Arrive at Zürich International Airport and transfer to the Glockenhof hotel. For travelers arriving early, there are optional afternoon excursions by train to the summit of Uetliberg for panoramic views of Zürich and the lake 1500 feet below, and by foot through Old Town’s network of cobbled streets, along the banks of the River Limmat, including a stop at the Fraumünster Church to admire the vibrant artistry of Chagall’s stained glass windows that illuminate the choir in primary colors. Or you may choose to spend the afternoon at leisure to relax and recover from jet lag. This evening, meet fellow travelers at a welcome reception at the hotel. Hotel Glockenhof (R)

Following breakfast, gather in a private room at the hotel for a welcome orientation and first lecture, followed by a specially arranged visit to the Paul Scherrer Institute (PSI), the largest Swiss national multidisciplinary research center. After lunch at the PSI, visit the Federal Institute of Technology (ETH) campus for panoramic views of Zürich and to learn about Albert Einstein at the university where he studied and taught—and whose faculty includes 20 more Nobel laureates. The evening is at leisure to delight independently in one of Zürich’s many fine restaurants. Hotel Glockenhof (B,L)

This morning tour the Kunsthaus art museum to see its comprehensive collection of Swiss art and other European masterpieces by the likes of Manet, Magritte, Matisse, Mondrian, Monet, and Munch— merely confining ourselves to the letter M! From there we depart Zürich for Bern, where we’ll enjoy traditional Swiss fare at a favorite restaurant, followed by a refreshing walking tour of the best-preserved historic town center in Switzerland—a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Visit the Einstein House, where Albert Einstein lived while working as a patent examiner and had his miracle year of 1905 when he published four groundbreaking papers on the photoelectric effect, Brownian motion, the special theory of relativity, and the equivalence of mass and energy. And tour the Einstein Museum, which features fascinating insights and artifacts pertaining to both his work and personal life. Check in at our luxury hotel, where we’ll continue our lecture series, followed by dinner together at another restaurant gem. Bellevue Palace (B,L,D)

In the morning—following the third installment in our fascinating lecture series—depart for Geneva through the craggy mountain and verdant lowland scenery of the Gruyère district, famous for its cheese. Stroll the charming village of Gruyères along the cobblestone street that slopes down from the impressive hilltop castle, past whitewashed shops decorated with flower boxes, flags and hanging wrought iron signs, and savor a traditional raclette luncheon. Arriving in Geneva, tour the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Museum to learn how local businessman Henri Dunant, shocked to see wounded soldiers left to fend for themselves, inspired a local charity to begin providing relief—identifying themselves with inverted Swiss flags—and then the Swiss parliament to convene international conferences culminating in the Geneva Conventions. Dunant shared the first Nobel Peace Prize in 1901. Check in to our hotel just steps from the historic Quai du MontBlanc lakeside promenade, and from this central location enjoy an evening at leisure to explore on your own. Mandarin Oriental (B,L)

View rare and antiquated scientific instruments together with methods and discoveries from the 17th to the 19th centuries at the Musée d’Histoire des Sciences housed in Villa Bartholoni, one of Geneva’s most beautiful neoclassical buildings. After lunch at one of Geneva’s fine restaurants, choose between an afternoon at leisure or optional excursions, including a boat tour and walking tour of Old Town, and a visit to the Bodmer Library and Museum in the company of Cornell's European Studies librarian, Sarah How. Martin Bodmer inherited a large fortune and was a scholar, bibliophile, and collector. During World War II, he worked with the Red Cross to get books into the hands of prisoners of war and served as the vice president of the Red Cross after the war. His collection in the refined suburb of Cologny includes some of the oldest copies of the New Testament, a Gutenberg Bible, a First Folio of Shakespeare, and a copy of Newton’s Principia owned by Leibniz. The final lecture of our series sets up tomorrow’s visit to CERN, then the remainder of the evening is again free to explore Geneva on your own. Mandarin Oriental (B,L)

This morning, head to CERN (the European Organization for Nuclear Research), the world’s largest particle physics laboratory and one of the most sophisticated centers of scientific research. Special arrangements have been made for private, guided tours and exclusive behind-thescenes presentations of CERN. Meet with scientists at one of the detectors for a behind-the-scenes look at the site, above ground facilities, and a private talk regarding the ongoing research. After a vigorous discussion of the Standard Model over lunch at the CERN cafeteria, continue on the to the main center of CERN to explore the Microcosms Exhibit and the Universe of Particles Sphere. In the evening, savor reminiscences of all our adventures in Switzerland over our farewell dinner. Mandarin Oriental (B,L,D)

Check out of the hotel and transfer to Geneva International Airport for return flights to the U.S. (B)