Scenic Alps by Rail - Christmas Edition

Explore Switzerland during the Christmas season on the Glacier Express and Goildenpass Express trains, Christmas markets, alpine villages and breathtaking views.

Christmas atmosphere with view of Town Hall and the Kappelbruecke, Lucerne. Courtesy Switzerland Tourism.

We rate this trip as easy to moderate and ACTIVE. You should be capable of walking 1-2 miles per day and at least 1/2 mile in one stretch (about 1500 steps and maybe uphill). You should be capable of walking about 2 to 4 miles per day, often on cobblestone streets and with potential compacted snow and ice (so be careful). There will be times when stairs can not be avoided, so guests will need the ability to go up and down stairs. On one day, a mountain railway will take you to an elevation of 10,200 feet.

Walking: in addition to walking on flat surfaces, you also need to walk on uphills, on uneven terrain, and on cobblestones. You'll likely not walk this amount all at once, but you need to be able to get to/from train stations, hotels, and excursions. We can accommodate slower walkers, but you must still be able to walk the distance. You should be able to walk a half mile at a time and you may need to walk this amount a few times a day.
Stairs: at train stations when we must change platforms; most of the station platforms only have stairs or ramps -- not elevators. There are often many steps on the walk to the hotels, there are steep steps to get into some trains, and there may even be steps inside the trains before you get to your seat.
Getting on and off trains: be aware that many trains have a few steep steps to negotiate to get on or off. You need to be confident that you can get on and off the trains. Also, note that there may be multiple train transfers on any of the travel routes. It is rare to ride just one train to our next destination on the tour. Some train connections are tight, and the group may need to walk quickly to catch the next train.
Standing time: you need to be able to stand on your feet for at least 10-15 minutes as benches at train stations are not in good supply.
Luggage: before the tour starts, you will travel by train to Lucerne and meet the group at the first hotel. This means you'll need to get your own luggage on/off the trains and to/from hotel rooms once at the hotels (there are elevators in all hotels). During the tour, we hire a company to pick up the bags every day (except 1) and deliver them to the next hotel. Please note that there is one day during the tour when the group will take suitcases on the Glacier Express train with them

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Itinerary

Day 1 – Arrival in Lucerne and excursion to Basel - the cultural capital of Switzerland

Everyone will make their way by train from Zürich to Lucerne (1 hr). Our exploration kicks off in Lucerne, situated in the heart of central Switzerland renowned for the Chapel Bridge and the Lion Monument. Today's tour begins at 12:00 in the Lucerne hotel lobby, marking the beginning of an afternoon excursion to Basel. Basel, with its rich history, stands as a hub of European art and is home to the most museums in Switzerland. Positioned at the convergence of Switzerland, France, and Germany, the city is graced by the Rhine River. The Münster Church offers breathtaking views spanning all three countries. Notably, Basel also hosts Switzerland's oldest Christmas Market. Overnight in Lucerne. (D)

Day 2 – Excursion to Lugano - Switzerland's Little Italy

We'll travel by train to Switzerland's Italian-speaking region, where we'll arrive at the Mediterranean city of Lugano, often celebrated as the place where Italian flair meets Swiss precision. Our group will participate in a Risotto-making workshop for lunch. In the afternoon, a funicular ride will take us up to Monte Brè, offering splendid views of the lake and city. A delightful lakeside walk back to Lugano awaits, with the city center decorated with lights and hosting an Italian-inspired Christmas market. (Lunch will be included today instead of dinner) Overnight in Lucerne. (BL)

Day 3 – Lucerne to Interlaken and onto Montreux - Swiss Riviera

Today we leave Lucerne by train, tracing the shores of Lake Brienz and Lake Thun in the picturesque heartland of Switzerland's Bernese Oberland. A brief stop in the charming town of Interlaken offers a stunning view of the Jungfrau. Next, we embark on the panoramic GoldenPass Express train, meandering through the scenic pre-alp villages of Gstaad and Chateau d'Oex, ultimately reaching Montreux on the shores of Lake Geneva. Nestled in Switzerland's French-speaking region, Montreux hosts the country's largest Christmas market. Overnight in Montreux. (BD)

Day 4 – Montreux, Chillon Castle, and Marché de Noël

Today, there will be time to explore the 12th-century Chillon Castle, once owned by the influential Counts of Savoy and now the most visited castle in Switzerland. In Montreux, the highlight awaits at the enchanting lakeside Marché de Noël Christmas market. Transforming into a winter wonderland, this market boasts over 150 chalet-style stalls along the lakeside promenade, offering unique gifts, as well as traditional Christmas food and drinks. Overnight in Montreux. (B) Guests will have the opportunity to enjoy dinner on their own in Montreux tonight.

Day 5 – Montreux to the charming village of Zermatt

Today, enjoy the scenic train journey through the Rhone Valley, Switzerland's largest wine region. Our destination is the Swiss resort village of Zermatt, an essential stop when exploring Switzerland. Nestled in the embrace of the stunning Matterhorn, the town is adorned with festive Christmas decorations. Take the opportunity to wander through the car-free village, immersing yourself in its historic and legendary past. Overnight in Zermatt. (BD)

Day 6 – Zermatt and the Iconic Matterhorn Mountain

We wll embark on one of Switzerland's most picturesque train journeys to reach the summit of Gornergrat. The 33-minute ride includes a vertical climb of over 4800 feet, traversing dramatic bridges, tunnels, and Swiss pine and larch forests, offering panoramic views of snow-capped mountain peaks. At the summit, behold the majestic Monte Rosa massif, featuring a total of 29 mountains above 4,000 m, including the iconic Matterhorn in all its glory. Spend the afternoon indulging in relaxation at your Zermatt hotel's spa, sauna, and heated indoor/outdoor pools. Overnight in Zermatt. (B) Guests will have the opportunity to enjoy dinner on their own in Zermatt tonight.

Day 7 – Zermatt to St. Moritz on the famous Glacier Express Train

Experience the fastest 8-hour train ride of your life! This morning, we'll embark on the iconic Glacier Express, a panoramic journey through the awe-inspiring Swiss Alps, widely regarded as one of the most scenic rail routes in the world. We will marvel at the breathtaking landscapes and enjoy audio commentary offering fascinating insights into the region. Witness the engineering marvels of this historic route, which first opened in 1930, as we cross 291 bridges, pass through 91 tunnels, and navigate a climb and descent of 500 meters (1,660 feet) through diverse, culturally rich mountain valleys.

Concluding our scenic train adventure, we arrive in the picturesque lake town of St. Moritz. The expansive Engadine valley, surrounded by snowcapped peaks of the Bernina Mountain range, offers awe-inspiring vistas. In a single view, you can admire the majesty of the mountains and the St. Moritz ski slopes, making this valley one of the most scenic in all of Switzerland. Overnight in St. Moritz. (BD)

Day 8 – St. Moritz to Zürich

On our last day of the tour in Switzerland, we return to Zürich, where the festive spirit of Christmas fills the air. We'll have time to explore the shops along Bahnhofstrasse and wander through the charming, illuminated streets of the Old Town. Zürich hosts Europe's largest indoor Christmas Market at the main train station, and if we're lucky we'll also be favored with Christmas carols at the singing Christmas tree on Werdmühleplatz. As the day concludes, we'll gather for our final dinner, reflecting on the numerous delightful memories we've shared. Overnight at a hotel in the heart of downtown Zürich. (BD)

Day 9 – Onward Departure

Auf Wiedersehen and good-bye. Today you can depart Zürich to catch your flights back home. (B)

Activity Level

Walking: in addition to walking on flat surfaces, you also need to walk on uphills, on uneven terrain, and on cobblestones. You'll likely not walk this amount all at once, but you need to be able to get to/from train stations, hotels, and excursions. We can accommodate slower walkers, but you must still be able to walk the distance. You should be able to walk a half mile at a time and you may need to walk this amount a few times a day.
Stairs: at train stations when we must change platforms; most of the station platforms only have stairs or ramps -- not elevators. There are often many steps on the walk to the hotels, there are steep steps to get into some trains, and there may even be steps inside the trains before you get to your seat.
Getting on and off trains: be aware that many trains have a few steep steps to negotiate to get on or off. You need to be confident that you can get on and off the trains. Also, note that there may be multiple train transfers on any of the travel routes. It is rare to ride just one train to our next destination on the tour. Some train connections are tight, and the group may need to walk quickly to catch the next train.
Standing time: you need to be able to stand on your feet for at least 10-15 minutes as benches at train stations are not in good supply.
Luggage: before the tour starts, you will travel by train to Lucerne and meet the group at the first hotel. This means you'll need to get your own luggage on/off the trains and to/from hotel rooms once at the hotels (there are elevators in all hotels). During the tour, we hire a company to pick up the bags every day (except 1) and deliver them to the next hotel. Please note that there is one day during the tour when the group will take suitcases on the Glacier Express train with them