Kindly note the USD$ rates are subject to currency exchange rates and may vary at the time of booking
Day 1 | 11 October - London - Strasbourg (D)
We will meet the group at London St Pancras and board the Eurostar to Paris, continuing by rail to Strasbourg for the night
2 night’s in the Hotel Regent Contades, Strasbourg
We will have our welcome Group dinner in a local restaurant in Strasbourg (Included)
Day 2 | 12th October - Free Day (B)
We have the day at leisure to explore this beautiful city. The historic Old Town is dominated by the spectacular Notre Dame Cathedral with its famous astronomical clock. The Cathedral has remained unchanged since the Middle Ages, and clustered around it we'll find an impressive choice of museums, cafés and restaurants. The Grande Ile is a UNESCO World Heritage site in the midst of the River Ill and is the ancient heart of the city, with the vast main square, Place Kléber, at its centre. We will take our group dinner in a local restaurant (payable locally)
Day3 | 13th October – Strasbourg - Chur (B, D)
Today we continue our journey to Switzerland, travelling by train firstly to Basel, then onwards to Chur, the oldest city in Switzerland. We will have the afternoon to explore the city and weather permitting take the gondola up to the high plateau of Brambrüesch with its spectacular views. We will take our group dinner in the hotel (Included)
Day 4 | 14th October - Bernina Express to Tirano - Train to St Moritz (B,D)
Today we take our 1st class seats aboard the iconic Bernina Express to Tirano passing mighty glaciers, rushing mountain streams and Alpine meadows. The line has UNESCO World Heritage status, a testament to the incredible civil engineering required to create it, and to the breathtaking scenery surrounding it. Travelling south through 55 tunnels and over 196 bridges, including the incredible Landwasser Viaduct, the track clings to the mountainside as we wind above deep ravines and past idyllic waterfalls. From Tirano we take the train to St Moritz, the luxury Alpine resort in the Swiss Engadin valley known as the "birthplace of winter tourism" We will take our Group dinner in the hotel restaurant (Included)
Day 5 | 15th October - Free Day (B)
We have a free day to explore the beautiful city of St. Moritz. St. Moritz’s was originally famous for the discovery of mineral springs 3,000 years ago. It was known as a summer spa resort prior to the development of alpine tourism. Today the city is often referred to as the “festival hall of the Alps” due to harmonious lake scenery and frequent events. St. Moritz’ fascinating cultural heritage is influenced by German, Romansch and nearby Italian speaking populations. There is a wide range of activities like bobsledding, polo on a frozen lake, and hiking. It is also a cultural center with museums like the Segantini Museum, displaying the works of Giovanni Segantini, an Italian artist who spent his last years of life in this region and the Engadin Museum, exhibiting the region’s domestic culture with a series of historical rooms and recounted stories. The twenty-one rooms feature five hundred year old interiors that include chests, caskets and coffers. Plus there is the famous leaning tower, a 12th century landmark, originally part of the St Mauritius Church which leans at a 5.5 degree angle. We will take our Group dinner in a local restaurant (payable locally)
Day 6 | 16th October - St Moritz - Brig - Kandersteg (B,L,D)
Today we take the spectacular journey in the spacious 1st Class carriage aboard the panoramic Glacier Express. The Glacier Express offers one of the most breathtaking train journeys in the world, gliding leisurely across the Swiss Alps. Often called the “slowest express train,” it gives travellers ample time to soak in panoramic views of snow-capped peaks, deep gorges, peaceful valleys, and charming alpine villages through its enormous windows. The route winds over impressive viaducts like the Landwasser and climbs to the high Oberalp Pass, creating a sense of moving through a postcard come to life. One of the first stops about 10 minutes from St Moritz is Samedan. Nearby is Celerina, home to the Cresta Run. Built in 1884, this is one of the St Moritz area’s most famous attributes. The route takes you on to Bergrun, where you may wish to stop to visit the Bergun Railway Village, home to the Albula Railway Museum and the Railway Adventure Trail. Otherwise, ensure you take in the sight of the crystal-clear blue waters that run in the rivers. You then descend from Bergun and enter the Albula Tunnel at 1789 metres above sea level heading towards Filisur in a series of loops. Near here the Glacier Express traverses the UNESCO World Heritage Site of the Bernina Railway Line. One of the highlights of this stretch is the curve of the Landwasser viaduct, built in 1901. The train passes through Thusis and Tiefencastel, the latter of which has ochre-fronted houses, stunning, narrow stone bridges, and is crowned by a solitary tower. The Glacier Express will then take you through the Domleschg region, the area with the most castles and palaces in Switzerland. Some areas of this lush region resemble fairytale countryside, with paths sheltered by trees and shady groves. Next, you will pass through Chur, one of the oldest towns in Switzerland and the lowest altitude stop on this route, affectionately named the ‘Alpine City.’ Twisting streets, historic buildings, restaurants, bars, museums, galleries, boutiques, and a pedestrianised Old Town provide days of cultural entertainment to those staying for longer. From here, travel through the Ruinaulta, or Rhine Gorge, taking in one of the most picturesque landscapes in the Alps, which makes for a sensational experience. The winding river changes altitude beside the railway tracks, passing sheer white cliffs, hilltop towers, and slinking under arched viaducts. Nearby is Disentis which sits in the upper half of the Anterior Rhine, the Surselva. A large Benedictine monastery crowns the town, which is dominated by snow-capped chalets, mountain views, and is distinctive due to its proximity to the source of the Rhine in Tomasee. The train is heading for Andermatt and before here the Glacier Express takes you over the Oberalp Pass; a network of tunnels, viaducts, and winding roads and railway tracks. At its highest point, the Pass reaches 2044m above sea level, affording passengers in the panoramic carriages unforgettable, breath-taking views of undulating green countryside. Andermatt, nestled in the indomitable Gotthard Pass, initially avoided by the Romans, is an important North-South connection. Zig-zagging roads are dug into and supported above the craggy rocks, overlooking flat agricultural plains and clusters of white houses. The journey then continues through Fiesch and the Furka tunnel of the Furka Steam Railway that links Realp to Oberwald. This two-hour stretch weaves its way through the vast panoramas of the mountainsides, passing wooden chalets, the ice caves near the Rhone Glacier, old houses with moss-covered roofs and light stone walls, and the quaint river and bridge of Oberwald itself. Finally, the train reaches Brig in the valley, home to the 17th century Stockalper Castle, which is the emblem of Upper Valais and the largest private building built in the 17th century in the country. From Brig the train starts to climb up the valley sides again, towards St Niklaus, a village in a valley landscape punctuated by alpine chalets, rustic houses with peaked roofs, and a smattering of golden and green trees. Zermatt is at the end of the line, a majestic mountain resort, overlooked by the mighty Matterhorn.
Departing from St Moritz 08:38 Arriving at Brig 15:40
Departing from Brig 16:36 Arriving at Kandersteg 17:13. We disembark the Glacier Express at Brig where we continue our journey by train to Kandersteg. Our home for 3 nights. We will take our group dinner in a local restaurant (Included).
Day 7 | 17th October - Kandersteg (B)
Today we have included a round trip on the Kandersteg - Oeschinen Lake cable car. The hiking trails in the Oeschinensee area are open and accessible with good footwear. The hiking time to Lake Oeschinen is about 1 hour. This vast glacial lake is fed by several brooks from surrounding mountain peaks, and the area is a joy to explore. Here we can wander at our leisure or join a guide for a hike with a chance to learn more about the local flora and fauna. Or we can simply find a peaceful spot to enjoy the sound of cowbells, clear mountain air and pretty Alpine flowers. We have our group evening meal tonight in a local restaurant (payable locally)
Day 8 | 18th October - Zermatt (B)
Today we visit the charming resort of Zermatt, travelling firstly to Brig, where we join a narrow-gauge train that takes us alongside the River Rhône to Visp. Here, we board the mountain railway, passing picture-perfect vistas as we travel through eight tunnels and across 42 bridges. Finally, we reach Zermatt, nestled below the peak of the Matterhorn. With free time here, we have the opportunity to visit the fascinating Matterhorn Museum or we may like to travel to the summit of the Gornergrat by funicular railway, a six-mile journey on the highest open-air railway on the continent, with fabulous views of the Matterhorn We will take our Group evening meal tonight in a local restaurant (payable locally)
Day 9 | 19th October (B) Kandersteg – London
Our holiday draws to an end today as we leave Kandersteg for Paris. Here, we board the Eurostar back to London St Pancras to say our fond farewells.
Diva Destinations hosts throughout your stay
1st Class Rail travel on the world famous Glacier Express & the historic Bernina Express
Private coach transfers in Paris taking us on to our next rail journey from Paris to Strasbourg
Return Eurostar to Paris
All Rail Travel as detailed in our itinerary
Cable car in Oenschinense from Kandersteg
7 Day Swiss Rail Pass
2 night’s in 4* hotel in Strasbourg
1 night in 4* hotel in Chur
2 night’s 4* hotel in St Moritz
3 nights 4* hotel in Kandersteg
7 breakfasts and 4 dinners
100% Financial protection
10-15
Embark on a journey like no other as we take you on an unforgettable rail adventure through the heart of the Swiss Alps. 🏔️ Sit back, relax, and let the scenic wonders unfold before your eyes. 🌄 From lush valleys to towering peaks, every moment on the Glacier Express & Bernina Express will leave you in awe. 🚂
🚂 Ride two Iconic Swiss Trains, The Glacier & Bernina Express, during our Swiss Alps Adventure. The Glacier Express is renowned as one of the world's most spectacular train rides, and for good reason! 🌠 Traverse picturesque landscapes, charming villages, and iconic landmarks, all while enjoying luxurious comfort on board. 🛋️The Bernina Express ride will take your breath away - with its jaw-dropping Alpine views as we make our way through picturesque villages, crossing stunning viaducts, and spiralling up mountainsides as we ride into St Moritz.
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