The IRT Society's Best-Loved Railway Journeys 2018 - 87

The Tour

These independent journeys
include four of Switzerland's
most scenic train routes. A
steam railway adds a historic
element, and the mountain
railways are impressive engineering feats. You'll never stop
looking out your train window
or taking photos! Available as
an 8-day or a 15-day tour.

The ITInerary

Day 1: Zurich-Lucerne
Arrive Zurich. Train to Lucerne.
Afternoon at Swiss Museum of
Transport, and its vast collection
of trains, autos, planes, more.
Overnight Lucerne.
Day 2: Lucerne, Mt. Rigi
Train to Goldau, then take Mt.
Rigi cogwheel train for round
trip to summit for great views
(weather permitting). Optional
train depot tour*. Lake Lucerne
boat cruise. Afternoon at leisure.
Day 3: Mt. Pilatus
Cruise Lake Lucerne to Alpnachstad for trip up Mt. Pilatus
via world's steepest cogwheel
railway. Descend mountain via
gondola, cable car.
Day 4: Furka Steam train
Regular train to Realp. Board
Furka Steam Railway for twohour trip to Gletsch. (Optional
train depot tour*.) Travel behind 1930s-era steam engine
via rack railway-over bridges,
along rushing waters and
finally, down valley with views

of Rhone Glacier. Board postal
bus to Meiringen and change
for train to Interlaken.
Day 5: Interlaken
Interlaken day at leisure. Opt for
train excursion (at additional
cost). Brienzer Rothorn steam
train covers 4.6 miles, passing
through six tunnels and rich alpine flora. (Optional train depot
tour, train-driving lesson*.) Or
venture to the highest railway
station in Europe aboard the
world-famous Jungfrau Railway.
Views of Eiger, Mönch, Jungfrau
peaks from 11,398-foot station.
Day 6: Centovalli Train
Regular train Interlaken to
Domodossola via Spiez. Change
to Centovalli Railway for scenic
ride through Italy to Locarno.
Centovalli-"a hundred valleys"-offers views of spectacular waterfalls, vineyards, palm
tree-lined lakes below. Continue
to Italian-influenced Lugano.
Enjoy lakefront stroll in pedestrian-only historic city center.
Day 7: Lugano
At leisure in Lugano. Suggested excursion: Mt. Generoso
cogwheel railway for panoramic
views (steam train on select Sundays); stop off at Melide for Swiss
Miniatur, where 127 miniature
Swiss buildings are on display,
along with over two miles of
railway track and model trains,
funiculars and cable railways.
(Train to Zurich next day for
flight home if taking Part I only.)

PART II
Day 8: Bernina Express
Postal bus through Italian countryside to Tirano. Board Bernina
Express for dazzling, four-hour
trip to Chur. Cross 196 bridges,
travel through 55 tunnels.
Spectacular glacier, forest scenery, including Brusio's Circular
Viaduct, Landwasser Viaduct.
Overnight Chur.
Day 9: Chur
Free day. Try one-hour ChurArosa railway trip over Langwieser viaduct (200 feet). Or
travel Davos-Filisur line, with its
many hairpin curves, tunnels,
viaducts. Or visit posh St. Moritz,
just a half-hour train ride away.
Day 10: Glacier Express
Ride entire Glacier Express route
Chur-Zermatt. Take in Alpine
scenery from large picture windows and enjoy lunch served at
your seat. Overnight Zermatt.
Day 11: Gornergrat/Matterhorn
Ride Gornergrat Railway to
summit. View breathtaking, circular panorama of 12,000-foot
mountains within 9-mile radius.
Admire Alps in all their majesty,
including world-famous Matterhorn (weather-permitting).
Optional train depot tour*.
Day 12: Zermatt-Martigny
Regular train Zermatt-Martigny.
Options include: Mt. Blanc
Express to Chamonix, France; St.
Bernard Express, combination
train/postal bus excursion to

8,054-foot St. Bernard pass. Visit
famed St. Bernard kennels.
Day 13: Golden Pass Line
Regular train to Montreux.
Board panoramic coaches of the
Golden Pass. Travel through Lake
Geneva region over Golden Pass
to Gstaad. Overnight Gstaad, full
of traditional Swiss chalets.
Day 14: Golden Pass Line
Continue Golden Pass journey to Zweisimmen. Change
trains to Interlaken. One more
train change to Zurich. It's an
extremely scenic day-and a
fitting finale!
Day 15: Zurich
Take one of many trains from
Zurich to airport for flight home.
*Noted options and luggage
transfers additional, and must
be booked well in advance.

The hIghlIghTs

* Famed Glacier and Bernina
Express rides over scenic lines
* Golden Pass line, running along
six lakes from Spiez to Lucerne
* Rigi and Pilatus mountain views
* Historic Furka Steam loco trip
* Gornergratbahn, with views
from 10,000 feet above sea level
* Scenic Centovalli trip into Italy
* Mt. Blanc Express into France
or St. Bernard Express to 8,000foot pass
* Numerous railroad shop/depot
visits available upon request
* Optional Jungfraubahn trip to
Europe's highest rail station

Visit our website for dates, prices,FOR
moreDATES,
tours * www
PRICES:
.irtsociety.com
WWW.IRTSOCIETY.COM
* (800) 478-4881, u.s. &*canada;
(800) (502)
478-4881
897-1725,*elsewhere
TOURDESK@IRTSOCIETY.COM
* tourdesk@irtsociety.com

|| 87
https://www.irtsociety.com/journey/switzerlands-classic-trains/
The IRT Society's Best-Loved Railway Journeys 2018

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