Contrasts of Switzerland By Rail
8 DAY TOUR FROM £1485
All aboard for one of the worlds most famous rail journeys, the Glacier Express, with stays in Zurich, St. Moritz, Zermatt, Geneva and Lucerne.
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Tour Pace
Leisurely Lively
Tour experience
Scenic City
Highlights
- Zurich
- St. Moritz
- Zermatt
- Geneva
- Interlaken
- Lucerne
- Scenic journeys
Sightseeing Highlights
- Zurich Orientation tour of this lakeside city.
- St. Moritz Orientation tour of this mountain resort.
- Zermatt Orientation tour of this car-free mountain resort.
- Geneva Orientation tour including the United Nations building, the Reformation Monument, the Flower Clock and the Jet D'Eau.
- Interlaken Stop in this beautiful resort renowned for its views of the Jungfrau.
- Lucerne Orientation tour including the Lion Monument and Chapel Bridge.
- Scenic journeys Zurich via Chur to St. Moritz, St. Moritz to Zermatt on the Glacier Express, Zermatt to Geneva on the upper Rhone valley, Geneva to Lucerne on the Golden Pass route with a stop in Interlaken.
Dining Highlights
- Welcome drink with your Tour Director in Zurich (WD)
- 7 hot buffet breakfasts (BB)
- 3 three-course dinners (D)
- Farewell Dinner in Lucerne (FD)
- 11 included meals in total (see day-by-day itinerary)
First Class Travel Highlights
- Return scheduled flights.
- The services of one of Trafalgar's professional Tour Directors on tour.
- Complimentary transfers on Day 1 from Zurich International Airport to your hotel in Zurich and by train on Day 8 from your hotel to Zurich International Airport.
- Travel on Trafalgar's luxury air-conditioned coaches with reclining seats and restroom facilities
- Stay in twin-bedded rooms with private facilities.
- All hotel service charges, baggage handling fees (one suitcase per person) and local taxes.
- A stylish travel bag and wallet containing tour documents and helpful information.
Please note: On board the trains, baggage handling assistance is not available.
Complimentary overseas transfers:
Arrival and departure transfers will operate at various set times. Transfers arranged outside of these times due to flight timings may be subject to additional charges. Please ask your Personal Travel Consultant for further details.
Luxury Private Car UK Transfers
- Exclusive door to door airport transfers
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Day 1 (Door to Door)
Arrive Zurich
Enjoy your luxury private car door to door transfer to your departure airport before your scheduled flight to Zurich, where a shuttle-bus transfer is provided to your first hotel. After check-in, there is time to relax before meeting your Tour Director and fellow travellers for a Welcome Drink. (WD)
Hotel: Moevenpick (SFC)
Day 2
Zurich - Chur - St. Moritz
This morning we have an orientation tour of lakeside Zurich, revealing all of its charm and beauty. We then take our first train journey via Chur to St. Moritz, the sophisticated mountain resort, passing snow-capped mountains and sparkling lakes. This evening dinner is served at our hotel. (BB, D)
Hotel: Baeren (FC)
Day 3
St. Moritz - Glacier Express - Zermatt
All aboard one of the most spectacular train journeys in the world - the immensely comfortable air-cushioned and air-conditioned Glacier Express. This stunning railway journey crosses 291 bridges, passes through 91 tunnels and crosses the Oberalp Pass at 2,033 metres in altitude. We travel along a beautiful route passing Alpine lakes and glaciers en route to the unique resort of Zermatt, dominated by the Matterhorn. We will walk the short distance to our charming hotel where tonight we will enjoy dinner. Afterwards, why not explore the chalets and bars of this lively winter and summer resort? (BB, D)
Hotel: Style (FC)
Day 4
Zermatt at leisure
Our Tour Director will show us around this charming car- free resort. There is time to relax in the clean mountain air or window shop, or maybe take a cable-car ride to enjoy even more stunning views of the Alpine landscapes. (BB, D)
Hotel: Style (FC)
Day 5
Zermatt - Geneva
This morning's train journey takes us out of German-speaking Switzerland to the international city of Geneva on the lake of the same name. Capital city of la Suisse Romande (French-speaking Switzerland) and containing the headquarters of a number of international organisations such as the Red Cross, Geneva is a fascinating city to visit. We'll enjoy an orientation tour highlighting the Reformation Monument, the Flower Clock and the Jet d'Eau. We will also enjoy a short walking tour of the old town. Later, you may wish to enjoy a delicious dinner of Swiss specialities in a restaurant overlooking a view of Europe's highest mountain - Mont Blanc. Your Tour Director will be happy to advise on where to eat dinner this evening. (BB)
Hotel: Cornavin (FC)
Day 6
Geneva - Interlaken - Lucerne
Another stunning day of scenery as we take our next train journey on the Golden Pass line. We'll stop in Interlaken beside the glassy lakes of Thun and Brienz before travelling through the Brunig Pass to lakeside Lucerne for our leisurely two-night stay. This evening, why not learn to yodel at a fun-packed Swiss Folklore show? (BB)
Hotel: Schiller (FC)
Day 7
Lucerne orientation and at leisure
After breakfast we enjoy an orientation tour around this medieval city highlighting the Lion Monument, built in memory of Louis XVI's Swiss Guard, and the wooden Chapel Bridge. Later with free time on your own, you may wish to take an optional excursion to a nearby mountain peak, famed for its splendid views. Or perhaps choose to explore the old city and shop for Swiss watches, cuckoo clocks and delicious Swiss chocolate. (BB, FD)
Hotel: Schiller (FC)
Dining Highlights: Tonight we will all get together for our final night and enjoy a Farewell Dinner with wine in a local restaurant.
Day 8 (Door to Door)
Lucerne - Depart Zurich
This morning after breakfast there's time to bid farewell to new-found friends as we transfer to Zurich airport by train (tickets included and distributed today) for our return scheduled flight back to the UK. On arrival at your UK airport, your driver will greet you and escort you to your waiting luxury private car for your door to door transfer to your home. (BB)
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Moevenpick Hotel (SFC)
Located just 10 minutes from Zurich City Centre this charming hotel offers a tennis court, fitness centre, squash, mini golf, four restaurants and a bar.
Baeren (FC)
Located in the centre of St Moritz, this hotel offers two restaurants, a bar, indoor swimming pool, sauna, solarium, steam bath and fitness and aerobic room.
Style (FC)
This hotel enjoys a quiet location in Zermatt and includes a swimming pool, a large Jacuzzi, a sauna, a Roman steam bath, a thermal relaxation area, a solarium, a restaurant and bar.
Cornavin (FC)
This hotel is in proximity of the shopping area of the city and is close to Geneva's Water Fountain. Facilities include a swimming pool, sauna, gymnasium, a restaurant and bar.
Schiller (FC)
The lake and the famous Lucerne Culture and Convention Centre, as well as shopping and city attractions, are within a few minutes walk of this hotel. Facilities include a restaurant, café and cocktail bar.
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Bernina Express - round train trip
This afternoon we will board our panoramic Bernina Express train for breathtaking vistas of timeless glaciers as this narrow gauge railway winds its way over the Southern Alps. At Journey's End a local hostelry welcomes us for a delightful taste of various local vintages. SF 76
Gornergrat Ascent
Travel by mountain railway from Zermatt climbing up Switzerland's finest glacier the Gornergrat, with spectacular views of the Matterhorn all the way up. The panorama terrace at 10,270 feet embraces some 50 peaks which tower between 9,850 feet and 13,150 feet to form a circle of silvery splendour. SF 76
Klein Matterhorn Excursion
A unique electric taxi service will drive us to the foot of Zermatt's highest and most spectacular mountain ride. Enjoy stunning views as we ascend to Furi and Trockener Steg before boarding Europe's highest cable car to arrive on the snow-capped top of the world at 12,400 feet. A magnificent panorama of the
highest peaks in Switzerland, Italy and France will make this an unforgettable experience. SF 91
Cruise & visit to Yvoire
Leaving the elegant guays of Geneva, our steamer cruises past the palatial mansions of the rich and famous, stopping at picturesque villages before arriving at our enchanting French destination - Yvoire. We explore its winding streets, lined with the old stone houses of former fishermen and dominated by the ancient 'château' of the Count and Countess. Then our motorcoach takes us through the rich fields of the Savoy back into Switzerland. SF 52
Swiss Riviera - Dinner & Wine Tasting
We drive along the scenic shoreline of Lake Geneva to a small village at the foot of the Jura mountains where the wine cellars are 300 years old. We are invited there for a super fondue-bourguigonne dinner. Taste the wines and the food of 'La Cote', this famous landscape in the French-speaking Swiss Riviera.
SF 98
Folklore Evening and Dinner
Tonight we shall enjoy a tasty Swiss meal (one of the courses will be the famous Swiss cheese fondue) in a typical restaurant. While you enjoy dinner, join in the fun of a lively folklore show which includes yodelling, flag-throwing, Alpine horn-blowing and many other customary Swiss entertainment. Drinks are included. SF 93
Mount Pilatus
A scenic lakeshore drive brings us to our cog-wheel railway, where we board our train to the summit of Lucerne's most well-known mountain. Here you have time to explore, admire the many sweeping views and breathe in the fresh mountain air. Later a series of cable cars will bring us gradually down through fields and forests to the foot of this majestic mountain. (On certain departures the ascent as well as the descent of the mountain will be by cable car only.) SF 80
Carriages and Countryside
A chance to meet the Swiss, as local farmers take us on a delightful countryside tour in horse drawn carriages. Enjoy stunning scenery as we trot around a typical rural community, en route to a working farm where local drinks and snacks will be served at a 17th century barn. SF 65
Mount Stanserhorn Excursion
Drive along the Lake of Lucerne to come to the village of Stans, terminal of one of Switzerland's oldest mountain railways. We climb to the top by funicular railway and modern cable car to reach 6,300 feet - an excellent vantage from which to view the breathtaking scenery of Alpine Switzerland. Free time to take in the air and perhaps some refreshment before we descend and return to Lucerne. SF 69
Lucerne Lake Cruise
Considered to be the most lovely of the mountain lakes, much of the shoreline of Lake Lucerne can only be fully appreciated from the water. Admire the spectacular homes of the fortunate few, privileged to live on its scenic shores, as we cruise gently by. SF 37
Dates and prices
Your prices have been updated
Prices based on per person sharing a twin or double room. For single room supplements and triple room reductions please call for details.
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- Interlaken
- Geneva
- Matterhorn
- Lake Lucerne
- Lake Thun
- Zurich
- St Moritz
- Lucerne
- Lake Brienz
- Switzerland
- Zermatt
- Berne
Please note: Route displayed may not be an exact representation of the actual route taken.
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