Free standard class return tickets to London from your local station, on selected 2019 European holidays by rail when you book between 15th February 2019 and the 10th May 2019.
Discover the magnificent scenery of Switzerland on this fabulous tour. Enjoying an all inclusive stay, we explore elegant St Moritz, Tirano and beautiful Arosa, as well as journeying on the world famous Glacier Express.
After meeting your Tour Manager at our dedicated St Pancras Departure Office, take the Eurostar service to Paris. You change trains here for Strasbourg where you spend the night. After some free time on Day 2, continue by rail to Tiefencastel via Basel and Chur. On arrival check in to the 3* Hotel Albula & Julier.
Today travel by rail to St Moritz, along the UNESCO-listed Albula Railway line. A pioneering project, the line traverses the steep valleys with an array of spiralling loops - offering incredible views of the beautiful scenery. Following the journey you will arrive in St Moritz, a town synonymous with glamour. This town was the original cradle of tourism in Switzerland and it's easy to see why, the spectacular surrounding scenery of soaring mountain peaks and the crystal clear waters of the lake make for a charming atmosphere. In St Moritz you can explore independently - enjoy some serious people watching from one of the pavement cafés, partake in some window shopping at the chic boutiques in the town, or perhaps ascend the Diavolezza cable car, reaching 9,970 feet (3,039m) for a wonderful panorama - before making the return trip.
Embark on an excursion on the Bernina Express today, one of the highlights of this tour. The line winds its way over steep ravines and past wild waterfalls, travelling through countless tunnels and over almost 200 separate bridges. Journey through the Engadine Valley and the Albula Tunnel and cross the Bernina Pass, ascending to around 7000 ft and traversing the spiralling distinctive Brusio Viaduct on your way to Tirano in northern Italy. The railway line is over 100 years old and has been rewarded with UNESCO World Heritage status - as a testament to the incredible civil engineering that was required to create the line, as well as for the breathtaking scenery through which it travels. You have some free time in this idyllic town before returning to Tiefencastel for dinner.
Spend Day 5 at leisure in Tiefencastel. The Church of St. Stefan is listed as a Swiss heritage site, as the first mention of the building goes back as early as 1343. In 1650 it was rebuilt and expanded by the Capuchin monks, and at this time it was adorned with the extensive wood carvings and paintings you can still see today. Alternatively, as the town is situated within Parc Ela, Switzerland's largest Natural Park, there are plenty of marked walks in the area, all set amongst stunning scenery. Otherwise why not visit the Albula Railway Museum in nearby Bergun? You can enjoy 50% fares on local transport with your Rail Discoveries Tailor-Made Swiss Card.
Board the train to Chur this morning, where you join the Arosa Line. This stunning journey climbs from Chur, crossing the elegant Langwieser Viaduct, before reaching charming, lakeside Arosa where you have time to explore and to drink in the views. Later you return to Chur, Switzerland's oldest town. You have time to discover the historic centre, home to the 12th century cathedral and the arcaded Rathaus (Town Hall) which dates back to 1464. There are also many pedestrianised streets here for you to explore, boasting a fantastic selection of shops. Alternatively you may like to enrich your mind at one of Chur's museums.
Enjoy another free day on Day 7, in which to make the most of your surroundings and take advantage of discounted fares using your Rail Discoveries Tailor-Made Swiss Card. The Swiss rail network is renowned for being amongst the most efficient and well run in the world; combined with Switzerland's fantastic scenery there is never a lack of places to discover by rail.
Experience the climax of your tour today as you depart Tiefencastel, travelling back to Chur where you connect with the iconic Glacier Express, affectionately known for being the slowest express train in the world. Travelling along the narrowgauge railway, idyllic vistas unfold as you wind through striking ravines and snow-covered peaks, making your way towards Andermatt. The train features fantastic panoramic windows which afford superb views of the delightful Alpine scenery for which Switzerland is known. From the comfort of your seat, pass through neat vineyards, charming Alpine meadows and woodland rising up to meet the mountains. After snaking its way down into the beautiful Rhône Valley the Glacier Express makes its final approach into Brig. Here you will change trains, and head on to Basel, for an overnight stay.
After breakfast, join the high-speed train from Basel to Paris. Here, connect with the Eurostar service, which transports you back to London St Pancras, where your tour comes to an end.
Provisional departure and return times, where available, can be found together with dates and prices by clicking on the 'Prices & Availability' button. We will write to you around 10 weeks before your departure date with the precise meeting times for your tour group.
Not Included
Please note: This tour may be suitable for reduced mobility passengers, please call for further information.
of travellers would recommend this tour
Tour Rating
based on 14 verified reviews
Well organised with a great tour manager and with the added bonus of very good weather.
We had a great time saw some wonderful scenery and fulfilled a childhood dream of going to Switzerland, I read Heidi
Good value but the hotel could improve.
It exceeded our expectations. Despite a timetable issue, which our tour guide sorted out, the whole holiday ran smoothly and was most enjoyable.
The Tour manager was excellent, just the right amount of hands on, the organisation was great, everything ran smoothly, and food was good.
Overall the tour was good, however, we considered the "all inclusive" tag limiting. It would have been nice to have returned to the hotel and at least have coffee available. Alternatively do away with the "all inclusive" tag and do away with the packed lunches. Ideally we would have liked to arrive in Strasbourg earlier on the first day and waste less time on the second day's travelling by leaving Strasbourg earlier. The arrival at Tiefencastel was too late and we were rushed down to dinner. Again on the return journey we were late arriving in Basel and rushed to dinner.
Very well organised and with an exceptionally pleasant tour guide. Good hotels and the rail experience, although exhausting, was very enjoyable.
It would have been 5 star had the food been slightly better in hotel
Good traveling companions good scenery good trains,
wonderful holiday with amazing views in the company of like minded people and a tour manager who dealt with the many difficulties in a calm and measured manner.
Majestic mountains and superb rail journeys
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