On the northern rim of the Alps, mountain peaks and glacial lakes fill Switzerland's Bernese Oberland. Within this heavenly area, pretty villages can be found, some only accessible by cable car. This incredible holiday, based in a top-class hotel, includes excursions to admire some of these isolated dwellings and the impressive scenery that surrounds them, which can simultaneously inspire and daunt with gentle green slopes overlooked by imposing rock faces. These are balanced with free days to explore at your own pace with the extensive rail and cable car network at your disposal. It's been put together by our partners at Titan Travel. They refuse to compromise on quality, and ensure that your holiday balances value, peace of mind and that adventurous travel spirit. That spirit is much in evidence in this Alpine Rail Adventure, which includes multiple excursions and a regional pass giving you unlimited travel, at your own pace, within Bernese Oberland. No one includes more in the price, led by Titan's VIP Home Departure Service. This means that the holiday starts at your front door thanks to a comfortable transfer from your home to the airport and back again. Titan pioneered home transfers many years ago and their service is still streets ahead of the competition with no mileage limits or supplements to pay. From there rest easy, knowing that your holiday also contains:
Titan’s VIP Home Departure Service
Free connecting flights from regional airports
Check-in service by Titan staff with porterage
Services of an experienced Titan tour manager
Scheduled British Airways direct flights
Best available coaches with experienced drivers
Hotel porterage (one bag per person)
Airport taxes, security charges and fuel surcharges
UK Air Passenger Duty
Itinerary
Day 1: London - Zurich - Grindelwald Titan’s VIP Home Departure Service collects you from home, for your journey to London Heathrow Airport for a direct, scheduled British Airways flight to Zurich. Sit back and enjoy a transfer to Grindelwald and the Romantik Hotel Schweizerhof. Relax into your peaceful surroundings with a welcome drink and dinner this evening. Day 2: Grindelwald Today is for exploration at leisure. A Bernese Oberland Pass is included to transport you to many outstanding attractions including the impressive Jungfrau Region, Lake Brienz, and several lovely towns. Day 3: Brienzer Rothorn
Spend today enjoying this beautiful area. The small steam locomotive takes around an hour to push the carriage uphill from Lake Brienz to the summit station on Brienzer Rothorn (2,244m above sea level), but the captivating views make it seem like just minutes, and an incredible view over more than one hundred mountain peaks awaits at the top. On arrival in Brienz, take a paddle steamer across the stunning turquoise glacial waters before a train takes us back to Grindelwald for dinner at the hotel. Day 4: Grindelwald
Today is free for you to enjoy at your leisure. You may like to travel to Lucerne, using your Bernese Oberland Pass to explore this wonderful city, or explore the 500km of footpaths, 160km of mountain bike trails, waterfalls, alpine lakes and breathtaking panoramic views of the Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau. Day 5: Lake Thun
After breakfast we take a train to Interlaken, with free time to explore at leisure. With its unique location between two lakes (Lake Thun and Lake Brienz), Interlaken is also in the heart of the magnificent Jungfrau Region and affords views of the world-famous Alps from its main street, the Hoheweg. We cruise from Interlaken to the city of Thun. The narrow lanes of its unique Old Town are presided over by the 12th century towers of Thun Castle, now a museum of the region’s development over the last four centuries. Lake Thun is a beautiful spot, surrounded by fabulous mountain scenery dotted with ancient churches. We return to Grindelwald by train. Day 6: Grindelwald
After four days of learning the local transport system, you have another day to explore at leisure, maybe venturing further afield with your Bernese Oberland Pass. Day 7: Schilthorn
Today, take a train to Kleine Scheidegg to witness the awe-inspiring Eiger. From this close, the mountain’s imposing north face is just stupendous. Continue to Stechelberg, the starting point of the Schilthorn Cable Car in the Lauterbrunnen Valley. It will take you to the Schilthorn, the location of the Piz Gloria revolving restaurant, named for the James Bond film On Her Majesty’s Secret Service, some of which was filmed here. There is an exhibition dedicated to the film and the restaurant offers stunning and exhilarating panoramic views. Returning to the cable car, another journey takes you to Mürren. At 1,650m above sea level, it is the highest continually inhabited village settlement in the canton of Bern and unreachable by road. Take a stroll through this village to the train station to continue our journey back to Grindewald by cable car and train in time for the final dinner together. Day 8: Grindelwald - Zurich - London
Transfer to the airport for a direct, scheduled British Airways flight to London Heathrow. On arrival you will be met and guided to your Titan vehicle, for the journey home. Dates and prices 2016 June 6th £1,699 20th £1,699 July 4th £1,999 18th £1,999 September 5th £1,699 19th £1,699 October 3rd £1,599 Single supplement: from £340 Prices are per person. Spaces are limited at these prices, subject to change and will be confirmed upon enquiry.