Flavors of Romandy: 7-Day Gourmet Rail Journey Through Switzerland’s Best

Day 1

Bienvenue en Suisse !

Where You’ll Stay

Fairmont Le Montreux Palace

Fairmont Le Montreux Palace has been a landmark of Belle Époque grandeur since 1906. Its pale facade glows in the changing light, framed by manicured gardens and the Alps beyond. Inside, sweeping staircases and crystal chandeliers set the tone for a stay that feels as carefully composed as the landscapes surrounding it.

The suites chosen for this journey look out over the lake’s shifting blues, with balconies that catch the warmth of late afternoon sun. High ceilings and soft fabrics that possess meticulously restored details reflect the work of craftsmen who have maintained the hotel’s historic character while adding modern sophistication. The property’s dining spaces are destinations in themselves with refined seasonal menus and a lakeside terrace where breakfast unfolds to the sound of passing boats.

Fairmont Le Montreux Palace was selected as the base in Romandy for its balance of location and legacy. Since it’s just steps from the Montreux promenade and minutes from the Lavaux vineyards, it allows effortless access to the region’s gourmet highlights. For travelers following Switzerland’s gourmet rail routes, it is both a retreat and a gateway.

Morning - Midday

Your Swiss gourmet journey begins here.

As you touch down at Geneva International Airport, a private driver is waiting at arrivals to take you to your journey into the heart of Switzerland’s gourmet region. The drive to Montreux traces the edge of Lake Geneva and pass through vineyard-covered hillsides and alpine peaks. In just over an hour, you will arrive at the Fairmont Le Montreux Palace. Your lakeview suite is prepared with a welcome of chilled Lavaux wine and handmade chocolates, the perfect start to the week.

Once you’re rested and ready, a short drive brings you to Le Pont de Brent, a revered institution since its founding in 1980 by Chef Gérard Rabaey, who earned three Michelin stars and a 19/20 in Gault-Millau for putting this once-tired inn on the world culinary map. Reopening in 2025 under the creative stewardship of Joeffrey Fraiche (formerly of Avenches) and sommelier-hôtesse Helena Collaud, the restaurant once again hums with warmth and terroir-sensitive cuisine.

Here, plates resonate with both place and imagination, like gently cured ombre de Chamby with beet and tarragon, and veal hanger with celery root and choya, each bite telling a story of the region elevated by a chef's global eye. Add to that the graffiti-styled murals inside, which lend an intimate yet contemporary feel, and Le Pont de Brent becomes memorable for its taste and soul-infused ambiance.

Afternoon

Back in Montreux, a leisurely promenade along the lake will reveal flower-scented air and vistas that will do wonders for your senses. After a much-needed walk and an introduction to this gourmet journey with a filling lunch at Le Pont de Brent, it’s time to soak in your suite for a restful nap or reading.

Evening

As evening drapes over Lavaux, you head to Auberge du Raisin in the medieval village of Cully. This auberge exudes warmth and regional authenticity with it housed in a 15th-century building with stone walls and a glowing hearth. The restaurant honors centuries of culinary tradition with heartfelt execution renowned for its rotisserie specialties like whole roasted coquelet browned on an open hearth and rich, caramelized pork ribs.

You’ll taste dishes like the open-grilled ribs sourced from a local village butcher that stands as a testament to the strength of small-scale alpine producers. Here, hospitality is deeply rooted in atmosphere and integrity. The dining room lit by the hearth emanates warmth and opulent, epitomizes why it’s considered a gastronomic institution of the Lavaux region.

Overnight:   Montreux

Day 2

Montreux & Château-d’Oex

Morning - Midday

After a leisurely breakfast at your hotel, board the GoldenPass Belle Époque train, whose polished wood interiors and plush armchairs recall the elegance of early 20th-century travel. The journey from Montreux to Château-d’Oex climbs from the lakeside Riviera charm into the rolling green folds of the Pays-d’Enhaut. This region is renowned and known for its sweeping alpine pastures. However, it is also revered as the cradle of some of Switzerland’s most celebrated cheeses, thanks to its centuries-old tradition of mountain dairy farming.

Arrive in Château-d’Oex, the "hot air balloon capital" of the Alps, where fresh mountain air carries the scent of wild herbs and pine. Walk a few minutes to the village-center Hôtel de Ville and its restaurant “Le Bistrot,” known locally for generous planchettes and traditional plates. Your spread focuses on regional terroir: L’Étivaz AOP (Appellation d’Origine Protégée in French or Protected Designation of Origin in English) with its faint wood-smoke from open-fire copper cauldrons or Gruyère AOP with hazelnut depth; soft tommes from nearby chalets. Paired perfectly with a glass of Lavaux Chasselas, Saint-Saphorin or Dézaley, chosen precisely because its delicate structure flatters milk-rich cheeses and cured meats. The room is simple and convivial, anchored by a lounge bar downstairs, and prized by locals for products sourced from the surrounding valley.

Afternoon

After lunch, take a 20-minute taxi to La Maison du Gruyère in Pringy. From the gallery above the make-room, you can watch raw milk warm in vast copper vats and fresh wheels pressed before salting and months-long affinage. The exhibition reveals how pasture flora and strict AOP rules shape aroma and texture, connecting each bite to the landscape. Tastings invite you to compare young to surchoix (In Swiss cheesemaking, surchoix, French for “super choice” or “premium choice.” is the highest quality grade given to wheels that meet the most stringent standards for taste, texture, and appearance) maturities, each offering a distinct expression of the terroir.  Later, reboard the train for the scenic run back to Montreux.

Evening

Back at Fairmont Le Montreux Palace, slide into the Montreux Jazz Café; a culinary homage to festival founder (and trained chef) Claude Nobs. The menu riffs on Riviera Vaudoise produce in shareable formats: lake-fish preparations, alpine-cheese bites, charcuterie from local artisans, seasonal vegetables done with brasserie finesse, and the house-famous “Funky Claude’s” chocolate dessert. Live sets run on select evenings, and the room’s screens loop legendary festival performances that gives dinner a gentle backbeat without overpowering conversation.

Overnight: Montreux

Meals included: Breakfast

Day 3

Gourmet Day Trip to Lucerne

Morning - Midday

Board the early GoldenPass Line from Montreux to Lucerne, a 3.5-hour journey that is guaranteed to feel like traveling through a living postcard. The route shifts from the vineyards of the Lavaux to high alpine meadows, then descends past mirror-like lakes and timber villages. The transfer in Interlaken is seamless, and the second leg carries you along the shores of Lake Lucerne, framed by jagged peaks.

From Lucerne’s station, it’s a short stroll to Hotel Schweizerhof Luzern’s Restaurant. You're seated in Brasserie VICO, newly unveiled in 2025 yet deeply rooted in Lucerne's hotel legacy. Inside the historic walls of Hotel Schweizerhof Luzern, defined by fusion of mid-19th-century architecture and bold contemporary design, you’ll feel the cozy warmth of earth tones and petrol-blue accents lifting the spirit even before the first sip.

This “lifestyle brasserie” intends to blur lines between tradition and modern flair. Its menu blends elevated brasserie staples like Chèvre Chaud or Entrecôte Café de Paris with universally loved dishes like Wiener Schnitzel or a refined (vegan) Club Sandwich, all prepared with a deliberate emphasis on regional, seasonal ingredients. The wine list of over 450 labels, features celebrated selections from France and Switzerland, showcased in a walk-in wine climate cabinet that invites exploration. Under the guidance of Chef Stefan Ritter and hostess Claudia Alves Ribeiro, each dish arrives with a thoughtful presentation that invites you to savor both flavor and context.

Afternoon

Once lunch is done, wander through Lucerne’s Old Town, where cobbled squares are ringed by frescoed facades and boutique shops. The covered Kapellbrücke (Chapel Bridge) stretches across the Reuss River, its roof painted with historic scenes from the city’s past. Pause for coffee at a riverside café before heading to the lakefront promenade, where swans glide past and the Alps seem almost within reach.

Evening

Board the train back to Montreux for a leisurely 3.5-hour ride and arrive in time for dinner at La Terrasse du Petit Palais. This Mediterranean-inspired restaurant offers al fresco dining with sweeping views of Lake Geneva and the Dents du Midi. The menu celebrates seasonal bounty so expect lobster linguine dressed in a saffron-infused bisque, summer truffle risotto finished with aged Parmesan, or grilled cod with lemon and olive oil. The atmosphere here is unhurried and ideal for unwinding after a day of exploration.

Overnight: Montreux

Meals included: Breakfast

Day 4

Leisure Day in Montreux

Morning - Midday

Begin the day at your own pace because after exploring Switzerland’s scenic routes and mountain passes, a pause at Fairmont Le Montreux Palace Spa is the way to go. So, take your time and settle into a lakeside aromatherapy treatment infused with fresh Alpine air; a moment crafted to restore balance that will leave you refreshed for the days of discovery still ahead.

Once satisfied and ready to continue, a short lakeside stroll will bring you to Les Voiles de la Rouvenaz for lunch. This family-run institution in Montreux since 1965 is celebrated for its Italian-Mediterranean soul in a setting that feels suspended over Lake Geneva. Dine al fresco under sail-shaped canopies. On the menu: thin-crust pizzas baked on hot stone, fresh salads adorned with regional goat cheese or roasted veggies, flavorful sandwiches and focaccias ideal for lingering with a glass of crisp Chasselas. Pair choices like spritz cocktails or fine local wines, and don’t skip their house-made gelato or parfaits; a sweet, slow-motion indulgence as you watch sunlight scatter across the water.

Afternoon

After a long, lingering lunch in Montreux, the pace turns toward discovery. Just minutes away, Château de Chillon rises from the edge of Lake Geneva, its stone walls standing much as they have for nearly 900 years. Inside, vaulted halls, painted chapels, and winding towers reveal the castle’s rich past. From the ramparts, the lake spreads out in a shimmer of silver and blue, framed by the Alps in a view as timeless as the fortress itself. 

Evening

Ascend to Glion and the Michelin-starred Restaurant Stéphane Décotterd, perched above the Riviera with sweeping lake views for your final meal in Montreux. Chef Stéphane Décotterd curates a tasting journey that begins with refined starters like guépingrée crayfish from Lac de Joux scented with verbena and quenelles de brochet with broad beans and sugar snaps. Mains might include Lake Geneva féra en croûte de pain aux bourgeons de sapin, or Jura venison saddle grilled over juniper wood with wild mushroom confit.

For groups, show-stopping shared cuts like the Jura wagyu bœuf or dry-aged Walzenhausen duck make their entrance, each prepared tableside in theatrical second service. End on a sweet note with seasonal desserts like rhubbard tartelettes or soufflé chocolat Grand Cru Maracaïbo. The dining room’s refined ambiance and tight knit team guided by an attentive chef, sometimes even stopping by guest tables, make for a farewell that feels both grand and personal.

Overnight: Montreux

Meals included: Breakfast

Day 5

Gotthard Panorama Express Journey

Where You’ll Stay

Villa Principe Leopoldo (Lugano) 5*

Villa Principe Leopoldo sits on the Collina d’Oro overlooking Lake Lugano. Its exterior boasts of framed, manicured gardens and cypress-lined pathways. Its interiors carry the elegance of its aristocratic past with marble floors and sweeping drapes designed by local craftsmen whose work nods to both Swiss precision and Italian splendor. Suites open onto wide terraces in wh The hotel’s award-winning restaurant focuses on refined Mediterranean flavors elevated by the region’s seasonal produce, while the wine cellar holds vintages sourced from Ticino’s best estates.

The villa offers a balance of seclusion and proximity as it is close enough to Lugano’s lakeside promenade yet high enough to command uninterrupted views that shift with the light throughout the day. This makes it the perfect choice as the base for the second leg of the journey. Every space feels like it’s made to ensure that the guests return from their excursions to a setting that matches the indulgence of the trip itself.

Morning - Midday

Rise early to check out before taking your private transfer to the station for today’s signature passage: the Gotthard Panorama Express. This journey unfolds in two stages — first a scenic steamboat cruise across Lake Lucerne, followed by the panoramic train through the historic Gotthard line. Together, they deliver around five and a half hours of unforgettable travel between Lucerne and Lugano.

Aboard the boat, teak decks and wide lake views set the tone as alpine scenery glides past. At Flüelen, you’ll step directly from the pier onto the panoramic train, whose broad windows frame the changing landscapes — from alpine lakes and forested gorges to the sunlit valleys of southern Switzerland.

During the cruise, a reserved table awaits in the boat’s restaurant, where the seasonal menu highlights regional flavors such as fresh lake fish, Ticinese cured meats, and vegetable plates from local producers. Dining as mountains drift by feels as much a part of the journey as the views themselves. Onboard the train, at-seat catering ensures you can enjoy Ticino-style platters and small dishes without ever losing sight of the scenery.

Afternoon

The train eases into the softer light of Ticino as palm trees and terraced olive groves come into view. A private transfer meets you at Lugano station and delivers you up the Collina d’Oro to Villa Principe Leopoldo. Check in to a lakeview suite where tall windows frame Lugano’s bay and a private terrace carries the scent of magnolia and lemon groves. Housekeeping has prepared local welcome touches including artisan chocolates and a tasting selection of Ticino Merlot while the concierge confirms dinner and any requests for the spa. The villa’s gardens and quiet terraces are designed for lingering; after a day in motion, this is where the trip’s pace eases and the sense of place deepens.

Evening

Tonight’s dinner is at the hotel’s acclaimed gourmet restaurant, Principe Leopoldo, led by Executive Chef Cristian Moreschi and guided in service by Maître-Sommelier Antonino Forte. The kitchen works with Ticino and Mediterranean ingredients, presenting revisited classics and seasonal signatures. Expect dishes such as delicate ravioli finished with sage butter or shoulder of Pyrenean lamb carved at the table, each plate executed with technique and a clear respect for provenance. The restaurant’s Gault&Millau recognition and its place in the Michelin guide reflect both the cooking and the wine list, which balances Ticino Merlot with select Italian and Swiss bottles chosen for complementary pairings. Finish with a composed dessert and a digestif on the terrace if the evening is warm; the lake below will be lit with the slow blink of waterfront lights.

Overnight: Lugano

Meals included: Breakfast

Day 6

Ticino Exploration

Morning - Midday

For your first morning in Lugano, walk down from Villa Principe Leopoldo to Lugano’s lively food market in the city center. This is where stallholders lay out morning cheeses, eggs, honey, and loaves still warm from local ovens. The market is a working place for Ticino producers and runs several mornings a week in Piazza Riforma and along Via Canova which makes it the best spot to sample truly local ingredients before your tasting.

From here, your guide leads you into a curated chocolate tasting focused on Ticino’s contemporary chocolatiers. You will visit an artisan boutique, booked by us at the Alprose Chocolate Experience in nearby Caslano to sample single-origin ganaches and seasonal truffles, each tasting framed with a short talk on bean origin and the all-important “freshness” Läderach champions in-store tastings. The tasting balances bright, fruity ganaches with more classic toasted-hazelnut and gianduja notes that reflect Ticino’s cross-border palate.

Afternoon

A short, scenic train ride brings you to Bellinzona, whose fortified ensemble; Castelgrande, Montebello, and Sasso Corbaro, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a dramatic preface to the day’s wine tasting. Stroll ramparts where watchtowers puncture the skyline, then descend to meet producers in the nearby hills.

Your tasting is arranged at Cantina Monti, a family-run estate known for structured Ticino Merlots and experimentation with indigenous and international varieties. In the vaulted cellar you’ll taste labeled vintages and single-vineyard bottlings, wines that frame Merlot in a more mineral, Alpine-influenced style than many Italian counterparts, paired with regional salumi and chestnut breads that show how local producers think about texture and weight on the plate. Cantina Monti’s wines consistently appear on critic lists for Ticino and are an ideal place to compare fruit-forward and barrel-aged Merlot styles.

Evening

Settle in at La Cucina di Alice, a small lakeside favorite where the menu follows the seasons back in Lugano. Here, handmade pastas and creamy risottos are the kitchen’s signature and are often enriched with porcini from nearby forests or fresh fish from the lake. Locals linger over plates of mushroom risotto or delicate ravioli before ending with torta di pane or silky panna cotta, perhaps with a glass of Ticino Merlot or a splash of grappa. The setting is intimate and quietly refined, the kind of neighborhood table that rewards a slow, grateful meal after a day spent tasting the region.

Overnight: Lugano

Meals included: Breakfast

Day 7

Au revoir la Suisse !

You have time to pack your bags and maybe even a quick stroll through the town for a last-minute shopping after your final breakfast at the hotel. Soak the town in and then, it's time to head back and check out.

Once packed and ready to go, a private car will be waiting to transfer you to the airport with utmost ease and convenience. However, if your flight is still much later in the day, we can arrange a final lunch nearby to make the most of your gourmet trip in Switzerland.

Meals included: Breakfast