Summertime Alpine Highlights & Swiss Mountain Railways

Itinerary

• Day 1

  Local departure by coach or Door-to-Door service, then to northern France for an overnight stay.

• Day 2

  Continue to our hotel in Switzerland for a six-night stay.

  Meals - Breakfast, Dinner

• Day 3 - Lucerne, Pilatusbahn Railway & Cable Car

  This morning, after breakfast, we travel to the charming city of Lucerne on our included excursion. Nestling amongst the foothills of the Alps, Lucerne is home to the Hofkirche Cathedral, Rittersche Palace and one of the finest baroque churches in Switzerland, the Jesuit church. Known as the ‘city of lights’, Lucerne has plenty to offer its visitor, from strolling around an art gallery, exploring the shops, or simply relaxing in one of the cafés. Be sure to visit the ‘Zytturm’, which boasts the oldest public clock in Lucerne. Dating from 1535 the clock always strikes the hour one minute ahead of all the other clocks in the city. During the day there will the chance to join an optional cruise on the lake. Then, this afternoon, why not join our optional excursion on the Pilatusbahn, the world’s steepest cog railway, to the summit of Mount Pilatus? The Pilatusbahn has been in operation since 1889 and climbs Mount Pilatus at a 48% gradient, rising 6,791 feet above sea level. The original passenger steam cars had an average speed of 2-3mph and took more than 1 hour to reach the summit. Today the electric cars run at 6mph and take just 30 minutes to reach the top. We descend the mountain by cable car, which offers some spectacular views of the area.

  Meals - Breakfast, Dinner

• Day 4 - Brienz & Interlaken

  Today our included excursion takes us over the scenic Brunig pass to the thousand-year-old town of Brienz. We have free time to explore the souvenir shops, perhaps visiting a wood carver’s workshop or catch a glimpse of the old steam engines at the Rothorn Railway. In the afternoon we continue along the shores of Lake Brienz, with its crystal clear greeny-blue water to the famous holiday resort of Interlaken. Situated between the lakes of Thun and Brienz and at the foot of the famous trio of peaks, the Eiger, Monch and the Jungfrau, the resort is rich in tradition.

  Meals - Breakfast, Dinner

• Day 5 - Free Time or Glacier Express

  Today’s optional excursion is a wonderful ride on the famous Glacier Express. We drive to Andermatt to join the train from Andermatt to Chur. Riding the ‘slowest express train in the world’ we climb through unforgettable scenery to the summit of the Oberalp Massif. Return by coach from Chur to our hotel.

  Please note that due to the timetable of the Glacier Express, our train journey may operate in reverse, from Chur to Andermatt.

  Meals - Breakfast, Dinner

• Day 6 - Jungfrau Region Railway

  Enjoy an unforgettable mountain experience as we enjoy an included ride aboard the Jungfrau Region Railway, Switzerland’s most popular mountain railway system. We board the railway in the village of Lauterbrunnen and travel up through the spectacular scenery to the Kleine Scheidegg Mountain pass, at the foot of the notorious Eiger North Wall. From Kleine Scheidegg we continue to the picturesque traditional mountain village of Grindelwald where you will have time at leisure to explore, and weather permitting, enjoy the magnificent views of the famous Eiger Mountain.

  Please note that due to track maintenance, the May 2024 departure will operate as a return journey from Lauterbrunnen to Kleine Scheidegg, and we will continue to Grindelwald by coach.

  Meals - Breakfast, Dinner

• Day 7 - Reichenbach Falls & Meiringen

  Set at the heart of the Hasliberg hiking region, the town of Meiringen is the destination of today’s included excursion. The creation of meringue and the death of Sherlock Holmes are the two claims to fame of the town. Sir Arthur Conan Doyle stayed in Meiringen many times and the town is now home to the fascinating Sherlock Holmes Museum (entrance extra). During the day we take the Reichenbach Falls Funicular Railway up to see the dramatic falls and scene of the deadly battle between Sherlock Holmes and Professor Moriarty.

  Meals - Breakfast, Dinner

• Day 8

  We leave Switzerland behind and make our way north through the French countryside to our overnight hotel on the outskirts of Paris.

  Meals - Breakfast

• Day 9

  Return home.

  Meals - Breakfast

Accommodation

You will stay for six nights at the 3-star Hotel Engel in Emmetten in the picturesque heart of Switzerland. 

Overnight stays in northern France and the Paris area will be in city-style hotels.