9 Day Swiss Greatest Rail Adventure

Welcome to Switzerland! This independent package gives you the opportunity to explore at your own pace, while experiencing three of the most famous scenic trains in Switzerland. You'll also be able to access free public transport in Lucerne, Lugano, and St. Moritz with Swiss Guest Cards that you will collect from your hotel. Arrive into Zurich and take the train from the airport to Lucerne. Located in the heart of Switzerland, this scenic city is built on the shores of Lake Lucerne and is surrounded by spectacular alpine peaks. After checking into your hotel, explore the beautiful and historic old town by foot. Make sure to walk across Chapel Bridge, one of the oldest covered wooden bridges in Europe, covered with gable paintings. Special Information Today use your Swiss Half Fare card and point to point tickets to travel from Zurich Airport to Lucerne. You can take any connection, with the total travel time taking approximately 1 hour depending on train and schedule changes. Please check the SBB app timetable before travelling. Please note: If you choose to add pre-tour accommodation to your Inspiring Vacations package, it will be in Zurich. In this case, your Swiss Half Fare Card will be valid on arrival and can be used for the train from Zurich Airport to Zurich. If you arrange your own accommodation prior to the tour, your airport train fare will not be included in your package.

Today you will have a free day to explore Lucerne and its surroundings. Experience the contrast between historic monuments and contemporary design which combine to create a unique and lively city centre. Stroll along pedestrian cobblestone streets lined with historic homes decorated with frescoes in the old town. Visit Switzerland's first Baroque building, the Jesuit church dating to the 17th century, and visit the Lion monument, a figure of a dying lion which was hewn from the face of rock in remembrance of the heroic death of Swiss guards killed during an attack in 1792. Inspiring Highlights Lucerne

After breakfast, depart Lucerne to explore two of Switzerland's most beautiful regions: Central Switzerland and Ticino, on the Gotthard Panorama Express. Start by boarding a steamer to cross Lake Lucerne to Flüelen, as you watch picturesque villages and towering mountains glide by. The trip then continues by train through the impressive Reuss Valley with its deep ravines and cliffs. The world-famous Gotthard line swiftly climbs from 470 to about 1100 metres above sea level to finally enter the 15-kilometre-long Gotthard tunnel – Europe's most important North/South gateway. After 10 minutes of tunnel passage you will arrive in the Mediterranean climate of Switzerland's Italian speaking region of Ticino. In the Leventina Valley, the Gotthard Express crosses breath-taking bridges and passes charming villages on its way to Bellinzona. Change here to continue your journey to Lugano. Inspiring Highlights Gotthard Panorama Express Special Information Your travel time today will be approximately 5.5 hours. Today use your Swiss Half Fare card, point to point tickets, and seat reservations for your journey.

Set in a bay on the northern side of Lake Lugano, surrounded by mountains, Lugano is a traffic-free historic town with exclusive museums, beautiful mountains, Mediterranean climate and events all year round. Enjoy the Mediterranean atmosphere, take the cable car to the old town, stroll along the lakeside promenade or take a trip to Monte Brè or Monte San Salvatore – the two closest mountains to Lugano, both offering outstanding panoramic views. Inspiring Highlights Lugano

Today you'll cross the border into Italy as part of the scenic Bernina Express journey. Start by taking the Bernina Express coach to Tirano, Italy, where you will have time to explore the town and have (optional) lunch at a local restaurant before boarding the Bernina Express train to St. Moritz. The train journey over the Bernina Pass is an incredible experience and one of the most spectacular routes across the Alps. Travelling over circular viaducts, the train climbs to over 2,000m above sea level, with stunning views over snow-capped mountains and glaciers. The train includes commentary in English to enlighten your journey. St. Moritz is more than just a holiday resort. It was also the birthplace of Alpine winter tourism and has twice hosted the Winter Olympics. Summer sees the arrival of adventurous travellers seeking to try their hand at sailing, rowing, windsurfing, and more. Romantic carriage rides around the lake, through the Staz forest or the grand town itself are also among the highlights of a stay in St. Moritz. Inspiring Highlights Bernina Express Special Information Your travel time today will be approximately 7.5 hours. Today use your Swiss Half Fare card, point to point tickets and seat reservation for this journey. Please Note: until mid-May the Bernina Express does not operate directly to St. Moritz. A change of trains is required in nearby Pontresina, where a regional train will take you the short, 10 minute journey up to St. Moritz.

St. Moritz is one of the best-known holiday resorts in the world, famous for its elegance and cosmopolitan air, with exquisite gastronomy and exclusive shopping and leisure facilities. The rich and famous flock to St. Moritz to enjoy its beauty; at 1856m above sea level, it is surrounded by stunning lakes, snow-capped mountain peaks and the only national natural park in Switzerland. Wander around the old town at your leisure and soak up the atmosphere, take a stroll around the lake or hike along one of the scenic hiking trails of the Upper Engadine. Explore the local mountains such as Diavolezza, Corvatsch, and Muottas Muragl. Mountain railways are included with the guest card during your stay in St. Moritz. Inspiring Highlights St Moritz

After breakfast, depart St. Moritz on the world-famous Glacier Express. This fascinating 7.5 hour rail journey crosses the Swiss Alps, including 291 bridges and 91 tunnels while climbing over the 2.033m high Oberalp Pass to connect the world-renowned resorts of St. Moritz and Zermatt. Experience the Alps in all their breath-taking glory from the comfort of your seat in the panorama car: unspoilt mountain forests, lush Alpine pastures, rushing streams and valleys with their rich traditions stretching back hundreds of years. Onboard commentary is available in English throughout the journey as a guide to the dramatic landscape and spectacular views. You can also upgrade your journey with a 3-course meal delivered to your seat (see upgrade options). Inspiring Highlights Glacier Express Special Information Your travel time today will be approximately 8 hours. Today use your Swiss Half Fare card, point to point tickets and seat reservation for this journey.

Dominated by the unmistakable peak of the Matterhorn, standing alone at the head of the valley, Zermatt is encircled by a ring of four-thousand metre peaks. At the foot of the Matterhorn, the old town of Zermatt has preserved its original character and traditional features. Today at your leisure, you will take the cog railway from Zermatt up to the 3089-metre-high Gornergrat. At 3883 metres in altitude, Europe's highest vantage point able to be reached by cableway offers a fascinating panoramic vista of the Matterhorn and summits of 29 Swiss, Italian and French Alps with summits over 4,000 metres. The journey takes 30 minutes each way, and you can stay as long as you'd like. You may wish to add on another mountain peak today, and visit the Matterhorn, or relax in this charming resort town. Inspiring Highlights Gornergrat Special Information Your travel time today will be approximately 1.5 hours. Today use your Swiss Half Fare card and Gornergrat tickets for your journey. You can take any connection, please check the SBB app timetable before travelling.

Enjoy one last delicious breakfast this morning, before your Swiss adventure comes to an end after checking out of your hotel. At a suitable time make your way to the Zurich airport. Thank you for travelling with Inspiring Vacations. We hope you had a memorable experience. Special Information Your travel time today will be approximately 4 hours. This may vary depending on train connections and schedule changes. Today use your Swiss Half Fare card and point to point tickets to travel from Zermatt to Zurich. You can take any connection, please check the SBB app timetable before travelling. If the post-tour accommodation is booked, note it will be in Zurich.