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Jungfrau Express 5-Star All Inclusive

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Explore the highlights of the Swiss Alps

9 daysFrom £2,595 per person
Low Deposit

Take advantage of our low deposit offer of £99pp on all 2020 tours when you book on or before 15/02/2020.

Terms & Conditions

2020 Tour code: GIS20

About the tour

Explore the highlights of the Swiss Alps from your fantastic base in the 5-Star Romantik Hotel Schweizerhof in charming Grindelwald. Ascend to Europe's highest railway station, see the tranquil waters of Lake Brienz and enjoy classic Swiss luxury in your all inclusive hotel.

Highlights

View Dates & Pricing

What’s included

Itinerary

Day 1 - London to Colmar

Our journey to Switzerland begins at our dedicated St Pancras Departure Office. Here we board the Eurostar service to Paris, before continuing on to the beautiful Alsatian town of Colmar, where we overnight. We enjoy dinner in the hotel in the evening.

Includes
  • Dinner
  • Eurostar Meal
Eurostar
Day 2 - To Grindelwald

We continue into Switzerland today, boarding the rail service to the beautiful mountain resort of Grindelwald, travelling via the Swiss city of Basel. Upon arrival in Grindelwald, we walk to our all-inclusive 5-Star hotel, the Romantik Hotel Schweizerhof.

Grindelwald is one of Europe's oldest mountain resorts, surrounded by the dramatic peaks of the Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau. Its name is derived from the old German word 'grindel', meaning a piece of wood that serves as a barrier, and the 'wald', a forest closed off from the rest of the world. In the 1920s, with the 'invention' of skiing as a pleasure activity, Grindelwald lost its remoteness as members of the 'Downhill Only Club' headed to the village by train to ski. The village itself is filled with Swiss charm and is surrounded by flower-filled meadows during the summer.

Includes
  • Breakfast, Dinner
Grindelwald
Days 3-4 - Exploring Grindelwald

Today we board the local Grindelwald First cable-car system to ascend the nearby mountain that shares its name with this resort. Drifitng up to Grindelwald First in the sky gondola is a true delight and affords some wonderful panoramas of the magnificent Alpine mountainscape. This area boasts some of the finest views across the sharp snowy peaks which stretch up into the clear sky above. Far below, the swathes of forests look like moss as they encroach on the minuscule villages. Enjoy some free time here, to breath the fresh mountain air before returning to Grindelwald.

The following day is at leisure in Grindelwald and the surrounding area. There are a number of easy walks around this region which are well worth trying out to make the most of this wonderful part of the world. The town itself is very much a traditional resort, and there are a number of cafés and bars to relax in here.

Includes
  • Day 3 - Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
  • Day 4 - Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Alpine Meadow
Day 5 - The Jungfrau Express

Today we enjoy what is undoubtedly one of the highlights of our stay in the Bernese Oberland, as we travel on the Jungfrau Railway (Standard Class) to the Jungfraujoch - Europe's highest railway station. We join our train at Grindelwald's station. Our journey takes us to Kleine Scheidegg where we join the remarkable Jungfrau Railway. Climbing further from Kleine Scheidegg, the distinctive string of red and yellow carriages of the Jungfrau Railway disappear into the tunnel through the Eiger Mountain. During the journey the train pauses at two separate observation stops; windows hewn out of solid Alpine rock between the tunnel and the infamous north face of the Eiger, with spectacular views down to the valley below.

Finally, the train arrives at Jungfraujoch, the 'Top of Europe', located at 3454m above sea level. With free time at the summit station, you will have plenty of time to explore the Ice Palace and its many ice sculptures. The fascinating works of art require a great deal of skill, thanks to the intricacy involved in creating such ornate and decorative iceworks.

You can spend time on the Sphinx Terrace, enjoying superb views onto the Aletsch Glacier, at 22 km the longest ice stream in the Alps, which provides a sharp contrast to the lush meadows and Alpine pastures of the lower lying hillsides near the valley floor. You can also enjoy the walking plateau, which is eternally covered in snow.

Includes
  • Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Jungfraujoch and Aletsch Glacier
Day 6 - Schynige Platte Railway

Today we travel by cog railway through Alpine meadows to Schynige Platte. We make the journey in restored 19th-century carriages, hauled by a vintage electric locomotive, to the peak at 6,463 feet. Along the way, the train hugs the side of the mountain, crossing bridges and tunnels on a journey which encapsulates the true beauty of this charming region. At the summit, why not explore the Alpine Botanical Garden, home to around 600 plant species, or relax and drink in the views from the café terrace?

The scenery is simply breathtaking; snow-capped peaks framed by a blue Alpine sky. We should also keep an eye out for the wonderful wildlife which call these mountain peaks home.

Includes
  • Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Schynige Platte Railway
Day 7 - Interlaken

Today we travel to picturesque Interlaken, on the shores of 2 crystalline lakes. The entire region provides a year-round playground for walkers, climbers, hikers and skiers, combining towering mountains with picturesque lakes and endless forests. The charming town is wedged between Lake Thun and Lake Brienz and is surrounded by the majestic triple peaks of the Jungfrau, the Eiger and the Mönch mountains. Here, we carry on past Lake Brienz to the small town that shares its name with this body of water. The cosy village is our starting point for our ascent of the Brienz Rothorn mountain* (Standard Class), climbing over 5,000 feet to the summit of the mountain. The summit offers fabulous views of the deep-blue lakes below.

*Please note: On our May departure, we will ascend halfway up the mountain to the station of Planalp.

Includes
  • Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Interlaken
Day 8 - At leisure in Grindelwald

Your day is free, perhaps to explore with your Swiss Travel Card which gives a 50% discount on most trains, buses and lake steamers in the area. You could travel to the Schilthorn, a summit at over 9,744 feet which overlooks the valley of Lauterbrunnen. The mountain is ascendable by cable-car. The lakeside town of Thun is nearby, located at the point where the River Aare flows into the shimmering waters of Lake Thun.

Here you could visit the 12th century Thun Castle, now a museum. Originally built around 1200 by the Dukes who called this region home, Thun Castle displays many artefacts from Thun's history including suits of armour, weaponry and various golden and ceramic artefacts.

Alternatively, you could travel to the historical city of Bern, with its wealth of Gothic and Renaissance architecture, including the famous 'Ogre Fountain' found in the Old Town. Tonight we enjoy a farewell dinner.

Includes
  • Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Lake Thun
Day 9 - Homeward to London

This morning we begin our return home by rail, travelling to Paris via the Swiss city of Basel. Upon arrival in Paris, we transfer to the Eurostar service for the journey to London St Pancras. On arrival into the English capital, your tour comes to an end.

Includes
  • Breakfast, Lunch
  • Eurostar Meal
Eurostar E320

Additional information

Please Note

Please note: One of the excursions on this tour is at high altitude. If you have any medical conditions or concerns that could impact this part of the tour, we recommend you seek medical advice and talk to us. We want to make sure that any holiday you book is right for you.

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

Romantik Hotel Schweizerhof, Grindelwald

View hotel

Trains

Brienz-Rothorn Mountain Railway
Eurostar
Jungfrau Railway
Schynige Platte Railway

Enhance your holiday

Upgrades

Inclusive Luggage Upgrade
London Hotels
UK rail connections
Upgrade to a Superior Room with a Mountain View

Reviews

100% of travellers would recommend this tour

Based on 14 verified reviews

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Mrs A Abel

Submitted 11/10/2019

An absolutely brilliant holiday and I would do it all over again, a fantastic time from start to finish

Anonymous

Submitted 02/11/2018

The holiday was very enjoyable, lovely based hotel for getting around. The travelling was well organised although the three hours spent before boarding the Eurostar home was too long, perhaps an earlier train would have been better. We would have liked more information regarding the number of changes from one train to another which would have been helpful and had we known would certainly have sent our luggage on ahead.

Mrs P Bound

Submitted 01/11/2018

Was over and above any preconseptions we had

Mr F Alexandre

Submitted 29/10/2018

I would have given top rating except for the inclusion of Jungfrau excursion which could be replaced and left as a free day option

Anonymous

Submitted 06/10/2018

Stunning scenery, lovely hotel, fine weather, interesting trips - what's not to like

Mr D Coles

Submitted 08/07/2018

Excellent hotels and itinerary. Organisation from Head Office very good (coping with French strike necessitating changes) and first class tour manager.

Katiefrom Great Rail Journeys
Thank you for the great feedback - we're really pleased to hear that you had an excellent trip!
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