How much does it cost?

From CHF 1,420 per person, the operator's advertised from-price, read on its own page on 12 Sept 2026. About $1,742 at ECB reference rates. Departures, room types and dates can price differently; the operator's page is the final word.

Is train travel included?

Yes for several legs, including the Centovalli Railway and the Gotthard Panorama Express, but some days use a bus, a boat, or a cable car instead of a train.

Is this an escorted or independent tour?

This is a self-guided journey. You can start from any point in Switzerland, and several days are described as exploring 'at your own pace'.

Which trains does this trip use?

The Centovalli Railway from Brig through Locarno to Lugano, and the Gotthard Panorama Express, a 1st class train from Lugano combined with a boat cruise into Lucerne.

What food and wine experiences are included?

A wine tasting at Domaine Gaillard & Fils overlooking the Lavaux terraces, a risotto workshop in Bellinzona, and a visit to the Kambly World of Experience biscuit factory in Trubschachen.

What hotels are included?

Hotel accommodation priced as an example based on a 3-star double room, with 2 nights in Montreux, 2 in Lugano, 2 in Lucerne, and 1 in Bern.

What is not included?

Additional activities and mountain excursions can be added to the trip but are not included in the base price.

Switzerland Travel Centre · Self-guided rail journey

Culinary Highlights

8-day self-guided Swiss food and wine rail journey, Montreux to Bern

Switzerland Travel Centre's Culinary Highlights is an 8-day, 7-night self-guided rail journey from Montreux to Bern, built around food and wine experiences alongside train travel. Day 2 combines a visit to Chillon Castle on Lake Geneva with a wine tasting at Domaine Gaillard & Fils overlooking the Lavaux terraces, the largest wine-growing region in Switzerland. Day 3 rides the Centovalli Railway from Brig through Locarno to Lugano, and day 4 includes a risotto workshop in Bellinzona. Day 5 combines the Gotthard Panorama Express, a 1st class panoramic train from Lugano, with a boat cruise into Lucerne. Day 6 climbs the Stanserhorn on the world's first open-topped cable car before self-paced time in Lucerne's old town, and day 7 visits the Kambly World of Experience biscuit factory before exploring Bern's medieval old town. Hotel accommodation is priced as an example on a 3-star double room. This trip suits independent travellers and food and wine enthusiasts who want Swiss scenery paired with hands-on culinary stops.

What to know before you look closer

Hotel accommodation is priced as an example based on a 3-star double room; the actual category may vary with the hotel you choose.
Day 2 (Chillon Castle) is reached by a short bus ride and day 7 travels to Trubschachen by drive, not rail; the Stanserhorn excursion on day 6 uses a cable car, not a train.
The evidence lists no current departure dates or season for this package; confirm timing and pricing for your dates with Switzerland Travel Centre.

Day by day

Day 1overnight: Montreux
Travelling to Montreux
Travel to Montreux by public transport. The city is nestled between the Alps and Lake Geneva, known for its beautiful lakeside promenade and musical heritage.
Day 2overnight: Montreux
Visit to Chillon Castle and Lavaux
After breakfast at the hotel, it is a short bus ride to visit Chillon Castle on Lake Geneva. Then head to Puidoux for a wine tasting at Domaine Gaillard & Fils, with a view over the Lavaux wine terraces. Return to Montreux in the evening.
Meals: Breakfast
Day 3railovernight: Lugano
Journey on the Centovalli-Railway
Travel from Montreux to Brig. Continue on the picturesque Centovalli-Railway to Locarno and then by regional train to Lugano, a lively city on the lake. Journey time: approx. 5h 30min.
Day 4railovernight: Lugano
Lugano and risotto workshop in Bellinzona
Take a trip to Bellinzona for a workshop where you learn how to prepare a traditional Ticino risotto. In the afternoon, explore the Ticino region with its charming villages, castles and lakes by train or bus.
Day 5railovernight: Lucerne
Journey on the Gotthard Panorama Express
Travel on the Gotthard Panorama Express in 1st class from Lugano to Lucerne. The journey combines a trip on the panoramic train with a boat cruise on Lake Lucerne. Journey time: approx. 5h 30min.
Day 6overnight: Lucerne
Lucerne and mountain excursion to the Stanserhorn
The excursion to the Stanserhorn is included in your Swiss Travel Pass. Ride the world's first open-topped cable car to the summit and enjoy lunch in the revolving restaurant. Afterwards, explore Lucerne's old town, the riverside promenade and the Chapel Bridge at your own pace.
Day 7overnight: Bern
Visit to the Kambly World of Experience and exploration of Bern's Old Town
Drive from Lucerne to Trubschachen to the Kambly World of Experience, where you can sample Switzerland's most famous biscuits. Continue to Bern to explore the medieval old town, the Zytglogge tower and the arcades at your own pace.
Day 8
Return journey from Bern
Travel by public transport from Bern to your final destination in Switzerland.

The moments this trip is built around

Day 2A wine tasting at Domaine Gaillard & Fils overlooks the Lavaux terraces, after a visit to Chillon Castle on Lake Geneva
Day 3The Centovalli Railway carries you from Brig through Locarno to Lugano, a lively lakeside city, on a journey of about 5 hours 30 minutes
Day 4A workshop in Bellinzona teaches how to prepare a traditional Ticino risotto
Day 5The Gotthard Panorama Express combines a 1st class panoramic train from Lugano with a boat cruise on Lake Lucerne
Day 6The world's first open-topped cable car climbs to the Stanserhorn summit, with lunch in the revolving restaurant

Included

Digital Swiss Coupon Pass (over 100 2-for-1 experiences)
Travel from any starting point and back to any ending point in Switzerland
Wine tasting at Domaine Gaillard & Fils overlooking the Lavaux terraces
Risotto workshop in Bellinzona
Gotthard Panorama Express journey in 1st class (train + boat)
Swiss Travel Pass, covering the Stanserhorn cable car excursion
Visit to the Kambly World of Experience
Hotel accommodation (price example based on 3-star double room)

Questions travellers ask

How much does it cost?: From CHF 1,420 per person, the operator's advertised from-price, read on its own page on 12 Sept 2026. About $1,742 at ECB reference rates. Departures, room types and dates can price differently; the operator's page is the final word.
Is train travel included?: Yes for several legs, including the Centovalli Railway and the Gotthard Panorama Express, but some days use a bus, a boat, or a cable car instead of a train.
Is this an escorted or independent tour?: This is a self-guided journey. You can start from any point in Switzerland, and several days are described as exploring 'at your own pace'.
Which trains does this trip use?: The Centovalli Railway from Brig through Locarno to Lugano, and the Gotthard Panorama Express, a 1st class train from Lugano combined with a boat cruise into Lucerne.
What food and wine experiences are included?: A wine tasting at Domaine Gaillard & Fils overlooking the Lavaux terraces, a risotto workshop in Bellinzona, and a visit to the Kambly World of Experience biscuit factory in Trubschachen.
What hotels are included?: Hotel accommodation priced as an example based on a 3-star double room, with 2 nights in Montreux, 2 in Lugano, 2 in Lucerne, and 1 in Bern.
What is not included?: Additional activities and mountain excursions can be added to the trip but are not included in the base price.