Multigenerational Travel in Switzerland

Visions of Switzerland may begin with the Swiss Alps, chalets, sloped pastures with bell-bedecked cows, chocolate, and picturesque historic cities. Add to those images the thoughts of sharing them with family across the generations. Travel writer Malika Bowling explains the perfection of multigenerational travel in Switzerland.

Switzerland doesn’t just whisper “vacation.” It practically sings it from the mountaintops – a chorus of snow-dusted peaks, emerald valleys, and villages where chocolate scents curl through the streets. For families traveling across generations – grandparents, parents, and adult children – it’s a place where everyone can find their rhythm. And pleasing a diverse age range is not always an easy feat.

That’s exactly what Tauck’s “A Week in Switzerland” journey delivers: a kaleidoscope of alpine experiences stitched together with seamless logistics, small-group intimacy, and just the right balance of structure and freedom.

Three cities highlighting multigenerational travel in Switzerland

Lausanne: sweet starts and Olympic spirit

The trip begins lakeside, in the French-speaking elegance of Lausanne. Here, Tauck sets the stage with experiences that connect different generations in unexpected ways. A walking tour through Old Town folds history into chocolate tastings, where everyone debates their favorite flavor. Later, a vineyard visit lets the group trade chocolate for wine, parents savoring the bouquet, while their adult kids snap photos of Lake Geneva in the background.

Lausanne also offers a surprising cultural spark at the Olympic Museum. The space blends nostalgia with innovation. Older travelers revisit the Games they grew up watching, with wardrobe and gear on display by year, and younger ones marvel at interactive exhibits and the global sweep of athletic history. It’s a museum where wide-eyed awe becomes contagious, no matter your age.

Interlaken: tradition meets adventure

From Lausanne, the Golden Pass Train winds through vineyards and valleys to Interlaken, a town where adrenaline and tradition coexist beautifully. Some families opt to head to the wood carving activity at the Trauffer factory, discovering the charm of toys that have enchanted Swiss households for generations.

Nearby, the Ballenberg Open-Air Museum feels like stepping through time. Spread across meadows and forests, its centuries-old farmhouses and live demonstrations – from cheesemaking to blacksmithing – bring Swiss traditions alive in a way that fascinates everyone, whether you’re nostalgic for “the old ways” or simply dazzled by craft in action.

Some may choose to peel off and simply spend the day on Lake Brienz, with a hop-on, hop-off boat pass where they can marvel in the turquoise waters all day.

Of course, no Interlaken stay skips the headline act: Jungfraujoch, the Top of Europe. Ascending to the highest railway station (you’ll ascend first on a gondola, then hop on board a train that barrels through rock, which is quite an engineering marvel in itself). Here families capture the occasion with a photo before heading through the Ice Palace, featuring stunning sculptures and tidbits of history throughout. At over 11,000 feet, it’s less a sightseeing stop than a shared emotional high, a collective gasp at the roof of the Alps.

Lucerne: storybook Switzerland

Here, Switzerland’s fairy-tale side takes center stage. A walking tour of the old town reveals painted guild halls, covered bridges, and cobbled lanes that make history feel tangible underfoot.

Then comes a finale stitched from classic Swiss icons: Mount Rigi and Lake Lucerne. Families ride the historic cogwheel railway to the mountaintop, where wide panoramas and crisp alpine air invite both quiet reflection and celebratory selfies. From there, a leisurely cruise across Lake Lucerne slows the tempo and makes you realize how rare it is to be in such a place, together.

Why multigenerational travel in Switzerland wins

What makes this journey special isn’t just the postcard-perfect scenery, though Switzerland has that in spades. It’s the way Tauck choreographs the days: chocolate and wine for the gourmands, interactive museums for the curious, adventure peaks for the thrill-seekers, and calm evenings for everyone to reconnect. With several free evenings, it offers families the chance to plan their own experiences.

And because it’s just a week, the trip fits neatly into real life. The pace is full without being exhausting, a sweet spot for families whose schedules rarely align. Parents, grown kids, and grandparents can all say yes without hesitation.

For boomers, this is more than a chance to revisit Europe. It’s an opportunity to gift connection: to gather family in a place where every generation finds joy, whether in a square of Swiss chocolate, a ride up the Jungfrau, or the quiet elegance of a lake cruise at sunset. These are the moments that no amount of souvenir shopping can buy – the connective tissue that lingers long after the plane lands home.

More Swiss travel experiences:
Lessons from a boomer climbing the Breithorn to 13,000 feet
Conquering the Mürren Via Ferrata in Switzerland
Delightful Swiss cities

Malika Bowling is the editor of the travel and food blog Roamilicious.com. She is the author of “Food Lovers’ Guide to Atlanta,” has been featured on HGTV, and is a contributing writer to MSN, USA Today, National Geographic, Lonely Planet and more. Bowling has also served as a judge at various culinary competitions and food festivals, including the World Food Championships. She loves hiking, exotic travel with her husband, Glen, and a well-made Negroni. 

For another boomer-inspired journey, check out Malika’s article on Talkeetna, Alaska, for memories of ‘Northern Exposure’