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Highlights of Switzerland

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9 days From £2,125 per person
Independent

Experience the highlights of the Switzerland

2023 Tour code: QBS23

About the tour

Switzerland offers so many scenic rail lines, glamorous resorts and chocolate-box mountain villages that it's often difficult to know where to start. Experience them all on this extensive rail tour, taking in the world-famous Glacier Express, Jungfrau Express and Gornergrat railways.

Highlights

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What’s included

Itinerary

Day 1 - London to Basel

Board your morning Eurostar from London St Pancras to Paris Gare du Nord, transferring to Gare de Lyon for your afternoon departure to Basel. When you arrive, transfer to your four-star hotel and B&B for the evening.

Day 2 - Lucerne

Start your tour of Switzerland's highlights with a day in Lucerne, travelling by train from Basel.

Situated on the shores of Lake Lucerne, with snow capped mountains dominating the horizon, this pretty Swiss town has much to offer. Explore the colourful Altstadt, or Old Town, and its striking covered medieval Chapel Bridge, or take a stroll along the peaceful shores of the lake.

Alternatively, you might want to take in some of Lucerne's historic and artistic highlights. The famous, and extremely moving, Dying Lion monument carved out of natural rock and the Bourbaki Museum are worth visiting.

Day 3 - Mount Pilatus

Spend the day discovering some of the Alpine views that Switzerland is so famous for with a trip up Mount Pilatus, which overlooks Lucerne and the countryside surrounding it.

You'll be taken by bus to Kreims, before travelling to the top of the mountain via panoramic cable car. Enjoy the views on the way up, and enjoy panoramic vistas over the surrounding area from viewpoints at the top. There are walking trails for the more adventurous - or simply sit and admire the scenery before your descent and return to Lucerne by coach.

Day 4 - St Moritz

Boarding the train at Lucerne, travel by rail to the famously glamorous mountain resort of St Moritz.

You have the rest of the day to explore here. For those keen for some retail therapy, the resort's upmarket boutiques provide plenty of browsing opportunities. A stroll along the lake shore or a visit to one of St Moritz's many art galleries is an excellent way to spend an afternoon - or perhaps dedicate some time to exploring the excellent local dining scene, with chic bars and Michelin stars aplenty.

Day 5 - The Glacier Express

The Glacier Express is a real highlight of any Swiss holiday. Start your journey at St Moritz station, then simply sit back and enjoy views over Alpine meadows, snowy peaks and dense pine forests from the train's panoramic carriages. Crossing the dramatic Oberalp Pass is one of the journey's most memorable points.

You have free time to explore Zermatt when you arrive. Wandering round the town's elegant Belle Epoque architecture, catching occasional glimpses of the famous Matterhorn is a relaxing activity in itself - or you could head to the Matterhorn Museum to find out more about the town's mountaineering legacy.

Day 6 - Gornegrat Mountain Railway and the Matterhorn

From its base station in Zermatt, take the town's iconic cogwheel railway up to the mountaintops for stunning panoramic views over the Matterhorn, the Gorner Glacier and the Monte Rosa massif. Named after the mountain it travels up, the Gornergratbahn ascends 1,469 vertical metres as it climbs.

As well as taking in your surroundings from various viewing platforms, you can explore well signposted walking trails, visit the astronomical observatory and try to spot ibex and marmottes among the rocks. There are also a range of well-heeled restaurants and shopping options at the Kulmhotel Gornergrat, Europe's highest altitude hotel.

Day 7 - Interlaken

Depart Zermatt for the Bernese Oberland. After breakfast at your hotel, make your way to Zermatt rail station to catch your train to Interlaken.

Situated on a narrow stretch of land between the crystal waters of two mountain lakes, Lake Thun and Lake Brienz, this resort town is the perfect place to unwind for a day. You could take a relaxing lake cruise, explore the colourful floral displays in Höhematte Park or enjoy a glass of local wine - one of Switzerland's best-kept secrets - in one of the town's many bars and bistros.

If you're feeling adventurous, the dramatic St Beatus Cave and Waterfalls is just a ten-minute bus ride away.

Day 8 - The Jungfrau Express

Take in another iconic Swiss cogwheel railway today, as you travel through the famous North Face of the Eiger on the Jungfrau Express.

Travelling up to the Jungfraujochbahn, the highest rail station in Europe, you'll be treated to stunning views over the chocolate-box Bernese Oberland as you ascend. The summit of the Jungfrau offers snow capped panoramas of the surrounding area from the Sphinx Observatory.

At the summit, you can also learn more about one of Switzerland's most beloved exports at the Lindt Chocolate exhibition, or admire the elaborate sculptures at the ice palace.

Day 9 - Return to London

Begin your journey home via train to Basel, where you'll continue to Paris to catch your Eurostar back to London St Pancras.

Additional information

Please note

The itinerary above is just a suggestion and you are free to make adjustments to suit your exact requirements. Please call 01904 734 358 to speak to one of our Tailor-Made Holiday Specialists about tailoring your holiday.

Please note that the Glacier Express does not operate any train journeys from 16th October to 9th December 2023.

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.

Trains

Eurostar
The Glacier Express
Gornergrat Mountain Railway
Jungfrau Railway
Mount Pilatus Railway
TGV

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Upgrades

Flight upgrades
London Hotels
UK rail connections

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