SWITZERLAND’S GREATEST RAILWAY JOURNEY featuring the White Turf Skijoring Races in Saint Moritz, Switzerland.
February 15 - February 24, 2024
Offered by Claudia Allene of Claudia Around The World Tours ~ claudiaaroundtheworld.com
Contact: (218) 513-8922 or claudiaaroundtheworld@gmail.com
Day 1: February 15th ~ Arrival
Welcome to the largest city in Switzerland - Zurich! Upon arrival, your driver meets you at the airport and transfers you to your remarkable hotel for check-in.
The rest of the day is free, so you can relax in your room, have dinner in a local restaurant and start exploring the nearby attractions. There will be a welcome reception and overnight in Zurich (Boutique Hotel Helmhaus or similar).
Day 2: February 16th ~ Exploring Lucerne
In the morning you head to the railway station to take a train to Lucerne. In about 50 minutes you meet your guide at the station of Lucerne.
Then you are invited to take an unforgettable trip with your private guide who shows you the magnificent views of Mount Pilatus and the Lucerne region. The tour starts with a 20-minute bus ride to Kriens.
There you board a cable car that takes you across the famous cableway 'Dragon Ride' passing through lush Alpine meadows, spectacular rocks and sparkling mountain streams to the top of Mt Pilatus, altitude of which is 2,132 m (6,995 ft). For the return journey you again ride a cable car to enjoy the fantastic scenery one more time. As the last part of your magnificent tour you take a bus from Kriens back to Lucerne.
After the tour you take a train back to Zurich.
Day 3: February 17th ~ Departure to St. Moritz
After breakfast, you check out from the hotel and have a transfer to the station. Off you go to St. Moritz to experience the famous White Turf event, another amazing highlight of this tour!
The White Turf is a unique, exclusive, top-class event with exciting horse-racing, gourmet catering, lively music, and inspiring art exhibitions, all taking place in winter sunshine on the frozen lake among the stunningly beautiful, snow-capped mountains of St. Moritz.
You arrive to St Moritz station, walk to your hotel and check in. (Hotel Reine Victoria or similar).
Day 4: February 18th ~ Exploring St Moritz
A full day of horse racing events at The White Turf including VIP grandstand seating. A complete program will be provided.
Day 5: February 19th ~ Glacier Express to Zermatt
Following breakfast, you check out from the hotel. Today you enjoy a once-in-a-lifetime railway journey to Zermatt on board the iconic Glacier Express that presents you with fantastic views of the picturesque Swiss Alps taking you through lots of tunnels and over several hundred bridges. The so-called 'slowest express train in the world' snakes its way through valleys, mountains and even canyons.
Day 5: February 19th ~ Arrival to Zermatt
Zermatt is famous not only for being a popular ski resort. This lovely village is located in the southern canton of Valais which is home to some of the world's most spectacular mountains, including Matterhorn.
Upon arrival, you walk to your hotel for check-in, and have the rest of the day at leisure. (Alpenhotel Fleurs de Zermatt or similar).
Day 6: February 20th ~ Day Trip to Gornergrat
After breakfast you walk to the station where you board a cogwheel train equipped with large windows that allow you to enjoy a journey across the highest open-air railway in Europe. The Gornergrat Bahn is the cog railway which was the first in the world to be fully electrified. Nowadays regenerative braking system of this eco-friendly railway generates electricity on the descent and so saves energy.
After about 45 minutes you reach the station of Gornergrat which is considered to be the highest open-air railway station of Europe at an altitude of 3, 090 m (10,135 ft). Gornergrat observation platform is accessible all year round and offers one of the finest panoramas in Switzerland. From there you have a glorious view of more than 20 four-thousand m (13,123 ft) peaks, one of which is Matterhorn. A truly unforgettable experience you cannot miss!
After some free time in Gornergrat you have a train ride back to Zermatt. The rest of the day is at leisure.
Day 7: February 21st ~ Train to Montreux
In the morning after breakfast you check out from the hotel, walk to the next train station.
The traditional resort town of Montreux located on the shores of Geneva Lake! Upon arrival, you walk to your centrally-located hotel for check-in.
Next, we head to Chillon Castle the most recognizable historic monument in Switzerland which dates back to medieval ages. We will have a private guided tour around the most spectacular parts of Chillon Castle.
Following Chillon you head for Montreux where you meet your guide and have a private walking tour. You learn about the history and culture of charming 'Swiss Riviera' strolling along the lake shores.
After the tour you return to your hotel.
Day 8: February 22 ~ Day Trip to Geneva
Following breakfast, you walk to the train station for a 1-hour train to Geneva.
Upon arrival, you meet your guide and start exploring the highlights of Geneva, the second most populous city of Switzerland and a capital of Romandy, the French-speaking region. Being the European seat of the UN and headquarters of the Red Cross, Geneva is known as the ‘Capital of Peace’.
We will proceed to the astonishing Old Town and see St. Peter Cathedral, the English Garden with Flower Clock, Lle Rousseau and Castle Tour-de-l’ile. Here you will also see the city council building where the first Geneva Convention was signed. Finally, we have a short ride by public transport to view the international district of Geneva and its heart – United Nations Office located in the Palace of Nations.
After the tour you return to Montreux by train.
Day 9: February 23rd ~ Train to Zurich
Following breakfast, you check out from the hotel and catch a train to Zurich.
Shortly you meet your private guide and enjoy a perfectly-planned sightseeing tour around the most beautiful landmarks of Zurich.
You will experience the unique atmosphere of the Old Town for the following 3 hours, walking through its narrow cozy streets and exploring its breathtaking medieval houses, churches and town hall.
Our final night in Zurich is at leisure.
Day 10: February 24th ~ Departure Home
After breakfast we will check out of the hotel and have transportation to the airport ~ this will end our journey together!