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–Magnificent views from the Lavaux wine terraces on Lake Geneva. (Images: PD)
This offer is as varied as it is flexible: the panorama train takes you on the Alpine tour “Grand Train Tour” to the most beautiful highlights in Switzerland, lined up like pearls on an imaginary chain. Lucerne on Lake Lucerne, Interlaken, the gateway to the Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau, Montreux on Lake Geneva, car-free Zermatt with the Matterhorn or a trip on the Glacier Express are unforgettable experiences. There is no fixed direction or duration. You can get on and off at any time, just as you like: If you want to get a taste of the city, Zurich, Lucerne and Chur are a must. You should also stop on one of the many mountains around Interlaken or in the vineyards of Lavaux on Lake Geneva. There you can lace up your hiking boots and let your mind wander.
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The round trip by train offers maximum freedom in holiday planning, pure enjoyment without the hassle of luggage on excursions, sightseeing and hiking tours. While in Montreux, for example, you are walking in the footsteps of pop icon Freddy Mercury under palm trees, suitcases and bags are brought to your accommodation – free of charge, of course. On the way from quarter to quarter, but also on the way from home to the starting point of the trip – either Lucerne, Chur or Montreux – and back again, you don’t have to lug suitcases. The transport service is included in this holiday rondo on rails.
So let’s go on a big tour – totally relaxed from the start and with a clear conscience. Because traveling by train is not only comfortable, but also – under the sign of sustainable mobility climate friendly.
Favorite destinations: from Lucerne to Interlaken
–View of the old town of Lucerne – with the medieval Chapel Bridge in the background.
They are among the most popular tourist destinations in Switzerland: Lucerne and Interlaken. There are two eventful hours between the two cities by train. Breathtaking views of rugged rock formations, waterfalls and the glittering turquoise blue of Lake Lucerne, Lake Sarnen and Lake Brienz open up over 98 kilometers of railroad tracks. And he has another wow experience Lucerne-Interlaken Express to offer: the trip over the Brünig Pass. In order to be able to cope with the incline to 1008 meters above sea level, the steepest section is switched to cogwheel mode.
It is worth getting off the route: in the region around Lucerne you can plan excursions to the Rigi and Pilatus or visit the glacier garden in the city: this natural monument with a park, museum, many attractions and interactive stations will take you back millions of years Earth history back. And in Interlaken, the Harder Kulm with the best view is just as much a part of the program as a detour to the Jungfrau region to the Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau.
Two cultures in passing: from Interlaken to Montreux
–Large panorama windows: So you can comfortably immerse yourself in the landscape.
Four language and cultural regions – that too is part of the charm of Switzerland. German, French, Italian and, in Graubünden, also Romansh are spoken here. The ride with the GoldenPass Panoramic from Zweisimmen in the German-speaking Bernese Oberland to Lake Geneva in French-speaking Switzerland shows the great diversity of the country. On the train with high panoramic windows, travelers can immerse themselves in the landscape – all year round. Here the high alpine peaks, rustic wooden chalets, castles and green pastures; There Mediterranean flair, shopping and aesthetes – and a centuries-old wine culture. The vine terraces of Lavaux, which monks built into the steep slopes around 1000 years ago, are now a Unesco World Heritage Site. A “stop for a stop” in a vinotheque should always be included.
But the three-hour journey is not over yet – and, as so often, the best comes at the end: when the train snakes its way down the hill, a fantastic view opens up shortly before Montreux: the sun is reflected in Lake Geneva, in the distance the Alpine backdrop . Chillon Castle, once the customs post of the Counts of Savoy, is enthroned on the bank and is ideal for an excursion. Welcome to the south!
Urban flair and mountain icon: from Montreux to Zermatt
–The Gornergratbahn on the Matterhorn above Zermatt.
Between the lake, mountains and vine leaves, the Montreux Riviera looks like a postcard landscape. A little piece of paradise that has also fascinated numerous artists and writers. Lord Byron and Vladimir Nabokov stayed here, as did the painters Courbet, Hodler and Kokoschka. But now it’s goodbye, Montreux! From the mild climate at the lake, the train travels through the Rhone Valley to the picturesque small town of Visp. That is where the Matterhorn Gotthard Bahn. In the Nikolaital, the deepest valley in Switzerland, it overcomes around 900 meters in altitude up to Zermatt and offers magnificent views to the right and left. After a total of 2.5 hours of driving, the mountain of mountains is waiting here. The Matterhorn (4478 meters high) is a magical attraction.
Around the world-famous landmark of Switzerland, there are superlative sports opportunities for guests in both summer and winter. A special tip: the climate audio trail. On this hike from Zermatt to the Monte Rosa Hut, guests are guided by audio guide to a different time, a different climate and a different geography.
A journey for the senses: from Zermatt to Chur
–Surrounded by vineyards and high mountains: Chur, the oldest city in Switzerland.
With the Glacier Express, the slowest express train in the world, it now goes through the Alpine chain. The 5.5-hour route from the Matterhorn to Chur offers a spectacular natural spectacle. And in the Excellence Class with an exclusive bar, concierge service, 5-course menu and champagne, the trip becomes a feast for all the senses.
Before arriving in Chur, the oldest city in Switzerland with an old town well worth seeing, the Vorderrhein shows its wild side: one of the most fascinating routes in Europe for canoeing, kayaking and river rafting. Very close to Bonaduz, the world of the Rhine Gorge of the Ruinaulta opens up, which you can also discover on your own. A magnificent alpine landscape opens up here, with white steep walls, lakes and alluvial forests. There are even orchids to discover. Alternatively, you can take a bike tour through the wine villages in the area around Chur. So: take your time, get out and enjoy. Bon voyage!
Grand Train Tour of Switzerland
Practical information about the holiday rondo by train
the Alpine tour “Grand Train Tour” With the individually selectable starting points Lucerne, Montreux or Chur can be conveniently booked as a package. The offer includes:
• Train tickets for the entire round trip from / to place of residence
• Free luggage service from your place of residence in Switzerland / Liechtenstein, from hotel to hotel and back to your place of residence
• Seat reservations on all panorama trains on the Alpine tour
• Four nights in 3-star hotels, including breakfast
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