From the Glaciers to the Palm Trees (2 swiss panoramic trains)

This tour allows you to discover Switzerland by panoramic train: it is one of the five most beautiful regular train journeys in Europe selected by Discovery Trains.

DAY 1 : ZURICH - COIRE

Flight or train to Zurich and additionnal night on request.
Individual arrival in Zurich.
Free time in the old town, just a short walk from the main station, to discover the small boutiques, art galleries and river beaches.

Take your Swiss train to Chur. In less than 2 hours you'll reach Switzerland's oldest city. Chur is strategically located on important trade routes across the Alps. Neolithic and Bronze Age remains bear witness to over 5,000 years of history. Its entirely pedestrianised streets, dotted with historic monuments and with the mountains on the horizon, give it a unique charm.

The bishop's palace will be a central feature of your visit at the end of the day.
Night in a central hotel in Chur

DAY 2 : COIRE - SAINT-MORITZ

Free morning for personal discovery. Don't miss the contemporary works of art on display in the public spaces.

Your train through the heart of the Alps reveals some fantastic panoramic views. The Landwasser viaduct in natural stone is the most spectacular - and most photogenic - structure on the UNESCO-listed Rhaetian Railway. It is 142 metres long and rises to an impressive height of 65 metres.

Arrival of your train in St. Moritz. Check-in at the hotel, free time.
Night in St. Moritz (B)

DAY 3 : ST. MORITZ - TIRANO - LUGANO (Bernina Express)

Second stage of your discovery of Switzerland by panoramic train: the Bernina Express.

Depart from St. Moritz on the Bernina Express train.

The Bernina Express is Switzerland's most illustrious panoramic train. It runs on the highest line in the Alps (at 2253 m) and crosses this impressive mountain range from north to south, linking St Moritz and Tirano. This stretch of railway is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, both for its exceptional route and for the spectacular engineering structures along its route, such as the Busio Helicopter Viaduct and the Montebello bend.
The train journey between St Moritz and Tirano takes 2? hours and covers 61km.

The Bernina Express train arrives in Tirano around midday.
Free time to explore Tirano, and lunch break.

Departure of the special Bernina Express Panoramic Bus to Lugano in the afternoon.
This Swiss panoramic train tour is completed by a stop aboard the Bernina Bus: dedicated to Bernina Express passengers, it takes them from Tirano to Lugano in 3 hours.

Arrival in Lugano in the early evening. Check-in at the hotel in Lugano.
Free time to explore the city.

The city of Lugano, located in the extreme south of the country, retains the character of a small, ancient town, while at the same time having become a major business centre in modern Switzerland. Its Helvetian and Mediterranean atmosphere gives it a very special character.
Overnight at the hotel (B)

DAY 4: LUGANO
Free day to explore the city. The city of Lugano lies on the shores of the lake of the same name and is surrounded by several breathtaking peaks. The historic pedestrianised city centre boasts numerous Lombard-style buildings and renowned museums, including the MASI (Museo d'Arte della Svizzera Italiana). Thanks to its mild climate, Lugano is a popular destination from spring onwards, when the many camellias are in bloom.

From the top of the two peaks that dominate Lugano, the San Salvatore and Brè mountains, you can admire a magnificent panorama of the city, lake and mountains.
Overnight in Lugano (B)

DAY 5 : LUGANO - LUCERNE (Gotthard Panorama Express train)

Third stage of your panoramic train tour of Switzerland: the Gotthard Panorama Express.

This day, the first-class carriages of your third panorama train, the Gotthard Panorama Express, take you through the Alps from south to north. From Lugano to Fluelen, you'll travel through breathtaking mountain scenery and pass through the famous St Gotthard tunnel (1882).
The train passes through 433 tunnels, including 5 spiral tunnels and 22 bridges, progressing from the Italian-speaking and Mediterranean lands of Ticino to the German-speaking and traditional Switzerland of the Lake Lucerne region.

The train arrives in Fluelen around midday.

Board a historic steamboat to cross Lake Lucerne to Lucerne.
This lake crossing by steamboat is an opportunity to admire several of Switzerland's most emblematic landmarks, such as the Rütli meadow, Tell's Chapel and Schiller's Rock.

The steamer arrives in Lucerne in the afternoon.

Overnight in Lucerne (B)

DAY 6 : LUCERNE - ZURICH (Regular train)

Return to Zurich on one of the regular trains of your choice. End of your Swiss rail tour.
(DDP)

Additional night, flight or return train from Zurich on request.

switzerland by panorama train (ref.)

gotthard panorama express (ref.)

SWISS PANORAMIC TRAINS - TOUR

This tour takes you on three panoramic trains:

• ClassicSwiss train
  Zurich > Chur (1h50)
  Chur >Saint-Moritz (2h15)
  Lucerne > Zurich (40 min)
• Bernina Express
  St. Moritz > Tirano (2h30)
• Bernina Express bus
  Tirano>Lugano (3h10)
• Gotthard Panorama Express
  Lugano > Flüelen (2h30)
  Boat: Flüelen > Lucerne (2h)

THE PRICE INCLUDES

• Swiss Travel Pass 2nd class
• Reservation for the Bernina Express panoramic train
• Reservation for Tirano - Lugano on the Bernina Bus (subject to availability) or by regular Italian train
• Reservation for the Gotthard Panorama train
• Ticket for the Lake Lucerne Cruise from Fluelen to Lucerne
• Tickets for public transport in all the towns along the route (bus, ferry, tram, etc.)
• Accommodation in city-centre hotels of the chosen category
• Breakfasts (B)
• Assistance from Discovery Trains teams

THE PRICE DOES NOT INCLUDE

• Hotel taxes (to be paid locally)
• Lunches and dinners
• Guide for excursions
• Private transfers between stations and hotels if necessary (most of the time the hotels are located not far from the station)
• Any insurance
• 1st class train supplement