Travelmarvel (APT Travel Group)
Alpine Discovery by Rail
13 daysprice on request
Great Rail Journeys · Escorted tour
First-Class Grand Alpine Explorer
On this escorted rail tour we discover incredible attractions in the German city of Munich, Austrian Lakes and Switzerland's mountain railways.
Day by day
- Day 1railovernight: Munich
London to Munich: First Class to Bavaria
Meet fellow travellers and Tour Manager at London St Pancras to join the Eurostar to Brussels, enjoying a light meal at seats. Travel to Cologne and onwards through Germany to Munich in First Class, passing through rolling wooded hills, Frankfurt, Ulm and Augsburg before arriving in the Bavarian capital.
Meals: Eurostar light meal
- Day 2overnight: Munich
A guided tour of Munich
Guided sightseeing tour of Munich including Marienplatz, the neo-Gothic Town Hall, the glockenspiel and the Church of St Peter. Sample local food and beers, visit the Oktoberfest Museum and Munich's oldest beer house, the Höfbrauhaus. Rest of the day at leisure before dinner at the hotel.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
- Day 3railovernight: Salzburg
A musical welcome in Salzburg
Travel by First Class rail from Munich across the Austrian border to Salzburg. Guided tour of the Old Town, UNESCO World Heritage site, overlooked by the 11th-century Hohensalzburg Fortress. Evening Mozart concert dinner at the grand banquet hall of St Peter's with a chamber ensemble and singers in Rococo costumes.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
- Day 4overnight: Salzburg
A free day to explore Salzburg
Full day at leisure in Salzburg. Use the included Salzburg Guest Mobility Ticket for free travel on buses and trolleybuses. Options include visiting Mozart's birthplace at Getreidegasse 9, the Mirabell Garden, or a cable car ride up Untersberg Mountain. Dine independently this evening.
Meals: Breakfast
- Day 5overnight: Salzburg
Discovering the Austrian Lake District
Visit the Kaiservilla, former summer residence of Habsburg Emperor Franz Josef I. Continue to St Gilgen for independent lunch before cruising across Lake Wolfgang. Disembark at St Wolfgang to stroll among traditional chalets. Visit Mondsee and the 15th-century Basilica of St Michael, which featured in The Sound of Music wedding scene. Return to Salzburg for a three-course dinner.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
- Day 6railovernight: Innsbruck
To Innsbruck in the heart of the Austrian Alps
Travel by First Class rail to Innsbruck. Guided tour of Innsbruck's Old Town including the cathedral, Hofkirche, Goldenes Dachl and the Hölbling house. Free afternoon to explore, with the option of the Nordkette Cable Car designed by Zaha Hadid for views across the Tyrolean Alps at over 7,000 feet. Dinner at the central hotel.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
- Day 7railovernight: Innsbruck
Fairytale Neuschwanstein Castle and Zugspitze Mountain Railway
Return to Germany by coach via the Fern Pass to visit Neuschwanstein Castle. Journey on the Zugspitze Mountain Railway, ascending to the summit of Germany's highest mountain with views across Germany, Austria, Switzerland and Italy. Return to Innsbruck; evening at leisure, dine independently.
Meals: Breakfast
- Day 8railovernight: St Moritz
Through the Alps to stylish St Moritz
Free morning in Innsbruck before a spectacular First Class train journey through the Alps. Route winds alongside the Inn River, passes Weisberg Castle and the Trisanna Bridge, through Liechtenstein and into Switzerland. Travel on the UNESCO-listed Albula Line, including the curved Landwasser Viaduct, arriving in St Moritz for a three-course dinner at the hotel with lake views.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
- Day 9railovernight: St Moritz
Across the Alps to Italy in First Class on the Bernina Express
Climb the Alps on the Bernina Express in First Class. Stop at Alp Grüm for views of the Palü Glacier. The route spirals around the corkscrew viaduct at Brusio before crossing into Italy. Free time in Tirano to explore cobbled streets and enjoy lunch. Return to St Moritz on a local First Class service, then three-course dinner at the hotel.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
- Day 10overnight: St Moritz
At leisure in St Moritz
Free day in St Moritz. Options include shopping on Via Serlas, using the St Moritz resort card for free cable cars and funiculars, exploring with the Swiss Half Fare Card to Davos or Klosters, visiting the church of St Maurice, enjoying Swiss high tea at Badrutt's Palace Hotel, or visiting the Segantini Museum. Note: cable cars and funiculars open late June to mid-October.
Meals: Breakfast
- Day 11railovernight: Interlaken
First Class experience on the iconic Glacier Express
Board the Glacier Express in First Class from St Moritz to Brig, enjoying a two-course lunch at seats. The train delves into the Rhine Gorge ('Swiss Grand Canyon'), climbs over the Oberalp Pass and passes through the nine-mile Furka Base Tunnel. Change trains at Brig and travel First Class to Interlaken via Spiez. Three-course dinner at the hotel in Interlaken.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Day 12railovernight: Interlaken
To the 'Top of Europe' on the Jungfrau Express
Travel by rail to Kleine Scheidegg and board the Jungfrau Express to Jungfraujoch, Europe's highest train station. The cogwheel train passes through a tunnel cut through the Eiger with carved-out viewing windows. At the top, panoramic views from the Sphinx viewing platform including the Aletsch Glacier. Optional visits to Lindt Swiss Chocolate Heaven and the Alpine Sensation exhibition. Descend via Grindelwald and return to Interlaken. Dine independently this evening.
Meals: Breakfast
- Day 13overnight: Interlaken
A day to explore Interlaken at leisure
Free day in Interlaken. Options include exploring the medieval monastery, castle and ancient square on foot, taking the funicular to Harder Kulm for panoramic views, a lake cruise on a vintage paddle steamer (50% discount with Swiss Half Fare Card), or a day trip to Lucerne or Meiringen. Final three-course dinner together at the hotel.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
- Day 14rail
Homeward bound
After breakfast, board the train to Zürich Airport for the flight back to London Heathrow. The train journey provides one final spectacle of mountain scenery.
Meals: Breakfast
Included
- Expertise of a UK Tour Manager from start to finish
- 13 nights' 4-star hotel accommodation
- Eurostar Plus First Class rail travel where possible
- All rail, cruise and coach travel throughout the tour
- Flight from Zürich to London Heathrow
- Eurostar light meal
- Breakfast each day
- 1 lunch
- 8 dinners
- Swiss Half Fare Card (50% discounted fares on free days for rail, boat and most mountain railway journeys)
- Salzburg Guest Mobility Ticket for free travel on the city's public transport
- St Moritz resort card for free travel on the town's cable cars and funiculars
- All guided tours and excursions
Not included
- Cancellation & Travel Insurance
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