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Scenic Switzerland by Rail
9 DAYS FROM £1215

This holiday has departures available between: 29th Apr 2011 to 23rd Sep 2011
1630Jack & Christine BrownUK Our group of Americans; Australians, and Brits. met with our delightful guide Firenze in Zurich, and together we boarded a train on the following morning to the picturesque city of Lucerne. Some took the Lake Excursion whilst others explored the beauty of the surroundings on foot in brilliant sunshine. The Folknight aquainted us with some Swiss culture and cuisine.

The next day we took the Golden Pass train for a memorable journey to Lausanne. The delights of the day were not only the spectacular scenery, but visiting towns of interest en-route, including Meringen; Interlaken, and Gstaad.

Our Guide was experimenting with individual radio headsets to give us awareness of items of special interest as we walked around; and to brief us on the daily programmes.

On the shores of Lake Geneva we travelled to the beautiful resort of Montreaux with it's extensive floral promenade stretching to the impressive Chillon Castle. After lunch we travelled by an excellent train to Visp; thence by rack-railway to the delightful care-free ski resort of Zermatt. Two nights in the exceptionally pleasant family-run Hotel Walliserhof, were interspersed with our exciting (and cold) trip to the Gornergrat summit. Sadly the Matterhorn was mostly cloud covered.

Our eagerly anticipated next train adventure was the Glacier Express the whole way to St. Moritz, and all on narrow gauge. We were not disappointed with the spectacular scenery through the Alps - from fertile green valleys through long tunnels to emerge to thick snow everywhere!
Our next two nights were in the comfortable Sporthotel Baeren in up-market St. Moritz.
From St. Moritz we took the Bernina Express train (one-in-fourteen gradients without racks!) to Tirano in Italy. The line features viaducts rather than tunnels; with amazing views both up in Alp Grum or down by Lake Poschiavo. Tirano was well worth the visit for it's beautiful Cathedral and picturesque Old Town.

Next day, leaving the snow of St. Moritz, we boarded our train for the last time and relaxed our way back to Zurich via Klosters - no Royal visitors in sight!

Back in Zurich we had the opportunity to re-visit the City using local trams, or relax in the Novotel swimming pool. Sadly we said our goodbyes having made many friends.

Yet again, the Archers quality is sustained for another different and fascinating holiday. yes1Brown - Scenic Switzerland1.JPGBrown - Scenic Switzerland1_TN.JPGMy holiday photos: Scenic Switzerland by Rail292178Brown - Scenic Switzerland2.JPGBrown - Scenic Switzerland2_TN.JPGMy holiday photos: Scenic Switzerland by Rail2921781630Wendy HillaryUKI have just got back from our scenic tour of Switzerland and it was fantastic, your company are so professional and everything went according to plan. It was our first time using Archers Direct and as you know we are also doing the Spain/Portugal tour with your company in September which we are looking very much forward to. A lot of people on our tour didn't know about your company so of course we enlightened them and gave them your website address. Thank you and your company for our fantastic holiday which was to celebrate our 40th wedding anniversary.no11630Mrs S EvansNottinghamshire Having recently experienced the Scenic Rail Tour of Switzerland, which was fantastic, I want to tell you about our Tour Manager, Christian Lucchini.

This young man is exceptionally good at his job. He is very enthusiastic and knowledgeable, giving us the history of the country, towns and villages we visited.

He was very respectful of the elder members of the group and also the single travellers (like myself). He was available 24 hours if required.

Christian worked tremendously hard to ensure our entire journey was superb, and did this always with a pleasant manner and a happy smile.

We all felt that he had contributed a great deal and added something extra to our wonderful holiday. no1Evans - Scenic Rail Tour.JPGEvans - Scenic Rail Tour_TN.JPGMy holiday photos: Scenic Switzerland by Rail292178Evans - Scenic Rail Tour Mountains.JPGEvans - Scenic Rail Tour Mountains_TN.JPGMy holiday photos: Our wonderful tour guide292178Evans - Scenic Rail Tour St Bernards.JPGEvans - Scenic Rail Tour St Bernards_TN.JPGMy holiday photos: Mountain rescue dogs292178
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Enjoy wonderful views of awesome, unspoilt alpine beauty on this unforgettable rail journey around the heart of Switzerland.

All this included

Lucerne Visit
Golden Pass Train
Interlaken Visit
Lausanne Visit
Montreux Visit
Zermatt Visit
Gornergrat Train
Glacier Express
St Moritz Visit
Bernina Express
Klosters Visit
Zurich Visit
Daytime train journeys in a first class carriage (except where specified)
Individual Audio System you will be given headphones and a receiver so you can always hear the tour director/local guides on the coach and on visits.

Flights: UK - Zurich - UK
Accommodation on tour in twin room with private facilities
Meals on tour 8 breakfasts (B) and 3 dinners (D)
Daytime train journeys in a 1st class carriage
Professional tour director on tour
Porterage at hotels and train stations during tour (for one suitcase per person)
Note: You will be responsible for carrying/guarding your own hand luggage throughout the tour
Transfers between overseas airport and hotels
All local and airport taxes/service charges
Single share option no supplement to pay

Holiday Itinerary

DAY 1: UK - Zurich.
Fly to Zurich where you will be met by our representative and transferred to your hotel for one night. (D)

DAY 2: Zurich - Lucerne.
Today, take the train from Zurich to Lucerne. Lucerne is one of Switzerland's most idyllic medieval cities, surrounded by a beautiful lake and nestling amidst snow-capped Alps. The rest of the day is at leisure to discover the delights of this charming city. You can also choose to get to know the town by taking one of our optional excursions. (B)

DAY 3: Lucerne - Golden Pass train to Lausanne.
Leave Lucerne this morning via the Golden Pass Panoramic train. Beginning in Lucerne, cross the Brunig Pass en-route to Interlaken. Enjoy a stop in Interlaken for time at leisure. Afterwards, rejoin the Golden Pass train which continues its scenic journey to Lausanne, where you will spend the night. (B)

DAY 4: Lausanne - Montreux - Zermatt.
This morning depart for the delightful Swiss mountain resort of Zermatt. En-route to Zermatt, stop in the town of Montreux on the 'Swiss Riviera' of lake Geneva for time at leisure. Alternatively, an optional excursion to Chillon is available with the opportunity to enjoy its castle, with the aid of a local guide. Spend two nights in Zermatt. (B, D)

DAY 5: Zermatt. Gornergrat excursion.
Today, enjoy an included visit to the famous Gornergrat, travelling onboard Europe's highest rack-railway. The rest of the day will be spent in Zermatt - there is a variety of interesting shops, cafés, bars and narrow streets for you to explore at your leisure. (B)

DAY 6: Zermatt - Glacier Express to St Moritz.
The train journey today aboard the spectacular Glacier Express is certain to be one of the highlights of the tour. The train will take you on an unforgettable journey as it makes its way through the unspoilt natural beauty of the Alps on its direct route from Zermatt to the world famous mountain resort of St Moritz. Arrive in St Moritz in the early evening where you will stay for two nights. (B, D)

DAY 7: St Moritz - Bernina Express - St Moritz.
Today, take the Bernina Express train for one of Europe's most spectacular and breath-taking train rides. Travel the short distance by coach from St Moritz to Pontresina where you will board the Bernina Express. Your train journey takes you across the lofty Bernina Pass via the Swiss Poschiavo area to Tirano in the Italian Valtellina, witnessing an array of beautiful mountain streams, glaciers and alpine scenery along the way. Disembark the Bernina Express back in Pontresina and return to St Moritz by coach. (B)

DAY 8: St Moritz - Klosters - Zurich.
Today, journey by train from St Moritz to Zurich. During this journey, there is a possibility that the 45 minute stretch from Samedan to Sagliains may be in a 2nd class carriage. Enjoy a stop en-route in the town of Klosters for time at leisure before reaching Zurich for one night. (B)

DAY 9: Zurich - UK.
Transfer to the airport for your flight to the UK. (B)

Maximum elevation on this tour is 10,272 ft.

Note: Tours featuring travel by rail are not suitable for people with walking difficulties or significant health problems.

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Your Trains

  • The Glacier Express train
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    Glacier Express

    The Glacier Express, which runs from Zermatt to St Moritz in Switzerland, is one of the greatest train journeys in the world. It is not an 'express' in the sense of being a high-speed train but because the train travels over several different railroad lines; reputedly it is the slowest 'express' in the world. The entire line is metre gauge and large portions of it use a rack and pinion system.

  • Golden Pass travels through stunning landscapes
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    Golden Pass

    This attractive rail route connects central Switzerland with Lake Geneva. Departing from historic Lucerne, the train crosses the Brünig Pass taking you past flower-bedecked age-old chalets on its journey to Interlaken. The Golden Pass Line continues towards Gstaad, a favourite playground for the rich and famous before finally arriving in Lausanne, close to shimmering Lake Geneva.

  • The Bernina Express
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    Bernina Express

    The Bernina Express offers breath-taking vistas from its beautiful cars. Ride over graceful viaducts, through galleries hewn into the sheer rock, through switch-back tunnels, alongside rushing mountain streams, glaciers and even an alpine garden. Technical buffs will enjoy knowing that the train climbs up to the 7,390 feet high Bernina Pass without the help of a rack-and-pinion mechanism.

  • Gornergrat rack-railway, near the Matterhorn
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    Gornergrat

    Gornergrat, above Zermatt, is Switzerland's highest open-air train station. The Gornergrat Bahn electric railway opened for business in 1898, hauling tourists from Zermatt to a scenic overlook 9.4 kilometres (5.9 miles) away.

Accommodation on Tour

Zurich: Novotel City West (4*); Lucerne: Schiller (4*); Lausanne: Alpha Palmiers (4*); Zermatt: Tschugge (4*); St Moritz: Baeren (4*); Zurich: Novotel City West (4*).

VISA REQUIREMENTS

A visa is required for entry into Switzerland and Italy, for all NON-UK residents. This must be obtained prior to departure.

To help you plan and make the most of your holiday, below is a list optional excursions available to you.

Scenic Switzerland by Rail

BOAT TRIP/6010

An hour's guided cruise on the most beautiful lake in Switzerland gives you an introduction to this lovely city from a completely different aspect. With its many bays, it offers superb panoramas of the surrounding landscape. The area is rich in historical associations, particularly the William Tell legend.
€22.00 (EUR)

SWISS FOLK.EVE.& DINNER-6010

Contrary to belief, not all Swiss can yodel or blow the alp horn, but those you will see are real experts. They entertain you with merry melodies on the accordion and traditional dances while you enjoy a full three courses dinner.
€50.00 (EUR)

TRAIN AND LUNCH ON HARDER KULM

Participants on this excursion can have a beautiful bird's-eye view of the entire Jungfrau Region from the Harder Kulm Mountain. Nestling between the lakes of Thun and Brienz lies the "Bödeli" with its internationally famous resort of Interlaken. The Alpine foothills to the north and the mighty 4000-metre summits to the south form a garland around the Harder. Harder Kulm offers absolutely unbeatable views over the world-famous resort of Interlaken, lakes Thun and Brienz and the entire Jungfrau Region. The new funicular takes only 8 minutes from the valley station (near Interlaken Ost railway station) up to the Harder Kulm (1322 m).
€35.00 (EUR)

BOAT RIDE TO CHILLON AND VISIT

Enjoy a short cruise on Lake Geneva. Stop for a visit to Chillon Castle, built on a rocky islet. The picturesque site lies on the lakeside, within sight of Montreux, the French shore and the Alps. The first fortress was built in the 9th century to guard the road from Avenches to Italy.
€17.00 (EUR)
Please note that optional excursions and prices are subject to change.
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Scenic Switzerland by Rail
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