Summary
Short description
Sweep across the Swiss Alps and Northern Italy on some of Europe’s most scenic rail journeys
Highlights
- Sweep across the Swiss Alps in style on the GoldenPass Express, Glacier Express & Bernina Express
- Take the Gornergrat Railway from Zermatt for magnificent views of the Matterhorn
- Stay in a luxurious hotel in a converted 12th-century Venetian palazzo
- Explore the famous canals, squares and bridges of Venice
- Experience the timeless elegance of the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express on an overnight journey to Paris
In Brief
- 2 Nights Montreux
- 2 Nights Zermatt
- 1 Night St Moritz
- 3 Nights Venice
- 1 Night Venice Simplon-Orient-Express
In pictures
About
Recommended for:
Mountains | Rail journey
Pair a spectacular journey across the Swiss Alps with three nights in Venice before riding one of the world’s most iconic trains, the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express, to Paris. You’ll start on the shore of Lake Geneva before boarding the GoldenPass Express, winding through the Bernese Alps to Interlaken en route to Zermatt, nestled at the foot of the Matterhorn. From here, a ride on the Gornergrat Railway will take you over 3,000 metres above sea level for magnificent views of some of Switzerland’s most majestic mountains, lakes and glaciers. The Glacier Express then brings you south to the glamorous resort town of St. Moritz, from which you’ll cross over into Italy on the Bernina Express, switching at Tirano and Milan for onward connections to Venice. You'll be staying in a luxury hotel in a converted 12th-century palace, with plenty of time to explore the famous canals, squares and palaces of Italy’s floating city. Finally, it's time to board the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express, enjoying first-class hospitality and gourmet dining as you sweep across the Alps back to Paris and finally to London, via the Eurostar.
Day by day itinerary
Day
1
UK to Montreux
Enjoy complimentary airport lounge access before your flight from the UK to Geneva, from which you’ll take a train that traces the banks of Lac Léman (also known as Lake Geneva) to Montreux. Hugging the shore of the lake and set against a backdrop of Alpine peaks, the town’s setting is wonderfully picturesque. After settling into your hotel, you may be tempted to head out into the town centre for something to eat, perhaps accompanied by a glass or two of local wine, for which this region of Switzerland is particularly revered.
Stay: Montreux accommodation (Superior)
Day
2
Montreux
You have the whole day free to explore Montreux and its surroundings as you please. If there’s one place you absolutely must visit here, it’s Château de Chillon – a fairytale-esque medieval castle situated on an island on Lake Geneva. It’s magnificent to look at from the outside, but it’s well worth the entry free to explore inside, either independently or on a guided tour. Getting there by bus takes just 10 minutes or so from Montreux, but the walk along the flower-lined lakeside promenade is a delight. Alternatively, you could spend the day among the vineyard terraces of the Lavaux wine region, which holds UNESCO World Heritage status.
Stay: Montreux accommodation (Superior)
Meals: B
Day
3
Montreux to Zermatt
Today, you’ll board the GoldenPass Express, taking you from the shores of Lake Geneva up into the Bernese Alps, passing some of Switzerland’s most spectacular scenery en route to Interlaken. You’ll be travelling in Prestige Class, with rotatable, heated seats allowing you to kick back and relax in total comfort while you take in the superb views from the window, perhaps accompanied by champagne and caviar. You can also order from a small but enticing menu of regional dishes as you go. Further connections with regional trains will bring you south, first to Visp, and finally to Zermatt, which lies at an altitude of 1,620 metres in the shadow of the Matterhorn.
Stay: Zermatt accommodation (Superior)
Meals: B
Day
4
Zermatt & Gornergrat
Truly breathtaking views await as you take the Gornergrat Railway from Zermatt up to the Gornergrat observation point, with a vertical climb of 1,469 metres in 33 minutes. This is undoubtedly one of Switzerland’s most impressive rail journeys, passing forests of larch and Swiss stone pine, rocky ravines and Alpine lakes as it winds its way up to 3,089 metres above sea level. At the top, you’ll be greeted by stunning views of not just the Matterhorn, but a total of 29 mountain peaks exceeding 4,000 metres in altitude and the adjacent Gorner Glacier. There are several restaurants to choose from, as well as excellent hiking trails and an interactive exhibition that offers you the chance to see the Matterhorn up close. When you’re ready, take the train back down to Zermatt and enjoy the evening at leisure.
Stay: Zermatt accommodation (Superior)
Meals: B
Day
5
Zermatt to St. Moritz
There’s no let up in the dramatic Alpine scenery today as you board the Glacier Express, traversing the cantons of Valais, Uri and Graubünden before arriving in St. Moritz. Across eight hours, you’ll travel at a leisurely pace through the mountains and valleys of southern Switzerland, with the option of upgrading to Excellence Class for a guaranteed window seat, a five-course tasting menu (including accompanying wine pairings) and exclusive access to the Glacier Bar. Nestled in the Engadin Valley, St. Moritz is renowned as one of Switzerland’s classiest Alpine resorts, and makes an ideal overnight base for the final section of the Swiss component of your trip.
Stay: St. Moritz accommodation (Superior)
Meals: B
Day
6
St. Moritz to Venice
You’ll bid Switzerland farewell today as you take the Bernina Express from St. Moritz to Tirano, just across the Italian border, passing through the endlessly photogenic, UNESCO World Heritage-listed region of the Rhaetian Railway along the way. The Morteratsch Glacier, Lago Bianco and the Brusio Circular Viaduct are among the highlights of this particular section. On arrival in Tirano, you’ll switch to a regional train to Milan, before your onward connection to Venice, where you’ll be spending the next three nights at the luxurious Baglioni Hotel Luna, set within an elegant, 12th-century palazzo, just a few steps away from the Piazza San Marco.
Stay: Baglioni Hotel Luna, Venice (Deluxe)
Meals: B
Days
7-8
Venice
Over the next couple of days, you’ll have ample time to soak up the rich history, gorgeous architecture and charming ambience of Venice at your own pace. The main square, Piazza San Marco, is the perfect place to start; in fact, you could easily spend a day just exploring this area, wandering among the canals, stopping at cafes, seeking out bacaros (traditional wine taverns) and admiring major landmarks including St. Mark’s Basilica and the Doge’s Palace. A gondola ride on the Grand Canal is also an essential experience when in Venice, while a longer cruise to the islands of the Venetian Lagoon is a worthwhile option, too. The colourful village of Burano is a particularly photogenic stop. However you choose to spend your time in Venice, it’s a city that never fails to make a lasting impression.
Stay: Baglioni Hotel Luna, Venice (Deluxe)
Meals: B
Day
9
Venice Simplon-Orient-Express
Bid farewell to Venice today as you board the iconic gold-and-blue carriages of the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express. You’ll be welcomed by a glass of sparkling wine and shown to your elegant wood-panelled cabin before being treated to a three-course lunch served in one of the grand restaurant cars. Fabulous views of the Dolomites await as you head north before crossing over into Switzerland. Enjoy an exquisite four-course dinner and perhaps cap off your day with a cocktail or two before bedding down for the night.
Stay: Venice Simplon-Orient-Express (Deluxe)
Meals: B L D
Day
10
Paris to London
You’ll wake up to entirely different landscapes this morning as you continue northwards through France, enjoying breakfast from the comfort of your cabin. A lavish brunch is then served before you arrive in Paris and disembark. The final stretch of your journey takes place on the Eurostar, crossing the Channel en route to London St. Pancras International.
Meals: B L
Map
Pricing
Any element of this itinerary can be adjusted to suit your needs. Just contact us to find out more.
Accommodation rating:
10-day tailor-made rail holiday
from £8,015 pp incl. flights
Superior / Deluxe
Low Season
from £8,015 pp. incl. flights
High Season
from £8,910 pp. incl. flights
Includes
- Complimentary UK airport departure lounge access
- One way flight between UK and Geneva
- Regional train from Geneva to Montreux
- 2 nights hotel accommodation in Montreux on a BB basis
- Goldenpass Express from Montreux to Interlaken in Prestige Class
- Regional trains from Interlaken to Zermatt
- Return journey on the Gornergrat mountain railway from Zermatt to the Gornergrat observation point
- 2 nights hotel accommodation in Zermatt on a BB basis
- Glacier Express from Zermatt to St Moritz
- 1 night hotel accommodation in St Moritz
- Bernina Express from St Moritz to Tirano
- Regional trains from Tirano to Venice (via Milan)
- 3 nights hotel accommodation in Venice on a BB basis
- Departure transfer from Venice hotel to Santa Lucia Station
- Venice Simplon-Orient-Express from Venice to Paris
- Eurostar from Paris to London St Pancras in Business Premier Class
Terms & Conditions
Prices are per person based on two people sharing a twin/double room; prices are subject to availability and possible change; normal booking conditions apply.
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