8 Days Rail Explorer Lakes & Glaciers

Switzerland Highlights: Montreux, Interlaken, Lucerne Area & Locarno

Itinerary Overview

Montreux (Switzerland)

• 2 nights at Modern Times Hotel, Vevey, a Tribute Portfolio Hotel
• Ticket: Swiss Travel Pass (Montreux)
• Ticket: Glacier 3000 with Cable Car from Montreux

Interlaken (Switzerland)

• 2 nights at Hotel Chalet Swiss

Horw / Lucerne Area (Switzerland)

• 2 nights at Seehotel Sternen (Horw)

Locarno (Switzerland)

• 1 night at Caffè dell'Arte Boutique Rooms Locarno



As your travel advisor, I recommend preparing for this Swiss journey with a mix of practical guidebooks and inspiring reading. For comprehensive planning and detailed city maps, look at the latest editions of Lonely Planet Switzerland and Rick Steves Switzerland; both are excellent for train-based itineraries with a Swiss Travel Pass. For a strong focus on scenic routes, hikes, and mountain excursions around Montreux, Interlaken, and Lucerne, consider Rough Guide to Switzerland and Frommer’s Switzerland. Around the lakes and alpine regions you’re visiting, a specialized title like “Swiss Alps” (Lonely Planet’s regional guide) or Cicerone’s hiking guides for the Bernese Oberland will help you choose the best viewpoints and easy walks. To better understand Swiss culture and history as you move between the French-, German-, and Italian-speaking regions, I suggest “Swiss Watching” by Diccon Bewes (engaging introduction to Swiss life) and “A Tramp Abroad” by Mark Twain for a classic, humorous take on Swiss landscapes. Finally, if you enjoy train travel, “The Man in Seat 61 – Switzerland” (online resource and related book) offers very practical tips on scenic rail journeys that pair perfectly with your Swiss Travel Pass.