Ffestiniog Travel

Wednesday 6 June to Friday 15 June 2012

Tranquil, charming and scenic, this tour allows you to experience the beauty of the Alpine summer away from the bustle of the major towns. Relax in stunning and romantic locations enjoying memorable rail travel and leisurely days. This holiday is timed to see the best of the Spring flowers in the Alpine meadows.

Day 1   By Eurostar to Brussels and High Speed to Aachen

A lunchtime departure by Eurostar from London for an enjoyable journey via Brussels. Overnight stay in Aachen.

Day 2   Alongside the beautiful Rhine

Your journey today is a truly rewarding experience as the train follows the course of the river through Bonn, Koblenz, and the Rhine Gorge to Mainz, Basle and Lucerne. The picturesque scenery unfolds as you travel and there is surely no better way to arrive into the delightful lakeside village of Küssnacht am Rigi. Unwind in this peaceful location for a stay of three nights.

Days 3 and 4   Switzerland at its best

Nestling at the foot of the Rigi mountain and right on the lakeside, Küssnacht is an archetypal Swiss village, charming, peaceful and friendly. The location allows you to easily visit nearby historic Lucerne, either by local train in only a sixteen minute journey, or by sailing on a romantic lake steamer, an hour long journey echoing times gone by. Our tour leader will be happy to organise optional excursions for you using your Swiss Pass (included in this tour).This fantastic pass gives you unlimited travel on trains, boats and buses.

Day 5   To Brienz – Two scenic routes to choose from

There is an option today to travel on separate but equally stunning lines to our next destination at Brienz. For a whole day’s excursion by rail through breathtaking scenery and delightful panoramas you can opt to take a journey echoing a Swiss ‘grand tour’. Take the main line through the Alps to Locarno, then journey via the wonderful Centovalli narrow gauge line to Domodossola in Italy. Continue on through the Simplon Tunnel to the Bernese Oberland, Interlaken and finally into Brienz. If you wish to arrive sooner, your alternative journey involves just one change of train in Lucerne and a scenic ride over the Brünig Pass, arriving in just two and a half hours. (On the escorted holiday, the tour leader will take the longer route). Stay 4 nights.

Days 6, 7 and 8   At leisure in the Bernese Oberland

The tranquil lakeside village of Brienz is a truly delightful place to relax for four nights. An abundance of activities are on your doorstep, with many memorable rail excursions such as the famous steam rack railway up the Rothorn. Also close by are Schynige Platte and Jungfraujoch, the exciting “Three Passes” post bus route (Grimsel, Furka and Susten), a circular train and post bus excursion to Grindelwald, Grosse Scheidegg and Meiringen. The village itself is a popular summer destination with lake steamers and a pretty promenade.

Day 9   Via Basle and France to Luxembourg

Departing Switzerland we make our way to Luxembourg for our final night (evening meal included tonight).

Day 10   Brussels and Eurostar

A final relaxing day travelling by European rail networks and Eurostar, arriving London mid-afternoon.

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