Swiss Chocolate & Cheese - 12 October 2024
Highlights:
- Stay in Montreux on the "Swiss Riviera" for six nights
- Chocolate Train & Cheese Train in Classic Belle Époque seating
- Visits to Chillon Castle, Olympic Museum and Glacier 3000
Stay in Montreux on the "Swiss Riviera" for six nights, and explore the highlights of the region. Indulge in tasty treats, from savoury local cheeses, to sweet Swiss chocolate, and take a walk in the sky between two mountain peaks where the snow and the views will give you chills, and ride the beautiful GoldenPass rail line.
Alternatively, you can base yourself in Lausanne and head to the beach in your free time - just ask and we'll tailor this trip for you!
Price Includes:
- 6 nights’ minimum 3-star accommodation including breakfast in Montreux
- Entry to Chillon Castle, followed by Wine Tasting and planchette vigneronne (platter) at Domaine Croix Duplex in the Lavaux and cruise on Lake Geneva
- Excursion on the Chocolate Train and visit to cheese and chocolate-making with entrance to Maison Cailler
- Excursion to Glacier 3000 via Gstaad
- Visit to Lausanne with included entry to Olympic Museum
- Standard Class rail travel for the duration of your trip covering transport between above-named destinations
- Swiss Half Fare Card for half price additional public transport during your free time in Switzerland
- Montreux Riviera Card (provided locally by hotel)
- ABTA and ATOL bonded for your financial protection
Itinerary
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Day 1 UK to Montreux
Take the train from London to Geneva, via Paris and a short connecting train to the pretty resort of Montreux, your base for the next 6 nights. With just one hotel stay, you can explore the highlights of the region by rail, at a relaxing pace.
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Day 2 Chateau Chillon
An excursion by rail is included to Chateau Chillion, a medieval fortress in a dramatic position directly on the shore of Lake Geneva (Lac Leman). You’ll also enjoy a scenic boat ride onwards to Vevey, to partake in an included Swiss Wine tasting accompanied with a local “planchette vigneronne” (platter). Return to Montreux via boat or rail, depending on the time of year.
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Day 3 Chocolate Train > Maison Cailler > Gruyères
Today it’s time to indulge in some tasty treats that the Swiss are reknowned for – cheese and chocolate! You will travel to the town of Gruyères to see how the eponymous cheese is made, and visit Maison Cailler, master choclatiers. And, in the height of summer you can enjoy a journey in the Belle Époque style carriages of the Chocolate Train (*public trains at other times of the year).
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Day 4 Glacier 3000 via Gstaad
Glacier 3000 is the highest peak in the region and is packed with fun things to do. Here, you can take a truly thrilling walk like no other! For those who dare, the “Peak Walk by Tissot” is the only suspension bridge linking two mountain peaks in the world, and the view from the bridge on a clear day affords views as far as the Matterhorn, Eiger, Jungfrau, Mönch and Mont Blanc. You’ll return to Montreux along the beautiful GoldenPass Line, in either Panoramic or Belle Époque carriages.
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Day 5 Free Time
A day at your leisure to explore locally or use your Swiss Half Fare card to visit Rochers de Naye if you have not yet had enough cheese!For departures on selected dates there is the option to take the Cheese Train from Montreux to Château‐d’Oex, serving regional cheese and wines along the way, you can admire the Swiss countryside from the comfort of your seat. On arrival, you will enjoy more dairy delicacies as you learn how the local organic cheese is made and sample a delicious fondue. After lunch, the “Vieux Pays‐d’Enhaut” museum is well worth a visit. (Optional, use half fare card to purchase locally or add in advance.)
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Day 6 Lausanne & Olympic Museum
Visit attractive Lausanne for the day, with entrance to the fascinating Olympic Museum included. The rest of the day you are free to wander the medieval streets and admire the 12th century Gothic cathedral.
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Day 7 Return to UK
Head back to the UK via Geneva and Paris by rail.