Christmas & New Year in Switzerland
Holiday Highlights
- First Class Swiss Pass for unlimited travel whilst in Switzerland – no expensive excursions
- Reserved seats in First Class on Glacier and Bernina Express trains (subject to availability)
- Leisure time in Interlaken and Chur
- Evening meals included
- Daily escorted optional excursions
- 13 days from £3,950pp
Tour Dates:
Sunday 22 December 2024 to Friday 3 January 2025
This popular, annual visit to Switzerland over the festive season is a firm favourite and guarantees a sociable Christmas with fellow travellers. A rail tour through awe inspiring snow-capped mountains and Alpine scenery. Includes journeys on the routes of the world famous Bernina and Glacier Express trains.
ITINERARY
Day 1 – Train to Aachen
We take the Eurostar from London St.Pancras direct to Brussels where we connect to a high speed train to Aachen. Our hotel for this evening is located a short walk away and dinner here is included.
Day 2 – To Interlaken
By train from Aachen to Interlaken along the classic Rhine route. From Basle all our travel in Switzerland is in first class using the Swiss Travel Pass and we have time here to move to first class seats within the same train. We stay at the Hotel Metropole for 5 nights on a half board basis including a special meal on Christmas Eve which is when Switzerland celebrates.
Days 3 to 6 – Time to Explore
Free days based in Interlaken with your First Class Swiss Travel Pass. This ticket covers trains, lake steamers, trams and postbuses so there is something for everyone.Your experienced tour leader will offer an optional escorted excursion each day. We will supply, prior to the holiday, a comprehensive excursion list to give you some suggestions to consider.
Day 7 – Glacier Express
We take the train from Interlaken to Brig and on to Chur via a journey along the route of the famous Glacier Express. On arrival in Chur our luggage will be taken to the hotel while you enjoy an optional escorted excursion to Arosa in the afternoon. We arrive at the hotel late afternoon where we have a 5-night stay at the Freieck Hotel. Evening meals will be included at a local restaurant.
Day 8 – Time to Explore
A free day based in Chur. Your tour leader will arrange an optional escorted excursion today or you can explore independently with your Swiss Travel Pass. Your experienced tour leader will help with ideas and planning.
Day 9 – Bernina Express
Today we offer a full day escorted excursion from Chur to Tirano and return on the fabulous Bernina Express route with its spirals and tunnels and reaching an altitude of more than 2000m.
Days 10 & 11 – New Year in Chur
Free days based in Chur with your Swiss Travel Pass allowing you the chance to explore the surrounding area using the UNESCO World Heritage Rhaetian Railways network and there will be an optional escorted excursion offered each day.
Day 12 – To Cologne
After breakfast we depart Chur and make our way to Basle and onwards to Cologne for an overnight stay and dinner at a local Brauhaus.
Day 13 – Homeward Bound
Morning departure on an ICE service to Brussels, connecting with the Eurostar to London.
Tour Route
Selected Hotels
Ibis am Marschiertor, Aachen
Metropole Hotel, Interlaken
Hotel Freieck, Chur
City Class Hotel am Dom, Cologne
Please note - hotels can be subject to change
Price Includes
- Standard class travel to and from Switzerland
- First Class Swiss Travel Pass for unlimited travel on trains, postbuses, lake steamers and many city buses and trams.
- Supplements and reserved seats in First Class on Glacier and Bernina Express trains (subject to availability)
- Optional escorted excursions
- Accommodation in good quality hotels on a half board basis
- Services of a tour leader from London and throughout the tour
Price per person
| Escorted holiday: | £3,950 |
| Single room supplement: | £500 |
| Deposit for this holiday: | £200 |
