Switzerland, the Matterhorn and the Glacier Express

Overview

Spectacular mountain scenery, chair lifts and cable cars, awe-inspiring views of glaciers and summits, gentle valley slopes, and lush meadowsthis is Switzerland at its most wonderful.

Switzerland is renowned for its cleanliness, efficiency, and friendly people, along with its stunning Alpine landscapes. This tour also ventures into Italy, visiting Lake Maggiore and the charming lakeside resort of Stresa. Enjoy the perfect balance between organized visits and free time to explore at your leisure.

Highlights:

Matterhorn: Admire this iconic peak from Zermatt or take a cog railway to Gornergrat.

Centovalli Railway: Travel through ‘hundred valleys’ with deep ravines and chestnut forests.

Lake Maggiore: Private launch cruise and guided tour of Isola Bella.

Glacier Express: 120 km past stunning mountain scenery.

Klosters: Relax in the ski playground of royalty.

Bernina Express: Travel to Tirano, just over the Italian border.

At a Glance:

Accommodation: 7 nights in three to four-star hotels

Included: Return flights & transfers, daily tours & visits, travel on two iconic train lines, half board, expert tour manager, checked luggage

Itinerary:

Day 1: Arrival in Brig

Fly to Zurich or take the Eurostar from London St Pancras International via Paris and transfer to your hotel. Onarrival you will be taken to the charming town of Brig, perfectly located in the Rhne Valley at the head of the Simplon Pass. Its surrounded by the lofty peaks that are so typical of this beautiful country. Brig grew in prominence during the 17th century after monopolising the trade in silk, salt and mail between adjacent France and Italy. The wealth that resulted led to the creation of the countrys largest private residence – The Stockalper Palace.

Day 2: Zermatt & The Matterhorn

Our first day trip takes us up the Mattertal Valley. Climbing upwards, the scenery becomes ever more spectacular. Lush meadows covered with wild flowers and studded with tiny shepherds shelters give way to dense forests, crowned by snow-capped mountains that glisten in the sun.

Day 3: Lake Maggiore

This morning we travel over the Simplon Pass, to the warm sunshine of Italy, the peaceful shores of Lake Maggiore and its most attractive town, Stresa, which owes its origin to the days of the Grand Tour when Europes 19th Century aristocracy crossed the border from Switzerland and experienced their first taste of Italy! Unmistakably Mediterranean in character, its shores, lined with oleanders and palms, backed by classic belle poque hotels create an ambience of classic gentility.

Day 4: Montreux

Today we travel to Montreux on the sunny shores of Lake Geneva where you have a full day at leisure to choose what youd like to do best. You could take a civilised cruise with lunch on board one of the many beautiful belle poque style paddle-steamers plying the lake. Or you could take the spectacular cog-wheel railway to the peak of Rochers de Naye that dominates the lake. Back down by the lakeshore, the famous 13th century Chateau de Chillon stands guard over the Rhne Valley just outside the town. Its Switzerlands most visited historical building, and the very essence of the romantic medieval fortress. Or perhaps youd prefer to simply stroll along the charming lakeshore promenade, admiring the surrounding vine-clad terraces and the view of Frances snow-capped mountains of the Haute- Savoie on the opposite bank.

Day 5: The Glacier Express

Today we take the legendary Glacier Express one of the most spectacular railway journeys in the world and which for many will be the highlight of the holiday. Its an absolute joy to travel on this specially designed train with its large panoramic windows, and to experience its several changes of locomotive that are needed to cope with the varied gradients. The four hour journey, travelling just 120 kilometres, winds and twists its way through ever more stunning scenery. We pass mountain ranges cascading waterfalls, forest-covered hillsides and ravines with torrential rivers. The railway seems to float over high viaducts and punch its way through mountain tunnels. The highest point on your journey is the Oberalp Pass at 6,700 feet, where youre well above the tree-line. Snow can remain here well into June. Another highlight is the Upper Rhine Gorge, sometimes called the Swiss Grand Canyon, totally inaccessible until the railway was opened in 1903. After a relaxing journey, we arrive in Chur.

Day 6: Klosters

While in Klosters you have free/discounted access via the nearby cable cars and chair lifts to the surrounding peaks. Youll enjoy a wonderland of stunning Alpine views linked by spectacular walks. The homely chalet-restaurants serve local specialities on their sunlit terraces.

Day 7: The Bernina Express

Today, we enjoy a contrasting day of spectacular scenery and extraordinary Swiss engineering, taking the famous Bernina Express to Tirano just over the Italian border. This remarkable train twists upwards in an amazing sequence of spirals, loops, 55 tunnels and 196 bridges past the chic resort of St Moritz to the summit at Ospizio Bernina and at 7,400 feet, Europes highest through station. Here were surrounded by stunning vistas over the snow-clad peaks and ice-cold glacial lakes that strikingly mark the watershed between the Mediterranean and Black Sea river systems. The views will take your breath away.

Day 8: Return home

At the end of a truly spectacular tour, youll be transferred to the airport for your journey home.