Scenic Switzerland

Scenic Switzerland

This all-encompassing eight-night rail odyssey of Switzerland takes in the best this wonderful country has to offer. Start with a two-night stay in grand St Moritz from where you take a ride onboard the stunning Bernina Express train.

Take the spectacular Glacier Express train to historical Zermatt for two nights, and enjoy the iconic Matterhorn Mountain via the Gornergrat Cog Railway. Travel to lakeside Montreux for a relaxing night before continuing your journey along the GoldenPass line to the traditional Swiss town of Lucerne. Enjoy three nights here with day trips on the world’s steepest cogwheel train line on Mount Pilatus, and also to the highest railway station in Europe on the Jungfrau Railway.

What's Included?

• Return Flights from the UK to Zurich
• Travel to St Moritz from any starting point in Switzerland
• 2 nights' hotel stay with breakfast in St Moritz
• 2 nights' hotel stay with breakfast in Zermatt
• 1 night hotel stay with breakfast in Montreux
• 3 nights' hotel stay with breakfast in Lucerne
• 8-day standard class Swiss Pass
• Standard class seat reservations on the Bernina Express, Glacier Express and GoldenPass trains
• Day trip on the Gornergrat Cog Railway from Zermatt
• Day trip to the top of Mount Pilatus from Lucerne
• Daytrip to Jungfraujoch from Lucerne

Days 1 to 3

Day 1 - London to St Moritz

Day 2 - Bernina Express Day

After breakfast embark on one of the world's most scenic train lines south into Italy. The Bernina Express is a spectacular journey from the snowcapped heights of the Alps and The Bernina Pass itself, down into the lush Poschiavo Valley and vineyards surrounding Tirano. A stop is made for a traditional pizza in Tirano, before returning north again on the Bernina Express to melt away into the awe-inspiring scenery which changes drastically in the afternoon light. Make sure your camera batteries are fully charged because you are guaranteed to capture some amazing shots from the comfort of the panoramic carriages of the train. (Overnight in St Moritz).

Day 3 - The Glacier Express from St Moritz to Zermatt

Today you enjoy the full splendour of Switzerland's most famous journeys, The Glacier Express. Early in the journey the train cruises over the impressive Landwasser Viaduct, which is a marvel of Swiss engineering from a bygone era. This train is otherwise known as the slowest express train in the world, and winds its way over numerous high passes and meanders past many small Swiss lakes and villages until pulling into Zermatt nearly 8 hours after departure. (Overnight Zermatt).

Days 6 to 9

Day 6 - The GoldenPass Line - Montreux to Lucerne

Enjoy breakfast at your hotel before taking the short hop to Montreux, from where you board the GoldenPass train. This line rises steeply at first, passing sloping back gardens to one side and amazing views of Lake Geneva and the Swiss Riviera on the other. The train passes through a mountain tunnel at Jaman before continuing onto Chateaux d'Oex and Gstaad before peaking at its highest point of 4,179 feet before pulling into Zweisimmen where the lines changes and so do the trains. From here the train follows the Simme Valley down into Interlaken between Lakes Thun and Brienz, and from here, makes one final change onto a train to Lucerne. On arrival in Lucerne, check in at your hotel for a three-night stay. (Overnight Lucerne)

Day 7 - Pilatus Day Trip

Day 8 - Jungfrau Day Trip

After breakfast, take the short hop to Interlaken where you will board the historic railway line to Europe's highest railway station, at 3,454 metres above sea level. The Jungfrau Mountain is sandwiched between the huge peaks of the Monch and Eiger Mountains, and the Jungfrau railway line runs the final 9km in a tunnel through these two mountains from where you can still enjoy the spectacular views through windows built into the mountainside. It's hard to comprehend how such a railway was built in such harsh conditions as there are here in winter, particularly back in the early 1900s when this line was opened. Once you reach the top, however, you can only marvel in awe at the amazing view which on a clear day can be as far as the Black Forest of Germany and France. There is an ice sculpture gallery and the opportunity to take a walk on a glacier, as well as a restaurant and what is believed to be the world's highest chocolate shop. On your way back down the mountain, the route takes you through the village of Lauterbrunnen from where you get a good view of a gorgeous waterfall. Enjoy your final evening in medieval lakeside Lucerne. (Overnight Lucerne)

Day 9 - Zurich to London