GRAND TRAIN TOUR OF SWITZERLAND 8 DAYS/ 7 NIGHTS DAILY DEPARTURE EXCEPT ON WEDNESDAYS, FROM APRIL 12TH TO OCTOBER 19th 2021 Explore the cultural differences within the country and its 4 languages, all the while taking in some spectacular countryside and staying in beautiful Swiss towns. It’s a great opportunity to visit the very best of Switzerland on some of the most exciting scenic trains in Europe. Accommodation in 3*, 4* or 5*hotels always at a walking distance from the train station! ITINERARY DAY 1 ARRIVAL SWITZERLAND – INTERLAKEN After arrival in Zürich, follow the indication in your document to receive your envelope with your train passes, excursions, hotel vouchers, etc. If you are not familiar with the train system, once you arrive at the train station, you can go to the information counter and someone will explain how it works (connection, classes, when to show your ticket, what to write on your ticket, how to find the direction, etc . You can also click here for good information. Individual travel via Lucerne to Interlaken along the shores of crystal-clear lakes, past romantic waterfalls and over the magnificent Brünig Mountain pass. After a short journey you arrive in Interlaken. The city lies in the Bernese Oberland on an alluvial plain, between Lake Thun and Lake Brienz. The vacation destination is presided over by the three mighty mountains, Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau. Accommodation: Interlaken for 1 night DAY 2 INTERLAKEN – GOLDENPASS LINE INTERLAKEN – MONTREUX AND GOLDENPASS LINE Your journey continues with the GoldenPass line through the wild romantic Pays d’Enhaut with the scenic villages of Château d’Oex and Montbovon, continues the journey through a tunnel before the panoramic view of the Lake Geneva and Montreux is in front of you. (B) Accommodation : Montreux for 1 night* DAY 3 MONTREUX – ZERMATT There is plenty to see in the Lac Leman area, visit the Chillon Castle, go for wine tastings in beautiful vineyards, take a city tour of Lausanne or visit Charlie Chaplin interactive museum (optional – payment on spot). Then travel from Montreux to Zermatt. Zermatt lies at the foot of the Matterhorn and offers plenty of things to explore. The vacation destination is a car-free zone and has preserved its original character. After arriving in Zermatt you have the possibility to do a non-guided excursion to the Gornergrat ($) . A trip up the exhilarating open air Gornergrat railway is not to be missed, for unrivalled views over the 4000m peaks surrounding Zermatt. Enjoy free time to go hiking and do some souvenir shopping. (B) Accommodation: Zermatt for 1 night DAY 4 ZERMATT – ST. MORITZ / GLACIER EXPRESS In the morning you take the world famous Glacier Express for a thrilling ride in the panorama carriage to St. Moritz. Take in some of the dramatic scenery Switzerland has to offer. Along the deep Rhone valley, the Glacier Express travels through an incredibly fascinating part of the Alps. The train drives on over the Oberalp pass (2,033m/6,670ft) and through the impressive Rhine gorge. Pre-book a 3 course lunch menu onboard the Glacier express ($) for a complete experience. After an exhilarating trip, you will arrive in St. Moritz. (B) Accommodation: St. Moritz for 1 night * From June through august 1st class ticket on Glacier Express cannot be guaranteed DAY 5 ST. MORITZ – LUGANO / BERNINA EXPRESS Board the narrow-gauge Bernina Express in St. Moritz station and enjoy one of the most impressive scenic rail journeys Switzerland has to offer. Climbing over the spectacular Bernina pass to more than 2253 m, you pass snow-covered mountain peaks and glaciers then descend towards Poschiavo and Brusio. After travelling over spiral viaducts and through winding tunnels, you reach Tirano in Italy, which is the end of the Bernina line. Change to the Bernina Express Bus which will take you onwards to Lugano. (B) Accommodation: Lugano for 1 night DAY 6 LUGANO – LUCERNE / GOTTHARD PANORAMA EXPRESS (DOES NOT OPERATE ON MONDAYS) With the Gotthard Panorama Express you will travel from the Mediterranean south to the traditional heart of Switzerland. The journey takes you along the spectacular Gotthard route, an unforgettable trip through an impressive countryside. You will travel by 1st class panorama carriage from Bellinzona to Flüelen. Passengers will be accompanied in the panorama railcar by a travel guide. Passengers will also be entertained with special effects and additional information on the region such as its sights, mythology and mystique. From Flüelen you will have a boat ride over Lake Lucerne. (B) Accommodation: Lucerne for 1 night DAY 7 LUCERNE- (MOUNT PILATUS OPTIONAL) – ST. GALLEN / VORALPEN-EXPRESS Optional unguided excursion to Mount Pilatus ($) This is a fantastic excursion to enjoy beautiful views of the Lake Lucerne region. Short cruise across the lake to Alpnachstad. Change here to the steepest cogwheel train in the world. For the return journey chose between co wheel train or gondola to Kriens. Back to Lucerne by bus. Then onward with the Voralpen Express to St. Gallen. Enjoy the beautiful 2.5h journey which connects Central and Eastern Switzerland. After a last lingering glance into the picturesque scene of Lucerne and its beautiful lakes, you will move on to the impressive Rothenthurmer upland moor and charming Rapperswil. The journey continues over the gently undulation Toggenburg hills and the sitter viaduct regarded as Switzerland’s highest railway viaduct (99 meters high), finally arriving at St. Gallen, one of eastern Switzerland’s urban centers. The beautiful Abbey district is part of the UNESCO World Heritage. (B) Accommodation : St. Gallen for 1 night DAY 8 ST. GALLEN After breakfast, journey from St. Gallen to Zurich airport to catch your international flight or add an extension to you trip. (B) INCLUSIONS • 7 night accommodation with daily breakfast • Grand Train Tour Ticket including 8 train transfers in economy class (first class with supplement) • 50% discount ticket for most trains, buses, boats and mountain railways • Seat reservation in 2nd class on GoldenPass Line, Glacier and Bernina Express • Seat reservation in 1st class onGotthard Panorama Express and Voralpen-Express Not included: International flights - lunch and dinner - optional excursions - City tax to be paid locally in Interlaken, Montreux, Zermatt, St Moritz, Lugano, Lucerne and St Gallen, optional train passes - anything not mentioned in the above “inclusions” Ask us for our optional extras with supplements ( $) : 1st class train upgrade, 3 course menu Glacier Express , Dish on the Glacier Express , Excursion Rochers-de-Naye , Excursion Gornergrat, Excursion Pilatus , Excursion Titlis , excursion Stanserhorn . NOTES ❖ all other activity mentioned on this tour that are not listed in the “Inclusions” section, are for suggestion only ❖ Seats with fixed times are reserved for you on the panorama trains. ❖ The times for all other trains are freely selectable. You can find an overview on www.sbb.ch. IMPORTANT: This is in individual program therefore we suggest you pack light. The hotels are never far from the train stations but you might have to walk a few minutes (or take taxi at your own charge). A light luggage on wheels is recommended. If ever you need information at destination, our office located in Switzerland is opened 7 days a week from 9AM to 5PM.Feel free to call them to ask for information during your trip Price in CAD$, per person in double occupancy, land only 3 star hotels 4 star hotels 5 star hotels* April 12th – October 19th $ 2129 $ 2569 $3439 First class train upgrade $ 250 Single Supplement $ 440 $650 $ 1260 Mount Pilatus non-guided optional excursion $ 70 Gornergrat non-guided optional excursion From $ 70 or more (on request) Jungfraujoch non-guided optional excursion From $ 195 - $ 239, depending on the season 3 course lunch menu on the Glacier Express $ 90 Pre or post night in Zurich, Interlaken, Lucerne or any other city On request ❖ Stop sales – July 1st to 16th 2021 OPTIONAL EXCURSIONS Mount Pilatus Fantastic excursion to enjoy beautiful views of the Lake Lucerne region. At 2132 meters altitude it is the ideal adventure mountain for the whole family. Among its many cool and exciting highlights are the world’s steepest cog railway, two aerial cableways and central Switzerland’s biggest rope park. Take a short cruise across the lake to Alpnachstad. Change here to the steepest cogwheel train in the world. For the return journey chose between cog wheel train or gondola to Kriens. Back to Lucerne by bus. Gornergrat Over 20 gigantic 4000 and more meter-high peaks surround the rocky ridge between the Findelen and Gornergletscher, at 1500 meters above Zermatt. Since over a century a cog railway has made its way here and still does today, every 24 minutes. From the 3135 meter-high viewing platform accessible year-round, views extend over the Gorner Glacier to Monte Rosa with its ten snow- capped summits and notorious Matterhorn. Jungfraujoch It is undeniably one of the highlights to any trip to Switzerland! For more than 100 years now, the Jungfraujoch railway has been making its journey up to the highest-altitude railway station in Europe. At 3454 meters altitude, it is right at the heart of the UNESCO World Heritage site Jungfrau-Aletsch”. From the viewing terraces “Sphinx” and “Plateau”, or from the Aletsch glacier itself, an amazing, high alpine wonder world of eternal snow and ice reveals itself. The “Ice Palace” with its sculptures and its enchanted flair is also well worth a visit. Prices in this document are for information only; they were issued at press time for the current year. Please note that due to exchange rates and temporary promotions, they can increase or decrease anytime. Contact your travel agent for the price and promotion of the moment.