2023 International Swiss Alpine Adventure by Rail

Welcome to Switzerland! Join Robert and our fellow travellers for a tantalising welcome dinner in our private room at our hotel’s restaurant, a fantastic introduction to this country’s hearty and decadent cuisine.

Overnight: TBC, Zurich (D)

Today, we take the Golden Panoramic Express back over the renowned Golden Pass. A quick change at Zweissimenand we’re off to our destination at the lakeside town of Interlaken Ost. The route we take reveals stunning views of Lake

Geneva and the ‘teeth of the Midi’, one of Switzerland’s most dramatic ranges.

Upon arrival we’ll check-in to our hotel right on the lake before taking a round trip by ferry on the turquoise Lake Brienz.

A boat ride on this typical alpine lake with its steep sides is a truly impressive experience. Dinner is at our hotel later in the evening.

Overnight: Boutique Hotel Bellevue, Interlaken (B, D)

Today, we take the Golden Panoramic Express back over the renowned Golden Pass. A quick change at Zweissimenand we’re off to our destination at the lakeside town of Interlaken Ost. The route we take reveals stunning views of Lake

Geneva and the ‘teeth of the Midi’, one of Switzerland’s most dramatic ranges.

Upon arrival we’ll check-in to our hotel right on the lake before taking a round trip by ferry on the turq

After breakfast we’ll meet in the hotel lobby and board our train, climbing the scenic hills overlooking Lake Geneva to the beautiful old town of Gruyeres, the home of Alien creator H. R. Giger and the famous cheese factory. A three-minute bus ride takes us to the beautiful, historic town of Gruyeres Ville. Gruyères Castle and the picture-book village is a great spot to enjoy some free time for shopping and lunch. Built between 1270 and 1282, the castle is one of the most prestigious in Switzerland and towers majestically above the quaint medieval town below.

Overnight: Eurotel Riviera, Montreux (B)

After breakfast we’ll meet in the hotel lobby and board our train, climbing the scenic hills overlooking Lake Geneva to thebeautiful old town of Gruyeres, the home of Alien creator H. R. Giger and the famous cheese factory. A three-minute bus ride takes us to the beautiful, historic town of Gruyeres Ville. Gruyères Castle and the picture-book village is a great spot to enjoy some free time for shopping and lunch. Built between 1270 and 1282, the castle is one of the most prestigious in Switzerland and towers majestically above the quaint medieval town below.

Overnight: Eurotel Riviera, Montreux (B)

Travel on the local service for a journey to the beautiful town of Lauterbrunnen, situated in one of the most impressive glacial trough valleys in the Alps, between gigantic rock faces and mountain peaks. Following this we’ll ride the longest rack railway in Europe to its highest station, the Jungfraujoch, where we’ll experience breathtaking views of Switzerland’s largest glacier. Take the elevator to “the Sphinx” observatory and brave the outside deck for amazing views of the Jungfrau, Monch, Eiger mountains, and the Aletsch Glacier. Return to Interlaken after taking a stroll through the village of Lauterbrunnen where the cascading waterfalls frame the town.

Overnight: Boutique Hotel Bellevue, Interlaken (B, D)

Today is a free day to explore the Interlaken area at your leisure. You might like to take the cable car to the top of the (James Bond) Schilthorn mountain, ride the bus from Lauterbrunnen to the Trummelbach subterranean waterfalls, or the inclined railway to Harder Kulm for amazing views over the lake. This can all be done utilising your handy Swiss Rail Pass.

Meet back at our hotels restaurant this evening to compare notes on the day’s activities.

Overnight: Boutique Hotel Bellevue, Interlaken (B)

After a late start this morning we’ll take the old railway route through the Kander Valley, original Lotschberg Tunnel, and the thrilling descent of the Rhone Valley to Brig, a charming medieval city with an imposing 17th-century castle overlooking the town.

After checking in to our hotel, take a stroll around the town and pay a visit to the Stockalper Palace, a baroque place built by the merchant prince Kaspar Jodok von Stockalper and one of the most important in Switzerland. We’ll enjoy dinner at our hotel later on.

Overnight: Ambassador Hotel, Brig (B, D)

Board a local train this morning, travelling along the valley and up the gorge to Zermatt at the base of the awe-inspiring Matterhorn. It may not be Switzerland’s highest mountain but it certainly is its most iconic. The famous Gornergrat rack railway, from Zermatt to the shoulder of Monta Rosa at 3135 metres, is the highest open-air railway in Europe. The spectacular viewing platform showcases views across 29 of the highest peaks of the Alps and the vast Gorner Glacier below. Stay as long as you like at the summit; return on one of the regular trains to Zermatt for a leisurely look around, before returning to Brig later on.

Overnight: Ambassador Hotel, Brig (B)

Today we will take the famous Glacier Express for a run over the Oberalp Pass to the alpine village of Filisur. It may be the world’s slowest express train, but we’ll be thankful for that as we take in the stunning scenery and array of remarkable railway engineering feats. Soak up views of rugged cliffs, crystal-clear mountain lakes and quaint, picture-perfect villages.

This is truly one of the greatest rail journeys of the world! This scenic trip will include lunch and commentary.

Reaching the little hamlet of Filisur, check in to the famous Grischuna Hotel for three nights, which is located, very conveniently, right on the station. Join Chris for an afternoon stroll to the world famous Landwasser Viaduct. This spectacular construction is best viewed from the easily accessible lookout. A four-course dinner is included every night at the Grischuna.

Overnight: Grischuna Hotel, Filisur (B, L, D)

Today is a free day and there are a number of options on offer! Take a short train trip up to the nearby Davos and Klosters (keep an eye out for the Barentritt); have lunch and shop in St. Moritz, or see the Albula museum at Bergun. Intrepid explorers can take a walk down between the viaducts of the famous Albula “Circus”, where the railway circles over the soaring stone viaducts as it climbs over itself three times.

We’ll re-group for dinner in our hotels charming little dining room this evening.

Overnight: Grischuna Hotel, Filisur (B, D)

An exciting and beautiful rail trip is scheduled today on board the Bernina Express to Tirano in Northern Italy, an exquisite trip that totally epitomizes Swiss rail. We’ll climb over the multiple Albula spiral tunnels and viaducts to the highest crossing of the Alps before rapidly descending over 1600 metres from the snow to the city of Tirano, a charming Italian town with a wonderful collection of cafés and restaurants. Here we’ll have some free time for lunch before the train returns on this stunning railway back to our hotel in Filisur, taking you from the snow to the palm trees. Dinner is once again in our hotel’s fantastic restaurant.

Overnight: Grischuna Hotel, Filisur (B, D)

Today we’ll take the Regional Express to the historic city of Chur, the oldest city in Switzerland and the capital of the Canton of Graubünden. Our modern hotel is just a short walk from the station and following check in we’ll embark on a guided walking tour of the city through the old town and into the area of the Bishop’s Palace and the historic 12th- century church.

Dinner will be hosted at the 1793 authentic local Swiss restaurant, Drei Könige later in the evening.

Overnight: ABC Hotel, Chur (B, D)

Following breakfast we’ll ride the RhB down the main street and steep climb to the lakeside resort village of Arosa, flying over the famous Longweiss Viaduct on-route. This is without doubt the best short train ride you can take in Switzerland.

On return, we’ll catch the regional express to Zurich, running via the scenic Walensee Lake and Lake Zurich.

The afternoon is free, with many options for you to continue exploring this wonderful and vibrant city.

Overnight: Zurich TBC (B)

We begin our comprehensive tour of Zurich with a ride on the express train to the lakeside village of Arth Goldau, where we’ll board the Rigi cogwheel train which operates over a 7% incline (1 in 14). We’ll then head over the mountain to Vitznau to take in the stunning views of Lake Lucerne and the surrounding mountains, before a short ferry ride to the charming city of Lucerne. Here we’ll pay a visit to the Swiss Transport Museum and experience the history of various forms of transportation used in bygone times, encapsulating planes, trains, boats and automobiles! You can spend as long as you like here, with the option to explore the Old City and the famous Muenster bridge close by.

Later on we’ll return to Zurich by train or take the option to stay in Lucerne and look around this beautiful city, with its historic covered bridge and atmospheric old town. There are regular trains to whisk you back to Zurich at your leisure.

Overnight: Zurich TBC (B, L)

We’ll start our day with a guided walking tour of the city’s atmospheric Old Town. Zurich’s origins date back as far as 15 BC which explains why the city is so full of rich, old-world charm. Our local tour guide will engage us with colourful stories and anecdotes whilst introducing some of the highlights including Bahnhofstrasse, Niederdorf, Grossmünster Cathedral, Lindenhof and more. The tour finishes back at the station where we will depart for a short journey along the lake to Adliswil to connect with the cable car that takes us up to Felsenegg Peak. Here we’ll enjoy a lovely “Farewell” all-you-can-eat cheese fondue lunch at the mountain restaurant with its brilliant views of Lake Zurich and the Alps. A great way to wrap up our wonderful Swiss adventure.

Overnight: Zurich TBC (B)

After breakfast, we check-out and say goodbye. For guests returning home, Zurich airport is only a few minutes by rail from our station. These are regular services which do not require reservations.