11 DAY ESCORTED RAIL TOUR
LUCERNE – DAVOS – ZERMATT – WENGEN
The perfect introduction to Switzerland. Our escorted rail tour, the Grand Tour of Switzerland, combines the best that Switzerland has to offer. The world famous resort of Davos, the Matterhorn village of Zermatt, the breathtaking scenery of the Bernese Oberland and the lakeside setting of Lucerne. All rail travel is in 1st class comfort and accompanied by our experienced tour guide.
Day 1. Your Swiss Travel Service tour guide will be on hand at Zürich airport to meet guests arriving before 12.30 and will show you to your train to Lucerne (after this time you will make your own way to Lucerne). An information meeting at 18.30 at
Romantik Hotel Wilden Mann, your base for the next two nights will give you the opportunity to meet your fellow travellers. Overnight in Lucerne.
Day 2. Explore the old town of Lucerne with its maze of cobbled streets, medieval towers and numerous historical sights. Experience the Golden roundtrip, encompassing the steepest cogwheel railway to Mount Pilatus or cruise across the lake on a paddle steamer to Vitznau and take the cogwheel railway to Mount Rigi, the Queen of the Mountains. Overnight in Lucerne.
Day 3. Every Monday, Lucerne has a colourful lakeside market selling fresh local produce. Stock up before leaving for Davos by train. Overnight in
Hotel Schweizerhof, Davos.
Day 4. Davos is divided into two main parts with a lively main street lined with cafés and shops. There are magnificent walks and numerous excursions in the mountains by cable car or railway. Alternatively, stroll along the high promenade or around the lake. The cable cars provide access to four hiking areas with a total of 450km of marked footpaths. Or, why not take the cable car up to Schatzalp with its alpine garden. Davos is also the starting point for excursions on the famous Glacier Express, and the Heidi and Bernina Express trains. Overnight in Davos.
Day 5. The world famous journey from Davos to Zermatt on the Glacier Express takes you high into the Alps past tiny hamlets and beautiful alpine scenery. Seats are reserved in panoramic carriages and a three-course lunch is served. Pass through the stunning Rhine Gorge, over the Oberalp pass at 1990m to Andermatt and through the Furka tunnel before arriving in the Rhône valley and ascending to the traditional, mountain village of Zermatt. Overnight in
Hotel Schoenegg, Zermatt.
Days 6 & 7. Dominated by the glorious Matterhorn, Zermatt is a true highlight. There is much to do in Zermatt with walking, cycling and climbing popular activities. You can also take the highest cable car in the Alps to the Klein Matterhorn or the Gornergrat railway for breathtaking views of the Matterhorn, the glaciers and the Monte- Rosa massif. Overnight in Zermatt.
Day 8. After a leisurely morning in Zermatt, travel by train to Brig then north through the Lötschberg tunnel to Spiez and the shores of Lake Thun to Interlaken, then into the Lauterbrunnen valley, where the railway begins its ascent to Wengen. Overnight in
Hotel Sunstar Wengen.
Day 9 & 10. On a sunny plateau, with the backdrop of the mighty Jungfrau, Wengen is in the heart of some of the most magnificent scenery in the Alps. You will have two full days to experience the delights of the Jungfrau. No trip is complete without a visit to the Jungfraujoch, the highest rail station in Europe at an impressive 3454m. You can also take an optional excursion to the Schilthorn, immortalized in the James Bond film ‘On Her Majesty’s Secret Service’ or, descend to Interlaken for a leisurely cruise on Lake Thun or Lake Brienz. Overnight in Wengen.
Day 11. Spend your last morning of the tour in Wengen's picturesque shops and cafes and make those final purchases before returning back to your airport for your return flight home or alternatively why not extend your stay in the beautiful Lake Geneva region.
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