Fred.\ Holidays Switzerland Tailor-made Holidays brochure

Tailor-made Switzerland Holidays

Dear friends of Switzerland, We have all missed travel, and Switzerland has missed you. Now that restrictions have been lifted, travel is almost as easy as it was before. More than ever, travel is a wonderful way to learn about the world - and ourselves.

This summer is the perfect time to go travelling again. Switzerland is just a short trip from the UK and Ireland, and with its pristine nature, the four different culture and language regions, and its reputation as a reliable and safe destination, Switzerland is one of the best places to visit in 2022 and beyond – in any season.

Furthermore, Switzerland is constantly ranked as one of the most sustainable countries in the world.

#WeNeedSwitzerland You need Switzerland. And Switzerland needs you.

Welcome to Switzerland, hope to see you soon.

Director UK & Ireland Switzerland Tourism

Travel is unique to all of us. At Fred.\ Holidays, we can tailor-make your perfect holiday to Switzerland safely in the knowledge that your holiday is ABTA and ATOL bonded for your financial protection.

Tailor-made travel puts you in control of the important components of your trip but, crucially, still leaves the intricacies of booking them to our knowledgeable experts.

Contents

Page

Sustainable Switzerland

4-5

The Grand Train Tour of Switzerland

6-7

Bernese Oberland: Switzerland’s Adventure Playground 8-9 Jungfrau Railway & The Bernese Oberland

10-11

Valais: Matterhorn, Raclette and Glacier Views

12-13

Vintage Trains of Switzerland

14-15

Glacier Express

16-17

Glacier & Bernina Expresses Feat. The Matterhorn

18-19

Bernina Express

20-21

Lake Garda via The Bernina Express

22-23

Vaud: Countryside, Culture & Wine

24-25

Swiss Chocolate & Cheese

26-27

Lucerne: The City - The Lake - The Mountains

28-29

Swiss Lakes & Mountains

30-31

Ticino: Where Swiss Quality Meets Italian Lifestyle

32-33

Bern & Lugano via the Centovalli Railway

34-35

Zurich: Art, Culture & Gastronomy

36-37

Explore More with a Swiss Travel Pass

38-39

Sustainable Switzerland Switzerland – the champion in sustainability. Its long-term efforts – from consistent recycling to strict requirements for construction projects – are regularly reflected in top rankings in international sustainability rankings, such as its third place in the Global Sustainability Index 2021.

Public transport – eco-friendly without compromise.

Public transport in Switzerland is not only one of the most environmentally friendly in the world but the most beautiful and inspiring way to discover Switzerland. Examples of its efforts to become even greener are numerous: PostBus, which provides access to the most remote corners of Switzerland, is steadily expanding the number of electric postbuses, the first all-electric, year-round passenger ship recently began operating on Lake Lugano, and with the Staubernbahn, Switzerland has its first cable car powered exclusively by solar energy.

Swisstainable committed accommodation – a new era begins.

Sustainability has been an integral part of business management for many lodging companies for years. The comprehensive sustainability program “Swisstainable” gives a face to these long-standing efforts aiming for more sustainable overnight stays. Swisstainable means caring for people and the environment, conserving resources, operating responsibly, and pampering guests with high-quality products and services.

Conscious consumption – culinary heritage reinvented.

The remoteness of many Alpine valleys has given rise to countless culinary specialties, resulting in a culinary diversity that leaves nothing to be desired. Discovering these ancient dishes – original or reinvented – is a real pleasure. Numerous dedicated chefs have made it their business to reinterpret the culinary heritage of Switzerland for their guests: Organic products from the surrounding countryside and the mindful use of selected animal products stand for conscious consumption and revive traditional Switzerland in an innovative way.

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Switzerland - Sustainable Switzerland

Grand Train Tour of Switzerland No-Fly Holiday If you like to fit as much into your holiday as possible, this extensive week-long Swiss tour is for you! A full-circle trip taking in cities, mountains, glaciers, lakes and epic rail journeys over constantlychanging terrain, you really can see it all in one short holiday.

And, don’t forget with our bespoke tailor-made holiday service you can extend your stays and add in excursions as you please and see the best of Switzerland, your way.

Daily departures available 8 days from

£1,799pp What’s included: • Rail from the UK to Zurich • Overnight stay in Zurich • Rail from Zurich to Interlaken via the Lucerne-Interlaken Express • Overnight stay in Interlaken • Excursion to the “Top of Europe” - Jungfraujoch • Rail Interlaken to Montreux via the GoldenPass Line • Overnight stay in Montreux • Rail Montreux to Zermatt • Overnight stay in Zermatt • Glacier Express Zermatt to St Moritz • Overnight stay in St Moritz • Bernina Express Rail & Bus from St Moritz to Lugano • Overnight stay in Lugano • Gotthard Panorama Express from Lugano to Lucerne by Rail and Boat • Overnight stay in Lucerne • Rail from Lucerne back to the UK

This trip can be customised to suit your requirements.

Enhance your experience Upgrades available: hotels, rail, excursions, fly start/return available Price is subject to availability, based on two adults sharing a room departing London St. Pancras on selected departures April to October 2022. 3-star hotels with breakfast included and standard class rail. This tour visits high altitude.

Zurich Interlaken

Lucerne St. Moritz

Montreux

Lugano

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Switzerland - Grand Train Tour of Switzerland

Zermatt

Bernese Oberland:

Switzerland’s Adventure Playground The Bernese Oberland is one of the most diversified regions of Switzerland. Picturesque landscapes with glittering lakes surrounded by countless mountain peaks are just as enticing to potential travellers as the world-class events, the unique traditions and the local customs. Discover Jungfraujoch - Top of Europe, the highest railway station in Europe. Get thrilled by the varied activities in Interlaken, the adventure capital, or get spoiled by Gstaad’s luxury and culinary treats.

Between Lakes Thun and Lake Brienz there are numerous adventures waiting to be had. By land, water or even air - it never gets boring in and around Interlaken. The region offers a variety of activities. If you are looking for adrenaline-fuelled activities, look no further. Interlaken offers thrills such as paragliding, white water rafting, canyoning, bungee jumping or heli-skiing.

But recreation, indulgence and shopping also play an important role at this holiday destination. Do you want to escape the stress of everyday life and find moments of utter relaxation? A trip with the Lake Thun or Brienz cruises will help you unwind.

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Breath-taking heights, idyllic lakes, and unspoiled landscapes: these are but a few of the many faces of the Jungfrau Region.”

From mountain peaks to the valley - a descent full of highlights.

The Jungfrau Region is not only a magical place in winter, but also in summer. Breath-taking heights, idyllic lakes, and unspoiled landscapes: these are but a few of the many faces of the Jungfrau Region. The car-free villages of Wengen and Mürren are perfect to relax. Activities happen at a faster pace at First above Grindelwald where visitors either take to the skies or explore the lofty region at high speeds. At the Jungfraujoch - Top of Europe, guests learn about the giant glacier and enjoy unique views. Just as impressive are the many waterfalls in Lauterbrunnen, which are landmarks of the region.

The destination of Gstaad has a lot to offer. Skiers and snowboarders have plenty of fun on the 220km of slopes and the 53 cable cars; likewise, freestyle skiers and snowboarders get a rush of adrenaline in any of the fun parks, and even backcountry skiers won’t miss out. The region offers attractive and pleasurable ski tours off the slopes with great views. Fast-paced action is guaranteed on the Glacier 3000. Visitors can explore the area by husky tour, on the world’s highest alpine coaster or by snow bus. A special highlight is the Peak Walk by Tissot - the only suspension bridge in the world which connects two mountain peaks.

In summer, Gstaad is an attractive hiking destination with its trail network of over 300km. Have you ever wanted to enjoy a delicious fondue on a mountain meadow? Then you should visit Fondueland Gstaad. You can rent a fondue backpack from one of the dairies, which contain everything you will need to prepare the Swiss national dish. Culinary highlights can be found in the village of Gstaad. It offers everything a gourmet’s heart might desire. Those looking for relaxation can take advantage of the hotels’ various wellness offers.

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Switzerland - Bernese Oberland

Jungfrau Railway & The Bernese Oberland No Single Supplement Make your way to the Jungfraujoch - Top of Europe. Complete with an Ice Palace full of ice sculptures and the Sphinx Observatory with a 360-degree view over this incredible terrain, a journey to Europe’s highest railway station - Jungfraujoch - is not just a rail excursion. Centred in the pretty car-free village of Wengen in the heart of the spectacular Bernese Oberland, deep in the Swiss Alps, this exceptional 8-day holiday showcases the highlights of this breath-taking region, featuring a trip up the majestic Jungfraujoch - Top of Europe and a steam train excursion on the Brienz Rothorn Bahn, along with evening meals, packed lunches for your excursion programme and a welcome bottle of wine.

What’s included: • Return flights from the UK to/from Zurich • Return rail from/to Zurich Airport to Wengen • 7 nights’ 3-star accommodation on a full board basis in Wengen including Meet & Greet at train station, evening meals, packed lunches, welcome beverage and speciality fondue dinner.

• 8-day Bernese Oberland Pass for travel to/from Wengen to: ₒ Schilthorn – James Bond Mountain ₒ Jungfraujoch - Top of Europe ₒ Lucerne ₒ Harder Kulm funicular railway ₒ Brienz Rothorn steam train excursion ₒ Lake Brienz cruise

This trip can be customised to suit your requirements.

Daily departures June – October 8 days from

£1,789pp

Enhance your experience Upgrades available: hotel, rail Extend your holiday and travel by rail from the UK for a No-Fly option Price shown is subject to availability, based on two adults sharing a room on a full board basis departing London Heathrow Airport on 8th October 2022. Standard Class rail. This tour visits high altitude.

London

Zurich

Switzerland - Jungfrau Railway & The Bernese Oberland

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Wengen

Valais:

Matterhorn, Raclette and Glacier Views Nearly 300 days of sunshine a year, majestic peaks more than 4,000 metres high, pristine natural landscapes, a wealth of adventures for activity enthusiasts, a cuisine rich in local flavour, facilities designed for families: Valais promises an unforgettable time all year long.

Valais is the ideal destination for enjoying the good things in life, testing and surpassing one’s limits, spending precious family time together or just bringing peace to the body and soul thanks to a pure alpine environment and a magnificent mountain landscape. With 45 peaks higher than 4,000m, the Valais Alps offer an unrivalled destination for outdoor activity enthusiasts.

But also, nature lovers find themselves in paradise: In Valais, spectacular scenery frames every train journey. The Glacier Express links St. Moritz and Zermatt via magnificent alpine landscapes. The Gornergrat Bahn takes you from Zermatt to the Gornergrat, a high panoramic ridge with glorious views of the Matterhorn. Valais is also the cradle of culture and unique culinary experience such as the Raclette du Valais AOP cheese, a land as generous as the rays of sunshine that caress its vineyards to produce sublime wines.

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When talking activities Valais has it all, here is a bucket list on why you absolutely should make it to Valais and what to do!

• Enjoy Valais specialties, soaking up the sun on a scenic terrace.

Remember Valais does have 300 sunny days per year.

• Have fun trying out one of the longest ski runs in the Alps.

The region has the highest-altitude ski regions in Switzerland and can therefore offer a unique guarantee of snow.

• Walk along a glacier accompanied by a professional UIAGM Mountain guide.

The Great Aletsch Glacier is even listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

• Don’t miss south-facing Crans-Montana Mountain Resort, open 365 days a year with its boundless sunshine, breathtaking views over the Rhône Valley, and unparalleled skiing, hiking and biking opportunities.

• For unique and great experience make a stop in Saas-Fee. This car-free resort is located in the middle of the 4,000m high peaks and is a world record owner, thanks to its highest underground train and revolving restaurant.

• Relax in the soothing hot water of one of Valais thermal baths.

The largest thermal spa resort in the Alp Leukerbad.

• Get to know the iconic St-Bernard breed. Two to three litters of puppies are born every year at the Fondation Barry in Martigny.

• Look at the world-famous Matterhorn and visit the unique new ZOOOM the Matterhorn multi-media experience on the Gornergrat. The cogwheel railway takes you up from the village to 3,100m above sea level.

• With over 50 grape varieties Valais is the biggest wine-growing region in Switzerland. Les Celliers de Sion invites you on a unique exploration of the wines. The experience can go from a wine tasting to a day in the vineyard on an e-bike.

• Learn about the history and the Valais culture. Brig with the Stockhalper palace and the historical route is a great starting point for your journey.

In Valais you’re guaranteed a wealth of happy memories that will stay engraved on your heart! ©Valais/Wallis Promotion - David Carlier

Saas-Fee Daily departures available 4 days from

£639pp What’s included: • Fly from the UK to Zurich • 3 nights’ accommodation including breakfast in Saas-Fee • 4 day Swiss Travel Pass • Fly from Zurich back to the UK

This trip can be customised to suit your requirements.

Enhance your experience Upgrades available: hotel, rail

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Switzerland - Valais

©Valais/Wallis Promotion - Pascal Gertschen

Price is subject to availability, based on two adults sharing a room departing London Gatwick on 1st July 2022. Standard Class Swiss Pass.

© Switzerland Tourism / Jan Geerk

Vintage Trains of Switzerland No-Fly Option Available 1st Class Rail

5-star Luxury Package

For vintage rail enthusiasts this seven-day holiday is a real treat!

Combining 5-star luxury accommodation and two nostalgic rail journeys with First Class rail travel throughout, you’ll experience Switzerland in a unique and lavish manner. The Glacier Pullman Express is a delight to behold; taking you from one side of the country to the other in comfort and its inimitable glamorous art deco style.

Departures 23rd June and 14th July 2022 7 days from

£3,899pp Price is subject to availability, based on two adults sharing a room on a bed and breakfast basis departing London Heathrow. First Class rail.

Enhance your experience Upgrades available: rail start/return available What’s included: • Flight from the UK to Geneva • Rail from Geneva airport to Montreux • Overnight 5-star hotel accommodation in Montreux with Montreux Riviera Card (provided locally by hotel) • Rail from Montreux to Zermatt. Including a journey in vintage Classic Belle Époque carriages on the Golden Pass • 2 nights' 5-star hotel accommodation in Zermatt • 2 full-day journeys on the vintage Glacier Pullman Express luxury train with included lunch and excursions, from Zermatt to St Moritz via Andermatt • Overnight 5-star hotel accommodation in Andermatt • 2 nights' 5-star hotel accommodation in St Moritz • First Class rail travel for the duration of your trip • Swiss Half Fare Card for half price additional travel during your free time in Switzerland • Flight from Zurich back to the UK

This trip is also available in reverse and can be fully customised to your requirements.

London

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Switzerland - Vintage Trains of Switzerland

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Geneva Montreux

Andermatt St Moritz Zermatt 1

Glacier Express: The Slowest Express Train in the World The Glacier Express is a classic when it comes to Swiss panoramic trips. From Zermatt and the Matterhorn, the trip leads over 291 bridges and through 91 tunnels over and through the Swiss Alps to St. Moritz in the Engadin lakeland. Of course there are faster ways to travel - but certainly none that are as attractive.

With ease and the help of rack-and-pinion technology, the Glacier Express climbs to the highest point of the route on the Oberalp Pass, 2,033 metres above sea level. It winds its way past idyllic mountain villages and rugged rock faces, offering an unrestricted view of the deep gorges, remote valleys, glaciers and the Rhine Gorge, also known as the “Swiss Grand Canyon”.

A further highlight is the 142m long and 65m high Landwasser Viaduct, the impressive structure on five masoned pillars which leads directly into the Landwasser Tunnel. A must for all railway fans - beauty and daring united.

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With an unrestricted view of the countryside thanks to the large panoramic windows, enjoy a three-course meal or a range of à la carte variations”

From Thusis the Glacier Express climbs up the Albula Valley through helical tunnels and over viaducts towards St. Moritz. Harmoniously embedded in the landscape, the line is a monument to the pioneering days of railway-building and is part of the UNESCO World Heritage site “Rhaetian Railway in the Albula/Bernina Landscapes”.

And there are plenty of culinary delights to be enjoyed on the way. With an unrestricted view of the countryside thanks to the large panoramic windows, enjoy a three-course meal or a range of à la carte variations – freshly prepared in the on-board kitchen – at your seat. Payable on board.

The New Excellence Class - the most sought-after seats in Switzerland The panoramic trip through the Swiss Alps is now even more spectacular. The new Excellence Class sets standards that are as high as the mountain peaks along the legendary route. Passengers enjoy the highest level of comfort, the best views and culinary highlights. They journey with a guaranteed window seat and panoramic view, including personal service, great comfort, thanks to ultra-comfortable lounge chairs, and a bar in the carriage. The Excellence Class exclusively offers a concierge service, a special on-board entertainment system as well as a five-course gourmet menu including accompanying wines served at your window seat. Amuse-bouche and champagne taste twice as good looking out towards the Piz Bernina and the Matterhorn.

The best place to enjoy an aperitif is the exclusive Glacier Bar. Thanks to the golden compass on the ceiling, passengers won’t miss a single change of direction as they drink exquisite wine or a freshly mixed drink. Without a doubt, even experienced gourmets will be amazed at the standard of the Excellence Class.

In 2020, the Glacier Express celebrated its 90th anniversary. To mark the occasion, all panoramic cars were overhauled between 2019 and 2021, given a new design inside, made state of the art and equipped with a new infotainment system.

Amateur photographers can also look forward to a long awaited change. It will be possible to open the windows in the bar car as well as the windows on the doors to be able to take photos of the scenery without any glare.

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Looking back at 90 years of the Glacier Express

Switzerland - Glacier Express

The journey in the new Excellence Class is a feast for the senses and thus one of the most exclusive tourist highlights in Switzerland.

Glacier & Bernina Expresses feat. The Matterhorn No-Fly Holiday

Switzerland - Glacier & Bernina Expresses 18

Three of the most iconic European rail journeys and a breathtaking homeward voyage through the “romantic” Rhine Gorge combine to make this week-long rail holiday a great way to experience some of the best of what European rail has to offer.

The Glacier Express trundles across 291 bridges, including the truly spectacular Landwasser Viaduct, finally completing the day-long trip on the UNESCO World Heritage Albula Line. The Bernina Express showcases a variety of glorious scenery; white glaciers, green valleys and turquoise lakes as you pass from Switzerland into Italy and back, and the trio of Swiss rail journeys is complete with a trip up the Gornergrat for the best viewpoint of the mighty Matterhorn mountain.

Daily departures available* 8 days from

£1,549pp Enhance your experience Upgrades available: hotels, rail, fly start/return available Price is subject to availability, based on two adults sharing a room on a bed and breakfast basis departing London St Pancras on 16th October 2022. Standard Class rail. *Glacier Express does not run from late October to early December, the route can be done on standard trains during this time.

London 1

Cologne

St Moritz Geneva Tirano Zermatt 3

What’s included:

• 3 nights’ 3-star accommodation in St Moritz

• Rail from London to Geneva

• Return journey on the Bernina Express from St Moritz to Tirano, Italy

• Overnight 3-star accommodation in Geneva • Rail from Geneva to Zermatt • 2 nights’ 3-star accommodation in Zermatt • Journey on the Gornergrat Mountain Railway for incredible views of the Matterhorn • Journey on the Glacier Express from Zermatt to St Moritz (full day)

• Rail from St Moritz to Cologne through the Rhine Gorge • Overnight 3-star accommodation in Cologne • Rail from Cologne back to London • Swiss Half Fare Card for half price additional travel during your free time in Switzerland

This trip is also available in reverse and can be fully customised to your requirements.

Switzerland - Glacier & Bernina Expresses

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Bernina Express: From Glaciers to Palms

For railway fans from all over the world: there is an amazing travel experience waiting for you, far from the hustle and bustle of city life and in the midst of a wild, alpine landscape. See for yourself - gleaming glaciers, steep, rocky ravines and daring constructions engineered by intrepid railway pioneers. All this and more when you take a trip aboard the Bernina Express on the Albula and Bernina lines and where the scenery is almost tangible.

From the comfort of a Panorama coach, passengers have an unobscured view of the UNESCO World Heritage line covering 122km; in 2008 this over 100-year old transit line from Thusis to Tirano was added to the UNESCO World Heritage list, to acknowledge its outstanding building technology and ingenious route.

The journey is around four hours of ascents and descents, through geographical and climatic extremes. And there’s a lot to see: where else can you find so many facets of Swiss life - the language, culture and scenery all within such a short journey?

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One extraordinary highlight after another! Helical tunnels that leave your senses somewhat confused when you emerge and dizzyingly high viaducts in the Albula Valley and in Valposchiavo, not to mention the impressive glaciers that surround the Bernina Pass.”

The Bernina Express runs from Chur and St. Moritz to Tirano – and back. From now on, there is an additional departure time, with the train leaving Chur for Tirano at 1:30 pm. Whether you simply want to arrive later or spend time exploring the oldest town in Switzerland – the new connection opens up a world of completely new excursion possibilities.

One extraordinary highlight after another! Helical tunnels that leave your senses somewhat confused when you emerge and dizzyingly high viaducts in the Albula Valley and in Valposchiavo, not to mention the impressive glaciers that surround the Bernina Pass.

To make sure you will capture some unforgettable views to look back on later, the Bernina Express makes a photo stop at Alp Grüm which will ensure you get the perfect shot of the Palü Glacier.

With devilishly stunning views. To indulge not just your eyes but also your taste-buds the trains have a Minibar offering snacks with a regional flavour, or you can save your appetite for a local restaurant either in Poschiavo or Tirano. The homeward journey with the Bernina Express is the same as the outward one, unless you choose to board the Bernina Express bus going through picturesque Veltlin to Lugano and from there you travel home at top speed by train through the new Gotthard Basis tunnel - back towards the German-speaking part of Switzerland. There are just so many possibilities on this outstanding but compact panoramic trip.

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Switzerland - Bernina Express

Lake Garda

via The Bernina Express No-Fly Holiday Head for the Italian Lakes via one of the most dramatic and diverse rail lines in Europe – if not the world. Leaving London by rail and staying overnight in the heart of the Alps, before taking the spectacular Bernina Express from the Swiss peaks down to the palm trees of verdant north Italy and onwards for a week-long stay on Lake Garda for some well-deserved R&R.

What’s included: • Rail from London to Chur • Overnight 4-star accommodation in Chur with breakfast • Rail from Chur to Lake Garda, via the Bernina Express • 7 nights’ 4-star accommodation including breakfast on Lake Garda • Rail from Lake Garda to Chambéry • Overnight 4-star accommodation in Chambéry • Rail from Chambéry back to London

This trip can be customised to suit your requirements.

Daily departures available 10 days from

£1,359pp Enhance your experience Upgrades available: hotels, rail, fly start/return available Price is subject to availability, based on two adults sharing a room on a bed and breakfast basis departing London St Pancras on 8th October 2022. Standard Class rail.

Chambéry Chur

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Switzerland - Lake Garda via The Bernina Express

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London

Tirano

Desenzano Del Garda

Vaud:

Countryside, Culture & Wine

cities such as Lausanne and Montreux. For those wishing to go back in time, Morges and Nyon are home to castles dating back to the 13th century, not forgetting the famous Chillon Castle.

Unforgettable landscapes, trendy cities, a region marked by culture and art, but also delicious local products. This is a perfect description of the canton of Vaud, which stands out from other Swiss regions because of its unique and rich diversity as well as its four-season offer.

Epicureans will discover a region with excellent wines and culinary specialities from every corner of the canton. Visitors will also appreciate the Michelin-starred restaurants and life in

Culture lovers will enjoy a wide range of activities, from the Chaplin’s World Museum to art exhibitions at the Plateforme 10 and Aquatis, the largest freshwater aquarium in Europe.

In Vallée de Joux, the Musée Atelier Audemars Piguet invites the public to an immersive experience at the core of the cultural universe of the famous watch-making brand.

As for sports enthusiasts, they will be spoilt for choice.

During the summer, mountain biking and electric bicycles are very popular due to the many routes in the Vaud region.

During the winter season, magnificent resorts such as Glacier 3000 and Leysin offer snow-shoeing, alpine skiing, crosscountry skiing and sledging, among others. In addition, the Olympic capital and its museum are located in Lausanne.

In addition, the canton of Vaud is punctuated throughout the year by events, starting with world-famous music festivals such as the Montreux Jazz Festival or the Paléo Festival in Nyon. During the Christmas season, the Christmas markets situated in Lausanne and Montreux offer visitors a magical time. The International Balloon Festival and the Caves ouvertes Vaudoises are two other different events that demonstrate the diversity of the canton.

Switzerland - Vaud

In addition, there are many paths between the vineyards which are perfect for a romantic or family walk. The Iris gardens at Vullierens Castle offer calm and sublime colours, an ideal activity during the autumn. The Vaud Alps and Lake Geneva complete the wonderful Vaud landscape.

These different landscapes, towns and activities are all reachable by public transport. Even better, some of the journeys are in themselves a unique activity. Travellers have the opportunity to embark on Belle Epoque boats that sail on the lake. The GoldenPass Panoramic train is another activity that will allow travellers to discover unique landscapes, and if they want to get some height, there is nothing better than a hot air balloon flight from Château-d’Oex.

The Vaud region welcomes its visitors all year round and offers them a complete and unique range of activities.

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Nature and breath-taking landscapes are also part of the region’s assets. Starting with the terraced vineyards of Lavaux, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, this magical site offers a magnificent view of Lake Geneva.”

Swiss Chocolate & Cheese No-Fly Holiday Stay in Montreux on the “Swiss Riviera” for six nights, and explore the highlights of the region.

Indulge in tasty treats, from savoury local cheeses, to sweet Swiss chocolate, and take a walk in the sky between two mountain peaks where the snow and the views will give you chills!

Daily departures available 6 days from

£1,499pp What’s included: • Rail from the UK to Montreux • 6 nights’ minimum 3-star accommodation including breakfast in Montreux • Montreux Riviera Card (provided locally by hotel) • Excursion on the Chocolate Train and visit to cheese and chocolate making with entrance to Maison Callier • Entry to Chillon Castle, followed by Wine Tasting and planchette vigneronne (platter) at Domaine Croix Duplex in the Lavaux and cruise on Lake Geneva • Excursion to Glacier 3000 via Gstaad • Visit to Lausanne with included entry to Olympic Museum • Rail from Montreux back to the UK • Swiss Half Fare Card for half price additional travel during your free time in Switzerland

This trip can be customised to suit your requirements.

Enhance your experience Upgrades available: hotel, rail, fly start/return available Price is subject to availability, based on two adults sharing a room departing London St Pancras on 4th August 2022.

Standard Class rail. This tour visits high altitude.

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Switzerland - Swiss Chocolate & Cheese

Lucerne: The City - The Lake - The Mountains

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Lucerne is Switzerland because it encompasses all the merits of the country: The City - The Lake - The Mountains. Whatever you expect from a unique place, the destination offers an outstanding diversity.”

Lucerne is the starting point for the Lucerne - Lake Lucerne Region and offers a wide range of attractions to discover. Centuries-old sights such as the Chapel Bridge, the Lion Monument and the historic Old City form the exciting contrast to contemporary Lucerne: the avantgarde KKL Luzern, the abundance of restaurants and an attractive range of shopping. The Festival City Lucerne delights throughout the year, with blues, jazz, rock, comics or the splendidly colourful Carnival.

The Lucerne Festival has a top-class programme of classical events with world-famous artists. The Rosengart Collection, the natural monuments in the Glacier Garden and the Swiss Museum of Transport are only a few museum highlights. Immerse yourself in this city, stroll along the quays and get to know the legendary charm of Lucerne.

Just as fascinating as the charming city of Lucerne is the surrounding area. The Lucerne - Lake Lucerne Region with its unique mountain and lake landscape offers countless options for excursions in summer and in winter. Nowhere else will you find so much Switzerland in such a small area. The abundance of excursion destinations just a short trip away from Lucerne and the selection of means of transport such as steamboats, railways, post vans and cogwheel and cable railways are unique. There are plenty of records such as the world’s steepest cog railway (on Mt. Pilatus), the first mountain railway in Europe (on Mt. Rigi), an aerial cableway with a rotating cabin (the Rotair on Mt. Titlis), the world’s first double decker open air cable car to Mt. Stanserhorn and the world’s largest fleet of paddle steamers on inland waters on Lake Lucerne. And just in case you were worried, the magnificent landscape makes sure you are not overwhelmed by all these records. The region is also a hiking and winter sports paradise, providing active recreation including the attractive canoeing, skating, cycling and e-bike tours.

On top, Switzerland has its origins in the Lucerne - Lake Lucerne Region. Here, centuries-old customs are alive and maintained.

On your travels around Lake Lucerne, you will discover countless traditions of national importance, in the city and in the countryside.

Every spring, the people of Lucerne are thrilled by the Carnival when bizarre characters and noisy “Guggenmusik” create an exceptional atmosphere at the most beautiful time of the year. In Entlebuch, you will discover the age-old craft of charcoal-making and experience directly at the kiln how charcoal is made from wood. The art of hay-making in the wild on the steep slopes is even now still very widespread in the cantons of Uri and Schwyz. In autumn, the decorated herds are accompanied down into the valley by Alpine herdsmen and dairymen and folk music groups on numerous Alpine cattle drives.

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Switzerland - Lucerne

Swiss Lakes & Mountains feat. the Golden Pass & Jungfrau Railway No-Fly Option Available

On this 8-day tour you’ll travel through Switzerland from Lake Lucerne westwards, to the country’s largest lake, Lac Léman (Lake Geneva), take a ride on the oldest rack railway in Europe up Mount Rigi, head to the Top of Europe on the Jungfrau Railway, and delight in the vintage Belle Époque carriages from a time gone by on the beautiful Golden Pass route.

Daily departures available 8 days from

£1,789pp

What’s included: • Flight or rail* from UK to Geneva • Rail to Lucerne • 2 nights’ 4-star accommodation in Lucerne • Lake Lucerne and Mount Rigi excursion • Rail Lucerne to Interlaken via The Golden Pass in vintage Belle Époque seating • 3 nights’ 4-star accommodation in Interlaken • Jungfrau Railway excursion • Rail Interlaken to Montreux via The Golden Pass • 2 nights’ 4-star accommodation in Montreux

London

Lucerne Jungfrau Interlaken

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Montreux

• Swiss Half Fare Card for half price additional travel during your free time in Switzerland • Lucerne City Ticket and Montreux Riviera Card (provided locally by hotels) • Flight or rail* from Geneva back to the UK • Rail to and from the airports in Switzerland (flight option)

This trip can be customised to suit your requirements.

Enhance your experience Upgrades available: hotels, rail Price is subject to availability, based on two adults sharing a room departing London Heathrow on 17th September 2022. This tour visits high altitude.

Standard Class rail * Rail supplement from and to UK + £100pp

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Geneva

Switzerland - Swiss Lakes & Mountains

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Ticino:

Where Swiss Quality Meets Italian Lifestyle

Getting to Ticino has never been easier and faster. The Gotthard Base Tunnel, the longest railway tunnel in the world, takes you from Zurich to Lugano in only 2 hours! While for those who enjoy the travel as much as the destination, the Gotthard Panorama Express, one of the best panoramic trains of the country, and the Treno Gottardo, the interregional copper-coloured hourly train connecting Zurich and Basel to the dream-like city of Locarno, are the best options to fully take advantage of the trip.

From a hike around a glacier to a swim in the Mediterranean-like lakes of the region in a matter of hours, anything is possible in Ticino. With its strategic position, with the rest of Switzerland just beyond the Gotthard massif and Italy as a neighbour to the south, the Ticino region can truly claim to have the best of both worlds!

In the heart of Ticino stands the city of Bellinzona, the region’s capital, with its magnificent UNESCO fortresses. The peak of the Alps towers over the North of the region, giving you the chance to enjoy breath-taking views. As you follow the Ticino River, the whole landscape quickly morphs: the air gets warmer, the sun creates light-games on the Maggiore Lake. The calm mountain paths give way to the wide promenades, the colourful gardens, and the open squares of the towns of Ascona and Locarno.

This North-to-South journey ends in the Mendrisiotto region, which welcomes you with its endless sea of gentle vine-covered hills and invites you to taste its ruby red Merlots. With its central position in the European North-South transport network, Ticino, with its unique charm, invites you to discover its Swiss-Italian lifestyle.

Thanks to the Ticino Ticket, guests staying in a hotel, youth hostel or campsites of the region, can enjoy free public transport, along with many activities, from museums to cable-cars, at discounted rates.

Cities, mountains, lakes, and rivers – everything is at your fingertips with the Ticino Ticket!

Switzerland - Ticino

Moving towards the South, with its historic hotels and endless cultural venues, the city of Lugano welcomes you in its worldly lifestyle. A walk along the lake, taking in the architectural diversity of the city, and a lakeside aperitif are the perfect way to blend in with the Ticinesi and to experience their kind of Dolce Vita.

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The main square of Locarno is one of Ticino’s cultural hubs, hosting many events such as the Locarno Film Festival.

Bern & Lugano

via The Centovalli Railway No-Fly Holiday Enjoy a short stay in the lesser-explored capital city of Switzerland before heading to the south of the country and across a window of Italy and back to the southern Swiss lakes to Lugano. This two-centre holiday showcases the contrasts of the German-speaking north-west to the more temperate climes of the Italian-speaking Ticino region.

Daily departures April to November 6 days from

£1,199pp

What’s included: • Rail from the UK to Bern • 2 nights’ accommodation including breakfast in Bern • Journey on the Centovalli Railway • 3 nights’ accommodation including breakfast in Lugano • Excursion to Monte Generoso including cog railway • 6-day Swiss Travel Pass for additional use of public transport and access to selected museums during your free time in Switzerland • Ticino Ticket (provided locally by hotel in Lugano) • Rail from Lugano back to the UK

This trip can be customised to suit your requirements

Enhance your experience Upgrades available: hotels, rail Fly start/return available Price is subject to availability, based on two adults sharing a room departing London St Pancras on 22nd October 2022. Standard Class rail.

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Switzerland - Bern & Lugano via the Centovalli Railway

Zurich:

Art, Culture & Gastronomy Located directly on the crystal-clear Lake Zurich amidst stunning natural beauty, Zurich is bustling with life. A mindful lifestyle is in the very DNA of Zurich and the people who live here. Living and traveling sustainably does not have to be expensive or complicated. In Zurich, exceptional art and culture, exquisite gastronomy and unique local shopping is concentrated in the smallest of urban areas, ready for you to explore.

Considered one of the design capitals of Europe, Zurich is packed with aweinspiring art, architecture and design. Art connoisseurs and culture enthusiasts have more than 100 galleries and over 50 museums to choose from. The Pavillon Le Corbusier on the shores of Lake Zurich, by the great architect Le Corbusier, is a must-see. The Kunsthaus Zurich, with its recently opened extension designed by the architect David Chipperfield, has just become Switzerland’s largest art museum and offers the most important collection of Classical Modernism, coupled with attractive temporary exhibitions.

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During the summer months, Lake Zurich and the River Limmat give Zurich a fresh Mediterranean ambiance. Bathing in the lake or the river is a particularly popular pastime; measured in terms of the population, scarcely any other city in Europe has such a high concentration of bathing facilities as Zurich.”

Zurich’s restaurant scene is just as diverse as the city itself. The Haus Hiltl – according to the Guinness Book of Records, the oldest vegetarian restaurant in the world – was founded here and in Zurich-West, you can dine in factory halls or high above the clouds. All around Lake Zurich, mouth-watering menus featuring fresh fish from the lake are served up together with a spectacular view. Chocoholics should not miss a visit to the latest attraction - Lindt Home of Chocolate, which is home to one of the world’s largest chocolate fountains and an interactive museum on the history of chocolate making. FOOD ZURICH provides an opportunity to indulge: every year, the festival celebrates food in all its facets over a period of 11 days. Featuring a large street food festival, countless workshops, food tastings and courses, it enriches Zurich’s gastronomic scene.

During the summer months, Lake Zurich and the River Limmat give Zurich a fresh Mediterranean ambiance. Bathing in the lake or the river is a particularly popular pastime; measured in terms of the population, scarcely any other city in Europe has such a high concentration of bathing facilities as Zurich. After dusk, a number of riverside and lakeside bathing areas are transformed into “Badi bars”, offering refreshing drinks and entertainment. Those who prefer to be on rather than by or in the water can best enjoy the luxuriant nature along the shoreline by boat.

Nature lovers seeking fresh air and green open spaces will delight in the city’s location by the abundant expanses of forest and in its very own mountain, the Uetliberg. Located in the heart of Switzerland, Zurich is the perfect base for your excursions to explore the rest of the country: visit the nearby Rhine Falls, Rapperswil castle, Mount Rigi or the snow-capped peaks of Mount Titlis. And on your return to Zurich the same day, enjoy the comforts and infrastructure of a modern, boutique metropolis. Have it all in Zurich!

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Switzerland - Zurich

Explore More with a Swiss Travel Pass Swiss Travel Pass Camera, walking boots, your appetite – all things you should make sure you pack when heading off to Switzerland. However, there’s another thing you shouldn’t be without and that’s the Swiss Travel Pass. The home of chocolate and fondue can boast one of the best transport systems in the world and this affordable ticket allows you access to its numerous trains, buses, boats and cables cars.

Combining all these journeys under one pass will make your trip to Switzerland flow smoothly, whether you’re climbing Mount Pilatus or gliding across Lake Lucerne. There are flexible options depending on how long you plan to travel and discounts are even offered for people under the age of 26. If all that’s not enough, a Swiss Travel Pass will also give you free entry to 500 different museums and up to 50% off other attractions.

Daily departures available 8 days from

£1,499pp What’s included: • Rail from the UK to Zurich • 7 nights’ accommodation including breakfast in Zurich • 8 day Swiss Travel Pass • Rail from Zurich back to the UK

Suggested Highlights

Included with your Swiss Travel Pass: • Mount Rigi • Zurich to Lucerne = 40 mins direct ᵒ Boat cruise on Lake Lucerne • Zurich to Bern = 1 hour direct • Zurich to Geneva = 2hr 15 direct • Zurich to Interlaken = 2hr 30 (change at Bern) • Zurich to St Gallen = 1 hour direct • Zurich to Schaffhausen (for the Rhine Falls) = 40 mins direct then local train to the falls • Entry to over 500 museums in Switzerland

This trip can be customised to suit your requirements.

Enhance your experience Upgrades available: hotel, rail Fly start/return available

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Switzerland - Swiss Travel Pass

Price is subject to availability, based on two adults sharing a room departing London St Pancras on 22nd October 2022. Standard Class Swiss Pass.

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All prices featured are per person based on two adults sharing a room unless otherwise stated, are subject to availability and change. Hotel ratings are hotels own, City taxes may be applicable and are payable locally. Holiday programmes are subject to availability and change, further terms and conditions may apply. Full operator terms and conditions apply. For full terms and conditions please visit www.fredholidays.co.uk/terms-conditions E&OE.

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