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There is something special about travelling by train. The sense of moving through the countryside, yet feeling a part of it at the same time, the excitement and romanticism of journeying to undiscovered places or returning to your favourite haunts, the freedom to bury yourself in a novel, converse with travelling companions and complete strangers or gaze out on the unfolding landscape.
These days travelling to and around continental Europe by train is exciting, effortless and highly enjoyable. In the space of a day you can be in Barcelona, Berlin or Milan. International trains are getting faster and more stylish, new stations have revived the glamour of rail travel and environmental concerns have made travelling by train the obvious choice.
At Planet Rail we use our knowledge and expertise to identify the ideal combination of speed, value, comfort and efficiency to provide you with fabulous journeys to your chosen destination. Whether you fancy a short break to medieval Bruges, the spectacular scenery of the Swiss Alps, the magic of the Italian Lakes or the romance of Venice we can craft your perfect holiday by rail.
The Glacier Express & Scenic Switzerland by First Class rail – Christmas & New Year 2011
Journey to the roof of the Alps and enjoy fabulous scenery from alpine meadows to stunning lakes and picture-postcard towns and villages on this wonderful 7 night holiday. Our included Swiss Half-Fare card allows you to make the most of Switzerland’s majestic beauty and breathtaking scenic rail journeys.
Experience 3 of Switzerland’s most scenic and world-renowned rail journeys on
this fantastic 7 night holiday by First Class rail from £1,449 per person (based on two people sharing a twin/double room) and from £1,595 per person including the journey from Montreux to Jungfraujoch on the Jungfrau Railway and return on the Golden Panoramic Express
Holiday Highlights
Glacier Express
Bernina Express
Poschiavo
Lakeside Montreux
Stunning Château de Chillon (payable locally)
The Jungfrau – Top of Europe (supplements apply)
Golden Panoramic Express
Bernese Oberland
Scenic Rhine Gorge
Cologne & its famous Cathedral
Day 1 – By rail to Switzerland
As you stroll into stunning London St Pancras International station let the holiday mood take over. Sit back, relax and watch the countryside glide past as you travel by Eurostar to Paris at speeds of up to 186mph. Enjoy the light meal and drinks served on board in Standard Premier Class (formerly 1st class). On arrival at the Gare du Nord a private transfer takes you across Paris to continue your journey by TGV through France into Switzerland, alongside sparkling Lake Geneva to the elegant lakeside town of Montreux. Your hotel for the next 3 nights is the Grand Hotel Suisse Majestic, perfectly situated a few steps from the station and with fabulous views of the lake.
Day 2 – Château de Chillon and free time
 Glacier Express & Scenic Switzerland
Stretch your legs or board the trolley bus for the short journey to the stunning medieval Château de Chillon (payable locally). As you marvel at the spectacular setting, twixt sparkling lake and breathtaking mountains, spare a thought for the prisoners of this 13th century castle, considered to be one of the best-preserved in Europe. Your afternoon is free to stroll around Montreux, enjoy a scenic lake cruise or take the rack railway up Rochers-de-Naye for stupendous views and a chance to visit the ‘Marmot Paradise’.
Day 3 – Golden
Panoramic to Interlaken & Jungfrau
Railway to the ‘Top of Europe’ (supplements apply)
 Golden Panoramic to Interlaken & Jungfrau Railway
Today you board the GoldenPass Line panoramic train for a truly memorable rail journey. F irst youjourney south to Visp then up into the picturesque Bernese Oberland to Spiez and Interlaken aboard comfortable regional trains. Onward and upward from Interlaken, past the famous resorts of Wengen and Kleine Scheidegg, the spectacular Jungfrau Railway (supplements apply) conveys you to the highest railway station in Europe at 11,333ft. Savour the experience from the ‘Top of Europe’ before a dramatic descent via Grindelwald. Then relax in the comfort of your seat as the Golden Panoramic Express snakes alongside sparkling Lake Thun and climbs to more than 4,000ft above sea level. Enjoy the option of dinner in the restaurant car (payable locally) whilst you gaze at majestic views of the Swiss Alps as you pass through valleys dominated by cattle-farming and cheese-making, past the glamorous resorts of Château d’Oex and Gstaad. On the last leg of this fabulous journey back to Montreux revel in the breathtaking views of the French Alps as the train makes its spiralling descent towards Lake Geneva.
Day 4 – The Glacier Express
 Glacier Express
Excitement builds this morning as you bid farewell to Montreux and travel south-east to join the Glacier Express.
Probably the slowest ‘express’ in the world, the narrow-gauge train climbs up the Rhône Valley, past mountain peaks, tiny hamlets, rushing streams, then spirals upwards as it snakes its way over the Oberalp Pass at 6,670ft. Lunch on-board the Glacier Express is included for you to enjoy at your First Class seat while you admire the scenery through the panoramic windows. As the train descends the landscape changes to pasture and woodland as you enter the
broad valley of the Rhine before arrival in the historic town of Chur. Here you spend three nights at the attractive, family-run 3 star Romantik Hotel Stern, located in the old town.
Day 5 – The Bernina Express
 The Bernina Express
Board the Bernina Express in Chur for fabulous, breathtaking views from your First Class panorama car as you travel over bridges and graceful viaducts, through galleries and switch-back tunnels hewn into the rock, past waterfalls, ravines and rushing mountain streams. The route spirals and loops into the Engadine Valley before climbing more than 7,000ft to the Bernina Pass without the help of a rack-and-pinion mechanism. Marvel at the snow-capped mountains as the train descends into the pretty, Italian-speaking town of Poschiavo with its different cultural feel. There is time to relax and enjoy lunch in one of the town’s cafés or restaurants before the return journey to Chur.
 Free day to expore or relax
You may decide to stroll around the attractive old town of Chur today, amidst its cobbled streets and pretty squares, and
visit the vast 12th century cathedral or sample its many shops. To make the most of your included Swiss Pass travel first class to Lucerne and take the Mount Pilatus cogwheel railway from Alpnachstad to the summit of the Pilatus Kulm. When you reach the top of the world’s steepest cogwheel railway there is a magnificent panoramic view of Lucern, its sparkling lake, and the Alps beyond. For a different view you could journey east to gorgeous Lake Constance and join the Pre-Alpine Express for the scenic rail journey through the charming pre-alpine landscape with its rolling hills and storybook villages nestled in the valleys, possibly stopping to visit the monastery and Old Town of St. Gallen (UNESCO world cultural heritage site).
Day 7 – Switzerland to Germany by First Class train
Today you head north, leaving Chur and Switzerland behind as you journey aboard a EuroCity train, via Basel into Germany, along the scenic Rhine Gorge to Cologne. On arrival walk the short distance to your hotel for one night, the 4 star Four Points by Sheraton Hotel, ideally located close to the station and the city’s impressive Gothic cathedral. You might have time to visit the world-famous cathedral with spectacular views from the top or perhaps later you could stroll through the old town or alongside the river Rhine.
Day 8 – Cologne to London by ICE and Eurostar – Homeward bound
This morning after breakfast you have some time to further explore Cologne. Then walk the short distance (100m) to Cologne Hauptbahnhof and travel by ICE high-speed train to Brussels. Here you join your connection with Eurostar to London. Reflect on the past week of memories during your meal and drinks served at your comfortable Standard Premier seat as you return to London St. Pancras and the final leg of your journey home.
Your Hotels
 The Grand Hotel Suisse Majestic The Grand Hotel Suisse Majestic (4-star) is a traditional Belle-Époque hotel, originally built in 1870 and located right in the centre of Montreux, just a few steps from the Railway Station. The hotel has 140 rooms and benefits from fabulous views of Lake Geneva and the Alps from its summer terrace. All the comfortable en suite rooms in this stylish hotel feature air conditioning, TV, minibar, radio and telephone.
 Romantic Hotel Stern The Romantik Hotel Stern (3-star) is an historic hotel located in Chur’s old town. The combination of traditional features and modern comforts, with its restaurants, bar and lounge, make this family-run hotel a cosy, and attractive choice. All the comfortable en suite rooms feature TV, minibar, air-conditioning, radio, internet connection and telephone.
 The Four Points Hotel by Sheraton The Four Points by Sheraton Hotel (4-star) in Cologne is a modern hotel situated directly opposite the station, close to the iconic cathedral in the centre of the city. The hotel features a comfortable bar, lounge and restaurant. All en suite bedrooms are well-equipped with a telephone, wireless internet access, satellite, minibar, hairdryer, trouser press, safety deposit box and tea and coffee making facilities for a welcome morning cuppa.
Swiss Half-Fare card
A Swiss Half-Fare card is included in the price of this holiday giving you a 50% reduction on most rail journeys and other public transport in Switzerland.
What’s Included
• First Class rail travel (Standard Premier service on Eurostar)
• 7 nights’ hotel accommodation with breakfast each day, including 3 nights in a double room at the Grand Hotel Suisse Majestic in Montreux, 3 nights in a double room at the Romantik Hotel Stern in Chur, and an overnight stay in a double room at the Four Points by Sheraton Hotel in Cologne
• Seat reservations on the Glacier Express and Bernina Express
• Lunch on the Glacier Express train
• A Swiss Half-Fare card is included in the price of this holiday giving you a 50% reduction on most rail journeys and other public transport in Switzerland (smaller reductions apply for travel on some Swiss mountain railways, such as the Rigi railway, Mount Pilatus and Rochers-de-Naye).
• Private taxi transfer across Paris
Additional Information
Single supplement from £195 per person
Your hotel will give you a ‘Riviera card’ which gives you reduced price tickets on some scenic mountain trains and 50% reduction at many museums and attractions, including the Château de Chillon
Transfers to your hotel in Chur are not included
Holiday duration is 8 days
For information and booking about our Glacier Express and Scenic Switzerland at Christmas and New Year please contact
Tel: 01347 811810 or email info@planetrail.co.uk
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