Classic Trains of Switzerland
July 6-14, 2008 or Sept. 14-22, 2008
Glacier Express • Bernina Express • Golden Pass Express • Steam Charter to Davos • Brienz Rothorn Bahn
Sunday
Eurostar to Paris
Say goodbye to London St Pancras as we depart on the Eurostar train to Paris. During the journey, breakfast will be served at our first class seats. After arrival at Paris Gare du Nord we cross to Paris Gare de Lyon to join our TGV train to Montreux. We check into a four star hotel. (L D)
Monday
Montreux
Today we have a free day to explore Montreux, spectacularly situated on the shores of Lake Geneva. While there we can visit the medieval Château de Chillon. Just outside town this stunning thirteenth century chateau is amongst the best preserved medieval castles in Europe. Following a visit from Shelley in 1816, it became the subject of a poem penned by Lord Byron. The castle is best approached by boat where the elegant turrets jut out spectacularly into the water. Alternatively, using your first class Swiss Pass you can ride on the rack railway from Montreux (supplement payable), which winds its way to the summit at Rochers-de-Naye, over six thousand feet above sea level. At the top, the vantage point offers some of the most breathtaking scenery possible. (B L D)Tuesday
Narrow Gauge to Zweisimmen, and on to Interlaken
We board the mid morning Golden Pass Express from Montreux for Zweisimmen. This is narrow gauge and one of the Golden Pass showcase journeys of Swiss Railways. We change trains at Zweisimmen and take the standard gauge line to Interlaken. Here we check into a centrally situated four star Hotel for four nights. Your luggage will be transferred independently. This afternoon we have arranged a private charter on the Schynige Platte Bahn. This line was constructed in 1893 and electrified in 1914 and reaches a summit, again of over six thousand feet. Unusually for this line we shall be steam hauled. From the summit we can gaze on three famous mountains, the Eiger, the Mönch and the Jungfrau. We return back to our hotel in Interlaken. (B D)Wednesday
Brienz Rothorn Bahn
We board a narrow gauge train along the shores of Lake Brienz to Brienz, a quiet community on the eastern end of the lake. From here, we ride on the last regular steam rack railway in Switzerland, the famous Brienz Rothorn Bahn to Rothorn Kulm. The line gently winds its way along steep slopes to the Rothorn summit at over four thousand feet. At the top, we can walk around and admire the alpine scenery before returning to Interlaken, from Brienz on a lake steamer, or alternatively take a trip to Luzern on the Brunig Panoramic Express. (B D)
Thursday
Roam with First Class Swiss Pass
Today is free to roam with the first class Swiss pass. The tour manager will have lots of ideas of the travel possibilities. Maybe take a ride on a lake, travel by train over the Brunig Pass to Luzern and Zurich or travel to Europe’s highest station inside the Jungfrau, well over eleven thousand feet above sea level. A supplement is payable for the latter. (B)Friday
Glacier Express
Our first train today takes us via the Loetschberg route with its fine views to Brig where we join the Glacier Express bound for Chur. We sit back and relax travelling in comfort through the unspoilt natural beauty of a landscape rich in ancient, fragrant mountain forests, peaceful alpine meadows, rushing mountain streams and mountain valleys. On the way the train reaches an altitude of over two thousand feet near Andermatt and we enjoy lunch served at our seats. At Chur, we check into our hotel for three nights half-board accommodation. (B L D)
Saturday (July departure)
Sunday (September departure)
The Bernina Express
The Graubünden’s Rhätische Bahn (RhB) owns one of the most scenic rail networks in the world and today we travel on its famous Bernina Express. The journey takes us past waterfalls, glaciers and across dramatic ravines. The final ascent of the Albula Pass involves numerous loops and spirals before passing through a long tunnel into the Engadine Valley. From here, we continue even higher to over seven thousand feet at the Bernina Pass. This is a wonderfully wild place with a mass of snow-capped peaks visible all around us. This fascinating voyage eventually ends in Tirano, a picturesque Italian town. We have two hours to explore or take advantage of the many superb Italian restaurants before leaving Tirano in the early afternoon, returning through the Bernina Pass to St Moritz. Here we join the restaurant car of train 574 for a delightful dinner whilst on the journey back to Chur. (B D)Sunday (July departure)
Saturday (September departure)
Steam Train to Klosters and the Mountain Resort of Davos
After breakfast we join our special vintage steam hauled charter train for a spectacular journey through the mountains. Our locomotive will be a Rhaetian Railway 2-8-0. We travel up to Klosters of royal fame, through stunning scenery to Davos, a mountain resort with a funicular railway.
Lunch is included in a good restaurant during a two hour break here. We continue our circular steam tour via Filisur and Thusis before arriving back in Chur around 17:30. (B L D)Monday
Return to London
We take a morning departure from Chur to Basel where we change trains, boarding the midday train to Paris via Mulhouse and Belford. On arrival at Paris Gare de l’Est it is a short transfer to Paris Gare du Nord where we board an early evening Eurostar to London St Pancras. Dinner with wine will be served at your seat. There is a flight option to travel by train from Chur direct to Zurich airport then board a midday flight to London Heathrow. (B)
Tour Cost:
£1,395 per person, double occupancy (U.S. $2,860*)
£195 single supplement (U.S. $400*)
*Rates provided in U.S. dollars are estimated using a 1£=$2.05 rate. U.S. dollar rate is subject to fluctuate based on the value of the dollar when final payment is made.Click here to download our tour booking form.
Deposit required: £100 per person
Click here for complete tour terms and conditions.
Price includes:
• 8 nights accommodation with breakfast and 7 dinners in four-star hotels
• One breakfast and one dinner with wine on Eurostar
• The Glacier Express with lunch included Lunch in Davos
• First class rail travel throughout (unclassified accommodation on the steam trains)
• First class Swiss Rail Pass, allowing unlimited travel on Swiss railways
• All seat reservations and transfers
• Luggage transfers between hotels in Switzerland
• The services of a tour manager
Please call us with questions, bookings:
800-478-4881
www.irtsociety.com
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