Winter in the Heart of Europe with ride on the Glacier Express*

Day 1 Early morning departure for Dover and the crossing to Calais. You will then travel through France to Forbach (or similar) for an overnight stop.

Day 2 Continuing the journey on into Austria to the medieval city of Feldkirch for a five night stay. The hotel will welcome you and warm your spirits with a hot winter punch and you will receive information about the snow country and its surrounding areas.

Day 3 Today you board the Matterhorn-Gotthard Railway and travel in the panoramic carriages (2nd class) on the original Glacier Express route from Chur to Andermatt. You will remember this magnificent journey forever. The views from the Oberalp Pass, the Rhine Gorge - you will never cease to be amazed. In the meantime, your coach will travel empty to Andermatt and pick you up at the railway station on your arrival. The journey continues to the roots of Switzerland through the canton of Uri to Altdorf. Stop briefly in Altdorf to get to know the home of William Tell. Who doesn't remember the shot with the crossbow at the apple on his son's head? You continue to Lake Lucerne, where the original cantons of the Swiss Confederation are located. Returning to
Feldkirch via Lake Walen.
* Please be advised that we cannot guarantee a specific route or train for your journey. While we endeavour to secure passage on the Glacier Express, high demand often presents challenges in doing so. Consequently, it's possible that we may be rerouted to a regional train.

Day 4 Today your day will begin with a guided visit to the mediaeval city of Feldkirch. In addition to the pedestrian zone and the dreamy alleyways, the gothic cathedral and the extraordinary Schattenburg are worth seeing. There you can find a museum whose tower (the keep) you can climb. Enjoy the view of the Rhine Valley, the city of Feldkirch, and views of the Swiss mountains from there. Afterwards you will travel past Bludenz, the town of Milka chocolate with a short stop at the outlet shop! to St. Anton, the famous ski-resort on the Arlberg. Enjoy the time by going up the mountains with a cable-car or having a “Glühwein” at one of the ice-bars. Before returning to Feldkirch.

Day 5 Today your first journey will lead you to Dornbirn and further to the snowy Bregenzerwald. Here you will enjoy a breath-taking view of the beautiful and hilly landscape of the forest. In Schoppernau the sleigh will already be awaiting you, for a romantic trip through the snowy hillside. Afterwards, you will be rejuvenated with the help of a home-distilled schnapps. Continuing your journey, you will visit Schwarzenberg, the most beautiful area far and wide. Angelika Kauffmann, the famous painter who later lived in London and Rome, spent her childhood here. Her early artwork can be seen in the parish church. During the journey to the Rhine Valley over the Bödele, you will be able to enjoy a magnificent view of Lake of Constance. The coach will make a short stop in Dornbirn for you to visit the nativity crib museum with different cribs in varying sizes from all over the world.

Day 6 On your last day in Feldkirch, your journey will take you to St. Gallen. This small city used to be the heart of the Swiss textile trade. The centre of the city is worth seeing, the big, old houses show the past riches the textile trade brought to this city. Here you will also get a chance to visit the library of the monastery, including its famous baroque hall. In felt slippers you can walk through the library and its magnificent wooden floors. NB: coach unable to get close so there is at least a 15 minute walk through town. Afterwards, your journey will continue in the
historical canton Appenzell. A visit to the so-called “Biedermaier village” Heiden offers a beautiful view onto the hilly countryside. You will take the rack-railway down to Rorschach, where you can enjoy the outlook of Lake Constance and its surrounding countries.

Day 7 Sadly it is time to leave Feldkirch for France and to Forbach (or similar) for an overnight stop.

Day 8 After breakfast, depart the hotel to commence the homeward journey.

The hotel is in Feldkirch and is an ideal base for touring the surrounding areas. All bedrooms are en-suite with TV, telephone, WiFi and safe. Lift, restaurant, lounge, steam room and garden terrace.

Overnight hotel
All bedrooms are en-suite with TV.

Single room supplement £60

Holiday Insurance £92