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Glacier Express All Inclusive in Winter

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8 days From £1,799 per person

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An all-inclusive tour of wintry Switzerland

Operated by our sister company Rail Discoveries

2024 Tour code: 24TFW

About the tour

Discover the magnificent wintry setting of Switzerland on this fabulous holiday. Enjoy an all inclusive stay alongside a journey on the Glacier Express and visits to elegant St Moritz, Italian Tirano and charming Arosa.

Highlights

What’s included

Itinerary

Day 1 - London to Strasbourg

Board the Eurostar for the journey to Paris and continue to Strasbourg for the night. Enjoy dinner in a local restaurant this evening. 

Includes
  • Dinner
Day 2 - Strasbourg to Basel

Today, be sure to see Strasbourg's magnificent cathedral in your free time. This Roman Catholic building is considered to be one of the best examples of high-Gothic architecture in Europe, and between 1647 and 1874 it was the world's tallest building. Alternatively you could visit Petite France, one of the historic quarters of Strasbourg.

Later, head south to Basel and join the efficient Swiss rail network for the journey to Tiefencastel. This small town only has around 250 inhabitants and retains its traditional Swiss charm, set against the rugged landscape of Switzerland's Albula district.

Includes
  • Breakfast, Dinner
Day 3 - St Moritz & the Albula Line

Travel to St Moritz today along the UNESCO-listed Albula Line, which passes through stunning Alpine scenery. You are free to explore the town on arrival.

St Moritz, with its glistening frozen lakes, emerald forests, and towering mountains, is often referred to as Switzerland's original winter wonderland, and is a favourite holiday destination of celebrities and royalty. You could visit Lake St Moritz or ride the funicular to Piz Nair, where you can enjoy views from the summit down to St Moritz. To warm up afterwards, stop off at the Segantini Museum, displaying the works of painter Giovanni Segantini. The architecture of the museum is such that the paintings are lit by several skylights, meaning the colours change depending on the time of the day and the angle of the light. If you're feeling peckish, you won't want to miss out on the gourmet and traditional delights served up at restaurants and cafés across St Moritz; sample a traditional Engadine walnut tart, or indulge in some gooey Swiss raclette.

Includes
  • Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 4 - The Bernina Express

Experience an excursion on the Bernina Express this morning, one of the highlights of your holiday. This remarkable railway line is over 100 years old and has been awarded UNESCO World Heritage status.

Beginning in Tiefencastel, your journey offers breathtaking views of the snow-covered Alps from panoramic windows as you travel through the dramatic Graubünden region. The route takes you 65 miles south, through multiple tunnels and over impressive bridges, including the Landwasser Viaduct, surrounded by rugged mountains and frosted pine forests. Meandering through this alpine winter wonderland, the train enters the 5,955-foot long Albula Tunnel before climbing over the Bernina Pass at 6,669 feet. Crossing the iconic Brusio Viaduct, an incredible spiralling bridge that lowers the train gracefully to the valley floor, you weave through the Engadine Valley to Tirano in northern Italy where there's time to look around.

Includes
  • Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 5 - Tiefencastel

On Day 5, you're free to explore Tiefencastel at your own pace.

Includes
  • Breakfast, Dinner
Day 6 - Chur & the Arosa Line

Today, discover the idyllic lakeside town of Arosa by rail. Enjoy some free time to explore the town at your own pace. Afterwards, take the train to Chur, Switzerland's oldest settlement, passing close by many of its oldest landmarks, such as the Obertor town gate and the famous Maltese Tower, as you arrive. Spend time here discovering the authentic Old Town. Grouped around St. Martinsplatz, it's home to the arcaded Rathaus, or Town Hall, and dates back to 1464.

Includes
  • Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 7 - The Glacier Express

Travel on the iconic Glacier Express, the 'slowest express train in the world', which gently makes its way through some of the world's most striking winter scenery. Featuring panoramic windows, striking natural beauty is revealed on your journey, which is transformed into a picture-postcard landscape of icy forests, frozen rivers, and sparkling glaciers, all playing their part in creating a glorious winter wonderland setting. On board, a handy audio guide narrates your journey, letting you know when a particularly scenic or interesting spot is coming up, so you don't miss a moment of the views. After winding through the spectacular landscapes, you arrive in Brig, and continue on the local rail service to Basel, where you spend the night.

Includes
  • Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 8 - London

After breakfast, transfer to the station where you connect with the TGV to Paris. Here, you join the return Eurostar service to London St Pancras.

Includes
  • Breakfast

Additional information

Please note

Please note that while every departure of this tour will feature the same excursions, the order may differ from that shown above.

Departure times

Provisional departure and return times, where available, can be found together with our dates and prices by clicking on the 'Prices & Availability' button. We write to all booked customers approximately 10 weeks prior to the start of their tour to advise the exact departure and return time for their particular group.

Mobility information

Due to the nature of our tours they are generally unsuitable for those with restricted mobility. If you’d like to discuss any particular holiday with us in this respect, then please don’t hesitate to call us.

Hotels

Hotel Schweizerhof, Basel

Hotel Schweizerhof, Basel

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Hotel Victoria, Basel

Hotel Victoria, Basel

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Hotel Albula & Julier, Tiefencastel

Hotel Albula & Julier, Tiefencastel

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Trains

Bernina Express
Eurostar
The Glacier Express
TGV

Enhance your holiday

Upgrades

Upgrade to Standard Premier Class on Eurostar
London Hotels
UK rail connections

Tailor made for you

Customise this tour with Great Rail Journeys Independent