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Lake Geneva, Chamonix & Mont Blanc

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4.4 stars(52 reviews)
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Discover picturesque Swiss towns and journey on the classic Mont Blanc Express

You are viewing the 2023 itinerary. Select your departure year
20232024
7 days From £999 per person
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2023 Tour code: 23GLL

About the tour

From your idyllic base in the Alps, get to the heart of picture-book resort towns bursting with traditional Swiss charms, marvel at the mighty Matterhorn and take an iconic trip on the elegant Mont Blanc Express.

Highlights

What’s included

Itinerary

Day 1 - London & Leysin

From London St Pancras, you take the Eurostar to Paris and continue by rail to Geneva. From here, journey to the ski resort of Leysin, your home for the next six nights.

Includes
  • Dinner
Day 2 - Leysin

You're free to get to know Leysin, a lesser-known Alpine gem filled with charming chalet-style buildings, set at the eastern end of Lake Geneva beneath the Vaudoises Alps. You could journey into the mountains with a cable car trip to the summit of Berneuse, a magical experience that allows you to admire the beautiful landscapes from above. At the top is the famous revolving restaurant, Le Kuklos, where you could enjoy lunch enhanced by panoramic mountain views.

Includes
  • Breakfast, Dinner
Day 3 - The Mont Blanc Express

Board the Mont Blanc Express for a journey through the Chamonix Valley, on a line that dates back over a century. Sit back and relax as you're whisked past an Alpine backdrop of dense forests, azure mountain lakes and noble peaks on your way to Chamonix-Mont-Blanc. You're free to explore here. Chamonix is a classic Alpine resort with glorious mountain panoramas, the jewel in the crown of which is Mont Blanc, the highest mountain in the Alps. There are Baroque churches and idyllic chapels to explore, and a charming main street filled with shops, restaurants and cafés. You could find a spot to unwind and sample traditional Swiss fare. Fondue or raclette are must-try dishes for cheese lovers, or maybe opt for a crispy potato rösti, one of the tastiest Swiss national dishes.

Please note, on some late season departures the Mont Blanc Express is occasionally changed over to the Montenvers Mountain Railway due to engineering works. This charming cogwheel train takes you safely to the Montenvers station, an unforgettable journey where you can marvel at the famous Mer de Glace.

 

Includes
  • Breakfast, Dinner
Day 4 - Zermatt

Today you visit Zermatt, an idyllic town hidden beneath the peak of the mighty Matterhorn that showcases Switzerland at its chocolate-box best. You have free time to explore here, and the car-free streets make the town perfect for a relaxed stroll. For an insight into the history of the area and its most famous mountain, you could head to the Matterhorn Museum. Or, to make the most of the scenic panoramas, you could take a journey on the Gornergrat Railway, rising into the clouds before emerging at the summit of the Gornergrat.

Includes
  • Breakfast, Dinner
Day 5 - Leysin

Today is free to explore using your included Swiss Travel Card. You might choose to take the train to the lake, where you could visit the Lavaux vineyards; centuries-old terraced vineyards that line the slopes arising from the waters. Here, you could enjoy a walk through the vines and stop to sample the excellent local produce. Alternatively, you could visit Lausanne, the second largest city on Lake Geneva, and wander through its Old Town, dominated by a beautiful cathedral.

Includes
  • Breakfast, Dinner
Day 6 - Montreux

Take the train to charming Montreux, situated in a beautiful, sheltered bay on the shores of Lake Geneva. Enjoy the picturesque setting of vineyard-covered hillsides contrasting with the striking blue lake and snow-capped peaks of the distant Alps. In summer the town has a mild Mediterranean feel, with palm and cypress trees lining its promenades. With free time, you might like to stroll along the pretty promenade to Château de Chillon, an impressive fortress just a short distance from the town. Set beneath the ancient Dents du Midi Mountains, the medieval Château de Chillon resembles a fairytale castle. This evening, back at your hotel, you enjoy a final dinner with your group - the perfect chance to reminisce and share your holiday stories.

Includes
  • Breakfast, Dinner
Day 7 - London

Leaving Leysin and Switzerland behind, you travel by rail to Paris, via Geneva, where you board the Eurostar service to London St Pancras.

Includes
  • Breakfast

Additional information

Departure times

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.

Mobility information

Due to the nature of our tours they are generally unsuitable for those with restricted mobility. If you’d like to discuss any particular holiday with us in this respect, then please don’t hesitate to call us.

Hotel

Hotel Central Résidence

Hotel Central Résidence, Leysin

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Trains

Eurostar
The TGV
The Mont Blanc Express

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UK rail connections
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Reviews

4.4 stars4.4 / 5 · 52 reviews

  1. 5 stars
    (28)
  2. 4 stars
    (18)
  3. 3 stars
    (4)
  4. 2 stars
    (2)
  5. 1 star
    (0)

Mr Michael Bravery

4 stars

Submitted 24 Oct 2022

Wonderful holiday but very tiring.

Collected by Trustpilot

R Taylor

5 stars

Submitted 24 Oct 2022

Excellent in every respect!

Collected by Trustpilot

J Pownceby

4 stars

Submitted 19 Oct 2022

It was a lovely holiday, but shame that the Mont Blanc express was closed for engineering works. However, totally appreciate that was beyond Rail Discoveries' control, as was the heavy mist on the Saturday, and some on the Sunday.. The others were all blue sky and sunshine! Hotel was in gorgeous location with spacious, comfortable rooms and balconies affording splendid views. Food was served buffet style but with plenty of choice, including for vegetarians, and of good quality. Tour manager was friendly and helpful. Trip to Lake Geneva - Montreux, and option of boat trip which most people took, and visit to Chillon castle, which a few took, we did both!- was spectacular. Visits to Chamonix and Zermatt also very good, and nice to have free days. Village of Leysin, where hotel was situated, made for a very relaxing first day and .proximity of Lausanne with its stunning cathedral, and Vevey on shore of Lake Geneva mad it a must for the other free day, especially after two long days of travel. Well organised.and a very enjoyable experience. Switzerland isn't cheap! But scenery is wonderful.

Collected by Trustpilot

Kate Dumelow

4 stars

Submitted 19 Oct 2022

Thought that we perhaps should have been told how long the journey was,then perhaps we would have been more settled on the journey.

Collected by Trustpilot

Ronald Dawes

5 stars

Submitted 19 Oct 2022

Excellent trip led by Steve. Pity the Mont Blanc Express was not running but replacement visits on route ro/from Chamonix by coach were well thought out would recommend this trip to anyone wanting to go to the French speaking part of Switzerland

Collected by Trustpilot

John Owen

5 stars

Submitted 19 Oct 2022

Excellent holiday. Well organised. Good quality hotel, food and transport. Superb Tour Manager who kept us informed and well organised. Altogether a great experience. Special mention for Steve Kember who was perhaps the best Tour Manager I've expereinced.

Collected by Trustpilot

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Lake Geneva, Chamonix & Mont Blanc

Discover picturesque Swiss towns and journey on the classic Mont Blanc Express

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