Switzerland: A Railfan's
First Trip
April 17 - May 1, 2001
Itinerary
April 17, Tuesday
Depart U.S.
Depart from the U.S. for Zurich on individually arranged flights.
April 18, Wednesday
Arrive Zurich, Transfer to Lucerne (D)
Arrive Zurich's Kloten
Airport. Welcome to Switzerland! Your tour director will meet
those participants who arrive by 10 a.m. outside baggage claim
and customs. Proceed to the airport's busy, underground mainline
SBB station for our train to Lucerne and our hotel. (Alternatively,
you may proceed by train to Lucerne on your own, if you wish.)
Be sure to validate your 15-day Swiss pass - good for travel
on all Swiss Federal Railway services, trams, postal buses, lake
steamers and most private bus lines - before boarding the train.
Check in to the beautiful Hotel Wilden Mann, where we will spend the next three nights. You may choose to spend the rest of day seeing Lucerne or relaxing after your flight. Walk in the beautiful Old Town, across the covered bridge, by the water and the shops. Lucerne is one of Switzerland's most charming cities. Get to know your fellow travelers tonight over a welcome cocktail reception followed by dinner with wine and coffee at the hotel.
Overnight: Hotel Wilden Mann, Lucerne
April 19, Thursday
Lucerne; Cable car to Mt. Titlis (B)
This morning we will enjoy a walking tour of Lucerne with a local,
English-speaking guide. Highlights include the old town; the
twin-towered Jesuit Church, with its wonderful, pink rococo interior;
the ornate city hall; a portion of the original, medieval city
wall; the covered chapel bridge, and the famous Lion Monument.
This afternoon we head to the resort town of Engelberg. The hour-long ride starts off on the meter gauge tracks of the Brunig line before branching off into a tunnel opened in 1964. The train will climb gently as it makes its way through the valley. At Obermatt, the train switches to rack and climbs steeply for the last few miles to Engelberg. Hope for beautiful weather as we take a cable car from Engelberg up to Mt. Titlis, 10,000 feet high. Return to Lucerne so that you may enjoy dinner in one of its many restaurants on your own.
Overnight: Hotel Wilden Mann, Lucerne
April
20, Friday
Swiss Transport Museum; Mt. Rigi (B)
After breakfast we visit the world-famous Swiss Transport Museum
in Lucerne. Highlights of the museum include a multitude of steam
and electric locomotives, a vast model railway layout, a two-storied,
and a narrow-gauge tram built in 1888 for the Vevey-Montreux-Chillon
street railway.
From there we'll board our boat for a leisurely cruise down the
lake to Vitznau, to travel on Europe's oldest rack and pinion
railway. We disembark at Vitznau and board a train of the Vitznau-Rigi
Bahn, Switzerland's first cog railway, for a ride up to the summit
of Mount Rigi. At 1,800 meters, it offers stunning views. It
was made famous by Mark Twain in his book Innocents Abroad. After
enjoying the 360-degree panoramic views, we'll descend on another
cog train, this one operated by the Arth-Rigi-Bahn, to Arth-Goldau.
This major rail junction is ideal for train-watching, which we'll
do before returning by SBB train to Lucerne.
Overnight: Hotel Wilden Mann, Lucerne
April 21, Saturday
Interlaken and Mrren (B, D)
Today we bid goodbye to Lucerne as we take the Brunig Line, Swiss
Federal's only meter-gauge line, to Interlaken. This beautiful
two-hour trip through the middle of Switzerland runs its last
few miles along Lake Brienz. Arrive in the charming city of Interlaken
early this afternoon. Interlaken is an ideal hub for our next
few days excursions.
After checking in to our hotel, we head out to Lauterbrunnen,
known for its cascading Staubbach Falls. Here we'll board the
funicular to Grutschalp, where we hop on the meter-gauge train
which will take us to the skiing and hiking resort of Murren.
The ride yields tremendous unfolding views across the valley
to the Jungfrau, Monch and Eiger peaks.
We'll return to our lovely 5-star hotel, the Beau Rivage, where we will enjoy dinner together.
Overnight: Hotel Beau Rivage, Interlaken
April 22, Sunday
Jungfraujoch (B)
Pray for good weather today for our full day excursion to Jungfraujoch.
From Interlaken, a combination of three lines will lift us 9,469
feet to Jungfraujoch, the highest rail station in Europe at 11,333
feet.
The train stops at Eigerwand and Eismeer stations for sightseeing before arriving at Jungfraujoch. On the summit is a complex with restaurants and snack bars where we can enjoy lunch on our own. Take a jacket and sunglasses if you wish to go glacier walking. Otherwise, enjoy the spectacular views - the panorama of peaks is unforgettable. There's also an ice palace (a maze cut in glacier) with free admission.
Overnight:
Hotel Beau Rivage, Interlaken
April 23, Monday
Montreux and Bern (B)
Today we travel to the Swiss capital of Bern via Montreux, with
its beautiful lakeside walks and famous Chateau de Chillon. Take
an optional tour of the castle, which sits on Lake Geneva. It
dates from the 11th century and owes much of its fame to Lord
Byron's Prisoner of Chillon. The castle contains a tower, courtyards,
dungeons and numerous rooms containing weapons, utensils, frescos
and furniture.
If you've already seen the castle or wish to spend more time in Bern, you may wish to head straight there. Despite being Switzerland's fourth-largest city, Bern retains a relaxed, small-town charm. Its Old Town has 11 historic fountains and miles of covered arcades with good shopping. Stop at the Zeitglockenturm (clock tower) to see revolving figures announce the hour. Head to the Rose Garden for an excellent view of the city with 200 varieties of roses as a backdrop. Don't forget to explore the city's narrow streetcar system. Return to Interlaken on your own.
Overnight: Hotel Beau Rivage, Interlaken
April 24, Tuesday
Brig; Zermatt and Gornergrat (B,D)
Have your luggage ready this morning for separate transfer to
Brig. We make the hour and a half trip ourselves via Spiez. Upon
arrival in Brig, we'll check in to the Hotel Victoria, conveniently
located across from the station. Our luggage will be waiting
for us at the hotel. Enjoy lunch on your own.
If the weather cooperates, we'll continue on to Zermatt, where we'll board the Gornergrat-bahn, which offers unparalleled views of Switzerland's icon, the Matterhorn, at 4,477 meters high. At the summit are a restaurant, post office and gift shop. On the way back to Zermatt, we'll stop at the Riffelalp station, where a 10-minute walk provides a wonderful photo opportunity of the train with the Matterhorn in the background.
Return to Brig, where we'll have plenty of time to rest and freshen up before dinner at the hotel this evening.
Overnight: Hotel Victoria, Brig
April 25, Wednesday
Free day (B)
Depending on the weather, the Gornergrat trip may be done today.
Otherwise, this will be a free day to enjoy Brig's many offerings.
If you wish to take a side trip, we recommend Locarno, a pretty,
quiet city on the banks of Lake Maggiore. Or perhaps you would
enjoy riding the postal bus over Simplon Pass to Domodossola,
Italy.
Overnight: Hotel Victoria, Brig
April 26, Thursday
Glacier Express to Chur (B,L)
While our luggage is transferred separately to Chur, we'll hop
on the world's slowest express train and one of the IRT editors
top 20 in the world: the Glacier Express.
"There's a reason the Glacier Express has the reputation as one of the most picturesque train trips in the world. You simply can't take your eyes away from the passing landscape, more like an artfully touched-up postcard than reality. The ride requires all your concentration not to ooooo and aaaah out loud as you emerge from a dark tunnel and suddenly come face to face with the glory of the Alps." (Kathryn Lemmon, IRT No. 120).
We travel northeast up the valley of the Rhone River, through the Furka Base Tunnel, over Oberalp Pass and down the valley of the infant Rhine to Chur. We have reservations for lunch in the train's busy restaurant car. This is always a highlight!
This afternoon we arrive in Chur, capital of Graubunden, one of Switzerland's oldest towns and home territory of the Rhatian Railway. Transfer to the Romantik Hotel Stern.
Overnight: Romantik Hotel Stern, Chur
April 27, Friday
Free day; Optional tour of Rhatian Railways shops (B)
Today will be at your leisure. We have several suggestions for
how to spend your day. If you wish, you may travel to nearby
Landquart, where an English-speaking member of the Rhatian Railway
staff will lead us through the railways locomotive and car repair
shops. If we're lucky, our guide for today ís visit will
be Gion Caprez. Gion is university trained, but "would rather
work for a railroad than in some lab. Gion is the Swiss member
of the Boston & Maine Historical Society.
Regardless of who our guide is, today affords a behind-the-scenes look at what makes the Rhatian Railway the crackerjack outfit it is. We'll see passenger cars being rebuilt and painted, locomotives under repair and taken apart, and, in general, get an unparalleled glimpse of the "innards" of these fantastic machines. The shops are so clean, you could eat off their floor. They're cleaner than most British hotels."
After the shop tour we'll ride through the new Vereina Tunnel into the Engadine and return via the Albula Pass route with its numerous spiral tunnels, horseshoe curves and stone bridges.
Alternatively, you may wish to venture to nearby Liechtenstein or St. Gallen. To get to Liechtenstein , take the train to Sargans and the postal bus from there. St. Gallen is about an hour and a half by train and is full of interesting buildings with colorful murals, carved balconies and statues. Don't miss the 18th-century cathedral with elegantly painted ceiling.
If you would prefer to spend the day in Chur, the old town is a pleasure to wander around. One possible place of interest may be the Ratisches Museum , which focuses on the canton's archaeology, history, and culture. It has paintings and maps of the area, collections of arms and armor, silver, furniture, pottery, and much more. Or you may want to visit the many historic churches in the area: Hof-Toturm, founded in the 8th century - largely gothic, it has some Romanesque embellishments, and the tower with baroque dome was added around 1600; the former monastery church of St. Luzi, from the 12th century; or St. Martin, built in 1491.
Overnight: Hotel Stern, Chur
April 28, Saturday
Bernina Express (B)
Today we will be treated to a ride on another of IRT's top 20
trains in the world: the Bernina Express. See if you don't agree
with them after taking it yourself. The highest crossing of the
Alps, this four-hour train ride affords passengers both glaciers
and palm trees, as it rises to some 8,000 feet before descending
into semi-tropical Tirano, Italy. We'll get double the fun, since
we're riding both ways-Chur-Tirano.
After cresting the rocky, glacial summit, we'll zigzag our way down into the agricultural landscape of northern Italy. Beyond Brusio is the famous open-air spiral, where our train loops around itself across a nine-arched viaduct as it loses altitude. We'll have time for a leisurely lunch in downtown Tirano, affording a brief glimpse of the more relaxed Italian lifestyle. We return to Chur by the same route.
Overnight: Hotel Stern, Chur
April 29, Sunday
Chur to Zurich (B,D)
We have a leisurely ride north to Zurich today. Upon arrival,
we'll proceed to the lovely 4-star Hotel Glockenhof for a two-night
stay. It's a 10-minute walk from the station or a fast cab ride.
The hotel is central but in a quiet location with a garden. You'll
have the afternoon at leisure to catch a nap, stroll down Zurichís
world-famous Bahnhofstrasse or take in one of the city's many
museums. Make sure you're back to the hotel by dinner time as
we all dine together tonight.
Overnight: Hotel Glockenhof, Zurich
April 30, Monday
Zurich city tour; Streetcar diner (B,D)
This morning our local guide will lead an excursion around Zurich
to see the sights and to view and experience the mind-boggling
diversity of public transportation in the city: a plethora of
trains, streetcars, and boats. We'll also stroll down the famous
Bahnhofstrasse - one of the most famous shopping districts in
the world. Shop for last-minute gifts for friends or family at
home.
Unfortunately, all good things must come to an end, and, so must our tour. But before its over, we'd like to send everyone home with a special treat: a farewell dinner in our private chartered streetcar diner. We will enjoy a three-course, traditional Swiss dinner with wine and coffee as we cruise around downtown Zurich and see the sights.
Overnight: Hotel Glockenhof, Zurich
May 1, Tuesday
Depart Zurich
Depart Zurich for individually arranged flights back to the U.S.
Five trains per hour connect the main station to Zurich's airport
(the ride takes 10 or 11 minutes). And so we say farewell to
Switzerland - and each other - until the next IRT tour!
Land Arrangements Include:
- Accommodation in hotels as listed
- Buffet breakfast daily, service charges, taxes
- Services of full-time tour director
- Porterage at all hotels, in and out
- Separate luggage transfers between all hotels
- Entrance fee to Swiss Transport Museum in Lucerne
- Local English-speaking guide for city tour of
Zurich and Lucerne
- First-class Swiss Pass valid for 15 days
- Train tickets or supplements not covered by the
Swiss Pass: Mount Titlis, Mount Rigi, Jungfraujoch and Gornergrat
- All seat reservations wherever possible
- All gratuities for all included services, except
those of your tour director. Gratuities are always at your option.
- Cocktail party and dinner at the Hotel Wilden
Mann, April 18
- Dinner at Hotel Beau Rivage, April 21
- Dinner at Hotel Victoria, April 24
- Lunch on the Glacier Express, April 26
- Dinner at Hotel Glockenhof, April 29
- Reception and dinner with wine and coffee on
chartered Zurich streetcar restaurant, April 30
- Med-Trip insurance, which offers 24-hour access
to an American nurse for medical consultation and coverage for
evacuation if necessary
- A copy of "A Railfan's Guide to Switzerland"
by George Drury
Please note:
porterage of bags is not included from/to the Zurich Airport
because Society members arrive at different times, on different
days. Please note we will be delighted to provide a "meet
and greet" service, where you will be transferred by private
Mercedes with a English speaking driver. Please ask about prices.
Land-only price of trip:
$3,070 per person, double occupancy
$350 single supplement
Extra hotel nights:
Pre-tour, Hotel Wilden Mann, Lucerne: $100 per person, double;
$114 single.
Post-tour, Hotel Glockenhof, Zurich: $94 per person, double;
$122 single.
Swiss Pass Extension:
If you wish to extend your 15-day Swiss pass to 21 days, add
$70 per person.
To extend to a pass valid for one month, add $140 per person.
Please note: the above tour prices are for Society of International Railway Travelers members and one guest only. Non-members pay $50 per person more. Please inquire about Society membership if you are not now a member!
Tour Conditions
How to Book: Call our tour desk at 1-800-IRT-4881 to make a reservation. A deposit of 15% of the total trip cost is required. Deposits can be made by check or credit card (Mastercard, Visa, or Discover). Reservations are on a first-come, first-served basis. Final payment is made by check 90 days before departure.
Passport: A valid passport is required, valid for six months after departure from U.S.
Cancellations: Notice of cancellations must be received by this office in writing before 90 days prior to departure and are subject to a $250 per-person administrative fee. Final payment is due 90 days before the trip. Cancellations occurring within 90 days prior to the trip are nonrefundable unless the space is resold. In the event the space is resold, a refund, equal to the resale value of the space, is made after deduction of the $250 per person administrative fee and applicable airline cancellation penalties. No refunds will be made in the event of "no-shows" or cancellations the day of the trip. No refund will be given for unused portions of the tour. No refund for airline tickets once issued.
Insurance: We highly recommend that all passengers protect themselves with tour insurance to cover your costs in case you must cancel your journey. We will send you a brochure upon confirmation of your reservation. Please note: in order to waive pre-existing medical conditions exclusions in the tour insurance, insurance must be post-marked within ten days of date of deposit.
Minimum Participants: The main tour must have at least 15 passengers in order to qualify for special group rates.
Prices: This tour price is based on currency exchange rates in effect at the time of printing. In the event of revaluation or devaluation of U.S. currency, the tour operator reserves the right to make adjustments.
Price does not include: Passport and visa fees; personal expenses such as laundry; telephone calls; meals and alcoholic beverages not listed in the included section; optional sightseeing excursions; services other than those specifically mentioned in the included section; accident; sickness, trip cancellation and baggage insurance; and excess baggage charges.
Medical: Any physical or mental condition which may require special medical attention must be reported in writing. All Society trips require some walking to take full advantage of the transportation systems of each country we visit. Many rail stations do not have escalators; thus, the ability to walk up stairs is essential.
Baggage: Baggage and personal effects are taken at owner's risk throughout the trip and baggage insurance is strongly recommended. Porterage of one suitcase is included.
Responsibility: The Society of International Railway Travelers, Inc. (IRT) and Hardy Publishing Co., Inc. (HPC), parent company of The Society of International Railway Travelers, act only as agents for the passenger with respect to travel services. IRT and HPC do not own or operate any of the suppliers of services or accommodations for your trip. As a result, IRT and HPC are not responsible for any negligent or willful act or failure to act of any such supplier of any other third party over whom IRT and HPC has no control.
We can assume no responsibility nor liability in whole or in part for any delays, delayed or changed departure or arrival, missed carrier connections, loss, damage, weather, strikes, acts of God, circumstances beyond our control, force majeure, war, quarantine, criminal activity, expense, accident, sickness, injury or death to person or property, or mechanical defect, failure, or negligence of any nature howsoever caused in connection with any accommodations, restaurant, transportation or other services, for any substitution of hotels or of common carrier equipment beyond our control, with or without notice, or for any additional expenses occasioned thereby. If due to weather, flight schedules or other uncontrollable factors you are required to spend an additional night, you will be responsible for your own hotel, transfers and meal costs. No refund will be made for any unused portion of the tour due to these causes or voluntary cancellations.
No revisions of the printed itinerary or the "included" section are anticipated; however, IRT and HPC reserve the right to make changes at any time and for any reason, with or without notice, and IRT and HPC shall not be liable for any loss whatsoever to passengers by reason of such cancellation, substitution or changes. All fares as well as ship and train schedules, port calls, hours of arrival and departure, special programs, and guest lecture series (if applicable), are subject to change without prior notice. IRT and HPC shall not be required to refund any portion of the fare or make any other compensation under these circumstances. IRT and HPC cannot be responsible for penalties assessed by air carriers that may result due to operational and/or itinerary changes, regardless if the passenger and/or IRT and HPC make the flight arrangements. Any additional expenses resulting from the above will be paid by the individual passenger. IRT and HPC reserve the right to substitute a similar category for those listed in this brochure. IRT and HPC reserve the right to increase the tour price in the event of cost increases due to changes in air fares, changes in the itinerary, currency fluctuations or fuel surcharges and such increases are to be paid to IRT and HPC by the tour participant upon notice to the tour participant of such increases.
When issued, the air tickets shall constitute the sole contract between the air company concerned and the purchaser of these tours and/or passenger. Please note that advertised air rates can change before ticketing. The airlines and other transportation companies concerned are not to be held responsible for any act, omission, or events during the time passengers are not on board their conveyances.
Acceptance of terms: Upon payment of a deposit, by either check or credit card, tour participants indicate acceptance of all stated IRT and HPC terms and conditions. By forwarding of deposit, the passenger also certifies that he/she does not have any mental, physical or other condition of disability that would create a hazard for him/herself or other passengers. IRT and HPC reserves the right to decline to accept or retain any person as a tour member should such a person's health, mental condition, physical infirmity or attitude jeopardize the operation of the tour or the rights, welfare, or enjoyment of other participants.
Behavior: Passengers are expected to behave in a reasonable manner toward other passengers, IRT personnel and other persons with whom we have contact during our tour. If a passenger behaves, in the opinion of our tour leader, in a way likely to disrupt the enjoyment or endanger the safety of other passengers, the tour leader will issue him with a verbal warning. Should this not resolve the matter, a second, written warning will be issued. If the disruptive behavior continues after the second warning, then the passenger will be removed from the tour and will have to make his own arrangements to return home. No refunds for the untraveled portion of the tour will be entertained. The right is retained to refuse any application for reservation(s), cancel any reservation(s) or decline to accept or retain any person as a member of the tour group at any time.
Optional Activities that may be Dangerous: Depending on the itinerary you have selected, optional activities furnished by independent suppliers will be available at some of the places you will visit. Some of these activities carry with them the inherent risk of serious personal injury. These activities include, but are not necessarily limited to: walking safaris; horseback /elephant back/camel safaris; canoe trips, white-water rafting and river cruises; hot-air balloon trips and gorilla-tracking on foot; steam engine foot-plate rides, cab rides or photo run-bys; helicopter rides scuba diving; shark diving; boat rides. You should be aware that your safety cannot be guaranteed. Should you elect to participate in such activities while you are on tour, you are of course, free to do so. However, you must understand that such participation will be at your own risk, and that The Society of International Railway Travelers, Inc. assumes no responsibility for your safety.
Complaints: The stated mission of The Society of International Railway Travelers is to offer the very best in rail travel around the globe for our members. However, if you have a complaint during your journey, please bring it to the attention to your tour leader as quickly as you can. Should the problem remain unsolved, please write to the Society at its main office at 1810 Sils Ave., Louisville, KY. Our desire is to set things right. We cannot accept liability for any claims not made to us in writing within two months of completion of your journey. We also cannot tender any refunds for any reason outside the terms set forth above. All claims will be settled by arbitration in Louisville, Kentucky.
Please call us with questions, bookings:
800-IRT-4881
www.irtsociety.com
