BY RAIL
GRAND LAKES OF SWITZERLAND RAIL TOUR
11 nights / 12 days From £ 3,345 per person
Lake Geneva
LAKE GENEVA • SAANENLAND • BERNESE OBERLAND • LAKE LUCERNE • GOTTHARD • LAKE LUGANO • BERNINA PASS • LAKE ZURICH
Linking the most breath-taking and sublime lakes in Switzerland, this grand rail tour stops off beside the main Swiss lakes, plus the lakes of St Moritz, Sils, Silvaplana, Fallboden, Thun, and Brienz. This grand rail touring holiday captures the varied spirit of these lakes as well as the nearby villages, towns, and cities.
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. Catch a train along the northern shore of the lake to Lausanne. You stay here for two nights.
DAY TWO In Lausanne During your time in Lausanne, choose from its many elegant attractions. 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 takes you from the gardens of the Olympic Park along to the Haldimand Tower, the Bellerive Swimming Pool, the Chateau d’ Ouchy, and the port.
DAY THREE Lausanne to Grindelwald on the GoldenPass Line The next leg of your journey takes you to the eastern point of Lake Geneva, in Montreux, home to Chillon Castle. In Montreux, change trains to the GoldenPass Line and zig-zag your way up to higher ground as you begin the journey to Grindelwald in the Bernese Oberland. Ascend to Schoenried, and then to Zweisimmen, the so-called‘ gateway’ to the Saanenland. Pass through flourishing natural beauty in the Nature Park of Diemtigtal and trace the shores of Lake Thun before you reach Interlaken, where you change trains for Grindelwald. You spend two nights in Grindelwald.
DAY FOUR In Grindelwald The enchanting chocolate box villages of Grindelwald and Wengen afford stunning views of the surroundings from your location at over 1,000m above sea level. Travel by funicular railway up to Jungfraujoch, the highest railway station in Europe, to appreciate the stunning views. For hiking trails, take cable cars up to the Monch and the Eiger, or simply follow the softer trails that lead out of Grindelwald. Complete or begin your stay in Grindelwald with a self-guided stroll between the rustic wooden chalet houses.
DAY FIVE Grindelwald to Lucerne Leave Grindelwald at about midday, changing trains at Interlaken, to arrive into Lucerne at around 3pm. This journey takes you along the extension of the GoldenPass line, a scenic journey past many of the sparkling lakes of central Switzerland. You spend three nights in Lucerne.
DAYS SIX AND SEVEN In Lucerne An essential visit on any stay in Lucerne is the Chapel
Bridge, the city’ s main landmark and the most photographed monument in Switzerland. Walk along the bridge, taking in the views of the Reuss River, the so-called Water Spike, and the Water Tower. Enjoy lunch in a pavement café on the Kornmarkt Square, beside the colourful Pfistern Guildhall, the Hirschenplatz Square, or the Weinmarkt Square, where Lucerne swore its federal oath with Schwyz, Uri, and Unterwalden. Finish your days with a sumptuous dinner back at your hotel, or in one of Lucerne’ s many gourmet restaurants.
DAY EIGHT Lucerne to Lugano on the Gotthard Panorama Express Heading south, the Gotthard Panorama Express begins with either a salon motorboat or a steamboat. When you reach Fluelen, board the Gotthard Panorama Express train on your way to Lugano. When you reach Bellinzona, disembark for the train to Lugano. This is the most Italianate town in Switzerland, distinctive because of its three medieval castles that stand on hilly bluffs and form a united UNESCO World Heritage Site. The journey from Bellinzona to Lugano is an incredibly short one, bringing you into Lugano at around half two in the afternoon. You spend two nights here.
80 To speak to our specialist rail holidays team telephone 01392 441250 or see www. expressionsholidays. co. uk