Exploring Switzerland on the Grand Train Tour: Let the Wheels Roll!

Do you agree that some cities, like some people, age more gracefully than the others? They grow and evolve at their own pace while keeping their history intact. Switzerland, with its architectural heritage in a symphonic balance with world-class modern art has fascinated Indians since eternity. Throw in Yash Chopra’s DDLJ, silk-smooth chocolate and train tours, and you’ll know why there is nothing forgettable about this European nation. Take it a notch higher shall we? Hop on aboard one of the luxurious trains tours and experience Switzerland like never before.  

Here are four train journeys that redefine travelling on the wheels:

Golden Pass line 

The journey starts from Zurich to Interlaken and continues till Monteux.Pass by the vibrant, winding lanes of Zurich and disembark at Interlaken, a city that lies in the Bernese Oberland. Don’t forget to fill up on some gooey cheese and velvety chocolate and take a ride in the cable car. A walk by the reservoir, and the nook and cranny of the Grindelwald village will stay etched in your mind for a long time. On your way to Monteux from Interlaken, there’s Lake Geneva – a giant liquid mirror lined by spectacular vineyards. 

The luxurious manor houses as well as the half-timbered inns by the edge of the lake seem to be plucked from a fairy-tale. 

 

Glacier Express

Take your seat on the world-famous Glacier Express in Switzerland. The journey begins and ends in two of Switzerland's oldest, glitziest mountain resorts – Zermatt and St Moritz and passes through 291 bridges and 91 tunnels.The Alpine scenery you behold through the huge windows of the carriage and the see-through roof, is surreal. The train drives through the impressive Rhine Gorge, glacier-glazed peaks and glittering lakeshores.  When you reach Moritz, you’ll know why it has been luring royals and celebrities and is called Switzerland’s original winter wonderland. 

Bernina Express

The Bernina Express leaves from St. Moritz and takes you through a landscape from ice-age glaciers to sunny palm-fringed Lugano. Cross the Alps from North to South in first and standard class panorama cars. The train climbs up to the 2253 metres high Bernina Pass and rides through switch-back tunnels, mountain streams, glaciers and even an alpine garden.

Wilhelm Tell Express

This isn’t just another glorious train route. This is where a train and a steamer teams up to show you two of Switzerland’s most spectacular regions – Lugano and Lake Lucern. You will be at a loss to decide which part of the Wilhelm Tell Express is more memorable – the scenic train journey on the famous Gotthard route or the cruise ride on Lake Lucern.The train winds its way from 470 to 1100 metres altitude, disappearing into the 15 kilometre Gotthard Tunnel. Once you reach Fluelen, board the historic Wilhelm Tell paddle steamer and glide past the historic landmarks such as the Schiller Stone, Tell’s Chapel and Rutli Meadows. The almond trees and the alpine flowers on the sunny slope, fertile hillsides and shimmering expanse of water will unfailing remind you of John Keats’ quote – “Truth is beauty, beauty is truth.” 

 

As your train meanders between terraced vineyards, medieval castles, some ruined, some restored and ancient markets, you’ll know that Switzerland has wholeheartedly embraced you. The journey is an ethereal blend of beauty and legend, of hallucinatory landscapes and Gothic architecture - an experience that will leave you enriched in more ways than one.  

So, what are you waiting for? Book your holiday here!