TRAVEL
and art-fi lled Florence with its world-famous galleries,
museums and majestic gardens.
There is a host of fabulous combinations created
by Venice Simplon-Orient-Express; Rome and Venice,
Paris and Venice, Venice and Prague, Venice, Vienna
and Budapest - and so it goes on, showing the
amazing contrasts of Europe.
The Great Rail Journeys brand is also well
established and offers group escorted holidays by
rail. The company offers over 70 European rail tours
departing between March and October, including
world famous journeys like the Glacier Express,
Bergen railway, the Centovalli railway and the West
Highland line. In addition Great Rail Journeys has
a Winter & Spring programme comprising over 50
tours. . There is a growing number of Short Breaks
and a good selection of ‘Cruising By Rail’ holidays,
mostly incorporating ‘no fl y’ river cruises but also
including some ocean cruises too.
The Glacier Express holiday combines stunning rail
trips to the roof of the Alps with visits to scenic Zermatt
and Interlaken, plus free time to follow your own
interests with a Swiss Travel Pass. Departing from St
Pancras International in London by Eurostar, the guests
can enjoy a complimentary meal and drinks before
arriving in Paris. After crossing the city by coach, the
journey continues by TGV to Dijon and one night is
spent at the Mercure Dijon Clémenceau. From Dijon
the journey takes you into Switzerland on the effi cient
Swiss rail network up the Rhône Valley to Brig,
situated at the foot of the Simplon Pass. Four nights
are spent here at the Hotel Simplon and the fi rst day
is spent enjoying the dramatic Swiss scenery travelling
on the narrow-gauge mountain railway to Zermatt,
a picturesque village overlooked by the Matterhorn. The narrow-gauge Bernina Express will then take hotel accommodation with breakfast, seven dinners,
Take a refreshing walk into the mountains or, if you you from Chur over viaducts and bridges, past First Class rail travel on Glacier Express including
have a head for heights, make the train journey up waterfalls and deep ravines as the train ascends lunch, First Class Swiss Travel Pass for two people,
to Gornergrat (supplement payable locally). The the Albula Pass. The route was recently awarded all excursions detailed in the itinerary, all transfers,
next day travel to Interlaken, situated between Lakes UNESCO World Heritage site status and loops and transportation of luggage between Brig and Chur
Thun and Brienz in the Bernese Oberland. Enjoy a spirals into the Engadine Valley before climbing even and the services of a Tour Manager throughout.
lake cruise, take a mountain railway ride through the higher over the Bernina Pass to more than 7,000 Sometimes you have to fl y to experience a
Alpine meadows or undertake the ultimate excursion feet (2,134m). Enjoy the breathtaking views of the wonderful rail holiday in far-fl ung places. Great
to the highest railway station in Europe, Jungfraujoch snow-capped peaks as you travel to Poschiavo in Rail Journeys provide 30 different tours ‘around the
(supplement payable locally). The following day is the Italian-speaking region, a picturesque town with world’ including iconic trains and rail journeys like
spent at leisure to explore this region using a Swiss pastel-coloured buildings, cafés and restaurants. You the Siberian Express, the Palace on Wheels in India
Pass, and particularly recommended is travelling have some free time for lunch in Poschiavo before and the incredible US Coast to Coast experience.
along the Rhône Valley to the stylish city of Montreux. returning to Chur. There are Canadian tours offering overnight stays on
From here you can enjoy a relaxing paddle steamer Chur is the oldest town in Switzerland and a the superb VIA Rail trains as well as tours in South
cruise on Lake Geneva or join the GoldenPass Line pleasure to explore. Stroll through the medieval Africa, Japan, China, Australia and New Zealand.
train for the spectacular journey over the Golden Pass alleyways and squares of the Old Town and visit To book your rail journey experience or for
to Spiez. The wonderful journey on the Centovalli the vast 12th century cathedral, a blend of Gothic information about any other holiday experience in
Railway across ‘a hundred valleys’ to Locarno on the and Romanesque styles. Take a train to the mountain the world, please contact Giles Travel on (01494)
northern shores of Lake Maggiore is also an excellent resort of Arosa or visit Lucerne, a historic lakeside 432660, e-mail leisure@gilestravel.com or visit
choice. city of cobbled streets and ornate churches. In website www.gilestravel.com
Then leave Brig on the Glacier Express narrow- Lucerne, you could see the Kapellbrücke bridge or
gauge train, probably the slowest ‘express’ in enjoy a relaxing steamer cruise.
the world. The train climbs up the Rhône Valley Leaving Chur it is time to travel by EuroCity train
to Andermatt and then snakes and spirals its way via Zürich and Basel into Germany, along the scenic
towards the Oberalp Pass, the highest point of the Rhine Gorge to Cologne. Arriving late-afternoon,
route at 6,670 feet (2,033m). The train descends one night is spent at either the Four Points Hotel or
through pasture and woodland to the Rhine and the Hotel Euro Garden, both located within walking
continues along the broad valley to Chur, arriving distance of the station and the city’s magnifi cent
early afternoon. Lunch on board the Glacier Express Gothic cathedral.
is included and served at your First Class seat. Chur Finally, depart for Brussels and connect with
is a historic town in southeast Switzerland where Eurostar to London, arriving into St Pancras
trains still run through the streets. Three nights are International after a complimentary meal and
spent here at the historic Romantik Hotel Stern, drinks are served on board. Prices start from
located in the Old Town. £1398.00 per person and include nine nights
MARCH ISSUE | 53
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