Great Rail Journeys · Escorted tour

GRJ All Inclusive Glacier Express at New Year

GRJ All Inclusive Glacier Express at New Year, a rail journey with Great Rail Journeys

Enjoy New Year in beautiful Switzerland on a rail tour from Rail Discoveries. This all-inclusive tour features journeys on the Glacier and Bernina Express.

Day by day

  1. Day 1railovernight: Basel

    London to Basel in Switzerland

    Meet the Tour Manager at London St Pancras before boarding the Eurostar to Paris. In Paris, change to the high-speed TGV for the final leg to Basel. Check in to the hotel near the station and explore the attractive Old Town with its festive lights, half-timbered houses and historic squares. Short stroll to a local restaurant for the first group dinner.

    Meals: Dinner

  2. Day 2railovernight: Tiefencastel

    Onwards into the idyllic Swiss Alps

    Free morning to explore Basel's Old Town, twin-spired Gothic minster and the red Rathaus in Marktplatz. Later, transfer to the train station and travel to Tiefencastel via Chur along the UNESCO-listed Albula Line. Check in for a five-night stay at the family-run riverside hotel. Three-course dinner with wine, beer and soft drinks included from 7pm–9pm.

    Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

  3. Day 3railovernight: Tiefencastel

    Along the UNESCO-listed Albula Line to St Moritz

    Travel on the Albula Line from Tiefencastel to St Moritz, crossing deep ravines and scenic viaducts. Free time in St Moritz to stroll by the lake, walk Via Serlas, enjoy an apéritif, or ride the Diavolezza cable car for views over the Morteratsch Glacier. Picnic lunch provided. Return by train to Tiefencastel for dinner and drinks.

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

  4. Day 4railovernight: Tiefencastel

    New Year's Eve on the Bernina Express

    Board the Bernina Express at Tiefencastel station for a journey along the UNESCO-listed route, crossing the Landwasser Viaduct, passing frozen waterfalls, climbing to Ospizio Bernina at 7,400ft, marvelling at the Palü Glacier and spiralling round the Brusio viaduct. Free time and picnic lunch in the Italian town of Tirano. Return to Tiefencastel for a New Year's Eve gala dinner.

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

  5. Day 5railovernight: Tiefencastel

    At leisure on New Year's Day

    Free day to explore the region at leisure with a picnic lunch provided by the hotel. Visit the 14th-century Church of St Stefan in Tiefencastel, or use the Swiss Half Fare Card to travel the Albula Line to Filisur, Bergün (Albula Railway Museum), or through the Zügen Gorge to Davos and Klosters. Dinner with selected drinks at the hotel in the evening.

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

  6. Day 6railovernight: Tiefencastel

    Ascending the Arosa Line from historic Chur

    Board the train to Chur then continue on the Arosa Line for an hour-long journey to the lakeside resort of Arosa, climbing more than 3,000 feet in 16 miles through wintry valleys and across the Langwieser Viaduct. Free time in Arosa with picnic lunch and optional cable car. Time to explore historic Chur's cobblestone centre, Martinsplatz and St Martin's Church before returning to Tiefencastel for dinner and drinks.

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

  7. Day 7railovernight: Basel

    The incredible Glacier Express and on to Basel

    Board the Glacier Express at Tiefencastel station. Panoramic carriages pass through the 'Swiss Grand Canyon', over the Oberalp Pass, beside glacial lakes, through the nine-mile Furka Base Tunnel and arrive in Brig. Change trains to head north through the mountains to Basel, passing Lake Thun and Spiez Castle. Luggage transferred to tonight's hotel. Final group dinner in Basel.

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

  8. Day 8rail

    Homeward bound

    After breakfast, make way to Basel train station. Board the high-speed TGV to Paris, then change to the Eurostar back to London St Pancras, where the holiday concludes.

    Meals: Breakfast

Included

  • Expertise of a UK Tour Manager from start to finish
  • 7 nights' 3-star hotel accommodation
  • Eurostar Standard Class travel
  • Standard Class rail travel throughout
  • All rail and coach travel throughout the tour
  • Breakfast and dinner each day
  • 5 picnic lunches
  • Drinks including beer, wine and soft drinks each day from 7pm–9pm with dinner in Tiefencastel
  • Group luggage transfers between hotels from Tiefencastel to Basel
  • Swiss Half Fare Card (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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