Christmas & New Year in Switzerland

Day 1 – To Cologne

Lunchtime Eurostar from London St Pancras to Brussels and connecting to another Eurostar service to Cologne for an overnight stay.

Day 2 – Lucerne

We travel from Cologne via Basle to Lucerne where we stay at the Hotel Wilden Mann for 4 nights. A special Christmas Eve and Christmas Day dinner is included during our stay.

Days 3 to 5 – At Leisure to Explore

Free days based in Lucerne. Nestled at the foothills of the Alps on the shores of the stunning lake, Lucerne is considered to be Switzerland’s most scenic city. Your First Class Swiss Travel Pass covers trains, trams, post buses, boats and even entry to national museums, so there is something for everyone. Your experienced tour leader will offer an optional escorted excursion each day. The precise details of the optional excursions may vary to make the best of the winter weather conditions, however they are likely to include a boat trip to Vitznau, followed by a journey to the summit of the Rigi and a ride on the world’s steepest funicular railway, the ‘Stoosbahn’. It may include a trip to Andermatt via the Gotthard Pass and Göschenen.

Prior to the holiday we will provide a comprehensive excursion list to give you some suggestions to consider, should you wish to do your own thing.

Day 6 – To Thun

Leisurely half-day journey to Thun via Interlaken, where we arrive early afternoon and stay for 3 nights. Located at the lower end of Lake Thun, the town is often referred to as the gateway to the Bernese Oberland. Take time to wonder around this historic centre with its medieval architecture and the elevated walkways of the Obere Hauptgasse in the Old Town.

Days 7 & 8 – Free Days or Escorted Excursions

Free days based in Thun with your First Class Swiss Travel Pass. Again there will be an optional escorted excursion offered each day and destinations may include Mürren, Wengen or Grindelwald to fully explore the Bernese Oberland and enjoy views of the Eiger, Monch, & Jungfrau and a visit to Montreux to see Chillon Castle, returning via Bern. Other possibilities include trips to the picturesque towns of Neuchâtel with its old town and castle and the ancient walled town of Murten.

Day 9 – Glacier Express

We leave Thun and travel to Brig where we change for the Glacier Express to Chur for a 4-night stay. Chur is Switzerland’s oldest city with a charming pedestrianised ‘Old Town’ and is ideally located for travelling on the UNESCO World Heritage Rhaetian Railways network, including the Bernina and Glacier Express routes.

Day 10 – Bernina Express

Today we offer a full day escorted excursion from Chur to Tirano travelling on the stunning Bernina Express route with its spirals and tunnels and reaching an altitude of more than 2000m – an unforgettable rail journey.

Days 11 & 12 – Rhaetian Railways

Free days to explore Chur and the surrounding area using the Rhaetian Railways network which boasts some of the most spectacular railway routes in the world, a marvel of railway engineering that winds its way through the Graubünden mountains thanks to man-made structures, viaducts and helical tunnels. There will be an optional escorted excursion offered each day. Excursions will endeavour to cover much of the RhB network including a journey from Samedan along the picturesque Engadine with its characteristic architecture, combined with a journey via Klosters and Davos. Other excursions are likely to include the mountain resort of Arosa and, by way of contrast, a visit to the Appenzell region and St Gallen.

Day 13 – Return to Cologne

Leaving Chur after a leisurely breakfast we travel to Basle and connect with the ICE service on the high speed line to Cologne for an overnight stay.

Day 14 – Return Home

Morning departure on an ICE service to Brussels to connect with the Eurostar to London.