ALPINE SWISS VILLAGES & RAILS

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Overview

ALPINE SWISS VILLAGES & RAILS
Zürich, Switzerland
Jul 13 - 21, 2026
American Tours image
American Tours
$6,299
Deposit: $600

About your trip

Embark on an unforgettable 9-day journey deep into the heart of the Swiss Alps, where charming villages meet majestic peaks. Settle into the idyllic, car-free mountain haven of Wengen for six incredible nights, your perfect base for exploration. Utilizing an included regional rail pass, you'll ascend mountains via cog railways and cable cars, cruise across turquoise Lake Brienz, and even ride a vintage steam train through stunning alpine scenery. Discover the medieval allure of Bern, witness dramatic glacier gorges, wander through wildflower-filled valleys, and visit iconic Lucerne. This adventure seamlessly blends breathtaking landscapes with the magic of scenic rail travel and the charm of authentic Swiss village life. Experience the pinnacle of Alpine beauty and create memories to last a lifetime.


*** This is not an exclusive tour or charter for American Tours only.  We have partnered with Premier World Discovery who is overseeing the details and operation of this trip.  You will have an opportunity to connect with fellow explorers, embark on shared adventures and experience the excitement of group activities with people from all over the world! 

Highlights:

6 Nights – Wengen * 1 Night – Zurich * Berner Oberland Rail Pass * Swiss Rail Excursions & Transportation - Trains, Cogs, Cable Cars, Boats & Buses * Bern * Interlaken * Grindelwald * Gimmelwald * Murren * Lake Brienz Cruise * Wood Carving School * Meiringen *

Grindelwald-Männlichen Gondola Cableway * Lucerne City Tour with Chapel Bridge * Aare River Gorge * Rosenlaui Glacier Gorge

Overnight Accommodations:

7 Nights Accommodations
6 Nights - Hotel Silberhorn or Arenas Resort Victoria-Lauberhorn, Wengen

1 Night - Dorint or Hilton Hotel, Zurich Airport Area
*** On some dates, alternate hotels may be used. ***

Pricing / Discounts / Inclusions

DOUBLE OCCUPANCY: $6,299 Per Person   

*** Above pricing does not include Pre-Trip Cancelation Protection &/or Travel Insurance. ***

*** Please see below for Premier World Discovery's optional "Travel Protection Plan (TPP)". ***

*** Above pricing does not reflect our $200 Per Person Booking Discount. ***
*** See below for Booking Discount information. ***


DEPOSIT REQUIRED @ REGISTRATION:  $600 Per Person

FINAL PAYMENT DUE:  April 13, 2025


**NO RISK DEPOSIT – NO CHANGE FEES – 2026 TOURS **
Deposits & TPP payments for any New Bookings made for this tour are fully refundable until 180 days prior to departure.  Should your plans change inside of 180 days, you can use the full value (Future Travel Credit**) of your deposit or TPP on a different program as long as your plans change prior to the Final Payment Due Date. ~River Cruises and Ocean Cruises excluded. **FTC’s are valid for 12 months from original deposit date & non-transferable.


DEPOSIT & FINAL PAYMENT:
Deposit is due at time of reservation to secure your reservation.  Reservations are taken on a "first deposit received / first reservation confirmed" basis.  Final Payment Due Date is 90 days prior to departure.   Those registered for this package will see "WT* ALPINE SWISS VILLAGE" as the statement descriptor in their credit card or bank account statement.  All payments by check are to be made out to American Tours.


PRICING INCLUDES:

Round Trip Airfare (In/Out of DFW International) * International Air Departure Taxes, Fuel & Fees * 7 Nights Hotel Accommodations * 12 Meals (7 Breakfasts & 5 Dinners) * Professional “Premier World Discovery” Tour Director * Motor-Coach Transportation * Hotel Transfers * Admission per Itinerary * Comprehensive Sightseeing per Itinerary * Baggage Handling @ Hotels


AIR NOTE / SEAT REQUESTS / AIRLINE BAG FEES
Air Schedules may not be available until Final Trip Documentation is received.  Airline baggage fees & seat assignment fees are not included in tour rates.  Many airlines do not provide advance seat assignments until check-in at the airport. If specific seat requests or airline choice is  extremely important to your reservation, we recommend you book land only and make your own air reservations. Please make this adjustment to land only/own air at time of tour reservation.


IMPORTANT CONDITIONS/NOTES

A valid US passport is required for this tour and is the responsibility of each passenger. Passports should be valid for up to six (6) months beyond the travel dates. All names must be submitted to Premier exactly as they appear on passenger passports.  Itinerary and hotels are subject to change.


BOOKING DISCOUNT:
Make your Final Payment by check prior to the Final Payment Due Date & receive "$200 per person" Booking Discount!  Initial Deposit can be made by check or credit card to be eligible.  Payments after Initial Deposit are considered part of Final Payment & must be made by check.  *** If applicable, Booking Discount applied by Tour Administrator once final payment has been received by check. ***


PREMIER WORLD DISCOVERY “COMPASS CLUB”:  *** TRAVEL AND SAVE! ***
The Premier Compass Club rewards our valued guests with special recognition and a Compass Club Loyalty Credit on future tours and cruises.  Guests that have completed a trip will automatically be enrolled and will receive an additional $100 per person or $200 per couple Compass Club Loyalty Credit applied to their next Premier World Discovery tour or River Cruise. Loyalty Credit is valid for 24 months from your last tour.  For more details and information visit: premierworlddiscovery.com.  *** If applicable, Compass Club Rewards applied by Tour Administrator prior to Final Payment Due Date. ***

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, it 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 6-nights. Wengen is a picturesque small village in the Jungfrau region and could represent the Swiss Alps on postcard as it features no cars, mountains all around, green meadows and forests surrounding the village. This evening enjoy a Welcome Dinner.

(D) Overnight: Wengen


DAY 3: LAUTERBRUNNEN VALLEYTRUMMELBACH FALLS-MURREN

This morning board the Cog Railway for an excursion to the glacier-carved Lauterbrunnen Valley and take a cable car up to Gimmelwald, a small traffic free village in the Bernese Oberland. Then continue to Murren to enjoy some time at leisure in this car-free village noted for hiking paths surrounded by bellringing 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.

(B, D) Overnight: Wengen


DAY 4: JUNGFRAU OPTIONAL - GRINDELWALD

This morning is at leisure to relax or maybe join the half day Optional Jungfraujoch Mountain Rail Excursion, referred to as the Top of Europe, a place 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 and maybe visit a local cafe.  Later continue on to “Summit in First” via the Grindelwald-Männlichen Gondola Cableway, Europe’s longest cable car to an altitude of 7,600 ft. Later return to Wengen for an evening at your own pace.

(B) Overnight: Wengen


DAY 5: 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’). Later, take in the scenery as you cruise across turquoise blue 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.

(B, D) Overnight: Wengen


DAY 6: 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.

(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 which features waterfalls, natural whirlpools and fantastic rock formations. Later descend out of the mountains to the amazing 600 ft. 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.

(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 Brunig 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.

(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.

(B)


~ 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, motor-coaches & 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.

Tour Activity Level 4:

 

EASY 1 2 (3) 4 ACTIVE


Level 1: The tour operates at a very leisurely pace and involves some minimal physical activity such as climbing stairs, boarding a motor-coach, walking into a museum or other venue and walking from the hotel reception area to hotel rooms and dining areas.

Level 2: This tour requires average physical activity. You should be in good health, able to walk some stairs and walk reasonable distances, possibly over uneven ground and cobblestoned streets.

Level 3: This tour includes moderate physical activity. The itinerary blends some longer days with shorter days. You should be in good health, able to walk a flight of stairs or more and participate in walking tours or nature walks possibly over uneven ground and cobblestoned streets with periods of standing.  There could be some early and late activities, and temperature and altitude changes.

Level 4:  ~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, motor-coaches & 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.

Passport & DOB Information:

A valid passport is required for this tour and is the responsibility of each passenger. Passports should be valid for up to six (6) months beyond the travel dates. All names must be submitted to Premier exactly as they appear on passenger passports. Dates of Birth (DOB’s) are required with reservation for air travel. Copies of passports are required for some programs. Additional forms maybe necessary based on the destination. Travel Visas, when applicable, are the responsibility of the individual passenger.

Air Information:

The prices advertised for this package in our promotional material include airfare from DFW (Dallas/Ft. Worth - DFW International) and IAH (Houston - George Bush Intercontinental).  Unfortunately, we are unable to arrange airfare in/out of other gateway cites.


Air seat changes can only be attempted by individual passengers once "e-tickets" have been received.  E-Tickets are generally not available until 14 days prior to departure; thus, air seat changes might be difficult due to time constraints. 


If specific seat assignments or airline choice is extremely important to your reservation, we recommend you book land only and make your own reservations.  *** Please call for "land only" pricing. ***


If you choose to make your own air arrangements, your transfers to/from the airport in Australia are $100 per person and are available only on the days of the tour. 

Optional Insurance:

PREMIER’S TRAVEL PROTECTION PLAN (TPP) = $425 Per Person

*** Must purchase at time of registration along with Initial Deposit. ***


Part A – Cancelation Waiver provided by PWD

I. Trip Cancelation Waiver (TCW) - Guarantees full refund on all payments, except the Trip Cancelation Waiver Fee itself in case of cancelation up to the time and date of departure due to the passenger’s personal illness or death of an immediate family member.  Medical/official documentation required.

II. Premier “Any Reason” Cancelation Waiver (ARCW) - Reimburses 75% of the cancelation fees in the form of a future travel credit certificate (FTCC) valid for 1 year, if you cancel more than 48 hours prior to scheduled departure for any reason not eligible for cash refund under the TCW (Part A – I.).   FTCC is non-transferable, may not be redeemed for cash and does not include any credit for the Trip Cancelation Waiver Fee.  The Trip Cancelation Waiver Fee must be paid for with Initial Deposit and is refundable until 180 days prior to departure.  The Trip Cancelation Waiver does not cover any single supplement charges due to an individual’s traveling companion canceling prior to departure.  The Trip Cancelation Waiver is non-transferable and valid for each applicant only.  The Trip Cancelation Waiver does not cover any services such as airline tickets not purchased through PWD.  Cancelations, Refunds & Inquiries under Part A will be handled by PWD.  Certain Exclusions and Restrictions apply.


Part B – Post Departure Travel Protection Plan* provided by USI

Includes coverage for: Trip Interruption ($1,000); Trip Delay ($100/Day-Max $500); Baggage & Personal Effects ($2,000); Baggage Delay ($500); Emergency Accident/Sickness Medical Expense - excess coverage ($30,000); Emergency Evacuation/Repatriation ($150,000); Accidental Death & Dismemberment ($25,000); Non-Insurance and Emergency Travel Assistance Services** (24/7). Claims & Inquiries under Part B will be administered by USI.


For full Part A and Part B plan details visit: premierworlddiscovery.com/TPP.  All Benefits described on this page are for general information basis only.  There are certain restrictions, exclusions and limitation that apply to all insurance coverages.  Plan benefits, limits and provisions may vary by state jurisdiction.


CANCELATION FEES**

Cancelations not covered by the Travel Protection Plan (TPP) or if the TPP is not purchased, are subject to the following per person fees:

- Cancel more than 180 days prior to departure: Full Refund

- Cancel 179-90 days prior to departure: Deposit or TPP* is Retained**

- Cancel 89-60 days prior to departure: 25% of total price

- Cancel 59-30 days prior to departure: 50% of total price

- Cancel 29-15 days prior to departure: 75% of total price

- Cancel 14 days or less prior to departure/no shows: No refunds

* If purchased

** Future Travel Credit issued for Deposit or TPP* value

Travel & Save with Compass Club:

The Premier Compass Club rewards our valued guests with special recognition and a Compass Club Loyalty Credit on future tours and cruises.  Guests who have completed a trip will automatically be enrolled and receive an additional $100 per person or $200 per couple Compass Club Loyalty Credit applied to their next Premier World Discovery tour or River Cruise. Loyalty Credit is valid for 24 months from your last tour. 

TO BOOK:

PAYMENT OPTIONS INCLUDE:  

Credit Card* / Bank Card* / Checking Account - Bank Draft** / Paper Check By Mail**

* Please note there are credit card fees associated with all credit card / bank card charges.   If a user pays by credit card, the combined transaction and credit card fees start at 3.9%+30c (1%+30c + 2.9%) for Visa/Mastercard or 4.9%+30c (1%+30c + 3.9%) for AMEX.

** Please note there are no additional fees associated with the use of Bank Draft nor Check By Mail.


REGISTRATION OPTIONS INCLUDE:

ONLINE REGISTRATION:

Book securely online 24/7* by clicking the green button.  Pay your deposit &/or insurance securely online via either credit card / bank card or check (bank draft).  Once you confirm payment, the funds are automatically drawn from your account. You will also receive a booking confirmation email. 


MAIL-IN REGISTRATION:

To register by Mail-In Registration, please click on the gray button on the right titled "Download Brochure".  This will download your Collette Vacations' "Color Brochure" and "Registration Form".  Fill out the registration form and mail it in with your payment to the address reflected at the top of the Registration Form.   Once your registration is processed by American Tours, the funds are automatically drawn from your account.  If paying by check through the mail, please be aware your reservation is not secure until your deposit has been received and processed into our system.  You will receive an EMAIL CONFIRMATION the moment your reservation is processed..  


PHONE REGISTRATION

Unfortunately, for legal reasons, we no longer accept registrations over the phone.

What's included

Round Trip Flights

Flights in/out of DFW International (DFW). *** Other Airport Hubs are possible. Please call our office for details. ***

Hotel Transfers

From airport to/from hotel.

Group Transportation

Group Transportation provided to facilitate completion of itinerary in Switzerland.

12 Meals

7 Breakfasts & 5 Dinners.

Lodging

7 Nights Lodging (additional information provided above in "OVERNIGHT ACCOMMODATIONS" section)

Sightseeing

Comprehensive Sightseeing per itinerary shown above in "Itinerary" secton.

Admissions

Per Itinerary shown above in "Itinerary" section.

Tour Director

Provided by Premier World Discovery. (Will meet passengers at Baggage Claim after landing in Zurich, Switzerland.

What's not included

Travel Protection

Premier's "Travel Protection Plan (TPP)" is explained & offered later in the registration process.

Airline Checked Bag Fee

Unable to pass along information regarding possible "checked bag" fees until flights have been assigned 21 days prior to departure.

Gratuities

Tour Director, drivers, & local guides; allow $15 - $20 per day per traveler.

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1. Zürich, Switzerland

Zürich, Switzerland

About your organizer

AT
American Tours
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