Highlights of Switzerland 8

the top there are panoramic views of the French and Swiss Alps. You return to Montreux, for a further look around town or ride on another local funicular before returning back to Vevey. Dinner will be served at your hotel this evening. (B D)

Thursday 23rd February Glacier Express route to Zermatt; Gornergrat Railway; the Matterhorn This morning you board an SBB service train from Vevey station to Visp, where you’ll travel on a panoramic narrow-gauge train for the final section of the Glacier Express route. This scenic railway line winds through rocky valleys and over steep inclines to reach Zermatt. Here you transfer to the Gornergrat rack railway, ascending to 3089 metres above sea level. It’s Europe’s second highest railway, eclipsed only by the Jungfrau. From this high Alpine plateau, enjoy 360-degree views of the surrounding glaciers and a fabulous front perspective of the Matterhorn. After refreshments at Gornergrat you can film the passing trains in their characteristic chocolate-brown livery, before riding back down to Zermatt. You’ll have some time to look around car-free Zermatt, with its rows of wooden chalets and stone churches. Then you board another panoramic narrow gauge train for the onward journey on the Glacier Express route to Brig. You’ll spend the night in this historic, elegant city, which has become famous as a major railway junction and gateway to nearby Italy. Your hotel is conveniently located near the railway station and dinner will be served at the hotel restaurant. (B D)

Friday 24th February On the Glacier Express and via the Oberalp Pass to Chur A true highlight awaits, as you step aboard the legendary Glacier Express and travel in First Class accommodation on one of the world’s most famous trains! Enjoy the sleek dome cars with their grandiose windows as well as the refinement of on train catering, for the half-day journey from Brig to Chur. The Glacier Express initially traverses the narrow valleys of the Obergoms, before travelling through Andermatt and climbing up to the breath-taking Oberalp Pass. From there you descend through the Surselva region and along the Rhine Gorge, arriving in Chur, one of Switzerland’s oldest cities. You check into a centrally located hotel with free time to explore, before dinner is served. (B L D) Saturday 25th February Rhaetian Railway from Chur to Arosa by private Pullman Coach; Ascent to the Weisshorn

Today you experience the famous Rhaetian Railway in a privately chartered, original 1930s Pullman car. Aside from the luxury of deep cushioned chairs, large panoramic windows give fine views of the mountainous landscape, as you traverse the impressively engineered 25 km branch line from Chur to Arosa. The route climbs 1155 metres via tunnels and bridges, including the 284-metre-long Langwieser Viaduct, first opened in December 1914. On arrival in Arosa you take the cableway to the summit of the 2653 metre Weisshorn, where majestic views await. You return to Arosa in the early afternoon, with ample time to explore the town and stroll along the picturesque lake. Later, you reboard the RhB train and private Pullman car for the return trip to Chur. You have the evening to explore the heart of the medieval old town. (B)

Sunday 26th February Albula Railway to Pontresina; Bernina Railway to Tirano by private Pullman coach

Another signature attraction awaits, as you journey over both the UNESCO-designated Albula and the Bernina railways. From Chur you take an express train over the beautiful Albula line to Samedan and Pontresina. This allows you to ride over the iconic Landwasser Viaduct and experience the countless horseshoe curves that make the Albula line renowned around the world. In Pontresina you change onto the Bernina Railway and are once again accommodated in a private Pullman coach for the journey over the wonderful Bernina pass, the only Swiss transalpine railway that climbs over the ridges between north and south without using a tunnel. Enjoy the ascent to the summit at Alp Grüm and the spiralling descent to Poschiavo, before the famed circular viaduct is reached at Brusio and you finish your journey amidst palm trees in Italy. In Tirano, you stop for lunch (wine included) and have time for a stroll to the basilica, before continuing back north in your Pullman coach. On returning to Pontresina you travel back to Chur over the Albula line aboard another RhB express service. A farewell dinner is served at your hotel. (B L D)

Monday 27th February Return to London Today you return to London from Switzerland, travelling via Chur, Basel and Paris on RhB, SBB, TGV and Eurostar trains. (B)

Tour Summary

First Class £2495 First Class travel from London St. Pancras International to Vevey and return from Chur. First Class travel within Switzerland where possible. Single supplement £295 Ground only £2195 (Vevey – Chur) Joining the group at the Hotel. First Class travel throughout Switzerland, where possible.

Price includes:

• 3 nights accommodation with breakfast at 4-star Hotel Astra, Vevey • 1 night accommodation with breakfast at 4-star Hotel Ambassador, Brig • 3 nights accommodation with breakfast at 4-star Hotel ABC, Chur • 2 lunches and 5 dinners • All privately chartered vintage trains as detailed in the itinerary • First Class travel on Golden pass panoramic train (Montreux to Zweisimmen) • First Class travel on Glacier Express including lunch on-board (Brig – Chur) • All train travel and transfers • SBB luggage transfers from hotel to hotel • Seat reservations (where possible) • The services of a tour manager

All prices shown are per person based on two persons sharing. Please be advised that First Class travel will be allocated in Standard Premier carriages on Eurostar services. Meals included each day are shown as: B = Breakfast - L = Lunch - D = Dinner

February 2023

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Railways and World War II History in Italy

Wednesday 1st March to Sunday 12th March 2023

Embark on a genuine Roman Holiday by train, stopping in Milan and the Swiss Alps before reaching the ‘Eternal City’ by high-speed service. You’ll visit some of the most important and fascinating WWII sites in Italy, including the Ghetto and Jewish Museum in Rome, the beaches of Anzio and the hilltop monastery at Monte Cassino. This all-new tour combines history and culture with First Class railway travel. • Your holiday includes First Class point-to-point travel on Eurostar, TGV and Italian ‘Frecciarossa’ high-speed services with seat reservations on these premier trains. You’ll also receive your own Interrail ticket, for flexible travel on local and regional trains. • You’ll stay in the world-famous cities of Milan and Rome, with plenty of free time to explore all these vibrant destinations have to offer. • Make a side-step to Switzerland on the historic Gotthard summit railway to visit the impressive Fort Airolo, one of the alpine fortresses built by the Swiss Army during WWII to deter an Axis invasion. • The newly restored Italian National Railway Museum in Pietrarsa is another tour highlight, one of the most important railway museums in Europe. • Travel through the long Simplon and Lötschberg base tunnels in Switzerland and stay in Strasbourg for one night on the return journey to London, to round your holiday off in style.

Wednesday 1st March London to Milan by Rail You travel from London St Pancras by Eurostar to Paris Nord, continuing from Paris Gare de Lyon through the French and Italian Alps on a direct TGV service to Milan. You‘ll arrive at Milano Centrale and check into a hotel near the station, where a late, light dinner will be served. (D) heritage trams which circumnavigate the city in regular service. These iconic streetcars were built in Italy from 1928 onwards, hence their name Twenty-Eight or ‘Ventotto‘. These hop-on, hopoff vehicles will transport you around Milano to see major landmarks such as the Gothic Duomo (Cathedral), the glass-domed Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II from 1867 or the turreted Castello. Dinner is served at your hotel. (B D) region and along the famed Gotthard route. At mid day you visit one of the impressive Swiss Alpine forts, which were purpose-built during WWII as part of the Réduit national fortification programme under General Henri Guisan. You will see the cleverly hidden artillery casemates, crew quarters and associated infrastructure inside the mountain. Lunch is included today. In the late afternoon you return by rail to Milano. (B L)

Thursday 2nd March Milano at Leisure and 1920s Tramways Today is set aside for sightseeing in Italy’s largest city. You‘ll receive a complimentary all-day public transport rover allowing full access to the Friday 3rd March Scenic train ride on the Swiss Gotthard Railway and Alpine fort visit Today you side-step to Switzerland, travelling by SBB service train through the beautiful Ticino Saturday 4th March Milano to Roma by High-Speed Rail, River Tiber Cruise This morning you take the bright red ‘Frecciarossa’ (Red Arrow) high-speed service