SAMPLE ITINERARY

Day 1: London to Grindelwald

Travel from London to Grindelwald by train. The Eurostar leaves early in the morning for Paris, where you change to a TGV train headed to Basel.

In Basel change for Interlaken, and then join the steeper cogwheel railway up the mountainside to Grindelwald. Check in to your hotel.

Note: Alternatively you can fly to Zurich and start your train journey from there.

Days 2 to 7: In Grindelwald

Spend seven nights enjoying the highlights of the Bernese Oberland, making the most of your eight-day rail pass to explore the surrounding villages, lakes and mountains.

Grindelwald is a charming chocolate-box village located at the base of the mighty Jungfrau, sitting in one of two valleys located above Interlaken, Lake Brienz and Lake Thun. The Schwarzer Lutschine River runs to the south of the main street, which adds to its idyllic feel. With the Eiger and  Mönch nearby, Grindelwald is not only enveloped by phenomenal views, but has over 90 km of walking and hiking trails suitable for all abilities.

Travel by funicular railway up to Jungfraujoch, the highest railway station in Europe, to appreciate the stunning views. The Aletsch Glacier, the longest in Europe, is a spectacular sight. For hiking trails, take cable cars up to the Monch and the Eiger, or simply follow the softer trails that lead out of Grindelwald. The picturesque Lake Fallboden makes for a relaxing afternoon or evening walk.

From the cable car station at First, hiking paths will take you to Schwarzhorn, Grosse Scheidegg, Lake Bach, Faulhorn or back to Grindelwald in under three hours each way. A longer hike of over five hours will take you to Schynige Platte, a small mountain ridge. The Upper Glacier is accessible on foot in an hour and a half, or by Postbus. It has ice grottoes naturally decorated with ice bubbles that create colourful patterns. A track and a series of wooden ladders from the grottoes allow you to walk alongside the ice. Glacier Gorge is also within walking distance of Grindelwald. Cable cars in the area facilitate access to Pfingstegg and other local mountain summits. Pfingstegg offers the option of shorter hiking trails and access to the Lower Glacier. It is known for its toboggan run.

To the west of the Grindelwald Valley is the Lauterbrunnen Valley, unusually square in shape and sculptured over time by glaciers. Here you will find waterfalls that cascade over the entrance to caves, as well as more hiking paths and the village of Wengen. You can view the high Staubbach Falls outside Lauterbrunnen, whilst the Trummelbach Falls are best viewed from inside the mountain, where the water is illuminated and shows rocks sculpted by huge amounts of water. At 2,970m the Schilthorn offers fantastic views across the mountains and valleys below, with the summit reached via the Stechelberg cable car. It was here that famous scenes were filmed for the James Bond movie, ‘On Her Majesty’s Secret Service’. Piz Gloria is a revolving restaurant set on the path up to the summit of Birg, breaking up the long hike.

Interlaken is scenically set between Lake Thun and Lake Brienz. You can head here for a lake cruise, and visit St Beatus Caves with its impressive rock formations and museum. At Harder Kulm a funicular railway offers wonderful panoramas on the way to the summit. Chasdorfli Dairy near Hoheweg offers demonstrations during the summer. Interlaken, Faulensee, Darligen and Gunten are all good destinations for water sports and tobogganing.

A yodelling festival is held in Grindelwald each July. The abundance of local activities, from exploring picturesque villages to scenic walks and hiking, will ensure that each of your days in the Bernese Oberland is memorable.

Day 8: Grindelwald to London

On your last day board a morning train from Grindelwald back to Interlaken and Basel.

In Basel board the high-speed TGV train to Paris, where you will board the Eurostar, arriving in London in the early evening.

PRICING

Price is based on two adults sharing en-suite accommodation on a bed and breakfast basis. This price includes second class rail travel, with supplement for first class and standard premier on Eurostar of about £420 per person.

We offer a choice of hotels at different prices, so please discuss your requirements with us. All hotels are subject to availability.

Before your departure, you will receive personalised holiday information, including full directions and suggestions on places to visit, to help you get the most from your trip.

It is essential that you have personal holiday insurance. The FCO should also be consulted.