Ffestiniog Travel
Swiss Rail Adventure
14 daysfrom $5,335
Ffestiniog Travel · Escorted tour
Christmas & New Year in Switzerland
A firm festive favourite! This year we stay in Switzerland’s most scenic city, Lucerne, Thun in the glorious Bernese Oberland and the alpine city of Chur
Day by day
- Day 1railovernight: Cologne
To Cologne
Lunchtime Eurostar from London St Pancras to Brussels and connecting to another Eurostar service to Cologne for an overnight stay.
- Day 2overnight: Lucerne
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.
- Day 3railovernight: Lucerne
At Leisure to Explore
Free day 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. Your experienced tour leader offers an optional escorted excursion, which may include a boat trip to Vitznau, a journey to the summit of the Rigi and a ride on the world’s steepest funicular railway, the ‘Stoosbahn’, or a trip to Andermatt via the Gotthard Pass and Göschenen.
- Day 4overnight: Lucerne
At Leisure to Explore
Another free day based in Lucerne with an optional escorted excursion offered by the tour leader; precise details vary to make the best of winter weather conditions.
- Day 5overnight: Lucerne
At Leisure to Explore
Final free day based in Lucerne, with an optional escorted excursion offered by the tour leader. A special Christmas Eve and Christmas Day dinner is included during the Lucerne stay.
- Day 6overnight: Thun
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 wander around this historic centre with its Medieval architecture and the elevated walkways of the Obere Hauptgasse in the Old Town.
- Day 7overnight: Thun
Free Days or Escorted Excursions
Free day based in Thun with your First Class Swiss Travel Pass. An optional escorted excursion is offered, which may include Mürren, Wengen or Grindelwald to explore the Bernese Oberland and views of the Eiger, Monch & Jungfrau, or a visit to Montreux to see Chillon Castle, returning via Bern. Other possibilities include trips to Neuchâtel and the ancient walled town of Murten.
- Day 8overnight: Thun
Free Days or Escorted Excursions
A second free day based in Thun, with a further optional escorted excursion offered by the tour leader.
- Day 9railovernight: Chur
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 10railovernight: Chur
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.
- Day 11overnight: Chur
Rhaetian Railways
Free day to explore Chur and the surrounding area using the Rhaetian Railways network. An optional escorted excursion is offered, likely to include a journey from Samedan along the picturesque Engadine, combined with a journey via Klosters and Davos.
- Day 12overnight: Chur
Rhaetian Railways
A second free day to explore Chur and the surrounding area, with an optional escorted excursion likely to include the mountain resort of Arosa and a visit to the Appenzell region and St Gallen.
- Day 13overnight: Cologne
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 14rail
Return Home
Morning departure on an ICE service to Brussels to connect with the Eurostar to London.
Included
- Standard Class travel to and from Switzerland
- First Class Swiss Pass for unlimited travel on trains, postbuses, lake steamers and many city buses and trams
- Optional escorted excursions
- Special Christmas Eve and Christmas Day dinners
- Accommodation in good quality, centrally located hotels on a bed and breakfast basis
- All local taxes/fees
- Services of a tour leader from London and throughout the tour
