We’re back with another installment of the itinerary series of blog posts. This time I’ve prepared an itinerary that closely follows Real Rail Adventures: Swiss Grand Tour episode (episode number two, if you’re counting). If you haven’t seen it, check it out on Amazon Prime here or PBS Video Passport here or on the PBS Video App.
As usual, I offer this itinerary with a disclaimer: Due to budgets and time, our production itineraries have to pack lots of stops and activities into a relatively short trip. I don’t recommend following our trip to the letter, but encourage you to choose the bits you like and build your own dream tour.
That said, here it is:
Real Rail Adventures: Swiss Grand Tour – Itinerary
by Jeff Wilson
Day 1: Leave U.S. for Switzerland
Day 2: Arrive Zürich. Overnight in Zürich
Day 3: Explore Zürich. Afternoon train to Schaffhausen. Explore Schaffhausen. Evening walk to sunset view at Munot Fortress. Overnight in Schaffhausen
Day 4: Explore Schloss Laufen am Rheinfall museum, then walk to Rheinfall. Take boat to climb rock in the middle of the falls. Afternoon climbing, swinging, and zip-lining at Adventure Park Rheinfall. Overnight in Schaffhausen
Day 5: Board river boat to Stein am Rhein. Pick up bike for leisurely 3-hour ride to Romanshorn with lunch on Lake Constance along the way. Drop bike in Romanshorn. Train buffs can spend an hour at the Locorama rail museum (including train driving simulator). Short train ride to St Gallen. Overnight in St Gallen
Day 6: Explore St Gallen and its Altstadt. Tour Abbey of St Gall and library. Overnight in St Gallen
Day 7: Day train trip to Appenzell. Short food tour of Appenzell. Cable car ride up to Ebenalp. Short walk to Wildkirchli caves and lunch at the popular Aescher Hostel. Overnight in St Gallen
Day 8: Train to Chur. Board Albula-Bernina line, crossing the famous Landwasser Viaduct. Disembark at Preda to hike the Railway Adventure Trail to Bergün. Re-board train at Bergün to St Moritz. Overnight in St Moritz
Day 9: Day train trip to Alp Grüm. Hike near Palü Glacier and tour hydropower plant. Lunch at Alp Grüm Restaurant (try the Capuns). Return to St Moritz for overnight
Day 10: Board Glacier Express, traveling west. Train change to Ilanz. River rafting on the Vorderrhein through the “Swiss Grand Canyon.” Re-board Glacier Express to Andermatt over the Oberalp Pass. Overnight in Andermatt (I prefer The River House boutique hotel)
Day 11: Train to Martigny. Tour Giannadda Museum and St Bernard Museum (say ‘hi’ to the puppies for me!). Overnight in Martigny
Day 12: Day train trip to Emosson Hydroelectric dam via the Emosson funicular, Emosson Panorama Railway, and mini funicular. Short hike and lunch at Emosson Dam. Return to Martigny and overnight
Day 13: Train to Trübschachen and Kambly Experience cookie tour. See Swiss Heritage Museum and Rope Trail. Train to Lucerne and overnight
Day 14: Lucerne-Engelberg Express to Engelberg. Tour Benedictine monastery and gardens. Overnight in Engelberg
Day 15: Kayak narby lake Trübsee. Ride Titlis Rotair gondola to Mt. Titlis. Tour Glacier Cave, walk the aerial suspension bridge above the glacier. Lunch and return to Engelberg for overnight
Day 16: Train to Zürich. Overnight in Zürich
Day 17: Leave Zürich to U.S., arrive U.S.
There you have it – one possible itinerary from an unlimited number of possibilities. What would you do if you had the chance to travel through Switzerland? Leave comments and suggestions below.
Want help with your itinerary? Just ask! I can also recommend a trusted travel partner in Switzerland and I offer trips, fully customized to your tastes (and, if you like, guided by me) for 6-12 fellow travelers. Stay tuned to the blog for more Real Rail Adventures!
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