BY RAIL
GRAND ROMANTIC SWISS RAIL TOUR
9 nights / 10 days From £ 2,490 per person
Lake Geneva
LAKE GENEVA • ZERMATT • LAKE MAGGIORE
• GOTTHARD • LAKE LUCERNE • SAANENLAND
This 9-night touring holiday by train includes some of the most scenically romantic sites in Switzerland. This romantic touring holiday by train takes you from Lake Geneva, into Mediterranean-style Ticino, north to Lake Lucerne, and then into the rich pastures and chocolate-box villages of the Saanenland.
DAY-BY-DAY ITINERARY
DAY ONE Arrive Geneva and train to Lausanne Travel by rail or by air from London to Geneva on your first day. Perhaps spend an hour or two exploring the city, home to fine watch-making, the headquarters of the UN, and the Jet d’ Eau fountain. From Geneva, catch a train along the northern shore of the lake to Lausanne. Lausanne Cathedral is believed to be one of Europe’ s most beautiful Gothic monuments, crowned by spires of unusual purple and orange hues. The promenade at Ouchy harbour takes you from the gardens along to the Haldimand Tower, the Bellerive Swimming Pool, the Chateau d’ Ouchy, and the port. You spend one night in Lausanne.
DAY TWO Lausanne to Zermatt Today you travel by train from Lausanne to Zermatt. This train journey takes just under three hours, pausing at Visp where you change trains for the narrow gauge, single track railway to the mountain resort of Zermatt. As you enter Zermatt, the area’ s crowning glory will make itself apparent: the Matterhorn. Around it, over 400km of walking and hiking paths vein the landscape, allowing you to capture stunning panoramas of both Zermatt and the Matterhorn while uncovering more of the Alpine flora and fauna. You spend two nights in Zermatt.
DAY THREE In Zermatt From Zermatt you can be transported high up into the mountains, reaching 3000m above sea level, and the Glacier Paradise cable car transports you up to Europe’ s highest viewing platform. To extend both your experience of the railways of Valais and the mountains, take the Gornergratbahn up to the summit of the Gornergrat, from where you can bask in views of 38 mountain peaks including the Matterhorn. Consider visiting the Hornlihutte, where for decades climbers have famously stayed as they prepare to climb the Matterhorn. In the evenings dine in one of Zermatt’ s abundant gourmet restaurants or back at your chosen hotel.
DAY FOUR Zermatt to Ascona on the Glacier Express and Centovalli Express You board the Glacier Express at Zermatt and travel through the enchanting village of St Niklaus, punctuated by alpine chalets, rustic houses, and golden and green trees, to Brig. Change trains for Domodossola, where the Centovalli Express railway begins in earnest. Reputedly one of the most romantic train journeys in Europe, the train will take you through picturesque small villages in both northern Italy and southern Switzerland. In Ticino, the Centovalli Express ends in Locarno and you transfer on to your hotel where you spend two nights.
DAY FIVE In Ascona From Ascona you can appreciate the Mediterranean feel of the canton of Ticino, but with the bustle of Locarno at a distance. In Locarno, however, you may wish to visit one of the many 16th and 17th century churches, the 15th century Sanctuary of the Madonna del Sasso, or the Visconti Castle and its permanent exhibition of Roman glass. Outside Locarno, adventurous guests may attempt to climb the Cadada Cimetta, from which you can see both the highest and lowest points of Switzerland simultaneously: the Valais High Alps and Lake Maggiore.
DAY SIX Ascona to Lucerne on the Gotthard Panorama Express train and boat You will next embark on a route shaped by the legend of the Swiss National Hero of Liberty: Wilhelm Tell. Begin this journey by catching a train to Bellinzona, where you may need to change for Fluelen. This train journey weaves its way along the valleys of Ticino, passing the waterfalls of Biasca and the town of Airolo. In Fluelen, disembark the train and board the Gotthard Panorama Express steamboat or salon motorboat as you begin the true exploration of Wilhelm Tell’ s story. Disembark from the boat at the lido of the Swiss Museum of Transport in Lucerne where you stay next. You spend two nights in Lucerne.
76 To speak to our specialist rail holidays team telephone 01392 441250 or see www. expressionsholidays. co. uk