Ffestiniog Travel

Friday 14 September to Friday 28 September 2012

A true delight for everybody - an enthralling memorable journey through Switzerland’s verdant pastures, stunning mountain scenery, quintessential villages, vineyards, forests, lakes and the famous UNESCO World Heritage Rhaetian Railway and Bernina Pass

Day 1   Paris and Strasbourg

Depart London by Eurostar on a mid-morning service to Paris. Continue on a high speed French train to Strasbourg, capital of the French region of Alsace for a stay of one night.

Day 2   Onwards to Switzerland

Our journey today takes us from France to Switzerland, crossing the border at Basle into the scenic landscape of the Jura region. Arriving at Saignelégier, we have a 2-night stay.

Day 3   Explore at leisure

The beauty of the area with its rolling pastures, fir forests and traditional white farmhouses is effortlessly explored with your first class Swiss Pass. This fantastic pass, included in your holiday, offers unlimited travel on trains, postbuses, city buses, trams and lake steamers whilst in Switzerland. With several possibilities for excursions, your tour leader will be happy to help with planning your free time. There are several branch lines round this area worth investigating. You may wish to take a day trip slightly further to Bern which has a wonderful old town area and tram network.

Day 4   Cross Country

Leaving the Jura region we travel across the width of Switzerland to our next destination Chur, the historical and cultural capital of the Swiss Graubünden region. We arrive early afternoon following a scenic journey via Biel/Bienne and Zürich for a relaxing stay of 3 nights. Our hotel is situated in the delightful old town quarter, a perfect location for exploring this charming city.

Day 5   The Albula and Bernina Passes

Chur is home to the UNESCO World Heritage Rhaetian Railway, the largest narrow gauge system in Switzerland, a network of routes passing through amazing mountain scenery. Today we undertake an wonderful journey climbing to a height of over 7,000 feet at the Bernina Pass. The spirals, hairpin bends and tunnels will warrant an unforgettable day out. Sit back and enjoy the spectacular mountains, lakes and glaciers as we travel to Tirano, in northern Italy.

Day 6   At Leisure

At leisure today, your first class Swiss Pass can be used on the full Rhaetian Railways network to explore this breathtakingly beautiful area in style and comfort. Take the train to visit the unforgettable mountain villages which neighbour Chur or the well-known resorts of Arosa, Klosters and Davos, as appealing in late summer as they are in the height of winter.

Day 7   Glacier Express

Departing Chur on the Glacier Express we travel the short journey to our next destination Andermatt, a popular and distinctively Swiss Alpine resort, for a stay of two nights. Situated at the crossroads of the mountain passes surrounded by the high Alps, in years gone by Andermatt was the meeting point of four important Alpine crossing routes.

Day 8   The choice is yours

Whatever your preference for your day at leisure, our experienced tour leader will be on hand to help you with your decisions and logistics. We supply a comprehensive list of suggested excursions most of which can be achieved with no additional cost. With so much to do from panoramic mountain passes using the postbus or the mountain railways, your time at leisure will be truly memorable.

Day 9   Into the Rhone Valley

We move on today from the alpine scenery into the wide fertile valley of the River Rhone where undulating vineyards are evidence of local wine production. Martigny, our destination for the next 3 nights, is set on a sharp right hand bend in the river and is an excellent place to use as a base for touring. As well as a small old town quarter, Martigny is home to one of the country’s most notable art galleries, the Foundation Pierre Gianadda.

Days 10 and 11   At leisure

A relaxing day in this verdant region and your tour leader will once again be able to assist you with your choice of day trips. There are several short enjoyable mountain railways from Aigle or alternatively take a postbus to the top of the Grand Saint Bernard Pass, or a train to Montreux where you have the opportunity of taking a trip on Lake Geneva. Your Swiss Pass opens up the area for exploration.

Day 12   The Bernese Oberland

We leave behind the wide valley and move into the Bernese Oberland region, well known as the home of the high peaks of the Eiger and the Jungfrau. Our route is via the metre gauge railway which climbs steeply out of Montreux affording a wonderful panorama of Lake Geneva. Our final destination today is the charming town of Thun which is dominated by its castle and we will be based here for three nights.

Days 13 and 14   Explore

Two days to explore and relax at your leisure amidst the mountains and lakes. Here you can find an extensive choice of excursions including lakes Thun and Brienz, Interlaken, the Jungfrau Region and a host of mountain railways and cable cars. Our list of suggested day trips helps ensure you get the most personal enjoyment and experiences out of your holiday.

Day 15   Home via Paris

Taking a morning train to Paris, we join our Eurostar service to London, arriving late afternoon.

All photos courtesy of http://www.MySwitzerland.com/