Train Type:  First-Class

The Tour

This escorted tour takes in the entire length of Switzerland's Glacier Express as well as the "Bernina Line," which celebrated its 100th anniversary in 2010. Stay in the charming mountain villages of Zermatt and St. Moritz, high in the Swiss Alps. Take in the Matterhorn from the Gornergratbahn!

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“My favorite day was the Bernina Express. The sun was shining. It was gorgeous. The next day, we had a free day, and I said, 'Maybe we should do it again!' We had a great time. My husband loved the trains. The Swiss trains were marvelous. They were all clean. They ran on time to the exact minute.”
— Mrs. S. Milne, September, 2010

The Itinerary

Day 1: London to Germany
Meet your tour guide and fellow passengers at London’s St. Pancras International railway station, and board the Eurostar to Brussels. Traveling in Standard Premier Class, we enjoy a complimentary light meal and drinks. On arrival, we change trains and continue by high speed train in first class to Cologne, where we overnight at Grand City Hotel Cologne Centre. (E, D)
 
Day 2: Cologne to St. Moritz
From Cologne, we travel by EuroCity train from Germany to Switzerland. Our journey takes us along the scenic Rhine Gorge past lush vineyards and fairytale castles. We pass through Basel, then Zürich, before we start the scenic ascent through the Alps to St. Moritz, set in the heart of Graubünden. On arrival in St. Moritz we transfer to the Hotel Monopol for a three-night stay. (B, D)
 
Day 3: Over the Bernina Pass
From St. Moritz we join the narrow-gauge Bernina Express, climbing over the spectacular Bernina Pass to more than 7,000 feet (2,134m). Enjoy the breathtaking views of the snow-capped peaks as we travel to Tirano in Italy on this historic line that was recently awarded UNESCO World Heritage status. You have some free time for lunch and perhaps a visit to the beautiful Basilica della Madonna, before we return to St Moritz. (B, D)
 
Day 4: A day at leisure in St. Moritz
Today is free for you to enjoy St. Moritz and its “sparkling champagne” climate. You may wish to take a cable car up Diavolezza Mountain, at 9,970 feet (3,039m), which boasts stunning views over the surrounding peaks. Use your First Class Swiss Travel Card or St. Moritz Travel Pass for discounted travel on nearby cable cars and mountain railways or regular trains (we like hiking the Railway Historical Trail, which begins just a half hour's train ride away from St. Moritz.). Alternatively you could visit the nearby town of Davos or captivating Klosters, with its excellent restaurants. (B)
 
Day 5: The Glacier Express to Zermatt
Today we travel first class on the famous Glacier Express narrow-gauge train along the 100-year-old iconic route from St. Moritz to Zermatt. Our train descends, emerging from a rock tunnel to cross the spectacular Landwasser Viaduct and eventually entering the upper Rhine Valley. We travel through pastures and woodland before climbing once more into the mountains. Lunch on board the Glacier Express is included and served at your seat, while you watch the stunning scenery pass slowly by. Once we've ascended to the highest point of the journey—the Oberalp Pass, at 6,670 feet (2,033m)—we snake and spiral towards Andermatt and the head of the Rhône Valley. The final part of our journey takes us through a spectacular gorge. As we near our ultimate destination, we should have our first views of the dramatic Matterhorn towering above the pretty town of Zermatt. Our base here for the next four nights is the Hotel Beau-Site. (B, L, D)
 
Day 6: Zermatt and the Gornergrat
Today we climb to the summit of the Gornergrat at 10,134 feet (3,089m) aboard a Gornergrat Mountain Railway train. Weather permitting, we'll have spectacular views across the valley to the Matterhorn. We also enjoy a guided tour of beautiful Zermatt, with its timbered buildings and English church dating back to 1870. Enjoy the Alpine Museum, a moving tribute to the epic early attempts to scale the Matterhorn. (B, D)
 
Day 7: Excursion to Stresa and Lake Maggiore
Today we travel by train to Lake Maggiore, the second largest of the Italian lakes, in the lovely mountainous region of Northern Italy. On our arrival in Stresa, we take a short cruise across Lake Maggiore to the charming island of Isola Pescatore, with its rustic fishing village boasting some delightful restaurants and shops. The island is also known as Isola Superiore, but it measures just 383 yards in length and 110 yards wide, and has a population of around 50 people! Of particular note is the pretty chapel of San Vittore. We return to Stresa and then Zermatt, before dinner together. (B, D)
 
Day 8: A day at leisure in Zermatt
Today is free to explore Zermatt. Relax and take advantage of the hotel's excellent pool and spa facilities. Shop in some of Zermatt's glitzy boutiques. Enjoy a walk along one of the many marked trails; climb the Kleine Matterhorn. Or use your First Class Swiss Travel Card to venture further out—the card allows 50% fares on most trains, buses and lake steamers as well as free entry to most museums. One popular option is the Centovalli Railway, a narrow-gauge line to Locarno. Another rail option is a journey on the scenic GoldenPass line.  (B)

Day 9: By train to Luxembourg
After descending from Zermatt to Visp, we change trains to Basel. Here we join a train to Luxembourg, where we spend the night at the Mercure Grand Hotel Alfa, located close to the historic center. (B, D)
 
Day 10: To London
Today we travel by train from Luxembourg, through the rolling countryside of the Ardennes to Brussels, where we connect with the Eurostar to London. A light meal and drinks are served on board before arrival at St. Pancras International.  (B, E)
 
E = Eurostar meal, B = Breakfast, L = Lunch, D = Dinner
These meals, where shown, are included in your tour.

2013 Dates:
July 3
August 14, 28

The Prices

Other:

Deposit Required: £275 per person

Payments must be made by Visa/Mastercard debit card (no fee); or Visa/Mastercard credit card (add 2% surcharge). Payments may also be made by wire transfer in British Pounds (no fee).

All prices are per-person. Tour priced in British pounds.
For approximate exchange rates, please click here.

Please note this trip requires a certain level of stamina and the ability to carry your own luggage. For travelers from N. America, you will require at least one night before leaving London and one post-tour night. We are happy to make these arrangements.  This journey requires medical/evacuation insurance.

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