Heart of Switzerland – Lake Lucerne – NEW AND IMPROVED ITINERARY

Depart the UK

Drive to Dover and take the ferry across to Calais.  Continue south through France, making an overnight stop in the Reims area.  Dinner is included at the hotel this evening.

Travel to Switzerland

Depart after breakfast and continue the journey south, crossing the border into Switzerland and the resort of Sarnen.  Check-in at the hotel and relax before enjoying dinner together this evening.

Lucerne Sightseeing by Train (driver’s rest day)

After breakfast, stroll to the nearby railway station and board a local train for the short journey to Lucerne and meet up with a local guide for a walking tour to discover Lucerne’s best-known attractions, including the remarkable medieval, covered Chapel Bridge and historic houses decorated with frescoes that line the picturesque town squares. Visit the Jesuit church, dating from the 17^th century, and see the figure of a dying lion, hewn from the face of rock commemorating Swiss guards killed in Paris in 1792 during the Revolution.

After the tour there will be free time to get some lunch, stroll through the medieval streets or along the flower-decked lakeside promenade before embarking on a leisurely round-trip lake cruise offering unparalleled views of the surrounding alps.

Return to the hotel by local train.  Dinner is at the hotel this evening.

Scenic Train Journey along the Glacier Express Route

Depart after breakfast by coach and travel to Andermatt and board a local train for a 2.5 hour scenic ride along the Glacier Express Route to Chur which offers some of the most stunning views along the way.  As the train departs, it climbs to its highest altitude as it goes over the Oberalp Pass, reaching 2033 meters above sea level.  It then drops down into the Rhine Valley and along the Rhine Gorge where a massive canyon with giant cliffs on either side comes into view.  This part is also filled with forests and wildlife.  Before arriving in Chur, the oldest town in Switzerland, the train will descend 585 meters.

There will be free time in Chur before returning to the hotel by coach.   Dinner will be at the hotel this evening.

(Note: Routes and schedules are subject to confirmation and the excursion may be made in reverse)

Hergiswil Glass Factory and Stanserhorn Funicular and Cable Car

After breakfast, make the short drive to the lakeside town of Hergiswil.  Here we will visit ‘Glasi Hergiswil’, a Swiss glass manufacturer, and see how the glass is made and learn how the art of glass-making developed in Hergiswil.  The museum is home to the first glass labyrinth in Switzerland which opened in 2012 and visitors are welcome to try and navigate their way through (at a supplementary cost).  There is also an on-site gift shop and there are plenty of places to purchase a drink and/or something to eat nearby.

After the tour there will be some free time before making the short drive to the village of Stans.  From here we will take a nostalgic journey in timber carriages on a funicular railway towards the summit of the Stanserhorn then transfer onto the World’s first Cabrio cable car, the top deck of which is entirely open!  At the summit you can enjoy magnificent and unobstructed views of the lakes and mountains.  There is also a restaurant and souvenir shop.

Back in Stans, board the coach and make the short journey back to the hotel for dinner and an evening at leisure.

Lake Cruise, Interlaken and Sherlock Holmes

Make the short journey to Brienz and embark on a relaxing cruise on the turquoise waters of Lake Brienz to Interlaken.  Marvel at the mountain scenery, waterfalls and small villages as you glide along.  Interlaken is the capital of the Bernese Oberland and dominated by the mighty Jungfrau Alps.  The main street ‘Hohenweg’ boasts many designer shops, bars, cafes and restaurants and after some free time here we will travel to Meiringen, made famous by the literary Sherlock Holmes and where the tasty ‘meringue’ was invented. Maybe visit the Sherlock Holmes museum and see the statue of him in the town.

Just outside the village there is the option to ride on the funicular railway to visit the famous Reichenbach Falls where the literary Sherlock Holmes was pushed to his death by his arch enemy, Moriarty!

Return to the hotel for dinner and an evening at leisure.

Depart Switzerland

Depart after breakfast for the return journey through Switzerland and into France, stopping once again in the Reims area for an overnight stay.  Dinner is included at the hotel.

Return to the UK

Depart after breakfast, continuing north to Calais and take the ferry across to the UK, and home.