railtour suisse
Grand Train Tour of Switzerland «Classic» (for international guests)
Independent 8-day Swiss rail circuit on the Glacier and Bernina Express
8 daysfrom $2,092
88% rail
Vacations By Rail · Escorted tour
Classic Lake Lucerne & Gotthard Express
Embark on an exploration of Switzerland's Lake Lucerne region, summiting two spectacular mountains before journeying south on the Gotthard Panorama Express to explore stylish Milan.
Day by day
- Day 1overnight: Basel
Arriving in Basel for an overnight stay
Arrive in Basel independently, meeting the Tour Manager and fellow guests at the hotel beside the Rhine River. First dinner together at the hotel.
- Day 2railovernight: Weggis
Exploring Lucerne's picturesque Old Town
Train to Lucerne for a guided walking tour of the Old Town, including the Kapellbrücke, then a boat across Lake Lucerne to Weggis, base for the next five nights.
- Day 3railovernight: Weggis
Riding the historic Mt Rigi Mountain Railway
Boat to Vitznau to board Europe's first mountain railway (operating since 1871) to the summit of Mt Rigi, the 'Queen of the Mountains', with free time at the summit; descend via Rigi Kaltbad cable car to Weggis.
- Day 4railovernight: Weggis
A free day to explore Central Switzerland
Free day using the Swiss Half Fare Card for 50% off rail, boat and mountain railway journeys, e.g. Mt Pilatus's cogwheel railway from Alpnachstad, the Lauterbrunnen Valley via the Brünig Pass and Meiringen, or Bern's Old Town. Dine independently.
- Day 5railovernight: Weggis
The Lucerne-Interlaken Express to Interlaken
Boat to Lucerne, then the panoramic Lucerne-Interlaken Express through the Brünig Pass past Lake Lungern, Lake Sarnen and Giessbach Falls to Interlaken; free afternoon (Harder Kulm funicular or a Lake Brienz cruise). Return to Weggis; dine independently.
- Day 6railovernight: Weggis
Summiting breathtaking Mt Stanserhorn
Train from Lucerne to Stans, then a historic 1893 funicular to Kalti, followed by the world's only open-top double-decker cable car to the summit of Mt Stanserhorn; free time to explore (revolving restaurant, marmot mini zoo). Descend to Lucerne for a free afternoon; return to Weggis by boat, dine independently.
- Day 7railovernight: Milan
Traveling south on the Gotthard Panorama Express
Boat across Lake Lucerne (past Rütli meadow) to Flüelen, then First Class seats on the Gotthard Panorama Express through the Reuss Valley, spiral loops and the Gotthard Crest Tunnel to Lugano; regional train onward to Milan, check in and dinner at a local restaurant.
- Day 8overnight: Milan
Touring Milan, a treasure trove of arts and culture
Guided tour of Milan, including Piazza del Duomo, Teatro alla Scala, Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II and included entry to the Duomo. Free afternoon (Sforza Castle, Da Vinci's Last Supper, Quadrilatero della Moda). Final group dinner at a local restaurant.
- Day 9
Traveling home
Vacation ends after breakfast; free to begin the journey home or continue exploring.
Included
- Expertise of a Tour Manager from start to finish
- 7 nights' 4-Star hotel accommodation
- First & Standard Class rail travel
- All rail, cruise, ferry and coach travel throughout your tour
- Breakfast each day, 5 dinners
- Group luggage transfers between all hotels
- Swiss Half Fare Card, permitting 50% discounted fares on free days for rail, boat and most mountain railway journeys
- All guided tours and excursions
Not included
- Cancellation & Travel Insurance (not included but can be arranged)
- Flights and Airport transfers
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