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 Enjoy the breathtaking scenery of Switzerland as we travel 1st Class through the heart of the Swiss Alps aboard the world famous Glacier Express & the historic Bernina Express. Journey on mountain railways, explore charming Swiss towns as we immerse ourselves in the rich culture & natural beauty of Switzerland. What a holiday we have in store for you as we make our way by train through the stunning scenery of the Swiss Alps.
Join us on our first hosted lesbian group rail holiday. Our representative will look after you from the moment you arrive at London St Pancras to the moment you depart. A holiday where women can meet, make new friends and share a fantastic holiday experience.
We'll enjoy First Class rail travel on the world famous Glacier Express 'the slowest express train in the world' - throughout the entire journey we'll be accompanied by panoramic views for which Switzerland is famous. Not only will we travel on the Glacier Express but we'll spend the day in First Class aboard the historic Bernina Express, the most spectacular way to cross the Alps. During our journey we will wind our way gently through some of the most splendid scenery of glistening glaciers, deep ravines and idyllic waterfalls before arriving in Poschiavo in the Italian speaking region of Switzerland.
Day 1 - Saturday, October 5, 2024
We meet at London St Pancras and board the Eurostar to Paris, continuing by rail to Strasbourg for the night. We will have dinner in a pre-booked restaurant (payable locally).
Day 2 - Sunday, October 6, 2024
With a free morning to look around Strasbourg, we'll take some time to explore the historic Old Town, dominated by the spectacular Notre Dame Cathedral with its famous astronomical clock. The Cathedral has remained unchanged since the Middle Ages, and clustered around it we'll find an impressive choice of museums, cafés and restaurants. The Grande Ile is a UNESCO World Heritage site in the midst of the River Ill and is the ancient heart of the city, with the vast main square, Place Kléber, at its centre. In the afternoon, we continue our journey to Switzerland, travelling by train firstly to Basel, then onwards to Chur, the oldest city in Switzerland and our base for three nights.
Day 3 - Monday, October 7, 2024
We'll enjoy a free day in historic Chur and the surrounding region. The wild landscapes of the Graubünden region are waiting to be discovered, with superb railway journeys available from Chur using our Swiss Travel Card (for a 50% discount on local trains, boats and many mountain railways) taking us around one of Switzerland's most attractive cantons. Or we can explore Chur itself, which, as the first settlement in Switzerland and has a wealth of history to uncover. Enjoy a stroll through the medieval Old Town, following the twisting streets up to the cathedral, maybe stopping for a while at a quaint café.
Day 4 - Tuesday, October 8, 2024
Today's excursion is a journey in the spacious First Class carriage aboard the panoramic Bernina Express to Tirano passing mighty glaciers, rushing mountain streams and Alpine meadows. The line has UNESCO World Heritage status, a testament to the incredible civil engineering required to create it, and to the breathtaking scenery surrounding it. Travelling south through 55 tunnels and over 196 bridges, including the incredible Landwasser Viaduct, the track clings to the mountainside as we wind above deep ravines and past idyllic waterfalls. From Chur, Switzerland’s oldest town we will travel through wildly romantic gorges, past spectacular man-made structures, up to the eternal ice of the glaciers and back down to the palm trees in the Italian town of Tirano - there is no other Alpine crossing that is so spectacular. The modern panoramic cars offer first-class travel comfort and make the impressive landscape appear almost within reach. There's free time in this picturesque town before our return journey.
Day 5 - Wednesday, October 9, 2024
We make our way to Brig, travelling First Class on the iconic Glacier Express - 'the slowest express train in the world' - including a 3 course lunch on board. The entire journey is accompanied by panoramic views for which Switzerland is famous; sloping meadows, majestic mountains and dense forests rising upwards to towering, snow-capped peaks. We travel along the beautiful Rhine Valley, climbing steadily, then steeply as we travel over the Oberalp Pass - the highest point of the route - then descend into the flourishing Rhône Valley, where vineyards line the hillsides. Arriving in Brig, we travel by local railway to Kandersteg, one of Switzerland's unspoilt gems & a town surrounded by incredible mountain scenery. Our home for 3 nights
Day 6 - Thursday, October 10, 2024
We visit the charming resort of Zermatt, travelling firstly to Brig, where we join a narrow-gauge train that takes us alongside the River Rhône to Visp. Here, we board the mountain railway, passing picture-perfect vistas as we travel through eight tunnels and across 42 bridges. Finally, we reach Zermatt, nestled below the peak of the Matterhorn. With free time here, we have the opportunity to visit the fascinating Matterhorn Museum - there is no entry charge with our Swiss Travel Pass. Or we may like to travel to the summit of the Gornergrat by funicular railway, a six-mile journey on the highest open-air railway on the continent, with fabulous views of the Matterhorn.
Day 7 - Friday, October 11, 2024
We travel by cable car to pristine Oeschinen Lake, cradled in the Oeschinen Valley. This vast glacial lake is fed by several brooks from surrounding mountain peaks, and the area is a joy to explore. Here we can wander at our leisure or join a guide for a hike with a chance to learn more about the local flora and fauna. Or we can simply find a peaceful spot to enjoy the sound of cowbells, clear mountain air and pretty Alpine flowers.
Day 8 - Saturday, October 12, 2024
Our holiday draws to an end today as we leave Kandersteg for Paris. Here, we board the Eurostar back to London St Pancras to say our fond farewells.
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