Day 1 - London to Cologne
Arrive at London St. Pancras and make your way to our dedicated Departure Office to meet your fellow travelers and Tour Manager. Our Eurostar train departs from London bound for Brussels. On arrival, switch trains to continue the journey to Cologne, where we stay for the night. Overnight Cologne. (D)
Day 2 - Cologne to Interlaken
Departing Cologne after breakfast, we journey into Switzerland, traveling by train along the scenic Rhine Gorge. This superb stretch of Germany features dramatic valleys and the gentle Rhine River, which winds its way between fairytale castles, steep cliffs and deep forests. Our destination is Interlaken in the heart of the Bernese Oberland, known to be one of the most beautiful regions in the Swiss Alps. This remarkable town is situated on a stretch of land between Lakes Thun and Brienz and lies in a beautiful valley watched over by the Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau mountains.
As the train arrives at the station in this scenic town, the remainder of the day is yours to experience the region’s glory. You may wish to take a boat ride across one of the two lakes, a serene and tranquil journey that allows you to make the most of Interlaken's unique position under the Alps, or to set out in search of the charming old timber houses that enhance the charm of Interlaken. Overnight Interlaken. (B, D)
Day 3 - Mürren and the Shilthorn
Today we travel by train to the picturesque mountain village of Mürren. This traffic-free village features fantastic vistas of the Bernese Oberland and sits at the base of the mighty Schilthorn. On arrival, we continue into the mountains by cable car, ascending to this impressive landform’s peak. Superb views of the Eiger, Mönch, and Jungfrau mountains await at the summit. We follow the course down the mountainside and return to Mürren with some free time to sightsee at leisure. Return to Interlaken this afternoon with the rest of the day free. Perhaps use your leisure time to snowshoe the local hiking trails or visit one of the surrounding ski resorts. Overnight Interlaken. (B, D)
Day 4 - Interlaken at Leisure
Your day is at leisure to enjoy the immense beauty of the winter wonderland that is Interlaken. There are endless ways to occupy your day, whether you choose to stay in the town or venture to neighboring destinations. For a dose of retail therapy, hit the main street downtown, Höheweg. Local boutiques sit aside souvenir shops and sporting equipment stores. Taste authentic Swiss chocolate at the local chocolatier or shop for a traditional Swiss timepiece. For thrill-seekers, paragliding is a popular past-time in Interlaken, as is kayaking on Lake Thun. Both of these experiences are even more incredible in the winter when a layer of snow and ice blankets the vistas. Overnight Interlaken. (B)
Day 5 - Grindelwald
The pretty Alpine village of Grindelwald, a delightful town nestled at the foot of the imposing north face of the Eiger, awaits your exploration today. As we arrive in the village, take some time to admire the attractive wooden chalets and the lovely squares, which combine the old comforts of classic Alpine architecture with the contemporary winter sports facilities. Following some time at leisure here, enjoy a tasting of gingerbread and glühwein to warm you up before we return to Interlaken. Overnight Interlaken. (B, D)
Day 6 - The Jungfrau Railway
We travel on the Jungfrau Railway to Jungfraujoch. Known as the “Top of Europe,” it is Europe's highest railway station at over 11,000 feet above sea level. Our ascent follows a spectacular route up Jungfrau Mountain on an increasingly complex series of spirals and over a range of impressive bridges. The views are simply breathtaking; a showcase of rugged mountain peaks showered in snow and billowing misty clouds.
As our train arrives at the Jungfraujoch, you have plenty of free time. Sample local fare in the restaurant or visit the Ice Palace that has stood proud since the 1930s. Soak in vistas of the Aletsch Glacier from one of the viewing platforms. This impressive 12-mile river of ice, with its labyrinth of ice caves and sculptures carved inside, winds its way down from the Jungfrau region to the Massa Gorge, covering around 2,500 meters in height. Snow Fun Park is also open at this time of the year and offers skiing, snowboarding, tubing and sledding.
We return to Interlaken later today via the mountain resort of Grindelwald. Overnight Interlaken. (B, D)
Day 7 - Tour Conclusion
We leave Interlaken by train this morning, traveling west toward Basel, where we switch trains and continue onward to Paris. We join the Eurostar in Paris to complete our journey to London St. Pancras, where this winter expedition concludes. (B)
Destination & Sightseeing
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