Central Switzerland Adventure

Discover the diverse, wonderfully picturesque Alpine foothills, an area loved for its stunning landscapes, vivid history and vibrant culture. Azure lakes and dizzying peaks, incredible views and enormous skies join some of Switzerland’s most exciting railway experiences to deliver an adventure to remember.

• Enjoy a stunning lake cruise from Lucerne to Vitznau, as well as a catamaran cruise on Lake Lucerne.
• Embrace views from the top of Rigi Kulm before ascend Mount Rigi on board a glorious historic steam engine.
• Elevate by cable car to Mount Pilatus, featuring views of several peaks, the highest of which is Tomlishorn at 2,128.5m above sea level.
• Discover the lovely Alpine village of Stoos via the world’s steepest funicular.
• A 5 day ‘Tell Pass’ provides unlimited travel on the region’s trains, buses, boats and cable cars.

Wednesday 18 March
London to Basel by International Rail

You travel First Class by Eurostar from London St. Pancras to Paris Gare du Nord. You then journey from Paris to Basel by highspeed train. After arriving in Basel, you board an SBB train to Lucerne, a memorable hour and twenty minute journey through the legendary Swiss countryside with majestic mountains as your backdrop. Travelling through flourishing green pastures past quaint farms, hamlets and villages, it is a wonderful way to ease yourself into the sheer beauty of Central Switzerland. Your hotel is located in Lucerne for the full duration of your stay, on arrival you’ll enjoy a welcome dinner.(D)

Thursday 19 March
Discover the Swiss Transport Museum and the many wonders of Lucerne
After breakfast at the hotel, your 5 day Tell Pass comes into its own for the first time as you board the train from Lucerne to Lucerne Verkehrshaus to visit the world famous Swiss Transport Museum. This fascinating interactive museum tells the story of cars, trains, planes and more in an interactive way that brings everything to vivid life. Spend as much time as you like there before we return to central Lucerne by train. The remainder of the day is yours to enjoy exploring this small, lively Swiss city’s many indoor and outdoor attractions. Nestling at the foot of the mighty Mount Pilatus massif and perched like a jewel at the far end of Lake Lucerne, the city is famed for its unique alpine beauty, excellent restaurants, and well-preserved buildings dating back to the Middle Ages. Dinner is yours to enjoy independently (B)

Friday 20 March
Mount Pilatus, Kriens and Lake Lucerne
Following breakfast at the hotel you’ll hop on board a local bus from Lucerne station to Kriens at the foot of Mount Pilatus. The mountain features several peaks, the highest of which is Tomlishorn at 2,128.5m above sea level. With panoramic views of as many as 73 Alpine peaks on a clear day, it’s no surprise this place comes with ancient legends of dragons. The peak is accessible via cable car and cogwheel railway, and there are several official viewpoints to marvel at. A leisurely independent lunch on Mount Pilatus is yours, followed by a return journey to Lucerne via cable car and local bus. Then you’ll enjoy an hour-long panoramic Catamaran cruise on Lake Lucerne, which plays a key role in Central Switzerland’s transport network. Navigable since the first route was opened over the Gotthard Pass in the year 1230, the northerly terminus at Flüelen was once the only practical means of travel to Lucerne and beyond. You’re free to spend the rest of the day at leisure. (B)

Saturday 21 March
Stoos Excursion - Ride the Schwyz–Stoos funicular
After breakfast you’ll board an SBB train from Lucerne to Arth-Goldau then take a local bus to Schwyz, Stoosbahn.
Ascending to the village of Stoos via the world’s steepest funicular, also called the Schwyz–Stoos funicular or Standseilbahn Schwyz–Stoos, the views are breathtaking. Connecting the Hintere Schlattli in Muotatal, Morschach and Schwyz with the mountain resort, the route lifts you just over a mile while handling a dramatic height difference of 744 metres with ease, an extraordinary piece of human ingenuity and engineering. Opened in late 2017 to replace the old Schwyz-Stoos funicular, in operation since 1933 on a different route, the unique barrel-shaped carriages rotate to keep the floor level. You have time to enjoy lunch at high altitude before making your way back to Lucerne via funicular, local bus and cable car. Then you’ll spend the rest of the day exploring more of the city or just doing your own thing, free to arrange your own dinner. (B)

Sunday 22 March
Lake Cruise- Lucerne to Vitznau, guided tour of Rigi rail depot, ascend Mount Rigi.
After breakfast at the hotel we set off on a lake cruise from Lucerne to Vitznau for a day packed with drama. A guided tour of the Rigi railway depot on Vitznau reveals the history of the Vitznau–Rigi railway, which starts off from a terminal in the town centre station next door to the landing stage served by the Schifffahrtsgesellschaft des Vierwaldstättersees. The company owns some interesting historic paddle steamers that set sail on services linking the town to Lucerne and other stop-off points along the shore of the lake. Ascending Mount Rigi on an historic steam engine you’ll experience outstanding views of the eastern shore of the lake, which have been delighting tourists since the start of the age of steam.
The first mountain destination to build a cogwheel railway, dating back to 1871, this is a unique treat. You’ll have time to relax on Rigi Kulm, a rich green mountainous area on the northern shores of the lake studded with cable cars. The top station, which you reach after a journey of an hour and a half through amazing scenery, lies at 1798m above sea level with views to match. Descending via Arth-Goldau and returning to Lucerne by train, the remainder of the day is free to spend at your leisure. Dinner is yours to enjoy independently. (B)

Monday 23 March
Lucerne to Engleberg and Mount Titlis and monastery visit
After breakfast you travel by train from Lucerne to Engelberg-Titlis, the region’s best-loved holiday destination and home to a famous monastery. The cable car ride from Engelberg to Mount Titlis is quite an experience, taking you high up into the Uri Alps on the border between the cantons of Obwalden and Bern to the highest summit in the range north of the Susten Pass. You’ll travel through diverse landscapes with views of dramatic rocky outcrops and snow-capped peaks, reaching an elevation of 3,238 m above sea level. The Titlis Glacier extends to just under half a square mile, a favourite with skiers, snowboarders and glacier trekkers and quite a sight. After some free time to purchase lunch, we return to Lucerne via cable car and train. There’s an optional cheese workshop to enjoy at the monastery in Engelberg, a Benedictine Monastery dating back to 1120 where around 30 monks still live and work. The rest of the day is yours to spend as you wish, with a farewell dinner and a final overnight stay at the hotel.(B D)

Tuesday 24 March
Lucerne to London
After a final breakfast at the hotel you travel to Basel SBB by train for your onwards International Rail travel back to London St. Pancras (B)