.

Meals: D
Overnight: Wengen

 

DAY 3: LAUTERBRUNNEN VALLEY TRÜMMELBACH FALLS-MÜRREN

This morning board the Cog Railway for an excursion to the glacier-carved Lauterbrunnen Valley. Board a Postbus to Trümmelbach Falls, a series of ten glacier-fed waterfalls inside the mountain made accessible by a tunnel-funicular built in 1913. Go inside the mountain and see how the falls have carved incredible caves. Next, take the cable car up to Gimmelwald, a small traffic-free village in the Bernese Oberland. Then continue to Mürren to 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. Later return to Wengen where dinner is included this evening with your fellow travelers.

Meals: B, D
Overnight: Wengen

 

DAY 4: WILDERSWIL – LAKE CRUISE – ROTHORN STEAM TRAIN

Today begins with a visit to Wilderswil to board the vintage Cog Railway up to Schynige Platte for incredible views of the surrounding mountain peaks (altitude 6,800 ft.). Later, take in the scenery as you cruise across the turquoise blue waters of Lake Brienz. Then ride the Brienzer Rothorn Steam Train to the heights of the Rothorn through alpine meadows and the sound of Swiss cow bells to experience more views of the impressive Alps. Later return to Wengen and enjoy dinner with your fellow travelers.

Meals: B, D
Overnight: Wengen

 

DAY 5: DAY AT LEISURE – ZERMATT OPTIONAL

Today, enjoy free time in Wengen to shop, hike, and explore with your travel pass. Maybe join an optional day trip to the famous car-free ski resort village of Zermatt situated at the foot of the majestic Matterhorn, one of the world’s most famous mountain peaks. Enjoy time at leisure to explore Zermatt on your own. Perhaps peruse the luxury boutiques and shops or enjoy a meal in a ski lodge. Maybe ride up the Cogwheel Railway to the Gornergrat (additional cost, weather permitting-9,500 ft.) offering incredible views of the Matterhorn and 29 of the highest peaks in Europe. Return to Wengen after a long but rewarding day and enjoy the evening at leisure.

Meals: B
Overnight: Wengen

 

DAY 6: JUNGFRAU OPTIONAL – GRINDELWALD

This morning is at leisure to relax or join the half-day optional Jungfraujoch Mountain Rail where the highest railway station in Europe is located (11,300 ft.). This afternoon travel via Cog Railway to enjoy the included visit to the resort village of Grindelwald to explore, shop, or visit a local cafe. Later continue to “Summit in First” via the Grindelwald-Männlichen Gondola Cableway, Europe’s longest cable car to an altitude of 7,600 ft. Return to Wengen for an evening at your own pace.

Meals: B
Overnight: Wengen

 

DAY 7: ROSENLAUI – AARE RIVER GORGE – MEIRINGEN

Today travel by Cog Train along the sheer walls of the Swiss Alps back to nearby Grindelwald. Then board a famed yellow Postbus and travel through the most remote portions of Switzerland for exploration of the Rosenlaui Glacier Gorge and the amazing 600 foot deep Aare River Gorge, carved over thousands of years by the Aare River. Later travel to the village of Meiringen known for being the home of the tasty meringue and the site of Sherlock Holmes’ final case. Enjoy some time on your own to visit the Sherlock Holmes Museum and try a meringue at a cafe. This afternoon, ride the panoramic Express Train along Lake Brienz to Interlaken, then the Cog Train up to your hotel in Wengen. Later enjoy dinner with your fellow travelers.

Meals: B, D
Overnight: Wengen

 

DAY 8: WENGEN – LUCERNE – ZURICH

This morning, descend on the now familiar Cog Railway and board your motorcoach for the first time in days. Visit one of the most scenic local resident streets in Europe, the Brunngasse in Brienz, which will include a visit to a local wood carving shop. Then travel over Brünig Pass to Lucerne, situated in the geographical heart of Switzerland and poetically described by Alexandre Dumas as “a pearl in the world’s most beautiful oyster.” Enjoy a Lucerne walking tour featuring the famous Lion’s Monument, the historic wooden Chapel Bridge, and a walk along shores of beautiful Lake Lucerne. Continue to Zurich and check in to your hotel for your final night. This evening, join your fellow travelers for a farewell dinner.

Meals: B, D
Overnight: Zurich Airport

 

DAY 9: ZURICH – HOME

Transfer to the Zurich Airport for your flight home filled with wonderful memories of your Alpine Swiss Villages & Rails Tour.

Meals: B

 

Tour Rates:

Booking Discount: $5,599* per person based on double occupancy
Regular Rate: $5,699 per person based on double occupancy
Single supplement: + $875

*Booking discount applied when final payment is made by check.

Please ask about the “No Risk Deposit” plan.

 

For reservations and more information:

Premier World Discovery
Melissa Grant
(877) 953-8687, ext. 238 (Pacific Time)
mgrant@premierworlddiscovery.com

 

PLEASE READ! Tour Activity Level 4 & Altitude:

Please note, this exciting program is active with daily walking, train rides, and other modes of transportation like cable cars, boats, motorcoaches & buses. Program may not be appropriate for wheelchair or other mobility aids. The village of Wengen sits at an altitude of 4,200 ft. Max elevation of included sightseeing is 7,600 ft. Optional excursions are weather permitting and feature high altitudes up to 11,300 ft. (Jungfraujoch). Please check with your doctor if altitude is a potential health concern if considering the optional sightseeing. Order of days is subject to
change due to weather and other scheduling.

 

Additional Information:

What to expect on an Our State trip:

Traveling with a group of Our State readers is an enriching, enjoyable, and safe way to experience new cultures, people, and places. In addition to the informative narration from the tour director and local guides, an Our State host will be available to assist in making your trip successful.

We usually fly to our destination, then travel by a comfortable motor coach with anywhere from 35 to 50 people who appreciate learning about new regions. Your entire trip will be guided, planned, and arranged for your upmost enjoyment. Many activities are things you can only do because you are traveling with Our State. There is some free time built in for you to explore on your own.

You can also choose not to attend an activity if you prefer something different. Please let your tour director know if you are not coming on a scheduled day.

Many meals are included. Where you have meals on your own, suggestions will be provided.

Most of the motor coaches have restrooms but every effort will be made to make regular rest stops.

One of the best parts of traveling with Our State is that you will meet new people, many of whom you will already have much in common with since most travelers read the magazine. Many guests often develop friendships that go on long after the tour is finished. Our State trips are generally filled with dynamic and friendly people.
 

Physical requirements:

Our tours are physically active but not meant to be strenuous.

Please be aware you will be on your feet, walking and standing for much of the day, indoors and outdoors, in all weather conditions and terrains. There will also be extended time on the motor coach when we travel from place to place. If there are any mobility issues you will need to have an able-bodied traveling companion to accompany and assist you.

Most days are moderately paced with approximately two to three total miles of walking, possibly including some hills and stairs.

We regret that we’re unable to provide individual assistance to guests with walking difficulties or other personal needs. The responsibility of the Trip Director who accompanies your trip is to ensure that the larger group enjoys a relaxing and informative journey, and he or she cannot be relied upon to provide ongoing individual assistance to any one guest. Guests requiring such individualized assistance must be accompanied by an able-bodied companion who can provide it.

If you have additional questions, please call Our State’s Travel Director Amy Wood Pasquini at 336-286-0600, or email apasquini@ourstate.com.