Scenic Kaleidoscope by Rail From £1,499 per person // 10 days
Take the train through the Ardennes to Luxembourg, then experience the Moselle and Rhine Valleys in Germany before taking in the best Alpine scenery imaginable.
The Essentials What's included
The hills of the Ardennes and the beautiful valleys of the Standard Class rail travel with seat reservations Moselle and Rhine 9 nights’ handpicked hotel accommodation with breakfast Spectacular gateway to Austria between Garmisch- City maps and comprehensive directions to your hotels Partenkirchen and Innsbruck Clearly-presented wallets for your rail tickets, hotel Arlberg Pass in western Tyrol vouchers and other documentation Iconic Swiss scenic trains; the Bernina and Glacier All credit card surcharges and complimentary delivery of Expresses your travel documents Stay in Zermatt, at the foot of the Matterhorn
Tailor make your holiday PLEASE NOTE: The Glacier Express does not run between 12 October and 12 December 2020. Between these dates, you can Decide when you would like to travel still make the journey of the Glacier Express using public trains. Adapt the route to suit your plans Upgrade hotels and rail journeys Add extra nights, destinations and/or tours - Suggested Itinerary -
Day 1 - London To Luxembourg
Depart London’s magnicent St Pancras station this morning bound for Belgium. After an easy platform change at Brussels Midi, it is time to board your direct train through the Ardennes to Luxembourg. The train twists and turns through wooded valleys and alongside scenic rivers, crossing seamlessly into the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, before arriving at Luxembourg City in time for an evening meal. Your base for the night is the Novotel Luxembourg Centre (or similar).
Day 2 - Luxembourg
Luxembourg’s old town is dramatically situated across a gorge, and boasts evocative narrow lanes, open squares and various government buildings. Discover a range of museums, most notably the recently renovated National Museum of History and Art (MNHA), the Luxembourg City History Museum, both of which are highly recommended for a visit. In the evening, sample delicious local cuisine – we recommend Am Tiirmschen restaurant in the Old Town, as one of the best exponents of local delicacies.
Day 3 - Luxembourg To Nuremberg Via Moselle & Rhine Valleys
A real riverside feast for the eyes awaits today as you board your InterCity train and head north through the Roman city of Trier and alongside the Moselle river as is winds through rolling hills towards the town of Koblenz, where it flows into the Rhine. It is here that you change trains, and head south-east on a direct service to Nuremberg – the first hour of this journey is the real highlight, with steep-sided vineyards, castles and beautiful villages adorning the stunning valley. Arrive in Nuremberg and check in for an overnight stay at the Victoria Hotel (or similar).
Day 4 - Nuremberg To Innsbruck Via Garmisch-partenkirchen
After a morning exploring the beautiful old town of Nuremberg, it is time to board a high-speed train for an hour southbound to Munich, where you change onto a regional train to Innsbruck. This journey is one of Europe’s hidden gems: the Alps loom large as you roll towards them on the plains of southern Germany. Passing through the renowned ski resort of Garmisch-Partenkirchen, the train cuts through dramatic valleys and past lush alpine meadows, before arriving into Innsbruck in the afternoon. Check in for 2 nights at the Hotel Innsbruck (or similar).
Day 5 - Innsbruck
Dubbed “the largest mountain resort in the Alps”, Innsbruck has a plethora of outdoor pursuits in the summer, such as hiking, mountain biking, paragliding and fishing. For the less adventurous, there are narrow lanes, cobbled open squares and beautiful ice-cream to seduce you into spending a whole day in the Old Town. If you fancy another train journey, you have a choice of a day-trip to the east towards the resorts of Kitzbuhel and Zell am See, or south over the Brenner Pass into Italy.
Day 6 - Innsbruck To Chur Via Arlberg Pass
Travel west on one of the excellent Austrian RailJet trains towards Switzerland. First, you traverse the Arlberg Pass and enjoy stunning scenery through the wide picture-windows, before heading through the tiny principality of Liechtenstein and down to the strategically-situated town of Chur in eastern Switzerland. You have 2 nights here, at the ABC Swiss Quality Hotel (or similar), located near the main station. The oldest city in Switzerland, Chur’s old city is a medieval city and Welschdörfli a prehistoric settlement and Roman Vicus. Day 7 - The Bernina Express
One of the most scenic journeys in all of Europe, the Bernina Express is a simply beautiful journey through valley, tunnels and viaducts, including the photogenic Landwasser Viaduct, at a height of 214 feet (65 metres). The journey takes you close to the famous resort of St Moritz, before heading further south and eventually across the Italian border to the town of Tirano. Enjoy lunch in Italy before heading back to Chur in the afternoon.
Day 8 - Glacier Express To Zermatt
Another scenic journey awaits today as you head down to Chur station late morning to meet the distinctive glass-roofed Glacier Express train. Settle down in your comfortable seat, plug in your headphones and enjoy the English commentary as you pass by fascinating sights and spectacular views. Lunch is served at your seat as you continue your journey over the Oberalp Pass near Andermatt, and down alongside the Rhone in the canton of Valais. After Visp, the train heads towards the resort of Zermatt at the foot of the Matterhorn. Check into the Sunstar Style Hotel (or similar) for a 2-night stay.
Day 9 - Zermatt & The Matterhorn
Enjoy a day exploring Zermatt, and take the cog railway to Gornergrat, offering panoramic alpine views, including the distinctively-shaped Matterhorn. Alternatively, follow the many walking trails from the village, or take the various cable cars to panoramic viewpoints where you can either relax with a drink, or stride along the well-marked trails at altitude and breathe in the fresh mountain air. In the evening, if you fancy raclette, a cheese or meat fondue, or Zermatt lamb specialties, we recommend heading to Schaeferstube – a local restaurant in the heart of the village.
Day 10 - Zermatt To London
Travel north out of Zermatt to Basel, then connect with a French TGV service to Paris. Once in the French capital, change stations using our complimentary metro tickets and head back to the UK on a Eurostar service.
Pricing From £1,499 per person
Low season (November-March) from £1,499pp
High season (April-October) from £1,599pp
These prices are based on two people sharing a twin or double room. Single supplements will apply for sole occupancy. It is based on Standard Class rail travel and includes seat reservations as necessary. It is based on the best fares on the trains. If you travel during a peak period, particularly at short notice, then supplements may apply.