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Over 105 Years Experience
Committed to Sustainable Tourism
Introduced almost 100 years ago, the world-famous Swiss Glacier Express takes you through the beautiful, dramatic scenery of the snowy Alps.
This holiday operates under our Optimum Experience brand.
With elegant space-maximising interior design, our Optimum Experience vehicle offers incredible passenger comfort with a selection of fine tours and destinations to choose from. Our Optimum holiday packages include a wide range of excursions, events and admissions, accommodation in a minimum 3* hotel (unless otherwise stated) and, on all our European Holidays, a Skills Representative too! Why not also book our door-to-door service and make your next holiday stress-free?
Our journey begins as we travel to mainland Europe by ferry, with an overnight hotel stop this evening to relax and recharge for the days ahead.<br />
This morning, we continue our journey to Hotel Weisses Kreuz in Feldkirch where a hearty "Grüß Gott" awaits us. Upon arrival, we enjoy a delicious winter punch and an information pack to help us get the most out of our stay.
After breakfast we take a scenic drive along the Swiss shore of Lake Constance, passing through the small villages with pretty half-timbered houses, to Konstanz, the old city of the Vatican council and once the main city of Lake Constance. You may like to take the opportunity to visit the Romanesque Cathedral with its Gothic spire and the town hall with its decorative frescoes. On a clear day you can see the Alps from Konstanz harbour.We then continue by ferry to Lindau. This pretty medieval town boasts a backdrop of the Swiss and Austrian Alps. Here, enjoy free time to explore the historical centre around the market square, or stroll along the harbour with amazing views of the Swiss Alps. Our journey back takes us through Bregenz, the provincial capital of Vorarlberg, featured in James Bond's Quantum of Solace.
Sit back and relax on a journey through Dornbirn and the Bregenzerwald Forest for breathtaking views of the snowy, lush landscape. A horse-drawn sleigh will be waiting to take us through the snowy hills, mountains and countryside with home-distilled schnapps served on our return. Afterwards, we visit the town of Schwarzenburg. This charming destination is considered one of the most stunning in the area. Today's final stop is Schlosskaffee Chocolate World in Hohenems. Here, you'll learn everything about handmade alpine chocolate and, of course, get to try some as well!<br />
Today, we travel to Andermatt to board the world famous Swiss Glacier Express for the highlight of our tour. During the journey you will enjoy incredible breath-taking views from the panoramic carriage as the train glides through the Oberalp Pass and the spectacular Rhine Gorge en route to Chur. Upon arrival, our coach will be waiting to collect you and return you to the hotel. (NB. sometimes it in necessary to operate today's itinerary in reverse depending on the train itinerary not available at the time of planning).
After breakfast we bid a fond farewll to our hotel hosts taking a souvenir with us. We then journey back through Switzerland, enjoying a stop at the spectacular Rhine Falls, the largest and amongst the most powerful waterfalls on mainland Europe. We include admission to the Schloss Laufen visitors centre and observation platform for an unforgettable viewpoint set right beside the rushing water from where you can hear the roar and feel the vibration over your entire body as you stand alongside. From here, we retrace our steps through Germany's Black Forest before returning to France and this evening's overnight hotel.
We travel home, with comfort breaks along the way.<br />
Family-owned since 1852, the Weisses Kreuz is a tastefully furnished Alpine-style hotel with spacious bedrooms and free WiFi.
Hotel Facilities
Bar
Restaurant
Lift
WiFi
Sauna
Below is a list of pick-up points available on this tour.
| Name | Address |
|---|---|
| Alfreton | Bus Station, Hall Street, Alfreton, DE55 7BT |
| Arnold | High Street Bus Stop, Outside Leisure Centre Car Park, Arnold, NG5 7EE |
| Beeston | Lace Road, behind the Cricketers Pub Beeston, NG9 2LA |
| Bulwell | Aldi (Bus Stop SW12), Sellers Wood Drive, Bulwell, NG6 8GE |
| Chesterfield | Coach Station, Beckingham Way Chesterfield, S40 1TH |
| Derby | Bus Station, Bay 27 & 28, Derby, DE1 2AY |
| Heanor | Market Place, Wilmott Street (Market Square side) Heanor, DE75 7EG |
| Ilkeston | Wharncliffe Rd, Market Place, Ilkeston, DE7 5GF |
| Leicester | St Margarets Bus Station, Stand SA, Gravel Street, Leicester, LE1 3AG |
| Leicester Fosse Park | Leicester Fosse Park, Bus Stop, Fosse Park Avenue Next to ASDA (opposite petrol station), LE3 2LL |
| Long Eaton | The Green, Outside Poundland Long Eaton, Notts, NG10 1HQ |
| Loughborough | Amber Rooms, The Rushes Loughborough, LE11 5BE |
| Lutterworth | George Street, Outside Wycliffe Rooms Lutterworth, LE17 4EG |
| Mansfield | Fire Station Bus Stop, Rosemary Street Mansfield, NG19 6AA |
| Nottingham | Mount Street, Alongside the Grosvenor Casino, Nottingham, NG1 6HE |
| Ripley | Market Place, Express Stand Ripley, DE5 3FJ |
| Rotherham | Interchange Bay C1/ C2, Frederick Street, Rotherham , S60 1QB |
| Sheffield | Pond Hill, Opposite Penny Black Public House Sheffield, S1 2BG |
| Toton | Tram Stop Park and Ride, Toton Lane Notts, NG9 7JA |
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