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Glacier Express All Inclusive

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20232024
8 days From £1,749 £1,699 per person

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Enjoy the best rail journeys in Switzerland from our perfectly positioned hotel nestled amid the stunning Swiss Alps

Operated by our sister company Rail Discoveries

Mobility Rating 2

2024 Tour code: 24TFS

About the tour

Experience Switzerland's most spectacular train journeys from a family-run hotel in the heart of the beautiful, forested Albula Valley, where you enjoy dinner with drinks each evening.

Travel across the Swiss Alps and past enchanting glaciers to Italy on the UNESCO-listed Bernina Express.

See the 'Swiss Grand Canyon' and incredible alpine scenery from the panoramic carriages of the world-famous Glacier Express.. Journey high into the mountains to a delightful lakeside town on the Arosa Line, and visit chic St Moritz and historic Chur while exploring the picturesque Albula Line.

View Dates & Pricing

Unforgettable Experiences

Ride the incredible Glacier Express
Ride the incredible Glacier Express
Experience a stunning journey on one of Europe’s most spectacular trains as we travel past awe-inspiring snow-capped peaks and alpine valleys in panoramic carriages from Tiefencastel to Brig.
Across the Alps on the Bernina Express
Across the Alps on the Bernina Express
Travel on the UNESCO-listed Bernina Express from Tiefencastel to the Italian town of Tirano, passing the spectacular Palü glacier and traversing the corkscrew Brusio viaduct along the way.
Explore the Albula Line and visit chic St Moritz
Explore the Albula Line and visit chic St Moritz
Passing through our village base, this historic and UNESCO-listed route clings to mountains and travels over the impressive Landwasser Viaduct as it winds through breathtaking scenery to the stylish resort of St Moritz.
Stay at a family run hotel in picturesque Tiefencastel
Stay at a family run hotel in picturesque Tiefencastel
With its ideal location in the heart of the Albula valley, our stay in a family run hotel includes all food, plus drinks in the evening. Set in a charming village, it is perfectly positioned on the Albula Line to board the Bernina Express and Glacier Express.

What’s included

Itinerary

Day 1 – London to Strasbourg: From the Thames to the Rhine

Your holiday starts at London St Pancras International as you join your Tour Manager and fellow travellers to board the Eurostar to Paris Gare du Nord. Transferring to the high-speed TGV at the neighbouring Gare de l'Est, you pass through the Champagne region and the historic area of Lorraine before arriving in the Alsace city of Strasbourg under two hours after leaving the French capital.

After checking in to your hotel near the station, there is time for you to explore Strasbourg and its eclectic mix of French and German architecture. Its old town, the Grande Île, is dominated by its main square, Place Kléber, and the 13th-century Gothic Cathédrale Notre-Dame-de-Strasbourg.

The group gathers this evening to enjoy a three-course dinner at a local restaurant.

Includes
  • Dinner
Day 2 – A dramatic journey to your hotel in scenic Switzerland

After breakfast, you have a free morning to spend in Strasbourg. A short walk along the canal from the hotel, the Tour du Bourreau signifies the start of La Petite France - an area of idyllic half-timbered houses and picturesque waterways bedecked with flowers in the warmer months.

After midday, you transfer to the station for the journey into Switzerland. Travelling to Tiefencastel via Basel and Chur, the dramatic scenery increases from entering Switzerland as the gentle slopes are followed by the sparkling waters of Lake Zurich. The route then enters the Graubünden canton as mountains begin to rise then encircle the track. From Thusis, your train begins its journey on the UNESCO-listed Albula Line, passing the ruins of the small 12th-century Castle Campell.

Arriving in the early evening, you check in for your five-night stay in the small village of Tiefencastel. Occupying a scenic location on the Glacier Express line, Tiefencastel is a quaint and authentic Graubünden village with an incredible rail heritage. A warm welcome awaits at your charming hotel that has been run by the same family for more than five generations and stands beside the Albula river. Each day you enjoy a three-course dinner, while wine, beer and soft drinks are included between 7-9pm every night.

Includes
  • Breakfast, Dinner
Day 3 – Gorgeous scenery, upmarket resorts or gentle walks on a free day

Today is a free day to explore the beautiful new surroundings at leisure, with a picnic lunch provided by the hotel. Tiefencastel is a small village but due to its wonderful location there is plenty to discover in the area. The village contains the Swiss heritage-listed 14th-century Church of St Stefan which is adorned with original paintings and excellent wood carvings. Nestled within Switzerland's largest national park, Parc Ela, there are plenty of marked walks near Tiefencastel for those who want to take in the scenery at their own pace.

With your Swiss Travel Card providing a 50% discount on rail fares in the area, you might want to explore further afield. Travelling on the UNESCO-listed Albula Line to nearby Filisur gives you many options. On the journey, you will have traversed the Landwasser Viaduct. This curved bridge built in 1902 is an icon of the railway and soars more than 200ft high above a narrow valley. Filisur is a traditional Engadine Valley town of white-washed buildings with thick walls and numerous windows huddled around narrow lanes.

From Filisur, you can continue to Bergün and the Albula Railway Museum on the station platform, where you can learn more about this historic and picturesque line. The museum also contains an exceptional model railway, demonstrating in incredible detail the Albula Line as it was in the 1950s and 1960s. The upmarket mountain resorts of Davos and Klosters are also reachable by train from Filisur across the Wiesen viaduct and alongside the spectacular Zügen Gorge. Between May and October, the historic 'Crocodile' train also runs between Filisur and Davos.

Returning to Tiefencastel in the evening, dinner is provided, with complimentary drinks from 7-9pm.

Includes
  • Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 4 – A journey on the historic Albula Line to stylish St Moritz

Heading to Tiefencastel station after breakfast, you travel on the Albula Line to the chic resort of St Moritz. This historic route snakes across deep ravines and scenic viaducts, past impressive mountain peaks and evergreen forests before arriving in the vibrant town of St Moritz, known for its grand hotels, glamorous cafés and stylish shops. Set amidst the mountains and lakes of the Engadine Valley, free time in St Moritz lends itself to an abundance of possibilities for you to explore on your own.

Taking a relaxing stroll provides the opportunity to enjoy your picnic lunch by the serene lake with a backdrop of incredible mountains, while the Via Serlas is one of the world's most glamorous shopping streets and is brimming with upmarket fashion boutiques for those who fancy indulging in a spot of retail therapy. Alternatively, pause to sip an apéritif or cocktail in a bar, or you could decide to take the Diavolezza cable car for exquisite views over the Morteratsch Glacier, before returning by train to your Tiefencastel hotel for dinner and drinks.

Includes
  • Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 5 – Crossing the Alps to Italy on the Bernina Express

Today is one of the highlights of your holiday - a journey across the Alps to Italy on the UNESCO-listed Bernina Express. One of rail's best-kept secrets, this spectacular route clings to mountainsides and passes dramatic waterfalls before climbing to the Montebello Curve and up to Lago Bianco, then reaching the summit at Ospizio Bernina, 7,400ft above sea level. With panoramic carriages, you won't miss any of the awe-inspiring landscape as you pass Alp Grüm in full view of the ethereal Palü Glacier before the train winds its way down to Poschiavo. Twisting round the incredible circular viaduct at Brusio, the train then crosses into Italy and to its destination of Tirano in Lombardy, where there is free time to explore this delightful Italian town.

Crossing the Adda river and entering the old town through the Porta Poschiavina, you are greeted by a pretty scene of rustic cobbled streets and stout palazzos. A Romanesque bell tower draws you to the Collegiate Church of St Martin inside of which are beautiful frescoes. At the other end of town, along a tree-lined avenue, is the preserved 16th-century Santuario della Beata Vergine di Tirano (Sanctuary of the Blessed Virgin of Tirano) with an intricately decorated interior embellished with statues. Alternatively, indulge in a taste of Italy with a glass of local wine, before returning to Tiefencastel by local train in time for dinner and drinks.

Includes
  • Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 6 – Chur and the Arosa Line

This morning we board the train to Chur and transfer on to the Arosa Line. This hour-long journey up to the charming lakeside resort of Arosa climbs more than 3,000 feet in 16 miles. The train winds its way through unspoilt verdant valleys and across the historic Langweiser viaduct which spans a vast, forested gorge. Passing alpine meadows dotted with pretty wooden chalets - some of which are the stations on this idyllic line - the route then spirals up through dense pine forests as the Plessur Alps drift into view, before arriving beside the crystal-clear waters of Obersee. You have some time to explore the beautiful mountain resort of Arosa with its incredible views of the surrounding peaks. This lovely town has traditional Swiss cafés and bakeries for you to try some tasty treats, or perhaps you would like to enjoy your included picnic lunch beside the lake while drinking in the views. Arosa is a nature-lovers' paradise and, for those who want to see more, you can venture higher on a cable car. The Arosa Bear Sanctuary, located next to the mountainside terminal of the Arosa-Weisshorn cable car, permits visitors to see these majestic rescue animals once their hibernation comes to an end in early summer.

Before you return to Tiefencastel for dinner and drinks, you have some time to explore Switzerland's oldest town. Backed by mountains and the colourful buildings and attractive squares of its charming cobblestoned centre, Chur is the capital of the Graubünden canton and has quietly impressed visitors for many years. Chur has an array of museums too, such as the Cathedral Treasure Museum and the Rätisches Museum, where you can learn more about this fascinating and beautiful region.

Includes
  • Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 7 – Glacier Express and on to Basel

One of Europe's most iconic trains awaits this morning as you make the short journey to Tiefencastel station for the final time to board the incredible Glacier Express - an epic way to conclude your time in the Alps. The 'slowest express train in the world' heads west from Chur before delving into the Rhine Gorge, dubbed the 'Swiss Grand Canyon'. With a picnic lunch included and luggage transfer to tonight's hotel, panoramic carriages allow you to sit back and soak up the ever-changing views of mountainside vineyards, wildflower meadows and pine forests. The spectacular route snakes over the Oberalp Pass, beside glacial lakes and through the 15km-long Furka Base Tunnel before arriving in Brig.

Here, you change trains as you head north through the mountains to Basel, passing the emerald Lake Thun and fairytale Spiez Castle on the way. Bustling Basel is a dynamic city rooted in history and dominated by its red sandstone Gothic minster set on the banks of the Rhine. Your hotel tonight is next to the train station and is popular with our passengers. You check in and have a three-course dinner with your fellow travellers.

Includes
  • Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 8 – Homeward bound

After your final breakfast together, you make your way with the group and Tour Manager to Basel station to join the high-speed TGV to Paris. Lush fields, dense forests and perched châteaux flash by the window as you travel through the heart of historic Burgundy. In the French capital, you change to the final train of your all-inclusive holiday to the spectacular Swiss mountains as the Eurostar transports you back to London St Pancras by early evening.

Includes
  • Breakfast

Additional information

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.

Hotel

Hotel Albula & Julier, Tiefencastel

Hotel Albula & Julier, Tiefencastel

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Trains

Bernina Express
Eurostar
The Glacier Express

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Behind the Journey: Adrian Müller

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As part of our 50th celebrations, we meet the people who help make our journeys so memorable. We love working with people who are as passionate about places as we are, creating unforgettable memories during their stay. Adrian Müller embodies this. He is the owner of the oldest hotel in Chur, a historic Swiss town on the route of the Glacier Express and the Bernina Express. Adrian and his team have been welcoming our customers for 18 years.

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