Glacier Express New Year Magic By Rail

Itinerary

6 Day Itinerary

• Dec 28

  Make your own way to London St. Pancras International where you will meet your friendly Tour Manager and board the Eurostar to Paris. We then join the high-speed train to Basel and onward train to Lucerne. We check in at our hotel for a relaxing evening.

• Dec 29 - Lucerne Guided Walking Tour

  After breakfast, we are joined by a local guide who will take us on a walking tour of Lucerne. Considered to be one of Switzerland’s most beautiful cities, Lucerne occupies an enviable position on the banks of Lake Lucerne, where the River Reuss meets the lake. Colourful, pitched‑roof buildings perch on the edge of the lake, framed by the surrounding mountain range. The city is also home to impressive medieval architecture, and some of the highlights include the world‑famous Chapel Bridge, the Musegg Wall, the Jesuit Church, the Spreuer Bridge and the Lion Monument. Lucerne’s old town boulevard lies between City Hall and Chapel Bridge along the River Reuss and is lined with restaurants and bars; it’s a perfect spot to stroll and take in the atmosphere.

  You’ll have free time to explore further this afternoon – why not use your Lucerne Visitor Card for free transportation in Lucerne and discounts on cableways, mountain railways and museums? Dinner is included at the hotel this evening.

  Meals - Breakfast, Dinner

• Dec 30 - Glacier Express

  We have breakfast at the hotel before taking the train from Lucerne to Andermatt or Chur, from where we board the Glacier Express train for a memorable journey.

  The Glacier Express, known as the world’s slowest express train, travels across the Alps. The entire route takes roughly eight hours, passing through 91 tunnels and over 291 bridges. The famous Oberalp Pass begins in Andermatt, where the Glacier Express winds its way up to 2,034m – the highest point of this journey and the source of the River Rhine. The landscape is dramatic in the Rhine Gorge between Ilanz and Reichenau, where the river carves deep into the white rocks – it’s easy to see why this region is often referred to as ‘the Grand Canyon of Switzerland’. After Reichenau, the train reaches Chur, the capital of the canton of Graubünden and the largest town along the route.

  After our memorable journey on board the Glacier Express, we take the train back to Lucerne and enjoy dinner at the hotel this evening.

  Meals - Breakfast, Dinner

• New Year's Eve - Free Time in Lucerne

  Enjoy a leisurely day in Lucerne. You can utilise your Lucerne Visitor Card, which offers free transportation in Lucerne, as well as discounts on excursions.

  This evening, we gather in the hotel for a seven‑course New Year’s Eve gala dinner, including a glass of champagne at midnight!

  Meals - Breakfast, Dinner

• New Year's Day - Cogwheel Railway & Mount Rigi

  Happy New Year! After a leisurely morning, we take the boat from Lucerne to Vitznau, followed by the cogwheel railway to Mount Rigi, where there’s free time to enjoy the breathtaking panoramic views across the Alps and of Lake Lucerne below.

  We then take the train to Arth‑Goldau and return to the hotel for our final evening meal.

  Meals - Breakfast, Dinner

• Jan 2

  We depart in the morning, retracing our route to Paris for our return journey by Eurostar back to London St. Pancras International. After arriving in London, you will make your own way home.

  Meals - Breakfast

Accommodation

You will stay for five nights at the 3-star Hotel Waldstätterhof in Lucerne.