Glacier Express

If you are craving an escape to the serene and majestic alpine region of Europe, combined with an amazing railroad adventure you won’t want to miss this mini-holiday in the mountains of Austria and Switzerland!  Discover the natural beauty of alpine country with RTT aboard the Glacier Express, the world’s “slowest speed train” that travels to incredible heights and panoramic vistas along one of the most scenic railways in Europe.

Day 1 (Thursday):  Our morning journey by bus takes us into the famous Allgäu Region of Germany, through the foothills of the Alps into Austria, past the shimmering blue waters of Lake Constance and surrounding meadows. In the late afternoon, we arrive in the Austrian city of Feldkirch, where we check into our hotel, followed by a relaxed 3-course dinner.  After our meal, the evening is free for you to relax or venture out and explore the local area.

Day 2 (Friday):  After breakfast and hotel check-out, we continue our alpine route by bus, crossing the Austrian-Swiss border into Chur, the oldest, and arguably one of the most picturesque cities in Switzerland.  It is here that we board the prestigious Glacier Express Train and embark on a breathtaking mountain expedition by rail.

During our voyage, we will be served an exquisite 2-course lunch, primarily sourced from local farms and purveyors, surrounded by a feast for the eyes!   Our route will snake and weave through everchanging views, over bridges, through tunnels and past the Rhine Gorge, one of Europe’s most fascinating mountain riverscapes.  The massive panorama windows on the Glacier Express were designed to create an uncompromising view of the untouched alpine wilderness, and snowcapped mountain peaks as we slowly climb up to Oberalp Pass to reach a staggering height of over 6500 feet!  Our descent takes us through the high valley town of Goms, where stone cliff faces transition into hillsides covered in a rich and luscious canopy of green.  Our amazing ride comes to an end in Brig, where our bus will be waiting to pick us up and take us to our hotel in Brig and home for the next two nights. After check-in and a 3-course dinner at the hotel, the evening if free for you to further explore the area or take time to recharge.

Day 3 (Saturday): Our morning begins with breakfast at the hotel to fuel us up for a day of delicious discoveries.  We begin with a ride on the Little Simplon Express, a motorized sightseeing train that will take us on an exploration of the Old Town Brig and the architectural treasures found here.  Along the way, we will see the Chavez Fountain, Stockalper Castle, and the Kaspar Stockalper Rottenbrücke Bridge that takes us across the river into the quaint town of Naters.  Next, we will tour a local cheese farm where the Fromager here will share all the cheesy details about the alchemy that turns the rich, flavorful milk into prized golden wheels of Swiss cheese. Our visit here would not be complete without sampling the amazing cheese and indulging the senses in the intoxicating aroma, flavor, and site of this luscious dairy delight.  The afternoon offers leisure and free time to stroll the streets of Brig and take a closer look at the sites seen earlier from the train. After a thorough exploration of Brig, we will regroup and return to our hotel and enjoy one last 3-course dinner together in Switzerland.

Day 4 (Sunday):  After breakfast and hotel check out, we will begin to make our way north through by bus on a scenic journey through the Swiss Alps, along the shore and pristine emerald waters of Lake Geneva into the resort town of Montreaux.  Upon arrival, your guide will provide a brief orientation, before you are free to independently explore for several hours.   This is an opportune time to take in the natural splendor, stroll the lakeside promenade, or relax in one of the local restaurants and enjoy a traditional Swiss fondue.  Later in the afternoon we will regroup and board our bus. The relaxing drive home is the perfect time to share and reminisce on the flavors you sampled and the unforgettable experiences you take home with you.