Summertime Alpine Highlights & Swiss Mountain Railways

Overview

Stunning lakes, picturesque mountains and spectacular rail rides await on the Swiss holiday of a lifetime. Enjoy stunning scenery along the shores of Lake Brienz, and the spectacular mountain backdrop in Lucerne. Alongside this, you’ll enjoy some amazing trips by train, including the cogwheel Jungfrau Railway, offering superb views of the legendary north face of the Eiger, the Mönch and Jungfrau mountains, and the Reichenbach Falls Funicular Railway up to see the dramatic falls. You’ll also have the option to ride the famous Swiss Glacier Express on this impressive holiday in Switzerland.

What's Included:

  • 8 nights hotel with continental breakfast
  • 6 evening meals
  • Convenient local joining points

Full Itinerary

Day 1: UK - France

Local departure by coach or Door-to-Door service, then to northern France for an overnight stay.

Day 2: Continue to our hotel in Switzerland.

Included meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Day 3: Lucerne, Pilatusbahn Railway & Cable Car

This morning, after breakfast, we travel to the charming city of Lucerne on our included excursion. Nestling amongst the foothills of the Alps, Lucerne is home to the Hofkirche Cathedral, Rittersche Palace and one of the finest baroque churches in Switzerland, the Jesuit church. Known as the ‘city of lights’, Lucerne has plenty to offer its visitor, from strolling around an art gallery, exploring the shops, or simply relaxing in one of the cafés. Be sure to visit the ‘Zytturm’, which boasts the oldest public clock in Lucerne. Dating from 1535 the clock always strikes the hour one minute ahead of all the other clocks in the city. During the day there will the chance to join an optional cruise on the lake. Then, this afternoon, why not join our optional excursion on the Pilatusbahn, the world’s steepest cog railway, to the summit of Mount Pilatus? The Pilatusbahn has been in operation since 1889 and climbs Mount Pilatus at a 48% gradient, rising 6,791 feet above sea level. The original passenger steam cars had an average speed of 2-3mph and took more than 1 hour to reach the summit. Today the electric cars run at 6mph and take just 30 minutes to reach the top. We descend the mountain by cable car, which offers some spectacular views of the area. Included meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Day 4: Brienz & Interlaken

Today our included excursion takes us over the scenic Brunig pass to the thousand-year-old town of Brienz. We have free time to explore the souvenir shops, perhaps visiting a wood carver’s workshop or catch a glimpse of the old steam engines at the Rothorn Railway. In the afternoon we continue along the shores of Lake Brienz, with its crystal clear greeny-blue water to the famous holiday resort of Interlaken. Situated between the lakes of Thun and Brienz and at the foot of the famous trio of peaks, the Eiger, Monch and the Jungfrau, the resort is rich in tradition. Included meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Day 5: Free Time or Swiss Glacier Express

Today’s optional excursion is a wonderful ride on the famous Swiss Glacier Express. We drive to Andermatt to join the train from Andermatt to Chur. Riding the ‘slowest express train in the world’ we climb through unforgettable scenery to the summit of the Oberalp Massif. Return by coach from Chur to our hotel. Included meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Day 6: Jungfrau Region Railway

Enjoy an unforgettable mountain experience as we enjoy an included ride aboard the Jungfrau Region Railway, Switzerland’s most popular mountain railway system. We board the railway in the village of Lauterbrunnen and travel up through the spectacular scenery to the Kleine Scheidegg Mountain pass, at the foot of the notorious Eiger North Wall. From Kleine Scheidegg we continue to the picturesque traditional mountain village of Grindelwald where you will have time at leisure to explore, and weather permitting, enjoy the magnificent views of the famous Eiger Mountain. Included meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Day 7: Reichenbach Falls & Meiringen

Set at the heart of the Hasliberg hiking region, the town of Meiringen is the destination of today’s included excursion. The creation of meringue and the death of Sherlock Holmes are the two claims to fame of the town. Sir Arthur Conan Doyle stayed in Meiringen many times and the town is now home to the fascinating Sherlock Holmes Museum (entrance extra). During the day we take the Reichenbach Falls Funicular Railway up to see the dramatic falls and scene of the deadly battle between Sherlock Holmes and Professor Moriarty. Included meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Day 8: Paris Latin Quarter

We leave Switzerland behind and make our way north through the French countryside to our overnight hotel on the outskirts of Paris. This evening join our optional excursion to the Paris Latin Quarter and enjoy the atmosphere of Paris by night. The “Quartier Latin” or Latin Quarter is a bustling area of restaurants, cafes and souvenir shops to the south of the Ile de la Cité and Notre Dame. Since the 13th century this area has been dominated by the Sorbonne, the University of Paris, and the name comes from the early students there who used to speak in Latin. Here you can join in the atmosphere, explore the famous streets, perhaps purchase a meal (at own cost) in one of the numerous establishments from the chic and expensive to the cheap and definitely cheerful, and browse the souvenir shops. Included meals: Breakfast

Day 9: Return home.

Included meals: Breakfast

Hand Picked By

Abigail Limm

Leger Holidays offers hundreds of great value, fully-escorted touring holidays by coach, air, rail and cruise, with carefully planned itineraries and a range of excursions to some of the best countries in Europe and Worldwide. Tours featured here travel by luxury coach, but for those who prefer to fly to reach their destination, we can also offer Leger’s expanded range of Fly & Tours to Europe, so please come in or call us for more details.

Abigail Limm

Additional Information

  • Date: Various departures for 2024
  • Board Basis: Mixed meal plan
  • Duration: 8 nights
  • Departure Airport: By Coach - Local pick up's available across the UK
  • Guide Price: From £1,149pp
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