DAY 1 - ARRIVAL IN INTERLAKEN You fly to Zurich and transfer to the extremely comfortable four-star Royal-St. Georges Hotel for seven nights with breakfast and dinner. The beautifully located hotel in Interlaken’s historic centre, just a few minutes’ walk from the station has real pedigree, welcoming guests in style and comfort since 1908. The bedrooms (either in modern or traditional style) have everything you’d expect from a contemporary hotel with this rating - with well appointed bathrooms, satellite TV, safe, mini bar and free Wi-Fi. This evening we dine in the hotel’s restaurant – before perhaps retiring to the hotel’s art nouveau bar for a digestif.
DAY 2 - INTERLAKEN Well known for its genteel atmosphere, Interlaken’s position at the heart of the Bernese Oberland makes it the perfect base from which to explore this amazing region’s fascinating towns and villages. Mighty mountains surround you and today you’ll get up close and personal with some of the world’s most famous peaks – the majestic Jungfrau (young maiden), Mönch (Monk) and Eiger (Ogre). Together they form a trio of giant snow-capped peaks soaring upwards to nearly 11,000 feet. We take the narrow gauge railway to Lauterbrunnen, nestling in a stunning, vertical-sided glacial valley formed millennia ago. With mountains now completely dominating the skyline, and with only upward views, we change onto the mountain cog railway. It climbs steeply through the fashionable ski resort of Wengen, across the slopes of the famous Lauberhorn world cup ski race reaching one of Europe’s highest railway junctions, Kleine Scheidegg, and some of the world’s most breathtaking alpine scenery. This afternoon we take the yellow post bus for a
scenic drive over the 6,400-foot Grosse Scheidegg pass. This is one of the most beautiful routes in the region, crossing the ‘secret’ Rosenlaui Valley where no private cars are allowed to disturb the tranquillity of the flower-filled alpine meadows, dwarfed by the towering jagged peak of the Wetterhorn. Finally, we reach Meiringen – a wonderfully pleasant town, famous for its role in the final demise of Sherlock Holmes at the nearby Reichenbach Falls. Visit the small Sherlock Holmes Museum or just relax in Meiringen itself, before joining the train back along pretty Lake Brienz to Interlaken.
DAY 3 - BRIENZ ROTHORN RAILWAY Since the final years of the 19th century, travellers have been transported to the summit of the Switzerland’s peaks by some of the world’s most amazing feats of railway engineering. Many of the original steam locomotives have long since been replaced by electric traction but today though, you have the chance to experience one of the few routes still operated primarily by steam. After a short regular train journey to the lakeside
resort of Brienz, we join the remarkable Brienz Rothorn railway for the breathtaking ride to the Rothorn. There’s time for lunch at the summit and a leisurely wander around Brienz itself following the return ride. If you’re feeling energetic, you can choose instead to take the steep but enjoyable hike down the mountain. After that, we return by lake steamer to Interlaken.
DAY 4 - FREE DAY IN INTERLAKEN There are countless fascinating things to do in and around the Interlaken area – and it’s nice to have a choice. So today you are free to spend as you wish. Explore the town at your leisure or you could use your included Bernese Oberland Pass to discover more of the surrounding region. You could take the funicular to Harder Kulm, or the Post bus to Habkern or Beatenberg with its staggering views over Lake Thun and the snow-clad Jungfrau. Another peaceful option is a steamer cruise on either of the two lakes from which Interlaken takes its name.
For a supplement, take the spectacular cable car ride
to the Schilthorn. Famous for its revolving restaurant with stunning views of the surrounding mountains, it starred in the Bond film “On Her Majesty’s Secret Service”. On the return
journey you could stop to view
the amazing Trummelbach Falls, hidden within a deep cleft in the mountain. Wherever you choose to
go, keep an eye out for the gorgeous pink glow on the snowy peaks as the sun sets.
DAY 5 - LAKE OESCHINEN
Today’s trip starts by train along the lake to Spiez. Here we change onto the BLS railway to twist and turn up the picturesque Kander valley to the small town of Kandersteg. Then we take a cable car for a spectacular ride to beautiful Lake Oeschinen, set in a mountain amphitheatre high above the main valley. Returning to picturesque lakeside Spiez, you’ll have some free time for lunch and a wander before returning at your leisure
by lake steamer to Interlaken. You could take time to stop off exploring the pretty communities lining the lakeside.
DAY 6 - LUCERNE Today, after breakfast, we're off today on a tour to Lucerne. Our outward train takes the lakeside route to Brienz, then over the steeply graded scenic Brünig Pass into central Switzerland. As you leave the station in Lucerne you’ll be greeted by the familiar scene of so many calendars and chocolate boxes - the unmistakable wooden covered bridge across the end of the lake. You’ll have plenty of time to explore Lucerne and its charming waterfront. Then we board the narrow gauge train returning back over the Brünig Pass via Meiringen along the lake to Interlaken.
DAY 7 - FREE DAY Your last day is again free for you to choose your own personal itinerary, perhaps using your Bernese Oberland travel pass. You might decide to take the easy ride to Bern - capital of the Swiss Confederation, for a day of shopping and culture in the city where Einstein worked. Or there’s Gstaad, the super-chic resort on the route of the Golden Pass narrow gauge “express” train. If the weather looks good and you’re still eager for even more, high mountain scenery, why not take the train to Kleine Scheidegg and continue on the Jungfrau Railway through the heart of the Eiger Mountain itself to Jungfraujoch (direct supplement payable). This evening we enjoy our last meal together in the
Royal-St. George. It’s your last chance to share the wonders of Switzerland‘s stunning Bernese Oberland.
DAY 8 - RETURN FLIGHT You transfer by coach back to Zürich airport for your return flight back to the UK.
COMPLIMENTARY GUIDED WALK An increasing number of you want to stretch your legs whilst away so you may want to
join our complimentary walk. Places are limited so please advise at time of booking. For more details see Page 8.
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