ENJOY THE SPECTACULAR SWISS ALPS ON THE GLACIER EXPRESS
Take a magical Alpine rail journey past soaring peaks, dramatic ravines and pretty villages, plus enjoy the best of Bern, Lucerne and Interlaken
The Alps might not be the world’s tallest mountain range, but they are certainly one of the most beautiful. This is especially true in winter, when a fresh layer of snow has fallen, and the towns dotted along the Alpine valleys are at their most romantic. On our five-day tour of the Swiss Alps in February, you’ll stay in a charming hotel in Interlaken, visit Lucerne and Bern, cruise across picturesque Lake Thun, and ascend Mount Rigi on a traditional cogwheel railway. You’ll also spend a day on the Glacier Express, enjoying a leisurely three-course lunch while you climb slowly and steadily higher up into the mountains, travelling through the mighty Oberalp Pass.
REASONS TO BOOK
RIDE THE GLACIER EXPRESS
After a short train journey to Chur, in east Switzerland, you’ll board the iconic Glacier Express for one of the most unforgettable days of your tour. The ‘slowest express train in the world’ has been in operation since 1930, though it now has modern, comfortable and airy carriages. Large windows offer panoramic views of the surrounding fantastical landscapes, as you inch your way through snow-coated woodland and up into the Oberalp Pass, standing 2,033 metres above sea level.
During the journey, you’ll be served a delicious three-course lunch, and in the evening, you’ll return to Interlaken for a relaxing evening at your hotel.
CHARMING INTERLAKEN
Sitting in a narrow valley between two lakes, Interlaken, in central Switzerland, is a classic
Alpine resort town with a picturesque, olde-worlde feel. Timber-clad buildings line the streets – one of which, the Hotel Carlton-Europe, will be your base for five days. With an on-site spa, vintage décor and a restaurant serving a menu of traditional Swiss dishes, it will give you a real sense of life in the Alps. You’ll also be close to the emerald waters of Lake Thun and the mountains, forests and meadows of the Bernese Oberland region.
LAKE THUN CRUISE
Day four of your tour will feature an afternoon cruise on Lake Thun, one of Switzerland’s most scenic spots, surrounded on all sides by dramatic landscapes, including quaint mountain villages, historic churches and 12th-century Thun Castle. You’ll also be able to spot the distant peaks of the region’s most famous summits – the Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau.
MOUNT RIGI AND LAKE LUCERNE A visit to the colourful lakeside city of Lucerne will be a chance to breathe in plenty of fresh mountain air. Following leisure time to explore the city’s shops, cafés and squares, you’ll take the train to nearby Arth-Goldau, where a traditional cogwheel railway will lift you slowly to the summit of Mount Rigi – where you’ll be rewarded with sweeping views across the surrounding mountains and glittering Lake Lucerne below.
EXPLORE BERN
The morning of your final full day will be spent exploring the fascinating Swiss capital
Bern, where the carefully preserved, pedestrianised Old Town is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Its many fountains, narrow streets, ancient spires and ornate public buildings still stand proud decades, and in some cases centuries, after their construction. Most famous among these buildings is Bern Minster Cathedral, a magnificent example of Gothic architecture, and the intricate 13th-century Zytglogge (clock tower). The arrival of each new hour sets off an incredible mechanical puppet show, including roosters, dancing bears, a jester and the Ancient Greek god of time, Chronos. The city’s mountainous skyline adds to its romantic appeal.