Christmas & New Year in Switzerland
Holiday Highlights
- First Class Swiss Pass for unlimited travel whilst in Switzerland - no expensive excursions to pay for
- Reserved seats in first class on Glacier and Bernina Express Trains
- Leisure time in Interlaken and Chur
- Half Board in Interlaken and dinner on New Year's Day in Chur
- Escorted optional excursions to Mürren, Zermatt, Arosa plus a lake cruise
- Ideally located hotels
- 15 Days from £2,875pp
Tour Dates:
Friday 20 December 2019 to Friday 3 January 2020
Our annual 2-centre visit over the festive season is one of our firm favourites. Experience a guaranteed ‘White Christmas’ in the snow-drenched Swiss Alps and celebrate with fellow travellers. Journey on the Glacier and Bernina Express Trains through a winter wonderland!
"Met my expectations exactly. Have been on this holiday for last 15 years which says it all. Good attention to detail."
Traveladdict - Christmas & New in Switzerland 2018/19
ITINERARY
Day 1 – To Aachen
We take the lunchtime Eurostar service from London St Pancras to Brussels, then onwards to Aachen for an overnight stay. Welcome dinner included in the hotel.
Day 2 – Arrive Interlaken
Journey from Aachen to Interlaken by train using the classic Rhine route. From Basle all of our travel in Switzerland is in first class using the Swiss Travel Pass and we have time here to move to first class seats within the same train. We stay at the Hotel Metropole for 7 nights. As well as breakfast each morning dinner is included each evening with a special meal on Christmas Eve.
Days 3 to 8 – Exploring the Bernese Oberland
Free days based in Interlaken with your first class Swiss Travel Pass. This ticket covers trains, lake steamers, trams and postbuses so there is something for everyone. Your experienced tour leader will offer an optional escorted excursion each day. We will supply, prior to the holiday, a comprehensive excursion list to give you some suggestions to consider. Interlaken is in an enviable position between lakes Thun and Brienz and within easy reach of some stunning mountain scenery.
Day 9 – To Graubünden
Travelling first of all south to the Rhone valley at Brig to connect with the world famous Glacier Express for the scenic journey to Chur. On arrival in Chur we make our way to the hotel for a 5-night stay on a bed and breakfast basis. We also include dinner in a nearby restaurant on New Year’s Day.
Day 10 – Chur at Leisure
Free day based in Chur with your Swiss Travel Pass. You have the chance to explore Chur and the surrounding area using the UNESCO World Heritage Rhaetian Railways network. There will be an optional escorted excursion offered, but if you prefer to be independent, your tour leader can help with planning.
Day 11 – Bernina Express
Today we offer a full day escorted excursion from Chur to Tirano and return travelling on the Bernina Express in first class. The route, with its spirals and tunnels and reaching an altitude of more than 2000m, is the only north–south Alpine route not in a tunnel.
Days 12 & 13 – Further Free Time
Further free days based in Chur with an optional escorted excursion each day. Do make time to explore Chur. As the oldest city in Switzerland with a pedestrianised ‘old town’ area, it is a delight to wander around.
Day 14 – To Cologne
Leaving Chur after breakfast we travel to Zürich and make a connection with the ICE service to Cologne for an overnight stay.
Day 15 – Home to London
Morning departure on an ICE service to Brussels to connect with Eurostar to London, arriving early afternoon.
Tour Route
Selected Hotels
Hotel Ibis am Marschiertor, Aachen
Hotel Metropole, Interlaken
Hotel Freieck, Chur
Hotel Ibis Köln am Dom, Cologne
Please note - hotels can be subject to change
Price Includes
- Standard class travel to and from Switzerland
- First class Swiss Travel Pass for unlimited travel on trains, postbuses, lake steamers and many city buses and trams
- Supplements and reserved seats in first class on Glacier and Bernina Express Trains
- Optional escorted excursions as listed
- Accommodation in good, centrally located hotels on a bed & breakfast basis
- Dinners in Aachen and Interlaken
- New Year's Day dinner in Chur
- Services of a tour leader from London and throughout the tour
Price per person
| Escorted holiday: | £2,875 |
| Single room supplement: | £555 |
| Deposit for this holiday: | £100 |
