Journey Through Vineyards and Valleys

Interlaken

Starting point of this Grand Train Tour, Interlaken sits in the Aare valley, between Lake Brienz and Lake Thun. The destination offers not only a spectacular view of the Jungfrau massif, with the Eiger, the Mönch and the Jungfrau, but also a multitude of activities on the lakes and in the mountains. A funicular takes you to Harder Kulm, which provides an exceptional panorama over the two lakes and the surrounding Alps.

If you want to get even closer to the peaks and discover the fascinating world of glaciers, you can easily reach Jungfraujoch – “Top of Europe” – which houses Europe’s highest railway station, at an altitude of 3,454 metres. To fully enjoy the Interlaken region, one or more extra nights are recommended.

After exploring Interlaken at your own pace, the first leg begins aboard the GoldenPass Express. This panoramic train travels through the picturesque Simmental, then the Saanenland, passing the famous resort of Gstaad. The journey then continues through two other rolling landscapes, typically Swiss – Gruyère and the Pays-d’Enhaut – while quietly crossing the language border. After nearly three hours of travel, Lake Geneva appears in the distance in all its splendor. The train skirts the renowned Lavaux terraced vineyards before descending to Montreux, offering throughout the trip splendid views of the lake and the surrounding scenery.

Take time to explore the famous Lavaux terraced vineyards, UNESCO World Heritage sites, and their charming winegrowing villages. Easy strolls and hikes through the vineyards let you discover this unique region at your own pace. The harvest, which typically takes place from late September to early October, depending on weather conditions, is a particularly authentic experience. From mid-October, the vineyards adorn themselves with beautiful shades of yellow, orange and red, offering a spectacular backdrop and ideal conditions for taking stunning photos.

But Montreux isn’t only about wine. Stroll along its elegant promenade with a Mediterranean feel, or discover the city’s rich cultural scene. If the famous Montreux Jazz Festival animates the summer, many concerts, exhibitions and tours celebrating the region’s musical history are offered throughout the year.

A visit to Rochers-de-Naye is also highly recommended. At over 2,000 metres above sea level, an exceptional panorama awaits across Lake Geneva and the surrounding Alps. Don’t miss Chillon Castle, one of Switzerland’s most iconic monuments. This 12th-century medieval fortress, remarkably preserved, once protected an important trade route. Today, it plunges you into history with its towers, halls and its impressive vaulted cellars.

The journey continues aboard regional trains for about two and a half hours. You will first traverse the Rhône Valley to Visp, before climbing the Zermatt Valley to its terminus. This car-free town, nestled in the heart of the Alps, has drawn mountaineers from around the world for centuries thanks to the allure of the Matterhorn, which soars to 4,478 metres.

The mountain spirit is omnipresent in Zermatt. But the region also offers many activities accessible if you simply want to enjoy the Alpine scenery without being an accomplished mountaineer. The cog railway will comfortably take you up to the Gornergrat in about an hour, where a spectacular view of the Matterhorn, numerous peaks over 4,000 metres and the surrounding glaciers await you.

You can also reach the Matterhorn Glacier Paradise at 3,883 metres. From there, an exceptional panorama opens onto 38 summits over 4,000 metres, 14 glaciers and three countries. The viewpoints at Sunnegga and Rothorn also offer magnificent perspectives on the Matterhorn and the valley of Zermatt. The region also offers a wide range of hikes and activities suitable for all levels.

After your stay in the warm atmosphere of Zermatt, you will descend the valley to Visp again, then continue to Brig, the starting point of the final leg. The Lötschberg line, a historic route, carries you back into the Bernese Oberland. Regarded as one of the greatest feats of Swiss railway engineering, it impresses with its engineering structures, notably the old Lötschberg tunnel, the spectacular Kander Viaduct and its famous railway loops. Throughout the journey, magnificent panoramas accompany your trip.

The circuit ends in Spiez, where you have plenty of connections to Bern, Geneva, Basel or Zurich. You can also return to Interlaken, where your journey began.

Switzerland Travel Centre te propose le « Grand Train Tour of Switzerland – Vignes et Vallées » dans une formule entièrement personnalisable. Tu peux réserver l’itinéraire en ligne et l’adapter facilement selon tes envies. Le forfait comprend une nuit à Montreux et une nuit à Zermatt. Tu peux ajouter librement des nuits supplémentaires à Montreux, à Zermatt ou à Interlaken, au début ou à la fin de ton voyage. Selon les disponibilités, tu as le choix entre des auberges de jeunesse et des hôtels cinq étoiles.

Le forfait comprend les nuitées sélectionnées, les trajets en train en 2ᵉ classe, depuis et jusqu’à la frontière suisse ou un aéroport suisse, ainsi que la réservation de siège à bord du GoldenPass Express. Tu peux également opter pour un surclassement en 1ᵉʳ classe pour l’ensemble du voyage.

De nombreuses activités peuvent être ajoutées à chaque étape, comme les excursions au Gornergrat ou au Matterhorn Glacier Paradise, à Zermatt. Tu peux aussi réserver différentes prestations optionnelles, notamment une planche apéritive accompagnée de vin, de bière ou d’une boisson sans alcool à bord du GoldenPass Express, une option Flex permettant une annulation de dernière minute, ainsi qu’un surclassement en GoldenPass Prestige Class entre Interlaken et Montreux, disponible sur demande.

Pour en savoir plus sur ce voyage : Grand Train Tour of Switzerland – Vignes et Vallées

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