Swiss Lakes and Mountains

ITINERARY

Day 1 – To Cologne

Departing on Eurostar at lunchtime we travel from London St Pancras to Brussels. Here we make an onward connection to arrive into Cologne for an overnight stay.

Day 2 – To Lucerne

We follow the classic scenic Rhine route from Cologne to Basle before continuing to Lucerne where we stay for 4 nights.

Day 3 – Rigi and Stoos

Using your first class Swiss Travel Pass, we travel by boat, train and funicular to visit Rigi mountain and the car free resort of Stoos, reached by travelling on the steepest funicular railway in the world. There will be ample free time for lunch and exploring.

Day 4 – Pilatus

Today there will be an optional excursion to the summit of Pilatus. We start by taking the lake steamer to Alpnachstad then the mountain railway to the summit. Our descent is by cable car to Kriens and finally back into Lucerne by bus.

Day 5 – Flüelen and the Gotthard Pass

Begin the day with a leisurely 3 hour cruise along the full length of the lake from Lucerne to Flüelen. Our first class travel pass allows us to sit on the upper deck of the steamer. On arrival in Flüelen we change to train travel on the Gotthard route and return to Lucerne mid-afternoon, leaving ample time to visit the old town which is accessed from the station via the famous wooden Kapellbrucke.

Day 6 – To Interlaken

Time to move to the Bernese Oberland region by train, via the Brünig Pass, with its mountain and lake scenery. After checking into the hotel we have an afternoon excursion on the rack railway to Schynige Platte which will include afternoon tea. At the summit there is a wonderful alpine garden with over 600 plants on view.

Day 7 – Mürren

Our excursion today takes us by metre gauge train to Lauterbrunnen where we change to the cable car to Grütschalp. The final leg of the journey is a single car train which hugs the contours of the clifftop to the car free resort of Mürren. There will be time for lunch and possibly a trip by cable car to the top of the Schilthorn if the weather allows (supplement to pay for this). Return to Lauterbrunnen by cable car and bus.

Day 8 – Cruising the Lakes

Interlaken sits between the lakes of Thun and Brienz and today we offer the option of cruising both lakes with time in Thun and Brienz to explore.

Day 9 – To Cologne

We depart Interlaken after breakfast and make our way to Basle before continuing to Cologne for an overnight stay.

Day 10 – Home to London

Taking the morning direct ICE service to Brussels we make a connection with the lunchtime Eurostar service to London St Pancras, arriving back early afternoon.