Scenic Switzerland and Lake Como
- 11
- £2,099
- Switzerland Italy Italian Lakes
- Travel from your local UK station to Switzerland with a night in pretty Strasbourg en route
- Take in the mountain air on a trip up the Gornergrat from Zermatt, with views over the Matterhorn
- Experience the full route of the famous Glacier Express from Zermatt to St Moritz
- Spend two full days on lovely Lake Como before returning via Basel and Brussels
- Decide when you want to travel
- Adapt the route to suit your plans
- Upgrade hotels and rail journeys
- Add extra nights, destinations and/or tours
- Standard class rail travel including seat reservations where required
- A return journey on the Gornergrat Mountain Railway from Zermatt
- 10 nights’ handpicked hotel accommodation with breakfast
- Comprehensive directions to your hotels
- Easy-to-follow travel documentation
- Despatch of tickets by email, post or collection from our London office
Suggested Itinerary
Head for the International Departures Hall at London’s grand St Pancras station and catch a Eurostar service to Lille. A simple change in the station here will take you to Strasbourg, close to the German border. Here, check in for an overnight stay at the Hotel Hannong (or similar). Let us know which local station you’ll be travelling from so that we can include this with your holiday.
Strasbourg is the capital of the Grand Est (Alsace) region of France with a rich blend of architectural styles and distinctive local cuisine, including the delicious tarte flambée. You can give this a try at any number of restaurants around the imposing Gothic Cathedral, or the beautiful half-timbered district of Petite France.
You have ‘open’ journeys today, meaning that you can choose to leave Strasbourg whenever you feel like it and take the train down into Switzerland. You’ll change in Basel and Visp en route to Zermatt, high in the Swiss Alps. The last part of this journey is the most spectacular as the Matterhorn-Gotthard Bahn service takes you up to 5,275 feet above sea level, at the foot of the distinctive peak of the Matterhorn.
On arrival in Zermatt, check in at the Hotel Pollux (or similar) for a 2-night stay. Zermatt is a car-free village so most of the hotels are either within easy walking distance of the station, or offer a complimentary shuttle service by electric buggy.
You have a free day in Zermatt today to explore. Why not take one of the stunning walking trails out of the village, all clearly signposted (your hotel will be happy to advise you about the best routes depending on the distance and difficulty you are looking for). Included in your package, you also have return tickets on the Gornergrat Mountain Railway, the highest open-air cog railway in Europe, with fabulous views over the surrounding peaks from the summit – including the Matterhorn.
Later on, you may like to experience Zermatt’s ‘après ski’ scene with a wide range of bars and restaurants open year-round (not just during ski season!).
An exciting day awaits as you check out of your hotel after breakfast this morning and return to the station for an unforgettable journey about the world-famous Glacier Express. You’ll experience the full route of the ‘slowest express train in the world’ as the distinctive red and white panoramic carriages snake through the centre of Switzerland, taking in some jaw-dropping alpine scenery along with 291 bridges and 91 tunnels.
On arrival into St Moritz, check in for a 2-night stay at the Sport & Wellnesshotel San Gian (or similar).
You have a full days at leisure in St Moritz today. St Moritz is one of Switzerland’s oldest and most fashionable ski resorts, boasting 300 days of sunshine a year. There are some sensational walking routes for all abilities here, whether you want to get out into the mountains or simply stroll around the lake. You can also browse the exclusive boutiques in town and enjoy a hearty meal in one of the many restaurants.
The resorts of Davos and Arosa are a short train journey away if you fancy exploring out of town. You can purchase tickets at the station for this.
Enjoy another spectacular rail journey today as you leave St Moritz in the morning and board the panoramic carriages of the Bernina Express, bound for the Italian border and the little town of Tirano. Your journey includes magnificent viaducts, spectacular mountain lakes and more glaciers than the Glacier Express!
You may want to break your journey in Tirano for some lunch before continuing your journey into Italy and south to lovely Lake Como. On arrival at Como S. Giovanni station, make your way to the Barchetta Excelsior Hotel (or similar) where you have a 3-night stay.
Enjoy two full days at leisure on Lake Como. The town of Como is a hub for travel around the lake with regular ferry services leaving from the Piazza Cavour. Why not visit some of the lake’s famous gardens like those of the Villa Carlotta or explore the endlessly-photogenic winding streets of Bellagio? If the weather is fine, there are also plenty of beaches to choose from.
In Como itself, it’s well worth taking the funicular railway up to the little hill-side village of Brunate for a coffee or aperitif with panoramic views over the lake.
Leave Como this morning and take a train back up into Switzerland. There’s time if you want to stop for lunch and quick look around pretty Locarno on the Swiss side of Lake Maggiore before continuing on to Basel. The direct Treno Gottardo service from Locarno to Basel takes you up into the mountains once again, through the spectacular Gotthard Pass.
Arrive into Basel and check in for an overnight stay at the Hotel Gaia (or similar). Basel is a vibrant city with some of the best museums in Switzerland and a lovely Old Town straddling the River Rhine.
You might like to take advantage of a free morning in Basel today to visit one of the city’s fantastic museums and galleries before you return to the station and board a direct service to Cologne. The route of this journey takes you along the banks of the River Rhine, past famous wineland villages such as Boppard and Bingen. Look out for hilltop castles and vineyards as you head north along the Rhine Gorge.
In Cologne, change onto a high-speed ICE service which will take you to Brussels. Here, check in for an overnight stay at the Pullman Brussels Midi (or similar) and then head out for a last meal in one of the tempting restaurants along the cobbled streets off the magnificent Grand Place.
Depending on how far you have to go to get back home today, you should have some time free to discover a little more of Brussels before your Eurostar journey under the English Channel and back to London.
Typical hotels on this itinerary
Strasbourg
The Hannong Hotel is conveniently located in the centre of Strasbourg, within walking distance of the train station. The contemporary-style bedrooms come with air-conditioning, sound-proofing, hardwood floors and satellite TV. There is also a popular wine bar in the hotel as well as a large terrace where you can enjoy a drink on a summer evening. Free Wi-Fi internet access is available throughout the hotel.
Zermatt
The welcoming Hotel Pollux in located the centre of Zermatt, within easy reach of the train station. Bedrooms are furnished in an Alpine style with complimentary Wi-Fi, tea & coffee making facilities and a flat-screen TV. There are three restaurants to choose from, including a vegetarian restaurant.
St Moritz
The 4-star superior Hotel San Gian offers various massages and relaxation treatments in its spa, free WiFi, and two restaurants to choose from. Decorated with contemporary furniture, each room has a flat-screen TV, a minibar, a seating area, and a bathroom. Bathrobes and slippers are provided for all rooms.
Como
Overlooking Piazza Cavour on the shore of Lake Como, this modern hotel offers elegant rooms with free Wi-Fi, flat-screen TVs and minibars. Some rooms have lake views and/or balconies. Guests can enjoy fine regional cuisine at the in-house restaurant, Bistro.
Basel
The Gaia is a family-run hotel with an historic façade and contemporary interior, located opposite the main SBB station. There are 86 non-smoking bedrooms, all with free Wi-Fi and a complimentary minibar. Guests can also make use of the hotel’s relaxing spa area and welcoming bar.
Brussels
Perfectly located for quick access from the train station, the Pullman Brussels Midi is an excellent base from which to explore Brussels on foot. Rooms are equipped with king-size beds, air conditioning, and WiFi whilst the stylish Victor Restaurant and Bar offers another refined and welcoming space in which guests can unwind after a day of sightseeing.
