Global search form

Rail Journey

9 day Swiss Alpine Gardens

Swiss Alpine Gardens, Wildflowers & Rail Journeys

Admire Alpine wildflowers and staggering mountain scenery as we link Switzerland’s most iconic destinations, including Lucerne, Grindelwald and Lausanne. Board the celebrated GoldenPass Express and ride vertiginous cogwheel railways to mountain summits. Our journey sees us exploring these epic landscapes during the peak of wildflower season. Dazzling colours and floral creativity are on display across the flower island of Mainau. And we step back in time at the Ballenberg Swiss Open-Air Museum.

This journey departs:

  • 1 July 2026

ZurichLausanne
9 Days Rail Journey

Highlights

Schynige Platte Alpine Garden

Board a cogwheel railway to the mountain ridge of Schynige Platte, where hundreds of species of wildflowers bloom. 

Italian flower water stairs on the island of flowers Mainau on Lake Constance, Germany

Germany’s Flower Island

Mainau is a botanical discovery, featuring rose gardens, tropical greenhouses, an arboretum, and a Baroque palace. 

May 4, 2016 - Brienz, Switzerland : Old traditional style of Swiss Farmer Houses and barns in Ballenberg Open air Museum.

Ballenberg Swiss Open-Air Museum

The open-air museum features 100 century-old buildings that have been relocated from all over Switzerland.

Inclusions

Seen below are your tour’s inclusions. They ensure you’re free to enjoy each day’s discoveries without worry or distraction.

Travel with a small group of 15-25 guests, escorted by an expert Botanical Guide

Includes eight nights’ accommodation in centrally located four- to five-star hotels, return private transfers from door to door, tipping and porterage, plus 13 meals and select beverages  

All sightseeing and entrance fees as per the itinerary 

See Alpine Wildflowers in Bloom across Switzerland and visit popular Alpine Gardens such as Schynige Platte, La Rambertia and Mount Rigi 

Stay in the beautiful lakeside cities of Weggis, Lausanne and Grindelwald in the Bernese Alps 

View Switzerland’s stunning scenery with train journeys through mountain passes 

Enjoy cultural visits to Ballenberg Open Air Museum and Chillon Castle on the banks of Lake Geneva 

Itinerary

Zurich to Lausanne

9 days / 8 night Rail Journey

Day 1

Zurich (Switzerland) and Lake Lucerne.

Day 2

Mount Rigi

Day 3

Insel Mainau (Germany), Lake Constance

Day 4

Lake Lucerne (Switzerland) to Grindelwald. Ballenberg Open-Air Museum

Day 5

Schynige Platte Alpine Garden

Day 6

Interlaken and Montreux

Day 7

Lavaux Vineyards and Chillon Castle

Day 8

La Rambertia

Day 9

Lausanne, Geneva

Trip Notes

  • Itinerary and inclusions are subject to change  

  • Fitness rating: Medium 

  • Group Size: 15-25 Guests 

Combine This Journey

Extend your Botanica journey to explore more destinations, visit additional gardens, and connect with like-minded travellers. Take advantage of our perfectly timed arrival and departure dates. Learn More.

Subscribe to our newsletter

Sign up to receive updates on our latest journeys, travel inspiration and more.

We are committed to protecting your privacy. View our Privacy Policy.