Day 1: Farewell to London
There is a morning departure from London St. Pancras by Eurostar to Paris Gare de Nord, where you transfer by coach to the Gare de L’Est. Here, board the TGV to Mulhouse where, on arrival, you transfer to your hotel for dinner and overnight accommodations. (D) Day 2: Steam Train to the Top of Mount Rigi
After breakfast, board a service train to Luzern, where you leave your luggage at the hotel before taking a five-minute walk to the boat station. The steam-hauled vintage train takes you to the top of dramatic Mount Rigi at Rigi Kulm. Lunch is available in the restaurant at the summit. Return to Luzern down the other side of the mountain to Art Goldeau, where you’ll catch a service train back to Luzern. (B,D) Day 3: The William Tell Express
After breakfast, transfer to the boat station in Luzern. Here, join a vintage, first-class paddle steamer for a three-and-a-half-hour trip across Lake Luzern to Fluelen. Lunch will be served on board in the restaurant. Look out for sleepy bays, picturesque villages, and historic landmarks. In Fluelen, join a first-class panoramic train that runs along the scenic Gottard line through the Reuss Valle, climbing almost three quarters of a mile above sea level to the Gottard Pass, then across spiral and horseshoe tunnels, galleries and bridges to Bellinzona in Tichino. The trip continues to the picturesque town of Locarno, where you’ll have a free afternoon to explore this pretty lakeside town. Dinner is not included tonight, giving you the opportunity to try a local restaurant. (B,L) Day 4: Steam on the Mount Genoroso Rack Railway
After breakfast, transfer by service train to Capolayo, where you change to board a special steam charter on the Monte Genoroso rack railway. You’ll enjoy magnificent views as the steam locomotive, built in 1890, pushes up the gradient for 5.5 miles. On arrival at the top, you’ll be amazed by the beautiful 360° views over Ticino and Lombardy. Return to Locarno via Lugamo at your own pace for dinner and overnight accommodations. (B,D) Day 5: Locarno to Zermatt
Today, travel by scheduled train over the spectacular Centro Valley Railway from Locarno to Domodossola. At Domodossola, change to an Italian CIS train and head for Brigg, where you join an MG Bahn train to Zermatt for an overnight stay. Day 6: The Glacier Express to St. Moritz
Following a tasty breakfast, board the famous Glacier Express at Zermatt station. This famous train is renowned for being the slowest express train in world! Slow or not, it’ll take you on an enjoyable journey via Brigg and Chur to St. Moritz. Sit back and enjoy the magnificent views as you pass through areas of unspoiled natural beauty, fragrant mountain forests, alpine meadows and rushing mountain streams. The train reaches an altitude of over 2,000 feet near Andermatt, and lunch will be served in the restaurant car during the journey. On arrival in St. Moritz, transfer to your hotel for overnight accommodations and dinner. (B,L,D) Day 7: Rätische Bahn Steam along the Engadine Valley
After breakfast, join a special steam-hauled vintage train at St. Moritz station, pulled by a classic 2-8-0 steam locomotive. From St. Moritz, travel along the Engadine Valley to Scuol, a pretty spa town situated on the bank of the River Inn. Lunch will be served at a restaurant close to the station. After lunch, return by steam along the lovely Engadine Valley to St. Moritz for dinner and an overnight stay. (B,L,D) Day 8: The Bernina Express
Graubünden’s Rhätische Bahn (RhB) owns one of the most scenic rail networks in the world, and today you travel on its famous Bernina Express. The journey takes you past waterfalls, glaciers and across dramatic ravines. The final ascent of the Albula Pass involves numerous loops and spirals before passing through a long tunnel into the Engadine Valley. From here, continue even higher to over 7,000 feet at the Bernina Pass. This is a wonderfully wild place with a mass of snow-capped peaks visible all around, a fascinating voyage that eventually ends in Tirano, a picturesque Italian town. You have two hours to explore or take advantage of the many superb Italian restaurants before leaving Tirano in the early afternoon, returning through the Bernina Pass to St. Moritz. Here you join the restaurant car of train 574 for a delightful dinner while on the journey back to Chur. (B,D) Day 9: Return to London
Take a morning departure from Chur to Basel where you change trains, boarding the midday train to Paris via Mulhouse and Belford. On arrival at Paris Gare de l’Est, it is a short transfer to Paris Gare du Nord where you board an early evening Eurostar to London St. Pancras. Dinner with wine will be served at your seat. There is a flight option to travel by train from Chur direct to Zurich airport, then board a midday flight to London Heathrow. (B) |
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