DAY 1 - ARRIVAL IN BRIG You should arrive at the airport to take your flight and on arrival you will be taken to the small and charming town of Brig, perfectly located in the Rhône Valley at the head of the Simplon Pass. We stay four nights with breakfast and dinner at the three-star Hotel Victoria. It’s a comfortable family hotel that’s everything you’d expect from Switzerland - spotlessly clean and professionally managed with pride, efficiency and a smile. It has traditional antique furniture throughout, but thoroughly modern fittings and is extremely conveniently located directly opposite the station. Brig grew in prominence during the 17th century after monopolising the trade in silk, salt and mail between adjacent France and Italy. The wealth that resulted led to the creation of the country’s largest private residence: the Stockalper Palace. Some dates stay at the Hotel Alex, located in a
quiet sunny spot, a 10 minute stroll to the village of Naters, just opposite and across the Rhone River from Brig. The 48 rooms all have bath/shower, safe, hairdryer, TV and free wifi.
DAY 2 - ZERMATT & THE MATTERHORN Our first day trip takes us up the Mattertal Valley. Climbing upwards, the scenery becomes ever more spectacular. We pass countless torrential mountain streams and tumbling waterfalls before arriving at legendary Zermatt, nestling at the foot of the mighty and instantly recognisable Matterhorn. Zermatt is a car-free jumble of typical Swiss chalets, hotels and ancient wooden farm huts strewn along the valley floor. Dramatic cable cars and soaring footpaths weave ever upwards to the majestic amphitheatre of the surrounding lofty summits. The Matterhorn is the ultimate Alpine peak. Yet
it’s remarkably shy until you reach the end of the village, turn a corner, and the Swiss national symbol is revealed in all its unrivalled glory. This is truly one of life’s ‘wow’ moments. For an even better view, you can take the dramatic cog railway to the Gornergrat. If you prefer, you can relax in one of the many delightful cafés – or take a gentle ride in a horse-drawn carriage.
DAY 3 - LAKE MAGGIORE This morning we travel over the Simplon Pass, to the warm sunshine of Italy, the peaceful shores of Lake Maggiore and its most attractive town, Stresa, which owes its origin to the days of the ‘Grand Tour’ . Unmistakably Mediterranean in character, its shores, lined with oleanders and palms, backed by classic belle époque hotels create an ambience of classic gentility. Arriving in Stresa you will have some free time to wander around the cobbled streets, you’ll find them lined by a wealth of thriving traditional shops, bakers and butchers. Relax in one of the many cafes in the main square and partake in the Italian pastime of people watching, whilst enjoying a real Italian coffee. Boarding our private launch we
cruise across the shimmering waters of central Lake Maggiore taking in the sights of one of the real gems of northern Italy, the stunning Borromean Islands. Isola Bella dominates the landscape with its belle époque 17th century villa and astonishing ornamental gardens. Cruising along the shores of Isola Pescatori, the fisherman’s Island, we can see how the island has retained its original charm, with the traditional fishing boats anchored along the shores and finally Isola Madre the largest of the Islands with its English style botanical gardens, a mass of greenery can be seen as we cruise by heading back to the opposite shore of the Lake in Verbania.
From Verbania we drive along Lake Maggiore returning to Switzerland and Locarno, then board the narrow-gauge Centovalli Railway to Domodossola, named after the so-called ‘hundred valleys’ through which it passes, the train arrives in Domodossola where we will meet the coach for the final part of our return journey.
DAY 4 - MONTREUX Today we travel to Montreux on the sunny shores of Lake Geneva where you have a full day at leisure to choose what you’d like to do best. You could take a civilised cruise with lunch on board one of the many beautiful belle époque style
paddle-steamers plying the lake. Or you
could take the spectacular cog-wheel railway to the peak of Rochers de Naye that dominates the lake. For those who prefer to stay closer to Brig and like to walk in the fresh mountain air, there are some
easy footpaths close by, just a couple of stops down the railway.
DAY 5 - THE GLACIER EXPRESS Today we take the legendary ‘Glacier Express’ - one of the most spectacular railway journeys in the world and which for many will be the highlight of the holiday. It’s an absolute joy to travel on this specially designed train with its large panoramic windows, and to experience its several changes of locomotive that are needed to cope with the varied gradients. The four hour journey, travelling just 120 kilometres, winds and twists its way through ever more stunning scenery. After lunch on board (payable locally), we arrive in Chur. From here, winding ever-upwards, our coach takes us up to charming Klosters, renowned as the Royal Family’s favourite ski resort. The village is a wonderfully appealing huddle of typical dark-wood chalets, surrounded by invigorating alpine peaks creating a charming and cosy atmosphere in which to immerse yourself. Our hotel for the next three nights with dinner is the four-star Silvretta Parkhotel, located in the village centre. It has a large indoor pool with whirlpool and fitness area, the Panorama restaurant where we take dinner, a lounge bar and spacious, well appointed rooms.
DAY 6 - KLOSTERS While in Klosters you have free access via all the nearby cable cars and chair lifts to the surrounding peaks. You’ll enjoy a wonderland of stunning Alpine views linked by spectacular walks. The homely chalet-restaurants serve local specialities on their sunlit terraces.
DAY 7 - THE BERNINA EXPRESS Today, we enjoy a contrasting day of spectacular scenery and extraordinary Swiss engineering, taking the famous Bernina Express to Tirano just over the Italian border. This remarkable train twists upwards in an amazing sequence of spirals, loops, 55 tunnels and 196 bridges past the chic resort of St Moritz to the summit at Ospizio Bernina and at 7,400 feet, Europe’s highest through station. Next we wind our way down through pretty pastures and dense pine forests to Tirano. You have some free time here before we board our coach returning to Klosters via the stunning Upper Engadine Valley over the Fluela Pass (normally open late May to mid October). The Bernina Express railway and its surrounding countryside was designated a UNESCO World Heritage site in 2008. No surprise then that it’s acknowledged as one of the most scenic rail journeys in the world.
DAY 8 - RETURN FLIGHT You’ll be transferred to Zurich or Geneva airport for your return flight home.
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