Group Tour Operator for Holidays to Switzerland
Glacier Express Train, Swiss Lakes and Mountains – NEW TOUR
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Freddie Mercury Statue
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Montreux Promenade
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Glacier Express in Rhine Gorge ©Switzerland Tourism, Swiss Travel System, Jan Geerk
A brand new 2-centre Swiss tour taking in the region around the stunning Lake Geneva, home to famous towns such as Montreux, Lausanne and Vevey, and the mountain ski-resort of Davos. Crystal clear lakes, mountain forests, alpine meadows, rushing streams, green valleys and snow-capped peaks. Combine these with a not-to-be forgotten journey on the ‘Slowest Express Train in the World’ – the Glacier Express and this truly is ‘Switzerland in a Nutshell’. Explore Charlie Chaplin’s home, now a museum, in Vevey, visit a free museum dedicated to the famous rock band ‘Queen’ in Montreux, maybe experience some cheese and chocolate tastings in the mountains, visit medieval mountain towns such as Chur or take a mountain railway excursion across bridges and through tunnels.
Dates
On request
Suggested itinerary by coach
Day 1
Depart the UK
Travel to Dover and take the short sea ferry crossing over to France. Continue through Northern France and make an overnight stop. Dinner will be included at the hotel this evening.
Day 2
Travel to Lake Geneva, Switzerland
Continue after breakfast through France and into Switzerland and on to the resort of Vevey for the next 2 nights (extra nights possible). After check-in, there may be time to explore the hotel and surroundings before dinner together this evening.
Day 3
Lake Cruise and Charlie Chaplin’s Home
After breakfast, drive to the lakeside town of Lausanne and embark on a cruise along the lake to Montreux, probably most famous for it annual Jazz Festival. Make a visit of the new ‘Queen Studio Experience’ (free entrance) which is located in the former recording studios owned by the group ‘Mountain Studios’. If time allows, take a short walk to the lakeside promenade to see the statue of Freddie Mercury proudly overlooking the lake.
There may be some free time to explore the town further before driving back to Vevey to visit Chaplin’s World. This former home is now a museum dedicated to his life as a legendary artist and his cinematographic genius. The gardens are also worth exploring. Before returning to the hotel, make a stop at the lakeside in Vevey to see a bronze statue of him as ‘The Tramp’ sitting at the quayside.
Day 4
HIGHLIGHT – Glacier Express Train and Lunch!
Today is the highlight of the tour, a ride on the famous Glacier Express with its panoramic windows. We will board either the 10.14 am or the 11.14 am train from Brig for a 4 hour unforgettable journey through the stunning Swiss Alps to the medieval town of Chur. Scenic highlights also include the Rhine Gorge and the Oberalp Pass, making it one of the most memorable, slow-paced luxury experiences in the world. Sit back and enjoy and don’t forget your camera!
Once in Chur, the coach will be waiting to drive us to our next destination, Davos, for the next 2 nights (extra nights possible).
After check-in there may be time to explore the hotel and surroundings before sitting down to dinner at the hotel.
Day 5
Davos at leisure
Davos is the highest city in Europe and originally owes its importance to its healing climate for over 150 years. All guests staying at a Davos hotel will be given a Davos Klosters Premium Card which allows free use of public transport in the town and reduced prices on some of the scenic cable cars and trains. Maybe use the pass to travel up the little Schatzalp mountain train, at a reduced price, to get some superb views from the summit or even take the local train for free to the famous resort of Klosters, a favourite of the Royal Family.
Dinner will be in the hotel this evening.
Day 6
Depart Switzerland
Make the return journey through Switzerland and into France for an overnight stop. Dinner will be at the hotel this evening.
Day 7
Return to the UK
Depart after breakfast for the ferry port and take the short sea crossing over to the UK and home with fond memories of the beautiful peaks and lakes of the Swiss Alps.
Optional extra day VEVEY
Gruyères Cheese and Cailler Chocolate – a culinary experience
Drive to the medieval town of Gruyeres and to the Maison de Gruyères where we will see a demonstration and presentation of the famous cheese making process on an audio-guided tour. From here we will drive the short distance to the old town to get some lunch (not included). The views from the town are stunning and there are plenty of nice cafes and restaurants and shops. (Note: there is a coach parking charge in the old town – payable locally).
In the afternoon we will visit the wonderful world of Cailler Chocolate, the oldest existing Swiss chocolate brand. An interactive tour will highlight the history of cocoa and its manufacture. At the end of the visit, enjoy a tasting of Cailler chocolates with the option to make some purchases.
Return to the hotel for dinner and an evening at leisure.
Optional extra day DAVOS
Historic Chur and the Arosa Line Railway
Chur is the oldest city in Switzerland with beautiful cobblestoned pedestrianised streets to stroll around. Explore the medieval architecture and see St. Martin’s Church and the 600 year old Gothic Cathedral. There will be time to explore and get some lunch before making an unforgettable journey on the 100 year old Arosa Line Railway.
The 1 hour journey gets off to a leisurely start from Chur with a sedate trundle through the historic streets. Minutes later, the train is wending its way through unspoilt nature and mountains across 19 bridges and through 52 tunnels to its destination, Arosa. A notable engineering structure to look out for is the Langweiser Viaduct.
The coach will be waiting in Arosa to drive back to the hotel for dinner and evening at leisure.
