Nuclear Research Tour in Switzerland

Your educational student tour has taken flight as you descend into the city of Zurich. As you land, take in the views of the Swiss Alps. A local guide will be waiting at the airport to transfer you to your mountain lodge. 

The afternoon is yours to explore, take a dip in the hotel hot tub, walk through the village streets, or take some time to rest and unpack. In the evening, you will meet with your guides for authentic Swiss cuisine, which is an excellent chance to bond with your guides and ask them questions about your upcoming adventures.  

Today you will travel deep into Switzerland’s beautiful countryside. Enjoy a hot beverage on your train ride through the Bernese Oberland region to reach one of Europe’s highest points in Grindelwald. Marvel at the spectacular mountainous landscape that surrounds. On a cable car, you will travel even further to the Jungfrau summit for a mind-blowing view of the Alpine wonderland below. Enjoy lunch at a cafe before ascending to the Sphinx Observatory. See if you can spot the peak of Europe’s longest glacier, the Aletsch Glacier. Finally, you’ll explore the frozen tunnels of the Ice Palace before heading back to your lodge. 

Today, you will sightsee the capital city of Zurich. You’ll visit the location’s tourist hotspots, including the Swiss National Museum, the Zurich Opera House, the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology and Zurich’s Art Museum. After a well-deserved lunch, you’ll stroll to Zurich’s magical Old Town to admire quaint homes and the world’s largest clock. Cross the city’s lake via a ferry to arrive at Meilen. Here you will board a cable car to reach dizzying heights for spectacular panoramic views of the city.  

Become a scientist for the day as you visit the largest particle physics laboratory in the world! At European Association for Nuclear Research (CERN), you will discover the magnitude and wonder of its monumental experiments. From a physicist who works for the company, learn about what is happening with the Large Hadron Collider (LHC). Next, meet the geniuses who helped to build and operate this spectacular machine. With over 500 meters of above-ground exhibitions to explore, you’ll be sure to learn much about physics on this full-day excursion.

While learning about the LHC above ground was exciting, heading underground to see the machine itself will be mind-blowing. Start at the linear accelerator where it all begins. Learn about how the protons travel three times the speed of light. Take some time to explore and take pictures. You’ll, next, visit the ATLAS control room where physicists test, improve and tweak the LHC. Learn about how over 10,000 physicists from 85 countries work on the LHC every day, what the LHC functions are, and how it is used. 

For your final full day in Zurich, you’ll take off your lab coat to explore more of Switzerland’s beauty. Stop at the town of Titisee-Neustadt to visit the Drubb clockmaker and learn about the craft of making cuckoo clocks. Enjoy free time to wander the town independently. Perhaps take a hike down to Lake Titisee for a boat ride or stop at a local cake shop to enjoy Black Forest Gateau. Next, you’ll arrive at Lenzkirch forest to walk to the spectacular Rhine Falls. Marvel at the scenery and take lots of photos before heading back to your lodge. 

It’s hard to believe the trip has come to an end. Enjoy a final breakfast with your group and guide, reflecting on your fond memories of the trip. Following this, you’ll leave for the local airport to catch your departing flight home.