Switzerland by Train | Germanic Experiences

Itinerary : Switzerland by Train

6 days - 5 nights

The Best of Switzerland

Germanic Experiences Switzerland by Train

See the very best of Switzerland from the comfort of the nation's excellent rail system, one of the best in the world. You will see the main highlights, the cities, the countryside and the famous glaciers. A once in a lifetime experience.
DAY 1 ZÜRICH

Arrival in Zürich after your international flight. Your driver will be waiting for you at the airport an d will bring you to your hotel. Then, you will have free time to acclimatize, relax or start exploring the administrative and most touristic Swiss city. Take a walk through the Bahnhofstrasse and get marveled with the magnificent Swiss watches and luxury shops. Along the way you will also find many coffee shops. Don´t lose the possibility to taste the famous cakes and pastry of the country, they are delicious. Walking further on this street, you will get to the Zurich Lake where you will be able to see also the Alps. Back to the hotel for the overnight.
DAY 2 ZÜRICH – RHEINFALL – STEIN AM RHEIN - LUZERN

Breakfst at the hotel. Enjoy today the scenic coach journey on the route of the "Grand Tour of Switzerland" northwards. Via charming farming villages and beautiful vineyards, you reach the mighty Rhine Falls – Europe’s biggest waterfall. Enjoy spectacular views from the panoramic trail and feel the spindrift of the rumbling waters on an optional boat ride (summer only) taking you close to the falls. Continue to the medieval town of Stein am Rhein and learn about the well-preserved Old Town on a guided stroll. The half-timbered houses and distinctive historic buildings stun visitors with their exceptional frescoes. After some time at leisure, continue to Lucerne, one of the most beautiful cities in Switzerland. Arrival and transfer to the hotel. After a short break, enjoy the city on your own, walking along the Reuss River and the Luzern Lake. You will get to see the famous Chapel Bridge (Kapellbrücke), a 204 m (669 ft) long wooden covered bridge originally built in 1333, the oldest covered bridge in Europe. Part way across, the bridge runs by the octagonal Water Tower (Wasserturm), a fortification from the 13th century. Downriver, between the Kasernenplatz and the Mühlenplatz, the Spreuer Bridge (Spreuerbrücke or Mühlenbrücke, Mill Bridge) zigzags across the Reuss. Constructed in 1408, it features a series of medieval-style 17th century plague paintings by Kaspar Meglinger titled Dance of Death (Totentanzzyklus). The bridge has a small chapel in the middle that was added in 1568. See also the twin needle towers of the Church of St. Leodegar, which was named after the city's patron saint, the Bertel Thorvaldsen's famous carving of a dying lion (the Lion Monument, or Löwendenkmal) and small streets and interesting architecture. Back to the hotel for the overnight. (B)
DAY 3 LUZERN - JUNGFRAUJOCH GLACIER– LUZERN

Breakfast at the hotel. Today you will live a thrilling and unforgettable full-day excursion to Jungfraujoch – Top of Europe! Listed by UNESCO as “World Heritage Site of the Swiss Alps” it is home to Europe’s highest train station (3500 m) and many other attractions! A scenic coach journey through splendid countryside takes you to the Bernese Oberland. After a break in Interlaken, a picturesque village nestled idyllically between Lakes Brienz and Thun, board the cogwheel train in Grindelwald for a spectacular ride up to Jungfraujoch. Stunning views of the world-famous triple peaks of Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau accompany you on the way and the imposing Eiger North Face seems to be within one’s grasp. Once on the top, immerse yourself in the fascinating high alpine wonderland of eternal ice, snow, and rock. Experience the adventure tour “Alpine Sensation” and visit the Sphinx Observation Terrace and Plateau with the most breath-taking panoramic views of snow-capped peaks, the neighboring countries and Europe’s longest glacier, the Aletsch Glacier. Don't forget to stroll through the tunnels of the Ice Palace located in the heart of the glacier – a once in a lifetime experience not to be missed! The descent passes the car-free holiday destination Wengen and takes you to Lauterbrunnen, where the coach awaits you for the return trip to Lucerne. Overnight. (B)
DAY 4 LUZERN – ZERMATT

After breakfast, you will take the train from Lucerne to Zermatt. The train raid covers this beautiful zone in around 3 hs. Upon arrival, we will pick you up at the train station and take you to your hotel. In the afternoon, you will have a half-day excursion (approx. 40 minutes from Zermatt to the top). The Matterhorn Glacier Paradise is the highest sightseeing point in Europe which is accessible by cableway. The Matterhorn Express gondola brings you to Furi where you change to the large cableway which takes you via Trockener Steg to the Klein Matterhorn. Finally, up there you take a lift to get to the highest sightseeing platform offering a panoramic view of the Alps including the 38 4,000-meter peaks (13,120+ ft) surrounding Zermatt. At the Matterhorn Glacier Paradise, it is also possible to visit the Glacier Palace - 15 meters under the glacier's surface. Sparkling ice crystals and glittering ice sculptures enchant visitors to the glacier palace. A lift carries guests 15 meters below the surface of the glacier to a fairy-tale palace deep under the perennial snows. An ice tunnel leads through the glacier to sites such as a glacier crevasse and an ice toboggan run. Cosy furs adorn ice benches; ice sculptures evoke the world of the ice fairy tales. Ice sculptors regularly create new artworks. After the visit, you will come back to Zermatt and you can discover this beautiful small town free of vehicle traffic. Time for shopping and for a typical swiss cheese-fondue restaurant before you come back to the hotel. Overnight (B)
DAY 5 ZERMATT - GLACIER EXPRESS – ST. MORITZ

After breakfast, you will embark on the Glacier Express Train to enjoy an amazing ride along the swiss glacier chain. The journey in what has been dubbed the world’s slowest express train takes travelers across the Alps within roughly eight hours, passing through 91 tunnels and over 291 bridges. The Glacier Express offers a journey for the senses – starting from the Matterhorn. On its relaxing drive from sophisticated Zermatt to equally dazzling St. Moritz, the Glacier Express delights travelers with scenic attractions and technical state-of-the-art achievements. There are for sure quicker ways of getting there – but none provides more pleasure than the Glacier Express. Observation carriages open up vistas of unique landscapes – for example the 400-metre deep Rhine Gorge between Ilanz and Reichenau. Another highlight is the 2033-metre high Oberalp Pass. All in a spectacular setting of rugged cliff faces, crystal-clear mountain lakes and unspoilt villages. Mentioning all the fascinating sights would take us forever. So why not step aboard the Glacier Express and see for yourself? Arrival in St. Moritz, check in and overnight. (B)
DAY 6 ST. MORITZ – ZURICH AIRPORT

Breakfast at the hotel. You will have enough time to enjoy the city, walk along the streets full of history and anecdotes. St. Moritz is the chosen vacation place for the VIP´s and famous. Take the train at the given time and enjoy the last hours in this wonderful land of cheese and chocolate (and finances, cows, prairies, and beautiful friendly people). Upon arrival at the airport, check in at your airlines for your return flight home. End of our services. (B)