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Monday - Friday, 9am to 5pm
Two of the world’s greatest railway journeys in one tour! Enjoy the classic Glacier Express journey across the Swiss Alps followed by the Bernina Express in its full glory. Not forgetting Lausanne, Montreux, and St Moritz plus stays on Lake Geneva and in the Engadin Valley. We have also enhanced the tour by adding an outbound overnight in the beautiful city of Basel for a more leisurely travel experience.
View Dates & Book9 days from £2499
DEPARTS
Wednesday 10 July 2024
Wednesday 18 September 2024
TOUR HIGHLIGHTS
Take a paddle steamer cruise Lake Neuchatel
Discover the Olympic City of Lausanne
Stay just a short stroll from the stunning lakeside promenade of Lake Geneva
Cruise across Lake Geneva to visit Château Chillon
Stroll along the picturesque lakeside in Montreux
Enjoy time to explore destinations independently with a free transport card
Admire the scenery from the world famous Swiss Glacier Express with lunch provided
Stay in Pontresina in the beautiful Upper Engadin Valley close to the Bernina Pass
Marvel at the equally spectacular Bernina Express train journey
Take in great views of the Upper Engadin Valley from the Muottas Muragl funicular
Visit stylish St Moritz
Witness two of the worlds great railway journeys on one tour
Also included in your Tour Fare:
8 nights' bed, breakfast & evening meal plus 1 lunch
Local transport pass
Services of experienced Railtrail Tour Manager
Hotel Porterage
DAY 1
Travelling by Eurostar from London, we change stations in Paris, continuing our journey to Basel, just across the Swiss border. We check into our hotel for the evening located next to the train station and enjoy our first evening meal together at a local restaurant.
DDAY 2
This morning we enjoy free time to explore Basel, located on the banks of the Rhine and admire the contrasting modern and historic architecture. We can visit the Old Town, cathedral, town hall or art museums before we take the train to Neuchatel via Biel. We have a little time to explore before our afternoon Lake Neuchâtel cruise on a beautifully restored paddle steamer that dates back to 1912. Following our relaxing cruise, we continue by train to Lausanne and our hotel, the Best Western Plus Hotel Mirabeau, where our luggage is waiting for us.
B, DDAY 3
Today is ours to spend at leisure in Lausanne. We may wish to visit the Olympic Museum and see exhibits from games throughout over 120 years of history. With an included Lausanne transport ticket, we can venture further into the city and visit one of the several other museums this city has to offer or head to Lausanne Cathedral, the choice is ours.
B, DDAY 4
This morning we transfer to Montreux for some free time in Lake Geneva’s most celebrated resort. We then transfer to Château Chillon, perched dramatically at the water’s edge against a stunning mountain backdrop. We include entrance to the castle before continuing by boat cruise to Lausanne.
B, DDAY 5
One of the great railway journeys of the world awaits today. First, we leave Lake Geneva by train, heading around the lake and through the mountains to Brig. Here we join the iconic Glacier Express, one of the world's great scenic railway journeys, connecting the Valais Canton with Graubünden. This is an amazing journey, and we enjoy it in style, with a 3-course lunch served to our seats. Known as 'the slowest express train in the world', take your time to marvel at the ever-changing mountain vistas outside your window, as the train follows the course of the River Rhône, then climbs through the Furka Base Tunnel en route to the Oberalp Pass, the highest point on the line at over 6,000 feet. The train then continues through the UNESCO World Heritage Albula Line, a masterpiece of railway engineering of tunnels, spirals, and viaducts, including the often-photographed Landwasser Viaduct, before reaching Pontresina in the Upper Engadin Valley, where we spend four nights at the Hotel Schweizerhof.
B, L, DDAY 6
This morning we spend time in the stylish mountain resort of St Moritz, set amidst a splendid alpine backdrop, before continuing to Punt Muragl, the base station of the Muottas Muragl funicular. We enjoy a ride on the funicular and, at almost 2,500 metres above sea level, there are spectacular views to be seen of the entire Upper Engadin Valley.
B, DDAY 7
Having sampled the Glacier Express, today is an equally impressive experience – the Bernina Express. Many aficionados rate this journey even better than the Glacier Express! From our base in the Engadin Valley, we climb high over the Bernina Pass and through hairpin bends on a journey towards the sunny south of the Alps on our way through the Italian-speaking region of Switzerland, finally crossing the border into Italy itself. We enjoy a little free time and maybe chance to enjoy an espresso in the Italian city of Tirano, before returning through the majestic Alpine scenery to Pontresina.
B, DDAY 8
Today is free to spend at leisure. The included Engadin Card gives unlimited travel on local public transport as well as a number of cable cars and funiculars to transport us to the peaks of the area, affording stunning views.
B, DDAY 9
Farewell to Pontresina, as we head across Switzerland to Basel. Travelling through France, we change stations in Paris to meet our Eurostar to London St Pancras.
BB=Breakfast, L=Lunch, D=Dinner
HOTELS
GAIA Hotel, Basel
This hotel is ideally located next to the train station and within walking distance of Basels attractions. The elegant bedrooms are equipped with TV, kettle and/or coffee machine, minibar with organic drinks, safe, and free Wi-Fi. The hotel serves an organic buffet breakfast in the listed historic hall. Bars and restaurants are located within walking distance of the hotel.
Best Western Plus Hotel Mirabeau, Lausanne
A traditional hotel with an excellent location in the heart of Lausanne between the Old Town and the lake. The hotel is perfectly situated just a short walk from the train station and metro station, ideal for using the Lausanne Transport Card included. The hotel offers an elegant restaurant, bar, and lovely terrace, perfect for drinks on a summer evening. All bedrooms are comfortably furnished with TV, minibar, safe, air-conditioning, and free Wi-Fi.
Hotel Schweizerhof, Pontresina
A hotel with a great location in the centre of Pontresina. The hotel offers a genuine and friendly atmosphere, as well as attentive service and excellent cuisine. The comfortable en-suite bedrooms have TV, free Wi-Fi, and wonderful views of the surrounding mountains. The hotel has two restaurants, a bar, and a spacious sun terrace with panoramic views.
FARE
| |
Standard Class rail travel to/from Switzerland, including Standard Eurostar | £2,499 |
Supplement for standard Premier Eurostar upgrade return | £200 |
First Class rail travel to/from Switzerland, including Standard Premier Eurostar | £2,919 |
Join at Basel & Leave at Pontresina | £2,219 |
Single Traveller Supplement | £550 |
£100 |
8 nights bed, breakfast & evening meal plus 1 lunch
Eurostar and rail travel to and from Switzerland in the class of your choice
All excursions as detailed
Lausanne & Engadin Transport Cards
Services of experienced Railtrail Tour Manager
Hotel Porterage
GUARANTEED FARE
Below is a list of pick-up points available on this tour.
Below is a list of pick-up points available on this tour.
Name | Address |
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Tour Base | Tour Base (Join & Leave at Hotel) |
London St Pancras Int | London St Pancras Int (LNE) |
From Price | Book Now | Call Back | Telephone | Favourites |
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