The spectacular mountain landscapes and lush meadows of the
majestic Alps await on this unforgettable holiday in Switzerland's
famous Bernese Oberland. Travel to the summit of the Schilthorn and
experience the tremendous Trümmelbach waterfalls, all on some of
the best heritage railways in Europe.
Highlights
Historic Strasbourg
Tranquil Wengen
The summit of the Schilthorn
Cable car excursions to Männlichen
Grindelwald
Journey to ‘The Top of Europe’ on the Jungfrau Express
Visit to the unique Trummelbach Falls
GRJ Swiss Travel Card
Europe’s longest gondola cableway
What’s Included
Standard Class Rail Heritage Rail Excursion
3* Hotel Accommodation Breakfast Every Day Selected Evening Meals
We meet in St Pancras International at our dedicated departure
office before boarding the Eurostar to Paris. Here we transfer to
the high-speed TGV service for Strasbourg where we spend one
night.
We have a relaxed morning on Day 2, giving you
some free time to explore the delights of Strasbourg. You may like
to visit the city's Old Town, dominated by the spectacular Notre
Dame Cathedral with its famous astronomical clock, this church has
remained unchanged since the Middle Ages. Petite France, located on
the Grande Île, is the ancient heart of the city and well worth a
visit. Here you can take a short boat ride through this World
Heritage site, taking in the pretty medieval timbered houses and
baroque sandstone buildings that line the river's banks. This
afternoon we head back to the railway station and connect with our
train into Switzerland.
We travel first to Basel then onwards to Interlaken where we
briefly join the Bernese Oberland Railway and start to climb up
into the majestic Swiss mountains. We arrive into peaceful Wengen
this evening, a traffic-free mountain resort with breathtaking
views of the Lauterbrunnen Valley. Here we enjoy dinner later in
the evening.
Today is free for you to explore Wengen and the surrounding
areas at your own pace. A paradise for hikers, skiers and
snowboarders as well as those seeking out the tranquil beauty of
this region, Wengen is the perfect base from which to discover the
Swiss Alps. The early 19th century saw an influx of wealthy
tourists flocking to the timber chalets and Belle Epoque charm of
this peaceful village, and ever since, visitors have come to enjoy
Wengen's unique location amongst the ancient mountains.
Wengen is situated in the stunning Bernese Oberland, an area
known for its outstanding natural beauty. Perhaps enjoy a stroll in
the picturesque village, soaking in the Alpine tranquillity.
Our excursion today takes us on this innovative cableway,
originally built in 1954 to connect Wengen resort with the
mountains for the safety of skiers and walkers. Within five
minutes, the difference in altitude reaches 2,970m and we are in
Männlichen for more sensational views that can be enjoyed from the
café here. After some time to look around, we continue our journey
to Grindelwald on Europe's longest gondola cableway.
This pretty Alpine village is nestled at the foot of the
imposing north face of the Eiger and as a popular tourist
destination, there is plenty to enjoy. Surrounded by lush meadows
and grazing cattle, there are many popular walking paths in the
area or you may just like to explore the town, visit some of its
souvenir shops and relax in one of the numerous cafés or bars. We
later return to Wengen by train where we enjoy dinner tonight at
the hotel.
Today is unquestionably the highlight of our visit to the
Bernese Oberland region as we travel on the Jungfrau Railway to the
Jungfraujoch - the highest railway station in Europe. The famous
narrow-gauge line was completed in 1912 and is now celebrated as a
major feat of engineering.
As we climb from Kleine Scheidegg the distinctive string of red
and yellow carriages disappear into the tunnel through the Eiger.
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 incredible ice sculptures. You can also spend time on the
Sphinx Terrace, enjoying superb views onto the Aletsch Glacier, at
22 km the longest ice stream in the Alps. After time to explore and
to enjoy lunch, we descend back down to Wengen passing picturesque
villages and idyllic farming cabins.
Today we continue our journey into the dramatic Swiss landscape
with an excursion by cable car to the summit of the Schilthorn. We
travel firstly by train to Lauterbrunnen, changing for our onwards
service to delightful Mürren, before joining the cable car for our
ascent to the summit, 2970m above sea level. The views are truly
unparalleled and on a clear day we are able to admire a magnificent
vista.
You have some free time here to appreciate our stunning
surroundings. Why not visit the fantastic revolving restaurant and
enjoy a 360 degree panorama of the Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau
mountains as you sample a delicious, traditional Swiss menu and
maybe a martini, shaken not stirred? The restaurant is named Piz
Gloria in honour of the James Bond film, 'On Her Majesty's Secret
Service' that was filmed here, and there are many 007 references to
spot in the building and out on the mountain.
On our descent, there is the opportunity to stop at Stechlberg
to visit the mighty Trümmelbach Falls. Nestled deep into the
canyon, the falls have carved a path for themselves through the
hillside making this a waterfall with a difference. Trümmelbach
boasts Europe's largest subterranean waterfalls, and the only
glacial waterfalls accessible underground by lift, galleries,
tunnels, paths and platforms. A monument to nature itself and its
thunderous power, these waterfalls resemble a scene from an
adventure fi lm, and the roaring sound of white water crashing
against ancient rock is not soon to be forgotten.
Today is free to spend at leisure, exploring the Bernese
Oberland using your included Swiss Travel Card for 50% fares.
Perhaps journey up to the Schynige Platte and travel in restored
19th century carriages, hauled by a vintage electric locomotive, as
you ride on this classic cog railway. Be prepared for more
aweinspiring views of the towering mountain ranges as well as the
lakes of Thun and Brienz, visible to the north. Why not visit the
Alpine Botanical gardens up here, home to around 500 plant species,
or relax and drink in the views from the café terrace?
Alternatively, you could take a ride on the Brienz-Rothorn
railway, one of the steepest in Switzerland and powered almost
entirely by steam engines. This rackand- pinion line traverses a
number of bridges, crossing the steep, stony mountain trails and
offering glittering views of Lake Brienz as you climb to the
terminus at the summit of Rothorn.
After breakfast, we begin our journey home. Departing Wengen, we
travel by rail via Interlaken, Basel (on the high-speed service)
and Paris, where we connect with the Eurostar service back to
London. Here our holiday concludes.
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.
An escorted experience and all travel
arrangements
The services of a professional UK Tour Manager from start to
finish
Exclusive meeting point at our dedicated Departure Office in St
Pancras
Standard Class rail travel throughout
Comfortable accommodation in your
destination
7 nights' hotel accommodation including 1 outbound overnight
stay in Strasbourg and 6 nights at the Hotel Belvedere in
Wengen
Delicious meals included
13 meals including 7 breakfasts and 6 dinners
Exciting excursions and free time to
explore
Excursion on the Wengen-Männlichen Aerial Cableway to
Männlichen and Grindelwald
Excursion to the summit of the Schilthorn
Journey on the Jungfrau Express
Visit to the Trummelbach Falls
Free time in the traffic-free village of Wengen
GRJ Swiss Travel Card, permitting 50% discounted fares on free
days for rail, boat and most mountain railway journeys
Free time in Strasbourg
Enhancing your tour
Upgrade to Standard Premier Class on Eurostar journeys from
£75 per person per journey (was £95 per person per
journey)
What our customers think
100%
of travellers would recommend this tour
Tour Rating
based on 16 verified reviews
Mrs B Roberts
Good because of excusions and tour managers info. Good hotel room but food choices could be better
Mrs J Bull
It was brilliant, it was all very good
An excellent, well organised holiday. It would have been 5 stars had we not had to drag luggage across Paris, and had arrangements been made with the hotel to transfer luggage in Strasbourg.
Well planned . Excellent tour guide. Hotel just right. Group mixed well. Beautiful country. Varied and interesting outings.
Rev D Croucher
Simply the best adventure we’ve had - amazing places , amazing railways, and brilliant organisation
Mr R Smith
Exceptional holiday. Had not been to Switzerland before this was a great way of undertaking it.
Mr A Rear
Excellent itinery with wonderful hotels and a superb tour manager in Steve Gillon
Mr G Summers
Tour manager was a bit diffident at times. The earlier start than the plan made for a very long day. Our daughter was not impressed with paying the SINGLE supplement and having a. Room in the rafters with low beams, which were difficult work without banging your head and an inferior bathroom with badly cracked tiles. She arranged her own move to another room.
All arrangements and documentation, both pre-tour and during the tour, were excellent. I also much appreciated the pre-holiday telephone call from our leader, Alison Harris, to introduce herself and to make sure that all was well.
Mr R Smith
Everything worked out great; the scenery was absolutely fantastic; the quite complicated train connections all worked out wonderfully, thanks to the excellent efforts of our tour manager Yvonne.
