Swiss Icons: Heidi, William Tell & Chocolate with Your Grandchild

After checking in to the hotel and getting your room, take some time to freshen up and relax before our Orientation session. Orientation: 4:00 p.m. The Group Leader(s) will greet everyone and lead introductions. We will review the up-to-date program schedule, discuss roles and responsibilities, logistics, safety guidelines, emergency procedures, and answer questions. Our experienced and knowledgeable Group Leader(s) will give lectures and lead field trips. Travel and transfers will be as noted below. Unless otherwise noted, dinners on this program will typically be a three-course set menu. Periods in the schedule designated as “Free time” and “At leisure” offer opportunities to do what you like and make your experience even more meaningful and memorable according to your personal preferences. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions. Program activities, schedules, personnel, and indicated distances or times may change due to local circumstances/conditions. In the event of changes, we will alert you as quickly as possible. Thank you for your understanding.

At the hotel.

At leisure. Continue getting to know your fellow Road Scholars, settle in, and get a good night’s rest for the day ahead.

At the hotel.

Joining a local expert, we’ll go on a walk through Lucerne. We will see some of the most significant sights and hidden gems such as the chapel bridge, the old town on both banks of Reuss River, and the Musegg Wall. After our walking exploration, we’ll board a public bus and ride to the Swiss Museum of Transport.

At the Museum of Transport restaurant.

The Swiss Museum of Transport, the most diverse museum in Europe focusing on transportation and communication, houses more than 3,000 items. Led by a member of the museum’s professional staff, our exploration will focus mainly on historic trains and the new trans-Alpine railway through the Gotthard. We will return to the hotel by public bus. Those who wish to stay out, explore, and return independently are welcome to do so.

This meal has been excluded from the program cost and is on your own to have what you like. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions.

At leisure.

At the hotel.

We’ll walk to the train station, where our adventure begins with a scenic journey via train and cog railway to Mount Rigi. Upon reaching the summit, we’ll soak in breathtaking panoramic views during a charming horse carriage ride to our barbecue spot. With a local expert, we’ll kickstart our barbecue preparations. Together, we'll venture out to gather wood for our fire, delve into the typical foods offered and uncover the importance of a traditional Swiss barbecue in the hearts of the locals.

We’ll enjoy the food included in our Swiss barbecue.

After lunch, we’ll start our journey back to the hotel via cable car and train. Upon arrival, we’ll take some time to relax before dinner.

At a local restaurant.

At leisure.

At the hotel.

We will walk to the train station to board the train to Altdorf, where we will fully immerse ourselves in the story of William Tell by taking on the role of crime scene investigators. William Tell is a legendary Swiss folk icon who is best known for his exceptional marksmanship and his role in the struggle for Swiss independence. According to the legend, Tell lived in the early 14th century in the region of Uri, which was under the dominion of the Habsburg Empire. The legend of William Tell was popularized in the 19th century through Friedrich Schiller’s play “William Tell,” and his story has since been a source of Swiss national pride. Though the historical accuracy of Tell’s existence is debated, his tale remains an enduring symbol of the fight for freedom and justice. After solving the crime, we will proceed to Lake Lucerne, where we will embark on a scenic boat ride on the lake.

Aboard the boat on Lake Lucerne.

After docking, we will transfer back to the hotel by train and bus. You may use this time to relax or freshen up before dinner.

At a local restaurant.

At leisure. Prepare for check-out and transfer in the morning.

At the hotel.

We will check out of the hotel and begin our transfer to Raperswil. We will make a stop at the Nature Reserve and Wildlife Park Goldau. We’ll set out for an expert-led visit of the park to see native animals on Switzerland.

At a local restaurant.

We will continue our transfer to Rapperswil. Upon arrival, we will check in at our hotel with some time to relax or freshen up for dinner.

At the hotel.

At leisure.

At the hotel.

We will board the train to the Lindt Chocolate Factory where we will immerse ourselves in the interactive world of chocolate. We will start with an expert-led exploration of the factory, then transition to creating our own chocolate masterpieces with the guidance of a Lindt Master Chocolatier. Next, we will embark on a short boat ride on Lake Zurich.

On your own to explore local fare.

Free time. Take this opportunity for personal independent exploration to see and do what interests you most. Please refer to the list of Free Time Opportunities, which can be found in the first Information Packet. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions. We will regroup at an announced time and place for the train ride back to Interlaken.

On your own to explore local fare.

At leisure.

At the hotel.

We will walk to the train station and board the train for a full-day field trip to Heidivillage. Heidi is another Swiss icon whose life we will recreate in the idyllic Alpine village where all of her adventures took place. Upon arrival, we will set out on an expert-led field trip of the village’s scenic landscapes, interactive exhibits, and traditional Swiss houses.

At a restaurant in Heidivillage.

We will continue our visit at Heidivillage with a hands-on, expert-led course as we try our hands at spinning wool. We’ll learn the age-old techniques of transforming raw wool into beautiful yarn, just as it was done in Heidi’s time.

In the hotel dining room. Share favorite experiences with new Road Scholar friends and enjoy camaraderie during our farewell dinner.

At leisure. Prepare for check-out and departure in the morning.

At the hotel. This concludes our program.

If you are returning home, safe travels. If you are staying on independently, have a wonderful time. If you are transferring to another Road Scholar program, detailed instructions are included in your Information Packet for that program. We hope you enjoy Road Scholar learning adventures and look forward to having you on rewarding programs in the future. Don’t forget to join our Facebook page and follow us on Instagram. Best wishes for all your journeys!