Swiss Alpine Glories And The Goldenpass Train

Itinerary

Day 1

Upon arrival, meet your tour manager and make the scenic transfer by coach to Chateau d’Oex and your hotel. Settle in and get to know your surroundings, and depending upon your time of arrival, take a stroll through the village before dinner is served.

Day 2

This wonderful week-long tour commences with an included full-day excursion to nearby Gruyères, the famous cheese-producing village that is also a medieval gem with an exquisite flower-decked, cobbled main square. Enjoy a demonstration of the cheese-making process (entrance to the factory and museum payable locally), which combines ultra-modern technology with centuries’-old traditions, and soak up the atmosphere of this most typically Swiss of villages, before returning to Chateau d’Oex.

Day 3

Today you can discover and explore Switzerland’s historic capital city, Bern, on an optional tour. With its medieval houses, great churches and wonderful covered shopping arcades all huddled together above a sweeping meander in the River Aare, Bern is one of the world’s most picturesque capitals. One of its most unusual features is the fascinating mechanical clock, be sure to hear – and see – it strike the hour. We return to Chateau d’Oex in the late afternoon, time-permitting making a call in the charming town of Fribourg, an ancient university seat boasting an especially attractive Old Town, with haphazardly arranged houses on cobbled streets sloping steeply away from the River Sarine.

Day 4

Join your tour manager this morning for an included panoramic tour of your stunning Alpine surrounds. Call at the picturesque timber-lined village of Gstaad in the Bernese Oberland, an upscale ski resort previously graced by the likes of George Clooney and Madonna. Enjoy a stroll around this charming village and its designer boutiques, which is framed by a scenic mountain backdrop, before continuing to Les Diablerets in neighbouring Ormont-Dessus. Sitting in the shadow of the eponymous mountain peak, which rises to 3,210m above sea level, the village of Les Diablerets is a popular resort, occupying three of the area’s main ski areas. Savour the dramatic scenery as you explore this lively mountain resort, perhaps pausing for a spot of lunch (payable locally) before the tour continues through more picturesque scenery and back to Chateau d’Oex.

Day 5

Today is free for you to explore Chateau d’Oex and its surroundings a little further. In the heart of the Pays d’Enhaut (Upper Country) region, the village has been a favourite of Newmarket guests for over 30 years and offers everything to ensure a memorable stay. For the energetic, there’s a fine outdoor pool (open mid-May until early Sept), a super sports complex, riding stables, mini-golf, ten pin bowling, tennis courts and miles of walking trails. A trio of fascinating museums chronicle life in this corner of Switzerland, the history of cheese-making, and, thanks to the village’s world renown as a hot-air-balloon centre, the magnificent men (and women) and their flying baskets! During the day, there’s the option to join a delightful guided walk along the bank of the babbling River Sarine, which winds its way through the forests and green pastures of the beautiful valley. This gentle, maximum four-mile easy hike, which will cross the historic Pont de Turrain suspension bridge en route to the beautiful Ramaclé Waterfall, will be the perfect way to enjoy the idyllic countryside surrounding the village and its neighbours.

Day 6

Today’s included excursion heads to the sun-kissed shores of Lake Geneva, travelling on the spectacular GoldenPass Train through the heart of the Swiss wine-producing Valais region to the fashionable resort of Montreux. You’ll enjoy a fantastic panoramic view as the train rolls gently down the mountains and through a picturesque patchwork of vineyards, framed by a dramatic mountain backdrop and the shores of Lake Geneva. Basking in a microclimate, sheltered from the north wind by the Alps, Montreux is home to the famous Jazz Festival, has a delightful lakefront promenade and a host of shops and stores. Close by, brooding Chateau Chillon, Switzerland’s most famous landmark, guards the dark secrets of the past, and makes for a fascinating visit. Enjoy some free time to explore before your return train later.

Day 7

Today's final optional excursion heads into the beautiful Bernese Oberland. Travelling through stunning countryside, you’ll take in scenic Lake Thun and the famous resort town of Interlaken, overlooked by the snow-capped peaks of the Jungfrau range, and one of Switzerland’s most popular places to shop. From here, journey to the truly spectacular resort of Grindelwald, famously set at the foot of the mighty Eiger, before making the scenic journey back to Chateau d’Oex at the end of a memorable day.

Day 8

Bid farewell to your Alpine idyll, returning to Geneva Airport for the return flight, after a memorable few days. Back to top

Further Information

Travelling to Europe

Rules may have changed since you last travelled to European Union countries and Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland. The following are useful guidelines which will help you prepare for your next adventure. Note that these new rules do NOT apply when travelling within the United Kingdom or to the Channel Islands, the Isle of Man or the Republic of Ireland. You do require government issued ID when travelling by air though. Names - It is very important that all passenger names are exactly as per your passport although we do not require middle names. Passport - Your passport must meet two requirements to travel to an EU country and to Switzerland, Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein. It must be: Less than 10 years old on the day you return home (please check the "date of issue") and valid for at least 3 months after the day you return home (please check the "expiry date"). These rules do not apply to travel to Ireland where you can continue to use your passport as long as it’s valid for the length of your stay. Visa - If you’re a tourist, you do not need a visa for short trips to most EU countries, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland. You’ll be able to stay for up to 90 days in any rolling 180-day period. Different rules will apply to Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus and Romania; if you visit these countries, visits to other EU countries will not count towards the 90-day total. Travel to Ireland will not change and stays there will not count towards the 90-day total. European Travel Information & Authorisation System (ETIAS) - Commencing in 2023, all citizens of the United Kingdom will require a ETIAS electronic form completed prior to their arrival into the EU and Schengen member countries. The cost for this travel authorisation will be €7.00 per person with exceptions for under 18’s and over 70’s. The latest information and further details can be found at www.etias.com. Border Control - At border control, you may need to show proof of your return journey - your travel documentation issued by us will be sufficient for this. You will also need to use separate lanes from EU, EEA and Swiss citizens if manual checks are required. Healthcare Cover - You should always get appropriate travel insurance with healthcare cover before you go abroad which covers pre-existing conditions. You should understand the terms and conditions of your travel insurance and be happy with its cover for healthcare and travel disruption. Newmarket sell a comprehensive travel insurance policy. Ask our travel consultants for more information. You should also apply for a UK Global Heath Insurance Card (GHIC) which lets you get urgent state healthcare in Europe at a reduced cost or sometimes for free. Note GHIC is only valid in EU countries and not in Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland. Back to top