Day 1: London to Dijon
We depart St Pancras International by Eurostar for Paris, then travel on to Dijon for our overnight stop. (D)
Day 2: Dijon to Hergiswil
Departing Dijon, we pass into Switzerland and travel via Lausanne to Hergiswil, our base on Lake Lucerne for the next five nights.We stay at the 4* Seehotel Pilatus, which is located directly on the lake shore. (B,D)
Day 3: Lucerne on Christmas Eve
It is just a short train journey from our base in Hergiswil to beautiful Lucerne, where we spend the day. A delightful city thanks to its attractive lakeside setting, beautiful historic buildings and variety of shops, Lucerne is a pleasure to explore. Why not visit the Chapel Bridge, the oldest preserved wooden bridge in Europe, the famous Lion Monument or the Swiss Museum of Transport? We return to our hotel in time for our traditional Christmas Eve dinner. (B,D)
Day 4: Mount Pilatus on Christmas Day
On Christmas Day we make our way, via Lucerne,to nearby Kriens to join the cable car that ascends Mount Pilatus. Step out and enjoy superb views of Lucerne and its communities from 7,000 feet (2,134m) above sea level, and perhaps if you are fortunate, you may see locals performing with real alp-horns. There is a choice of cafés and restaurants to choose from, before we descend the mountain and make our way back to Hergiswil to enjoy our gala Christmas dinner. (B,D)
Day 5: Boxing Day sleigh ride from Engelberg
We journey by train to the mountain resort of Engelberg, from where we enjoy a traditional horse-drawn sleigh ride through the surrounding snowy meadows, below the glistening peaks of the Alps. Back in Engelberg, you have time to explore the resort before we return to Hergiswil. (B,D)
Day 6: The Glacier Express
We embark on a morning departure today on one of the highlights of our holiday, as we board the world-famous Glacier Express, probably the slowest express train in the world. The train makes its way along the broad valley before it starts to climb through snowy pastures and woodland. The train then snakes and spirals its way towards the Oberalp Pass, the highest point of the route at 6,670 feet (2,033m), before it descends to Andermatt.We take the beautiful pass that leads us back north once more to Lake Lucerne. (B,D)
Day 7: Hergiswil to London
Departing Hergiswil we head to Basel, where we take the high-speed TGV Est connection to Paris. In the French capital, we join the Eurostar service to St Pancras International. (B)
Your hotel
We stay for five nights at the 4* Seehotel Pilatus in Hergiswil. This picture postcard village is just a few minutes by train from Lucerne, and our hotel is situated directly on the lakeside. There is a dining room with superb lake views, a lounge, bar, and lakeside terraces. The hotel also benefits from great leisure facilities including an indoor swimming pool, sauna and whirlpool. All rooms have satellite television, telephone and hairdryer.
B = Breakfast, L = Lunch, D = Dinner
These meals, where shown, are included in the price of your holiday.
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