Vacations By Rail offers an epic winter railway tour that spans five European countries and includes a stay in a fairytale Swiss village. The journey starts in London, where passengers board the Eurostar to Brussels before continuing on to Cologne, Germany. From there, guests travel through the dramatic Rhine Gorge into Switzerland, arriving in Interlaken, a picturesque resort nestled in the Bernese Oberland region of the Swiss Alps. The week-long tour includes accommodation in four-star hotels and most meals along the way.
During their five-day stay in Interlaken, guests embark on day trips to explore the surrounding mountains, meadows, and villages. Highlights include a train ride to the Alpine village of Mürren and a visit to the summit of Schilthorn Mountain, home to the 360-degree rotating restaurant Piz Gloria, featured in the James Bond film ‘On Her Majesty’s Secret Service’. The area also boasts 45 mountain railways and aerial gondolas for guests to explore at their leisure, providing breathtaking views of the Swiss Alps. The tour culminates in a New Year’s Eve gala dinner in Interlaken and a ride on the Jungfrau Railway to Europe’s highest station at 3,454 meters above sea level.
Guests have the opportunity to experience the stunning beauty of the Swiss Alps from the dizzying heights of Jungfraujoch station before continuing on to Basel and Paris. The journey back to London is completed on the Eurostar, with travelers returning home on either January 2 or 3. The cost of the tour is €2,400, which includes all rail journeys, six nights of hotel accommodation, a tour escort, local guides, and 11 meals. This ultimate winter adventure provides a luxurious and unforgettable experience for those looking to explore the beauty of Europe during the holiday season.