Great Rail Journeys
Classic Lakes & Mountains of France & Switzerland
8 daysfrom $3,738
Great Rail Journeys · Escorted tour
GoldenPass, Mont Blanc & Jungfrau in Winter
Experience the scenic Swiss highlands in their winter finery on a panoramic journey from lakeside Montreux to the snow-covered Jungfrau region.
Day by day
- Day 1railovernight: Montreux
A scenic Swiss beginning in Lake Geneva
Arrive at London St Pancras International and meet the Tour Manager and travel group. Board the Eurostar to France and enjoy a light meal in Eurostar Plus before arriving in Paris. Switch to the high-speed TGV in First Class carriages, travelling to Lausanne in Switzerland. A short transfer by train arrives in Montreux, checking in to the lakefront hotel for three nights. Tonight, enjoy the first group dinner in the hotel's restaurant.
Meals: Eurostar Light Meal, Dinner
- Day 2overnight: Montreux
Touring the fairytale Château de Chillon
Enjoy breakfast with views of Lake Geneva before taking a trolleybus along the lake shore to Villeneuve. A guide leads a tour of Château de Chillon, a romantic medieval castle formerly occupied by the House of Savoy. Free time to explore Montreux, including its promenade with statues of Richard Strauss, Igor Stravinsky and Freddie Mercury. Optional traditional Swiss fondue dinner at a local restaurant.
Meals: Breakfast
- Day 3railovernight: Montreux
Mont Blanc Express across the Alps to Chamonix
Travel by train across the snow-clad Alps to France. From Martigny, join the Mont Blanc Express, which clings to dramatic mountainsides above spectacular gorges. Arrive in Chamonix with a few hours of free time to explore. Optional visit to the Mer de Glace Glacier on the Montenvers-Mer de Glace cogwheel railway. Return to Montreux in the late afternoon for dinner at the hotel.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
- Day 4railovernight: Interlaken
The GoldenPass Express from Montreux to Interlaken
Board the royal blue and gold panoramic carriages of the GoldenPass Express for a wintry journey across the Swiss Highlands. The train winds uphill from Montreux with Lake Geneva in the background, through the Pays-d'Enhaut highlands and past Gstaad, before emerging beside Lake Thun at Spiez and arriving at Interlaken. Enjoy a light lunch of local produce and wine on board. Check in to the central Interlaken hotel for dinner.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Day 5railovernight: Interlaken
Gondola to the spectacular 'Top of Europe'
Take the train to Grindelwald, then board the Eiger Express gondola to Eigergletscher station with panoramic views of the north face of the Eiger. Board the Jungfrau Express to Jungfraujoch, Europe's highest train station at the 'Top of Europe', with views of the Aletsch Glacier. Free time to explore or have lunch at one of the restaurants. Descend via the Jungfrau Express through the Mönch and Eiger mountains, then by cogwheel train to Kleine Scheidegg, train to Lauterbrunnen and back to Interlaken. Three-course dinner at the hotel.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
- Day 6railovernight: Interlaken
Exploring the Bernese Oberland at leisure
Free day to explore as you wish. Options include visiting mountain resorts of Wengen and Mürren using the Swiss Half Fare Card, travelling by rail to Lucerne via the Brünig Pass, exploring Lake Brienz and the village of Brienz, or exploring Interlaken itself.
Meals: Breakfast
- Day 7railovernight: Interlaken
Uncover Thun and cruise the length of the lake
Travel by train to Thun, a typical Swiss town dominated by its 12th-century castle. Time to explore its medieval centre and covered wooden bridges. Return to Interlaken by boat cruising the length of Lake Thun, passing serene villages, alpine peaks and fairytale castles. Free time before a three-course dinner at the hotel.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
- Day 8rail
Homeward bound
After a final breakfast, travel by train to Basel, then board the high-speed TGV in First Class to Paris. Transfer to Eurostar Plus carriages, enjoying a light meal at seats before arriving at London St Pancras International.
Meals: Breakfast, Eurostar Light Meal
Included
- Expertise of a UK Tour Manager from start to finish
- 7 nights' 4-star hotel accommodation
- Eurostar Plus travel
- First & Standard Class rail travel (First & Standard Class options available)
- All rail, cruise and coach travel throughout the tour
- Eurostar light meals
- Breakfast each day
- 1 lunch
- 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 railways
- All guided tours and excursions
Not included
- Cancellation & Travel Insurance
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