Destination Country: Italy Switzerland Germany
Regions/Cities include: Milan Lake Maggiore Stresa Zermatt Glacier Express Chur Lucerne Mt Pilatus Zurich Munich Schloss Newschwanstein	Activities include: Explore by rail in small group

Alpine Rail Journey

Alpine scenery, exciting cities, fairytale castles and amazing train journeys including the Glacier Express - a journey that rates among the greatest, slowest, most romantic train trips in the world!

Other dates also available.

 

Day 1:  Milan    (D)

Arrive in Milan at any time, you will be met by a representative and transferred to your hotel. Meet your trip leader and your fellow companions at the welcome meeting. In the evening, enjoy a welcome dinner in one of the traditional restaurants near the hotel. After dinner, the rest of the evening is free for you to explore the town, or to rest up in preparation for tomorrow's early start.

 

Day 2: Milan - Stresa (Lake Maggiore)  (B)

Discover Milan, Italy's second largest city, an interesting mix of glamour and industry. Take an orientation walk and see the main sights, including the Duomo (the Gothic cathedral in the centre of town). Later, board the train to Stresa for the first leg of your journey (approximately 1 hour). This small town is situated on the banks of beautiful Lake Maggiore. The three tiny Borromean Islands here, known for their terraced gardens and aristocratic villas, are well worth visiting. Perhaps reach one of them on an afternoon ferry stroll across Lake Maggiore. You'll catch your first views of the Alps in the background.

 

Day 3: Stresa – Zermatt   (B)

Today you will take another train journey, reaching further into the Alps. Arrive at the famous mountain resort of Zermatt. On the way, yet more scenic views of the Alps reveal themselves. Continue to Zermatt, a place famed for its mountaineering and excellent skiing. The views of the Swiss Alps are excellent from here (if changeable alpine weather permits!). At over 4478 metres above sea level, with the mighty Matterhorn looming above, you might feel you have reached the heart of the Alps. Enjoy a guided walk and listen to the stories of various attempts at the summit; some tragic, some successful, but all fascinating and truly adventurous. The rest of the day is free for you to stroll around town.

 

Day 4: Zermatt   (B)

Wake up this morning to fresh, crisp Alpine air. The day is free for you to enjoy as you wish. The village of Zermatt itself is lovely and car-free, with old-fashioned brown chalets and winding alleys. Its main street, Bahnhofstrasse is lined with boutique shops, hotels and restaurants. Perhaps enjoy an easy day soaking in the atmosphere of the adventure that surrounds the place. If you feel more active today, a walk to Gornerschlucht may be a great way to discover more of the neighbourhood. It is a 20-minute walk from town along the river to this dramatic gorge, carved out of green serpentine rock and accessed by a series of wooden staircases and walkways. When you’re back in Zermatt, make sure you’ll join a line for a street grilled sausage and chunk of bread, a speciality of the region.

 

Day 5: Zermatt – Lucerne  (B,L)

After a hearty breakfast at the foot of Matterhorn, it's time for a scenic train ride across the alps. The Glacier Express Train will take you from Zermatt through Andermatt to Chur (approximately 6 hours). This is a fascinating journey through scores of tunnels and bridges and over the Oberalp Pass (2033 m). The train is a narrow-gauge train, known to be one of the slowest in the country. Sit back, relax and enjoy the spectacular scenery, which is only made better by the panoramic sightseeing windows on board. There will be lunch on the train – perhaps enjoy it with a glass of crisp Swiss white wine. On arrival in Chur you will change trains and then continue to Lucerne, where the remainder of the day is free for you to enjoy.

 

Day 6: Lucerne  (B)

This morning will be an early start, but otherwise a leisurely one, as you take another epic train to the top of Mount Pilatus via the famous Golden Circle route. Firstly, you will take a short boat ride on Lake Lucerne, then board the world’s steepest cog railway to the top of the mountain. On some sections of the trip you may be exposed to the sheer drops and high bridges. Those prone to vertigo might want to refrain from looking down! Luckily the scenery is as gorgeous as it is dramatic. Enjoy panoramic views of the Alps (weather dependent) before taking the aerial cableway and gondolas down to Kriens, from where you will take a short drive back to Lucerne. An orientation walk in Lucerne on arrival will give you some ideas for where to dine this evening, but before that, you will enjoy a private chocolate making show. Mixing a passion for chocolate with a pantry full of natural ingredients, a team of chocolate-making magicians will demonstrate their skills exclusively to our group.

 

Day 7: Lucerne - Zurich - Munich  (B)

Rise early this morning for another train trip, this time you will stop over in Zurich where on arrival you’ll join your leader for an orientation walk around the town and introduce you to some of its main sites. There will be plenty of time for you to have lunch in one of Zurich's great eateries. Carry on to Munich in the afternoon, arriving in the early evening to check into your hotel. The night is free for you to explore the Bavarian capital or simply relax.

 

Day 8: Munich  (B)

After a peaceful morning we will take an orientation walk around Munich, the capital of Bavaria. Once you know your whereabouts, you may want to visit the Marianplatz, the Neues Rathaus (the New Town Hall), or perhaps the medieval city gates that remain standing. Another must see is the Englischer Garten, one of the biggest urban parks in the world.

 

Day 9: Munich - Neuschwanstein Castle  (B,D)

Starting early morning we will go by private minibus to Schloss Neuschwanstein castle, a nineteenth-century Romanesque Revival palace on a rugged hill above the village of Hohenschwangau. The palace was built by the King Ludwig II, known to be very shy, and the purpose of this beautiful construction was for the king to hide from the public. In 1886, only after 7 weeks from Ludwig II death, the palace was opened to the public and now receives a vast number of visitors each year. You will spend most of your day here, learning about its history and soaking up the atmosphere of the palace. Afterwards, head back to Munich in the late afternoon where you can enjoy some free time to relax before a farewell dinner with your fellow travellers at the famous Munich beerhall - the best way to finish a week of alpine adventure.

 

Day 10: Munich  (B)

Your trip comes to an end after breakfast this morning. There are no further activities planned and you are free to depart at any time.

 

COST

NZ$6021 per person twin share

NZ$2165 single supplement  (option to twin share with same gender subject to availability)

Subject to change until confirmed and paid in full.

 

INCLUSIONS

• Experienced Tour Escort

• Meals as specified (B-breakfast, L-lunch, D-dinner)

• Transportation by Taxi, Train, Ferry, Minibus

• Accommodation in Comfortable hotel s(7 nights), Feature stay (2 nights)

• Complimentary Airport Arrival Transfer

• Ferry trip on Lake Maggiore

• Guided walk Zermatt

• Mt Pilatus Golden Circle tour

• Chocolate making demonstration in Lucerne

• Castle Neuschwanstein guided tour

EXCLUSIONS

• Flights

• Insurance

• Optional tours