Swiss Christmas Break
Number of days: 8 Days
Departs from: Zurich
Avg distance travelled / day: 0km
Murren - image courtesy of Laurice Malone
Tour Itinerary
Day 1: To your Swiss Christmas Hotel
On arrival into Switzerland we have included rail transfers from Zurich, or any point in the country, to your Christmas hotel where you will stay the next seven nights. Buffet breakfasts and four course evening dinners are included each day.
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Both hotels are located in the heart of the Bernese Oberland - home to the mighty peaks of the Jungfrau, Mönch, Eiger (of ‘The Eiger Sanction’ fame), the Breithorn and the Schilthorn, as well as internationally known winter resorts like Interlaken, Wengen, Grindelwald and Mürren.
Day 2 -7: At your Swiss Christmas Hotel
The alpine peaks of Switzerland are world famous and you will be staying in the heart of this incredibly dramatic scenery. There are numerous world class ski fields nearby and the area is littered with excellent walking and cross country skiing trails. During your stay we have included three exhilarating alpine excursions by train – to Luzern (on the Brünig Panoramic Express), medieval Bern and Montreux on Lake Geneva (on the Salon Bleu/Crystal Panoramic Express).
Nearby places of interest include Interlaken, Iseltwald, Brienz (noted for its wood-carvings), Thun, Spiez and Meiringen (of Sherlock Holmes fame and where the famous desert ‘meringues’ originated). Your train pass also offers fare discounts on additional train trips to these places plus various special scenic train rides such as the cog-railway trip up to the Jungrfraujoch – the highest rail station in Europe. At 11,000 feet high the views are magnificent.
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Day 8: Tour Ends
Sadly your Christmas Break is complete. Your train ticket allows you to transfer to any departure point in Switzerland. Maybe you will travel to Luzern to join one of our wonderful New Year tours?
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Hotel Choice 1 - The Hotel Alpenblick in Wilderswil
The small community of Wilderswil is typical of a Swiss rural village. Located 600 metres from Wilderswil railway station and only 3 kilometres from Interlaken, you have quick and easy access for all your included train excursions. With a history dating back 300 years, the Alpenblick has been in the Stöckli family for two generations and is now looked after by Richard Stöckli and his wife Yvonne. Richard himself oversees the hotel kitchen and has gained many awards from culinary institutions, and the Gourmet Restaurant was awarded 17 points by Gault Millau; while the hotel recently received an award as one of the 25 best three-star holiday hotels in Switzerland. All rooms include private facilities, TV, radio and minibar. The hotel has 3 dining areas, a reading room/lounge and a cosy bar. Please note the Alpenblick is a 3 storey hotel and has no lift.
Hotel Choice 2 - The Hotel Oberland in Lauterbrunnen
The delightful village of Lauterbrunnen is located 15 minutes down the train line from Wilderswil. The setting is stunning with 1,000 foot sheer cliffs rising either side of this narrow ‘valley of the waterfalls’ (these are the cliffs that James Bond keeps leaping off when chased by the baddies).
The three star Oberland Hotel dates back well over 100 years and is located in the heart of the village, 200 metres from the railway station. You will be the guests of Ursula and Mark Nolan-von Allmen. Mark’s passion for Swiss hill walking led him from Australia to Lauterbrunnen where he met and married Ursula. The dining is excellent, there is a relaxing bar/café, lounge and all rooms include private facilities, TV and radio. Please note the Oberland is a 4 storey hotel and has no lift.
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