Venice via the Glacier Express
- 6 Days
- From £899
- Switzerland Italy
- Spend nights in the pretty Swiss towns of Brig and Chur
- Experience the famous Glacier Express, the ‘slowest express train in the world’
- Spend two nights in the unique city of Venice
- Travel back to the UK with a stop en route in historic Turin with its museums and top notch cuisine
- Decide when you would like to travel
- Adapt the route to suit your plans
- Upgrade hotels and rail journeys
- Add extra nights, destinations and/or tours
- Standard Class rail travel with seat reservations
- Glacier Express reservations from Chur to Brig
- 5 nights’ handpicked hotel accommodation with breakfast
- City maps and comprehensive directions to your hotels
- Clearly-presented wallets for your rail tickets, hotel vouchers and other documentation
- All credit card surcharges and complimentary delivery of your travel documents
PLEASE NOTE: The Glacier Express does not run between 12 October and 12 December 2020. Between these dates, you can still make the journey of the Glacier Express using public trains.
Suggested Itinerary
Catch the Eurostar and travel under the English Channel and into France. Make an easy change at Paris onto the fast TGV service direct to Basel in Switzerland before changing onto a Swiss domestic train that will take you all the way through to Chur.
On arrival, it’s only a short walk to the ABC Swiss Quality Hotel (or similar), where you will have an overnight stay.
After breakfast this morning, it’s time to board the distinctive red and white panoramic coaches of the Glacier Express for a stunning journey across the Swiss Alps. Pass through dramatic valleys and gorges, cross a total of 291 bridges, and climb up to and across the 6,670 foot high Oberalp Pass, connecting the cantons of Graubünden and Uri.
You will arrive in Brig in the mid-afternoon and disembark here for your overnight stay at the Ambassador Hotel (or similar). Spend the rest of the day exploring this pretty town. Don’t miss a visit to Stockalper Castle and the nearby lookout over the surrounding area.
Leave Brig this morning and take the direct train to Venice, via Milan, Lake Garda and Verona. Pull into Venice Santa Lucia Station on the Grand Canal, and make your way to the Hotel do Pozzi (or similar) where you will have a 2-night stay.
Venice is not only one of the most beautiful cities in the world, but was also at the centre of a powerful republic that existed for a thousand years. You have a day and a half to explore.
Enjoy a full day in Venice, with time to wander through the narrow alleys, crossing canals as you go, or discover famous landmarks like St Mark’s Cathedral and the Rialto Bridge (pictured). For sweeping panoramic views, take the elevator to the top of St Mark’s Campanile.
TMR RECOMMENDS: Stay for an extra night in Venice and give yourself more time to explore the sights, including the Peggy Guggenheim Museum, the islands or Murano and Burano, or the beaches of Venice Lido. Please ask us for more details.
Take a high speed Frecciarossa (red arrow) train to Turin, either direct or via Milan depending on the time you want to travel. On arrival in Turin, make your way to the Starhotels Majestic (or similar) where you have an overnight stay.
Turin is the former capital of the Duchy of Savoy, and boasts a wealth of imposing royal residences and elegant squares. The city is also famous for its cuisine and particularly its chocolate, so be sure to make time for an evening meal here!
It’s time to leave Turin this morning and take a direct TGV service back to Paris Gare de Lyon. We will include metro tickets for the short journey from here to the Gare du Nord where you pick up the Eurostar for a last train ride back to the UK.
ALTERNATIVE ROUTE: RETURN HOME VIA THE GOTTHARD PASS. For spectacular mountain scenery, the Gotthard Pass route through the Alps (pictured) is hard to beat. Why not return via this route and spend a night along the way in Zurich?
Typical hotels on this itinerary
ChurThis 4-star hotel is located just 400 yards from the railway station and offers a sauna and a steam room on site. With a pleasant bar/lounge, you’ll find the perfect place to have a drink. Guests are also welcome to make use of the free high-speed Wi-Fi available throughout the property.
BrigThis small, family-owned hotel enjoys a quiet and central location only 300 yards away from the train station in Brig. The hotel features an excellent restaurant serving French and Swiss specialities. The rooms combine a traditional ambience with modern comfort, and sound proof windows.
VeniceThis small, family-run hotel is located in the heart of Venice, within easy reach of St Mark’s Square and the Doge’s Palace. Its 28 rooms are decorated in a contemporary or traditionally Venetian style.
A hearty breakfast is served in the sunny courtyard, and the friendly staff will gladly assist you arrange tickets and tours in Venice.
TurinThis polished, 19th century hotel is located near all Turin’s main attractions and features modern bedrooms, an elegant restaurant complete with stained glass skylight, and an exercise room. A buffet breakfast is provided daily at the hotel. Le Regine Restaurant by Eataly serves both Piedmont and international cuisine.
Upgrade your accommodation
VeniceWith panoramic views over the Grand Canal, Hotel Palazzo Giovanelli dates back to the 16th century. St Mark’s Square is just a few stops away on the water bus. This former palace has been home to the Doge of Venice, and Mozart’s family. The spacious lounges feature Murano-glass chandeliers and elegant Italian furniture.
VeniceOne of the Leading Hotels of the World, the Luna Baglioni is simply the best in Venetian opulence. Housed in a magnificent Venetian Palace, the hotel boasts an award-winning restaurant, Canova, as well as Caffe Baglioni, where delicious coffees and pastries are available throughout the day.
TurinGrand Hotel Sitea is located in the centre of Turin, right behind Piazza San Carlo and a 10-minute walk from Piazza Castello. Rooms are elegantly furnished and come with parquet or carpeted floors, and a TV with satellite channels. There is also free internet access. All rooms offer a marble bathroom, some with spa bath.
