Great Rail Journeys
Best of Switzerland
Eight-day independent Swiss tour on Bernina, Glacier and GoldenPass Express trains
8 daysfrom $3,639
63% rail
Planet Rail · Luxury rail holiday
The Amalfi Coast by First Class Rail via Zurich and Montreux
Travel in style to the Amalfi Coast via Zurich and Montreux, where breathtaking coastal views, charming towns and luxurious experiences await.
Day by day
- Day 1railovernight: Zurich
By rail to Switzerland - Free-time in Zurich
Your holiday begins as you stroll into beautifully restored London St. Pancras station. Sit back, relax and watch the countryside swish past as you travel by Eurostar to Paris at speeds of up to 186mph, with a light meal and drinks served on board in Standard Premier Class. On arrival at the Gare du Nord a private taxi transfers you across Paris to the Gare de Lyon to continue your journey by TGV through France into Switzerland, to the attractive lakeside city of Zurich. It is a short walk (700 metres) to your overnight hotel, the comfortable and highly-rated Hotel Helmhaus (4 star). In the late afternoon and early evening make a whistle-stop tour of Zurich: the churches and burgher houses of the Old Town, the elegant shops along Bahnhofstrasse, the baroque Rathaus, the Grossmünster, Fraumünster and St Peterskirche, whose clock face is the largest in Europe.
- Day 2railovernight: Conca dei Marini
Through the Swiss Alps to Naples and onto the Amalfi Coast
This morning after breakfast make your way back to Zurich station. Here you join the comfortable Euro City service to travel along the spectacular Gotthard route, past soaring mountain peaks and into Italy. On arrival at Milan's imposing art-deco station change trains and join the flagship Eurostar Italia Frecciarossa (Red Arrow) service as you travel south to Naples in your comfortable first class seat. On arrival at Naples station a private taxi transfers you to the pretty fishing village of Conca dei Marini on the beautiful Amalfi Coast, to your hotel for the next five nights, the charming Hotel La Conca Azzurra (4 star) overlooking the sea between Positano and Amalfi.
- Day 3overnight: Conca dei Marini
Conca dei Marini, the Amalfi Coast, Capri and the Bay of Naples
From your base in Conca dei Marini there are plenty of options available to you. Take a boat from nearby Amalfi to the legendary island of Capri with its incredible blue grotto, or head along the dazzling Amalfi Coast to the pretty village of Positano, perched above the sea as if glued to the cliffside. Alternatively visit Pompeii or Herculaneum, poignant reminders of the brooding Vesuvius which still looms above them today. You might simply like to relax and enjoy your stunning surroundings.
- Day 4overnight: Conca dei Marini
Conca dei Marini, the Amalfi Coast, Capri and the Bay of Naples
From your base in Conca dei Marini there are plenty of options available to you. Take a boat from nearby Amalfi to the legendary island of Capri with its incredible blue grotto, or head along the dazzling Amalfi Coast to the pretty village of Positano, perched above the sea as if glued to the cliffside. Alternatively visit Pompeii or Herculaneum, poignant reminders of the brooding Vesuvius which still looms above them today. You might simply like to relax and enjoy your stunning surroundings.
- Day 5overnight: Conca dei Marini
Conca dei Marini, the Amalfi Coast, Capri and the Bay of Naples
From your base in Conca dei Marini there are plenty of options available to you. Take a boat from nearby Amalfi to the legendary island of Capri with its incredible blue grotto, or head along the dazzling Amalfi Coast to the pretty village of Positano, perched above the sea as if glued to the cliffside. Alternatively visit Pompeii or Herculaneum, poignant reminders of the brooding Vesuvius which still looms above them today. You might simply like to relax and enjoy your stunning surroundings.
- Day 6overnight: Conca dei Marini
Conca dei Marini, the Amalfi Coast, Capri and the Bay of Naples
From your base in Conca dei Marini there are plenty of options available to you. Take a boat from nearby Amalfi to the legendary island of Capri with its incredible blue grotto, or head along the dazzling Amalfi Coast to the pretty village of Positano, perched above the sea as if glued to the cliffside. Alternatively visit Pompeii or Herculaneum, poignant reminders of the brooding Vesuvius which still looms above them today. You might simply like to relax and enjoy your stunning surroundings.
- Day 7railovernight: Montreux
The Amalfi Coast to Lake Geneva
This morning after breakfast your taxi transfers you to Naples station. Here you join the train for the First Class journey north through Italy aboard the flagship Eurostar Italia Frecciarossa service. On arrival at Milan's imposing art-deco station you join the comfortable Euro City service as it snakes its way into the Alps for the spectacular journey through the Simplon Pass and on to the pretty lakeside town of Montreux on the shores of Lake Geneva. Your hotel for your overnight stay is the belle époque Grand Hotel Suisse Majestic (4 star) located right next to the station. Take a stroll alongside Lake Geneva and visit this elegant lakeside town, home to the famous jazz festival.
- Day 8rail
Free-time in Montreux - Montreux to London - Homeward bound
Stretch your legs this morning or board the trolley bus for the short journey to the stunning medieval Château de Chillon (payable locally), considered one of the best-preserved castles in Europe. Then walk across to the station and continue to Lausanne to board the TGV to whisk you back to Paris. Your private transfer takes you to the Gare du Nord before the last part of your journey: stretch out and savour the light meal and drinks included in your Standard Premier service as you return to London St. Pancras International and the final leg of your journey home.
Included
- First Class rail travel from London to Zurich, Zurich to Naples, Naples to Montreux, Montreux to Paris and Paris to London (Standard Premier service on Eurostar)
- 7 nights' hotel accommodation in 4 star hotels with breakfast each day, including 5 nights in a superior double room with sea view and balcony at the Hotel La Conca Azzurra (4 star) in Conca dei Marini, overnight stays at the Hotel Helmhaus (4 star) in Zurich and at the Grand Hotel Suisse Majestic (4 star superior) in Montreux
- Taxi transfers in Paris and Naples
Not included
- Entrance to the Château de Chillon (payable locally)
- Use of the Hotel La Conca Azzurra private beach / lido (payable locally)
