See the spectacular SWISS ALPS on the Glacier Express
Take a rail journey past soaring peaks, ravines and pretty villages, plus enjoy Bern, Lucerne and Interlaken
The mountains of the Alps may not be the tallest in the world, but they are among the most beautiful. This is especially true in autumn and winter, when a fresh coat of snow has fallen and the towns in the Alpine valleys look their most romantic.
On our five-day October or February tours of the Swiss Alps, 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 the mountains and travel through the mighty Oberalp Pass.
REASONS TO BOOK RIDE THE GLACIER EXPRESS
After a short train journey to Chur in east Switzerland, you’ll join the iconic Glacier Express for one of the most unforgettable days of your tour. Known as the ‘slowest express train in the world’, it has been in operation since 1930, although it now has modern carriages with panoramic windows, which give stunning views of the landscape.
YOUR CHARMING HOTEL
Sitting in a narrow valley between two lakes, Interlaken is a classic Alpine resort town with an antique feel. Timber-clad buildings line the streets – one of which, the Hotel Carlton-europe, will be your base for the five days. With an on-site spa, vintage-style interior and a restaurant serving traditional Swiss dishes, it will give you a sense of life in the Alps.
LAKE THUN CRUISE
Day four will include an afternoon cruise on Lake Thun, which is surrounded by mountain villages, historic churches and 12th-century Thun Castle.
EXPLORE BERN
The morning of your final full day will be spent exploring the Swiss capital Bern, where the carefully preserved Old Town is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site.