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Grand Alpine Explorer

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You are viewing the 2024 itinerary. Select your departure year
20242025
14 days From $5,095 per person
4.8 stars(10 reviews)
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An exciting adventure at the top of Europe on Switzerland’s superb mountain railroads

Travel among a group of like-minded travelers led by a professional tour manager

Mobility Rating 3

2024 Tour code: APG24

About the tour

Find yourself surrounded by the immeasurable beauty of Europe's alpine countries on this voyage through Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. The scenery is brought to life through visits to unique destinations and beautiful resort cities, where we enjoy fascinating tours and memorable excursions. Further, we enjoy rides on six of the most scenic rail journeys in the Alps, including the Zugspitzbahn, Bernina Express, Glacier Express, and Jungfrau Railroads. The journey begins in Munich, Germany and continues into Austria, where we visit Salzburg and Innsbruck before traveling into Switzerland to the cities of St. Moritz, Interlaken and Zurich. Surrounded by rolling alpine meadows, beautiful bodies of water and stunning vistas in every direction, this journey through the Alps is what dreams are made of.

Highlights

What’s included

Itinerary

Days 1-2 - Munich

Upon arrival at Munich International Airport, collect your luggage and make your way to your centrally located Munich hotel where we have a two night stay. Located within sight of the Alps, lively Munich is the capital of Bavaria, as well as one of Germany's best-loved cities. A welcome reception with your group and tour manager is included at the hotel this evening.

On Day 2 we discover more of Munich. With a rich culture and heritage, the city has a wonderful collection of museums, galleries, and architectural treasures. We enjoy a guided tour to introduce the highlights of the city including the city's charming main square, Marienplatz, home to the Neo-Gothic Town Hall and famous Glockenspiel which performs on the hour every hour. We also see the Church of St Peter, Munich's oldest parish church, known locally as 'Alter Peter' (Older Peter) Afterwards, we discover Munich's unique beer scene with a tour of its popular and historic beer halls including Munich's oldest beer house, Höfbrauhaus. We sample different local blends, pairing them with delicious Bavarian snacks to the sound of traditional oompah bands.

Includes
  • Day 1 - Dinner
  • Day 2 - Breakfast
Days 3-4 - To Salzburg and the Austrian Lakes

Leaving Munich behind, today we take the train into Austria. We arrive in Salzburg, a city with a wealth of musical heritage, known the world over as the birthplace of Mozart, and the setting for Rogers & Hammerstein's 'The Sound of Music'. On arrival, we enjoy a guided tour. Spread out below the Hohensalzburg Fortress, the churches, squares, and alleyways of Salzburg's beautiful Old Town are incredibly well preserved, dominated by fabulous Baroque spires, and are recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage site. After the tour, you are free to discover more of the city. Later we head to the Hotel Goldenes Theater, Salzburg for a three night stay. Day 4 is at leisure. Overnight Salzburg.

Includes
  • Day 3 - Breakfast, Dinner
  • Day 4 - Breakfast
Day 5 - Austrian Lakes and the 'Sound of Music'

Today we explore the stunning Austrian Lake District. We head first to the remarkable Kaiservilla, a stately home of Emperor Franz Joseph I, before continuing to Lake Wolfgang where we enjoy a gentle cruise across the serene waters to St Wolfgang, a charming, historic town. We then travel to pretty Mondsee, made famous by the wedding scene of 'The Sound of Music'. Overnight Salzburg.

Includes
  • Breakfast, Dinner
Day 6 - To Innsbruck

After a leisurely breakfast this morning, we leave serene Salzburg by train and travel First Class into the heart of the Austrian Alps. The scenery becomes more dramatic as we approach Innsbruck, with steep imposing mountains rising either side of the Inn Valley.

On arrival, just after noon, we get our bearings with an informative guided tour of this charming alpine city set against a backdrop of craggy peaks. Innsbruck's magnificently preserved Old Town still reflects the Tyrolean capital's historic and cultural past, boasting wonderful Renaissance and Baroque buildings as well as traditional Tyrolean architecture. Along the way, we'll see Innsbruck's cathedral and Hofkirche, or court church, built by Emperor Maximilian I. On Herzog-Friedrich-Strasse, the shimmering Goldenes Dachl (or Golden Roof) reflects the city's Habsburg history, while the ornate Hölbling house and imposing 14th-century watchtower look out over buildings with arched arcaded frontages.

The rest of the afternoon is free to continue exploring and the adventurous among us might want to travel on the Nordkette Cable Car, a hybrid funicular and cable car system designed by renowned architect Zaha Hadid. At the top of the funicular, you are rewarded with spectacular views across Innsbruck and the Tyrolean Alps. The cable car takes you to a height of more than 7000 feet for an otherworldly vista of countless impressive peaks.

In the evening, we regroup at our central hotel overlooking the majestic peak for a three-course dinner.

Includes
  • Breakfast, Dinner
Day 7 - Neuschwanstein Castle and Zugspitzbahn Railroad

Today we cross back into Germany, visiting Neuschwanstein and Hohenschwangau. The wonderful castles of Bavaria are some of the most famous in the world thanks to their fairytale design, wonderland landscapes, and cinematic heritage. Our day today is spent visiting 2 of the finest, beginning at glorious Neuschwanstein Castle. A magnificent structure built into the mountains, it stands proudly above the surrounding forests, its turrets and halls a resplendent white against a backdrop of green. Hohenschwangau is a more laid-back affair, with pretty interiors and wonderful gardens. We also embark on a journey on the cheerful Zugspitze Railroad (Standard Class), ascending to the summit of Zugspitze Mountain. Overnight Innsbruck.

Please Note - For departure 05/10/2024 you will now journey on the Nordkette to the Top of Innsbruck due to planned maintenance works on the Zugspitzbahn.

Includes
  • Day 6 - Breakfast, Dinner
  • Day 7 - Breakfast
Day 8 - Through the Alps to Switzerland

This morning in Innsbruck we head out for a guided tour. Afterward, we board a train and travel alongside the Rhine and its dramatic scenery to Chur. We continue our ascent through the majestic mountain peaks, overlooking the lush meadows running down to the valley floor. We then arrive in the elegant lakeside resort of St Moritz. Overnight St. Moritz.

Includes
  • Breakfast, Dinner
Days 9 -10 - The Bernina Express

Today we take a journey on the superb Bernina Express, which passes glaciers, rushing mountain streams, and flower-filled Alpine meadows. The railroad has been rewarded with UNESCO World Heritage status - as a testament to the incredible engineering that was required to create the line, as well as for the scenery through which it passes. During our journey, we travel across the spiraling viaduct at Brusio. The track clings to the mountainside as we wind our way above deep ravines and past waterfalls to more than 7,000 feet above sea level. Later we arrive in Tirano in Italy. You have some free time in Tirano before our return journey. Day 10 is at leisure. Overnight St. Moritz.

Includes
  • Day 9 - Breakfast, Dinner
  • Day 10 - Breakfast
Day 11 - The Glacier Express and Interlaken

We take the famous Glacier Express along the iconic route from St Moritz to Brig, enjoying the incredible views through the panoramic windows of our First Class carriage. Our journey takes us through Switzerland's classic landscapes; from jagged mountain peaks to sprawling vineyards and over the famous Landwasser Viaduct. The train climbs steadily and steeply up and over the Oberalp Pass, the peak of the route, and spirals down past little villages before reaching Brig. Here we change trains and travel to Interlaken. Overnight Interlaken.

Includes
  • Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 12 - The Jungfrau Railway

Today we travel to Jungfraujoch (Standard Class) - Europe's highest railroad station. Our ascent takes us through ever-changing scenery to Kleine Scheidegg, where we join the Jungfrau Railroad for the final leg of the journey. During our time onboard, the train pauses at two observation stops; windows hewn out of solid Alpine rock between the tunnel and the infamous north face of the Eiger, with spectacular views down the valley. Finally, the train arrives at Jungfraujoch, the 'Top of Europe'. We descend via charming Grindelwald. Overnight Interlaken.

Includes
  • Breakfast
Days 13-14 - Interlaken

Your day is free to spend at leisure in Interlaken. After breakfast on Day 14, you will take the train to Zurich airport, where your tour concludes and you are free to get your flight back home.

Includes
  • Day 13 - Breakfast, Dinner
  • Day 14 - Breakfast

Additional information

Please Note

One of the excursions on this tour is at high altitude. If you have any medical conditions or concerns that could impact this part of the tour, we recommend you seek medical advice and talk to us. We want to make sure that any holiday you book is right for you.

Departure times

Departure times vary based on selected rail vacation. This information will be provided in your final documents. For more information please speak with your rail specialist.

Mobility information

Due to the nature of our tours they are generally unsuitable for those with restricted mobility. If you’d like to discuss any particular vacation with us in this respect, then please don’t hesitate to call us.

Hotels

Hotel Innsbruck, Innsbruck

Hotel Innsbruck, Innsbruck

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Hotel Interlaken, Interlaken

Hotel Interlaken, Interlaken

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Hotel Schweizerhof, St Moritz

Hotel Schweizerhof, St Moritz

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Trains

Bernina Express
The Glacier Express
Jungfrau Railway
Zugspitze Railway

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Reviews

4.8 stars4.8 / 5 · 10 reviews

  1. 5 stars
    (8)
  2. 4 stars
    (2)
  3. 3 stars
    (0)
  4. 2 stars
    (0)
  5. 1 star
    (0)

Renae Hinchey

5 stars

Submitted 06 Oct 2023

Wonderful trip! Such beauty to see and the view from the trains were exceptional. Our guide made it easy for us to catch the right trains and enjoy the many stops we made. Hotels and food were great.

Collected by Trustpilot

LOWERY, NANCY

5 stars

Submitted 26 Sep 2023

The experience was exceptional. I was happy the group was smaller. Our guide, Brian, was amazing and patient. I didn’t love the first week as much as the second just based on train travel versus coach and tour bus. Overall hotels were great. Dinners provided were nice. I recommend this trip!

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Nicholas

5 stars

Submitted 14 Sep 2023

GAE was a great experience and value. Our guide was knowledgeable, friendly and helpful. The hotels were convenient, clean and the meals provided were well prepared and satisfying. Tours provided and available were picturesque, interesting and representative of the area. Overall we are highly satisfied and wouldn't hesitate to book with Great Rail Tours again.

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HAGGERTY, KATHLEEN WARD

4 stars

Submitted 15 Aug 2023

While this was a wonderful trip there is room for improvement. The choices of meals at hotels were mediocre. At the end of the trip it was not made clear that we were to be given rail tickets to figure out our own timing to travel to Zürich nor that we should reserve our own seats on train.

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BARNWELL, LORI ANN

5 stars

Submitted 15 Aug 2023

The scenery of Switzerland and Austria were amazing The train was a great experience.The trip itself was exhausting The tour guide was wonderful

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MUNCH, THERESA ANNE

5 stars

Submitted 08 Aug 2023

The actual tour was fantastic! The pre-trip communication was sub-par.

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