Swiss Christmas Snow Train Adventure

DAY 1

Travelling by Eurostar from London St Pancras to Paris, then onwards to Hergiswil and our hotel for seven nights, the Seehotel Pilatus, where we check in and enjoy our first evening meal together.

DAY 2

The first of our spectacular excursions features one of Switzerland's most scenic railways, the former GoldenPass Line from Lucerne journeying along the shores of crystal-clear lakes, past beautiful waterfalls, and over the magnificent Brünig Pass to Interlaken. Here we climb up to the pretty Swiss mountain village of Grindelwald, nestled at the foot of the Eiger's north face, where we enjoy free time before we return to Hergiswil in time for our evening meal.

DAY 3

Our excursion today takes us on the Voralpen Express departing from Lake Lucerne and passing Lake Zug and expansive landscapes, before beginning its ascent through snowbound Rothenthurm High Moor en route to Einsiedeln. Since the Middle Ages Einsiedeln, with its baroque monastery and Black Madonna, has been one of the most important places of pilgrimage in Europe. We retrace our steps to Hergiswil in time for our evening meal together.

DAY 4

We will spend today at leisure in Hergiswil giving us the opportunity to relax and unwind by the lovely Lake Lucerne and maybe taking full advantage of the ample leisure facilities offered by the hotel. Alternatively, you can use your local transport pass to visit Lucerne itself including the famous Chapel Bridge and Water Tower, historic churches, and Museum of Transport before we reconvene for our evening meal together.

DAY 5

After breakfast this morning, we board the Snow Express train leaving the shores of Lake Lucerne and heading into the Engelberg Valley through delightful villages nestling at the foot of increasingly steep and lofty mountains. From Engelberg we ascend Mount Titlis on the world's first revolving cable car - the 'Titlis Rotair'. The cable car completes one full 360° rotation during its ascent providing breathtakingly beautiful panoramas as you soar to the mountain station at an altitude of just under 3,000 metres above sea level.

DAY 6

Merry Christmas! Today, we head out on the Schöllenen Railway line south towards the Gotthard and onwards to Oberalppass where we experience a taste of the Glacier Express route from the highest point on the line with views of a snow-covered wonderland with stunning peaks through to Andermatt. After free time in this beautiful Swiss mountain village, we return to Hergiswil to enjoy our Christmas Dinner together.

Day 7

After breakfast today, we will experience the historic Rigi Railway, Europe's first mountain railway transporting visitors from all over the world to the top of the 'Queen of the Mountains' since 1871. The Rigi's unique location and panoramic views made it a famous destination for writers and heads of state during the 'Belle Époque' era, and even Queen Victoria journeyed to the peak.

DAY 8

We bid farewell to Hergiswil and to Switzerland, returning by rail to Paris, where we will join the Eurostar service to London St Pancras.

B=Breakfast, D=Dinner