10-Days Cheese & Alps - Euro Rail Trail

Ciao e benvenuto a Milano, Hallo und willkommen in Mailand, Bonjour et bienvenue à Milan!

Day 1 of your adventure commences in the vibrant city of Milan, where you'll gather with your fellow travellers at 4pm for a meet and greet and to answer any questions you might have for your experienced guide. This meeting marks the beginning of an exciting 10-day journey through the stunning landscapes of the Alps.

Get ready for breathtaking mountain views, outdoor activities, and memorable experiences. After the initial introductions, you are welcome to join your U.Guide for a wander around the incredible piazzas of Milan, checkout the Duomo and find a local trattoria for an optional pizza and pasta fest!

So enjoy a Multipulciano, Chianti or a Peroni with a classical pizza margarita , or spice it up with a bowl of pasta arrabiata this is going to be one epic odyssey!

Activities: Welcome Drinks and Meet & Greet

After a beautiful journey from Milan to Zermatt, we’ll arrive early in the afternoon into Zermatt’s car free zone. Nestled at the base of the famous Matterhorn mountain, Zermatt is a charming alpine village with year round adventure activities.

It’s also the gateway to the Swiss Alps so we’ll get our first slice of the beautiful mountains we’ll be traversing over the next week.

This afternoon we’ll stroll around the pedestrian streets and take a small hike around the village which offers the most beautiful of views. Besides these spectacular vistas, you have time, if you choose, to take the three gondolas up to the top of the Matterhorn! Otherwise, Zermatt is known for its local Swiss mountain cuisine so we head out tonight to find Raclette for a truly local dining experience.

From mountains to lakes, Raclette to Fondue

It’s a relaxed start to day 3 as we take a short train ride to the jaw-dropping beautiful swiss town of Interlaken.

Interlaken, in the middle of Switzerland's Bernese Oberland, is a picture-perfect mountain township. For its size, it feels cosy, nestled between the peaceful Lake Thun and Lake Brienz, complete with cute old wooden houses and green parks which line the Aare River.

The town is framed by epically beautiful mountains, with dense forests, meadows, and sparkly glaciers – a perfect stop to enjoy all things Swiss - great fondue, raclette, mountains and lakes, swiss chocolate, or a few adventure activities.

Arriving early afternoon will give us plenty of time to settle into our accommodation and then head out to explore this super beautiful location. If you were dreaming of a traditional swiss meal tonight, then we’ve got you covered! We know of a great local place to have a traditional Fondue meal!

Add: Fondue Dinner at: Bebbis €30pp paid directly

Beer and cheese and a whirl on the lake!

We pause in Interlaken to truly absorb your Swiss surroundings. They say when in Rome do like the locals, but when in the Swiss Alps - simple, adventure like the Swiss.

So today we have an a la carte menu of adventures as long as your arm.

We have a number of activities planned today including a thrilling Jet boat ride and then your choice of afternoon activities.

Jet boating on the lakes gives you a unique perspective on the local sights. Our jet boat adventure happens on Lake Brienz as your captain and guide shares local stories while zipping around the lake and making 360 turns!. You'll even get up close and personal with the famous Giessbach Falls. It's an adrenaline-packed adventure with stunning scenery, a unique lake experience!

Skydiving and para-gliding high above the Swiss Alps is hugely popular and gives you really amazing views of the lake and surrounding Jungfrau and Monch peaks. If getting to the top of the mountain is your preference, then jump on the famous rack-and-pinnion train to head to Europe’s highest train station on the 4,158 metre ungfrau mountain.

Alternatively, a short train ride will take you to the incredibly beautiful Swiss village of Grindlewald. An amazing place for a hike in Gletscherschlucht, a glacial gorge just outside Grindelwald with the iconic views of the north face of Eiger Mountain.

This afternoon we all re-group after our day of adventuring, complete with stories and boasting, to join your guide on a brewery tour of the old town!

Activities: Old Town brewery walking tour

City break in Zurich

We’re on the move again today, nice and early and we’re rewarded with an arrival time into Zurich just after 3pm.

Zurich is a vibrant metropolitan Swiss city jam packed with culture, shopping, and history. We venture out this afternoon to explore the charming Old Town, Lake Zurich, and yes, it’s the perfect place for a chocolate tour around the town! which will bleed into a bar crawl to our favourite Zurich hotspots!

If bars after dark aren't your scene, then you are welcome to explore Zurich at your own pace and make your way back to the accommodation safely!

Activities: Zurich walking tour + Chocolate tasting tour

Venture way off the beaten track

We know waking up today may be a little tough, so we’ve scheduled a later departure than normal! Although, this won’t impede our fun times as we head to Lichtenstein for the night!

This picturesque alpine country is so small, it’s one of the least visited in Europe - which makes it pretty special and definitely unique in our eyes!
We’ll arrive into Vaduz mid to late afternoon. Its compact size makes it easy to explore, from charming streets to the iconic Vaduz Castle with stunning mountain views.

Despite its small stature, Vaduz packs a cultural punch and we’ll spend the rest of the day getting lost in some incredibly amazing back streets!
Let’s find a little local restaurant and try their national dish Käsknöpfle, kind of like a crepe but served with a local cheese, fried or caramelised onions and an apple puree. Weird but wonderful!

Activities: Walking tour in Vaduz

Bratwurst and Bier Stube - Bavarian style!

It’s up and at ‘em as we continue our Alps n Cheese adventure and head into Bavaria, Germany!

We arrive in Munich in time for a late lunch so save some appetite for the Bratwurst! Some would even say that Munich is the true home of the modern brewhouse culture! What we do know is that Munich is heavily steeped in tradition and offers us a unique opportunity to immerse ourselves in all things Bavarian!

After dropping our bags at our accommodation we’ll head out for an afternoon city walk and back it up with a fun Bavarian Beer and Food Evening Tour!
We’ll hit up the Beer and Oktoberfest Museum and appreciate the Bavarian brewing culture by visiting beer gardens, beer halls, and the famous Hofbrauhaus!

Meals: Bavarian Dinner

Activities: Bavarian Beer and Food Evening Tour! Beer and Oktoberfest Museum , beer gardens, beer halls, and the famous Hofbrauhaus!

Day tripping amongst the best of Bavaria

Today we switch our trains for a bus as we head out on a full 1 day road trip to visit two exceptionally picturesque mediaeval villages along Germany’s ‘Romantic Road’.

First stop of the day is the insta worthy Harburg Castle (tour optional, own expense), home to one of the oldest, largest and most well-preserved castles in Southern Germany!

We’ll then make the picture-perfect historical township of Rothenburg for lunch - considered the most perfectly preserved mediaeval town in the whole of Europe. You can wander around the old city, walk the city wall, admire the views from the look-out and enjoy a Bavarian beer in a local beergarten!

We arrive back to Munich late, but the evening is yours to explore at your own leisure!

Activities: Day trip along Germany’s ‘Romantic Road’. to Harburg Castle andRothenburg

Schnapps and Grüner Veltliners amongst baroque architecture!

We make quick work of our trip between Munich and Salzburg, leaving mid morning and arriving just on lunch, in time to find an eatery which serves a traditional Salzburger Nockerl.

Salzburg, Austria is a cultural charmer known for its baroque beauty, Mozart's birthplace, and must-see attractions like the Old Town and Hohensalzburg Fortress.

Your fantastic guide will take you on a historical journey this afternoon so that you can enjoy Salzburg both by day, and then after dark!

It’s also our last night on the trip so lets make it a memorable one by enjoying a meal out together, soaking in the atmosphere, dining on Bosna, and downing a few Grüner Veltliners or Schnapps in the old town!

Activities: A historical journey through the old town of Salzburg and an evening out exploring Salzburg after dark!

Auf Wiedersehen, au revoir, arrivederci and plain old Wiedersehen!

It’s departure day today and from all of us here at U. we thank you for travelling with us.

You’ve seen ancient castles and historical towns (from the middle ages), you’ve had adventures on the lakes and in the mountains. You’ve eaten cheese, and bratwurst, and more cheese and well... so many local dishes and favourite drinks!

We’ve had an absolute blast. We wish you all the best. Travel safe - Arrivederci e buonviaggio, Auf Wiedersehen und gute Reise, au revoir et bon voyage