Bern to Lake Geneva: A Swiss & French Walking Adventure for Women

We will transfer as a group by train to Bern. Upon arrival, we will walk from the train station to the hotel. If time permits, the Group Leader will take us on an introductory stroll through the city. Orientation, 5:00 p.m.: The Group Leader 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. 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. We will learn from a series of local experts who will give lectures and lead field trips. Program-related travel and transfers will be via minibus unless noted otherwise. Meals will feature local cuisine in a variety of settings. 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.

At the hotel.

We will set out from the hotel and go to the train station. Here, we will meet our local guide and take the train to Kallnach for the start of today’s hike. Our hike will follow the Via Berna, a 300 kilometer long hiking route through the canton of Bern, along the river Aare.

A bagged lunch on the trail.

We continue our hike until we reach Aarberg. Enjoy some free time in his charming town that became home to some of the Huguenots that fled religious prosecution in France during the Reformation.

At the hotel.

At leisure.

At the hotel.

We will set out from the hotel on foot for an expert-led walk through the city of Bern. The de-facto capital of Switzerland, referred to as the “federal city by the Swiss, is also the center of Swiss politics. We will learn about the path to women gaining the right to vote, what other issues are still current, and how women impacted and still impact the shaping of Switzerland’s society.

At a local restaurant.

After lunch, we will take public transport to Gurten, Bern’s own “house mountain.” At the top, we will take a short walk and enjoy views of the city. Afterwards, we will return to the city center where the rest of the afternoon is free time to explore on your own.

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

At leisure.

At the hotel.

We will set out from the hotel on foot and walk to the train station where we will board the train to Emmental. This region is known for keeping traditions alive. We will learn about some of these traditions from our local guide as we hike through this picturesque region and pass by the famous farm building and their pretty flowerpots.

At a local restaurant.

After lunch, we will stop at one of the local trade houses and learn the traditions way of how they craft their products today.

On your own.

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

At the hotel.

After our luggage is collected, we will check out of the hotel and walk to the train station where we will board the train to Broc. Upon arrival, we will meet our local guide and hike along the trail from the dam to the power station. As we make our way through the Gorges de la Jonge, we will learn about electricity and sustainability.

This meal has been excluded from the program cost and is on your own. There will be an opportunity to purchase lunch prior to boarding the train in the morning.

At the conclusion of our hike, we will visit the power station and learn from a local expert about the different types of electricity and how it is created.

At the hotel.

At leisure.

At the hotel.

We will walk from the hotel to the train station and take the train up towards the mountains. Upon arrival, we will be joined by our local guide and begin our hike through calming forests and over mountain meadows.

A bagged lunch along the trail.

At the conclusion of our hike, we will board the cog-railway and travel to the summit of Rochers-de-Naye. Here, we will take in the breathtaking panorama of the surrounding Alps and visit an alpine garden. We will then board the cog-railway and return to Montreux. We will enjoy a stroll through town with our Group Leader. The remainder of the afternoon is free time.

On your own.

At leisure.

At the hotel.

We will set out on foot from the hotel and walk to the train station where we will take the train to the nearby town of Rivaz. Upon our arrival, we will begin our hike through the heart of the Lavaux region. With its numerous vineyards, this UNESCO World Heritage site has some of the most stunning landscapes in the Lake Geneva region.

A bagged lunch along the trail.

At the conclusion of our hike, we will visit a local wine maker. We will enjoy a tasting of some of the wines produced from grapes harvested from the vineyards we hiked through. We will return to Montreux by train.

On your own.

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

At the hotel.

Once our luggage is loaded, we will check out of the hotel and make our way to the train station and take the train to the ferry terminal. Here we will get on the ferry and make our way to Évian-les-Bains. This town is best known for its namesake brand of water. Originally, the water from Evians was known for its healing attributes and transformed the town into a wellness town. Take some time to explore Évian-les-Bains on your own.

On your own.

We will meet at a predetermined time and location to board the train and continue our transfer to Annecy. Upon arrival, we will take a stroll through the town with the group leader before checking into our hotel.

At the hotel.

At leisure.

At the hotel.

This morning we will board a motorcoach and ride to the starting point of today’s hike. Upon arrival, we will join our local guide and start hiking upwards to the top of Semnoz. During the hike, we gain a stunning view of Lake Annecy and the surrounding mountain scenery.

A bagged lunch along the trail.

At the summit, we will loop back and return to our starting location. We’ll board our motorcoach and start our return to Annecy. On the way, we will stop at a small animal park. This park is home to local animals, such as deer and hinds. Once we reach the hotel, the remainder of the day is free.

On your own.

At leisure.

At the hotel.

We will set out on foot for an expert-led walk of Annecy. During this walk we will learn about the women of this city.

On your own.

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. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions.

At the hotel. Share favorite experiences and enjoy camaraderie with new Road Scholar friends.

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!