Old Timer Boats and Trains of Switzerland – NEW TOUR

Depart the UK

Drive to Dover and take the ferry across to Calais.  Continue south through France, making an overnight stop in the Metz area.  Dinner is included at the hotel this evening.

Travel to Switzerland

Depart after breakfast and continue the journey south, crossing the border into Switzerland and the resort of Winterthur.  Check-in at the hotel and relax before enjoying dinner together this evening.

Old Zurich, Lake Cruise and the ‘City of Roses’ (driver’s rest day)

Depart after breakfast and walk to the nearby railway station in Winterthur*.  Board a local train to Zurich (approx 30 minute journey), where you will meet up with a local guide for a walking tour through the old town, marvelling at its historic buildings. Highlights could include the Lindenhof where you can enjoy the view of the city and the lake, Niederdorf, the city’s landmark and Grossmünster Church or cross the Münsterbrücke bridge to see the Fraumünster with its famous stained glass windows.

Early afternoon embark on an historic paddle steamer for a 2 hour leisurely cruise along Lake Zurich to the picturesque town of Rapperswil.  (Food and drink available to purchase on board or bring some lunch).  Rapperswil, the Riviera of upper Lake Zurich, has small medieval old town where you can explore it’s quaint cobbled streets.  It is also known as the ‘City of Roses’ owing to the more than 16,000 roses that bloom between May and October in the gardens of the Capuchin monastery and on the “Schanz”. The latter is a rose garden for the blind with particularly fragrant roses.

Return direct to Winterthur by train (approx. 45 minute journey) and enjoy dinner and an evening at leisure in the hotel.

*Walking distance from hotel-station approx. 12 minutes or there is a local bus direct from hotel (payment locally)

Fascinating Flower Island and Lake Constance Cruise

Depart after breakfast and drive to the ‘Flower Island’ of Mainau on Lake Constance, a tropical paradise including a Botanical Garden and a Baroque Palace housing one of the largest butterfly houses in Germany. There will be plenty of time to explore the stunning gardens whose themes change with the seasons, so there are wonderful displays all year round.  Attractions include an arboretum with a Grand Ducal tree collection, Italian floral and water cascade and palm house with an orchid show in Spring. There are places to get a drink and/or something to eat.

After the visit we will embark on a one hour cruise (direct from the Island) to the town of Constance which will sail across Lake Constance via Meersburg.  Constance is the largest town on Lake Constance where the countries of Switzerland, Austria and Germany converge.  On arrival, there will be free time to explore the charming old town and see the impressive cathedral that looms over the city together with several other churches and three towers left over from the city wall.  The buildings in the old town are beautiful with fascinating, richly decorated bay windows and completely painted facades

Return to the hotel by coach for dinner and an evening at leisure.

Lucerne Sightseeing, Paddle Steamer Cruise and Rigi Mountain Railway

Depart after breakfast and travel to Lucerne. Meet up with a local guide for a walking tour of the old town with its historic houses including a stroll across the famous Chapel Bridge.  See the ‘Dying Lion’ marble monument carved into a rock face and created in honour of the Swiss Guards who died in the Storming of the Tuileries in Paris in 1792,  and also the 17^th century Jesuit Church.

The tour will finish at the lakeside where we embark on a leisurely 1 hour cruise across Lake Lucerne to Vitznau aboard an historic paddle steamer.  See the unfolding panorama of the city and surrounding mountains as you glide along.

At Vitznau we will join the Rigi Mountain cog-wheel railway for a ride to the summit of Mount Rigi (approx. 30 minute journey).  This was Europe’s first mountain railway and is a picturesque trip so keep your camera at the ready.  At the summit, there will be a couple of hours to take in the amazing mountain views around Lake Lucerne and get some lunch (group lunches can also be arranged) before making the descent, again by cog-wheel train, but on the other side of the mountain to Arth-Goldau where the coach will be waiting.

Return to the hotel for dinner and an evening at leisure.

St. Gallen and Picturesque Appenzell (including Brewery visit)

With its UNESCO listed Cathedral and  Abbey there is plenty to explore in St. Gallen.  Stroll along historic alleyways and lanes with their small shops and half-timbered buildings and see the 111 artistically carved bay windows in the old town.  A visit has been included to the stunning Abbey Library, a definite must-see in St. Gallen. The Abbey Library is just one room and is Switzerland’s most magnificent late baroque building, oldest library and one of those few places in the world that will absolutely take your breath away with amazingly old books (the tour is self-guided and cloth slippers will be provided on entry to protect the beautiful wooden floor).  The Cathedral is free to enter and is part of the same complex as the library.

After some free time to stroll around the town and get some lunch we will depart for Appenzell, synonymous with the most beautiful Swiss traditions, such as yodelling, cheese, seasonal cattle processions and traditional dances. Marvel at magnificently decorated houses and living craftsmanship where you will find handmade woodcarvings and iconic traditional folk costume accessories. Appenzell is also famous for its culinary specialities, such as Biberfladen – a kind of ginger bread, Nidelzeltli caramel tablets and Appenzeller cheese.

A visit and self-audio tour of the local brewery (Brauerei Locher) has been included to take a look at the production and learn about the art of brewing and how Appenzeller beer and Säntis malt are made from fresh water. After the tour we can enjoy an Appenzell beer tasting in the historic “Gnoss-Stöbli”  before returning to the hotel for dinner and a final evening.

Depart Switzerland via the Rhine Falls!

Depart after breakfast for the homeward journey stopping at Schaffhausen enroute for a view of the mighty Rhine Falls, the most powerful waterfall in Europe.  (Optional boat rides to get closer to the falls available, if time allows – payable locally).  Continue north towards the Metz area of France for an overnight stay.  Dinner is included at the hotel.

Return to the UK

Depart after breakfast, continuing north to Calais and take the ferry across to the UK, and home.