Swiss Innovations and Alpine Inspirations
NEWS | 01 October 2026
Saturday, March 13: Geneva Greetings Arrive in Geneva today and transfer independently to the centrally located Bristol Hotel. Take a guided walking tour of the city center. Gather with fellow travelers for a welcome dinner at a local restaurant. Included Meal: Dinner Accommodation: The Bristol Hotel, Geneva Switzerland Tourist Office Sunday, March 14: CERN, Cooperation and Collaboration Begin the morning with a lecture from your Scientific American expert, setting the stage for your day exploring Swiss scientific innovations. Your journey starts at CERN,* established in 1954 to foster international collaboration among scientists searching for answers to what the universe is made of and how it works. While you tour the iconic campus, take in the Science Gateway and the Globe of Science and Innovation, where researchers from around the world collaborate to push the boundaries of particle physics and deepen our shared understanding of the universe. After lunch on site, continue to the Palais des Nations, home to the United Nations Office in Geneva, where multilateral dialogue shapes responses to the world’s most pressing challenges. The day offers a powerful look at how science and diplomacy work together to advance human knowledge and foster global collaboration. After a full day, return to your hotel to spend the evening and dinner at leisure. *Visits to CERN are subject to confirmation. Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch Accommodation: The Bristol Hotel, Geneva Monday, March 15: Toast to Terroir at Lavaux Vineyards Start your day with a presentation from your Scientific American expert before traveling along the Lac Leman to Lavaux, where you’ll explore the rich blend of culture, landscape and the science behind Switzerland’s remarkable wines. As you take in the terraced vineyards, learn how centuries-old viticulture traditions intersect with modern scientific practices when considering factors that shape grape growth and flavor: from soil composition and microclimates to unique limestone and glacial deposits. Enjoy tastings of local wines and Swiss delicacies before returning to Geneva for a guided walking tour of the colorful facades, independent boutiques, artisan workshops and lively markets of Carouge. Return to the hotel with time to explore Geneva and have dinner on your own. Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Wine Tasting Accommodation: The Bristol Hotel, Geneva Julien Viry/iStock/Getty Images Plus Tuesday, March 16: Fusion and Fission en route to Zurich Examine Switzerland’s leadership in energy research and innovation as you travel from Geneva toward Zurich. Your day begins in Lausanne with an in-depth visit to the Swiss Plasma Center at the Swiss Federal Technology Institute (EPFL), where scientists from around the world work to advance fusion research and develop cleaner, more sustainable energy solutions. After a group lunch, continue to the Gösgen Nuclear Power Plant (subject to confirmation) for a behind-the-scenes look at how nuclear technology contributes to Switzerland’s low carbon energy mix. Arrive in Zurich late this afternoon and settle into your hotel, with time to explore the city and have dinner on your own. Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch Accommodation: Hotel Seefeld, Zurich Wednesday, March 17: Trains, Transit and Time Today’s program explores Switzerland’s remarkable locomotive innovations, combining dramatic alpine engineering with world-class transportation design. Begin by ascending Mount Pilatus by cable car and experience the precision engineering and aerial transit systems that make high altitude travel both efficient and breathtaking. Continue to the Swiss Museum of Transportation in Lucerne for a guided tour highlighting advancements in rail, road and cableway technology, as well as the impact of these efforts on tourism. Switch gears after lunch with a visit to the Beyer Clock and Watch Museum, where you’ll learn about Swiss innovation in precision timekeeping – which keeps Switzerland’s public transport system operating “on the minute” according to the Taktfahr plan, or national timetable. On return to the hotel, hear a talk from your Scientific American expert followed by dinner at leisure. Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch Accommodation: Hotel Seefeld, Zurich Jordan Lye/Getty Images Thursday, March 18: Quakes, Quartz and Quarries Delve into the geological forces that have shaped Switzerland’s stunning landscapes and charming cities. Begin with a guided tour of the Focus Terra Earth Science Museum, where an earthquake simulator illuminates the dynamic processes beneath your feet. Continue with a geology-focused walking tour of Zurich that tells the stories embedded in the city’s building stones, from the materials used in the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology to the glacial deposits that sculpted the modern cityscape. After lunch on your own, visit the Technorama, exploring interactive stations such as plate tectonic models and hands-on rock formation experiments that bring Earth science concepts to life. Conclude the day with a festive farewell dinner as a group. Included Meals: Breakfast, Dinner Accommodation: Hotel Seefeld, Zurich Friday, March 19: Departure Depart anytime today for individual flights home. Included Meal: Breakfast
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