Heart of the Alps

Day by day itinerary | Inclusions | Routing

Travel through the heart of the Alps all by train

This amazing train trip is covering popular attractions and landscapes of the most beautiful cities and areas of Germany, Austria, Italy and Switzerland.

Germany and Austria impress with its magnificent palaces, churches and cathedrals. Its rich history is shaped by emperors and kings. This still characterises these countries. Bolzano offers the Italian charm. Switzerland has impressive mountains and an incomparable landscape. Explore the heart of the Alps, your next holiday experience.

Day 1 – Arrival in Munich

From parks and beer gardens to museums, historical sites and massive stores, there’s something for everyone who visits Munich. If you seek the finest beers, the most idyllic views, eco-parks, amazing cuisine, mind-blowing art collections or you just wish to sit in the midst of really great people, a trip to the Bavarian capital is all you need. Explore the city, stop at the Platzl for a beer.

Notice, with the included Munich City Pass you profit of many free or reduced services.

Overnight in Munich

City center of Munich, Germany © L. Lutz

Day 2 – Day at leisure in Munich

Make well use of the Munich City Pass with so many free services!

Almost all of Munich’s major landmarks can be reached on foot from Marienplatz an ideal starting point for sightseeing around the city. You might just begin with witnessing the Glockenspiel (carillon housed in the Town Hall).

Built in the 15th century, the gothic “Cathedral of Our Lady” or Frauenkirche in German, was and is an unmistakable symbol of the city. But not everyone knows that the Frauenkirche serves as the final resting place of Emperors and Kings and that the Devil himself is said to have visited the church. The 500-year-old brick building is the seat of the Archbishop of Munich and Freising. Visitors can climb one of the cathedral’s two 100-meter towers for spectacular views over the city.

Travel back in time to the age of the Bavarian monarchy at Nymphenburg Palace: the extensive park with its pavilions, promenades along the palace canals, enormous fountains, magnificent flower gardens and, of course, impressive palace buildings is a source of fascination for Munich natives and tourists alike. In addition to the rooms inside the castle, which were designed by the best sculptors, painters and plasterers of the time, you can visit several museums housed in the palace itself, including the Museum of Man and Nature and the Museum of Nymphenburg Porcelain. Easily you could spend a whole day there.

German “Gemütlichkeit” and traditional beer drinking rituals are paramount at the Hofbräuhaus on the Platzl. The regional cuisine, music, folk dances, waiters in costume and historic atmosphere draw thousands of Munich natives and visitors from all over the world every day.

Overnight in Munich

Day 3 – Munich-Innsbruck

The train brings you in less than 2 hours to Innsbruck, the next exciting destination.

Would you like to visit the Golden Roof, Innsbruck’s landmark in the heart of the historic old town built by Emperor Maximilian? Or the Imperial Palace, Court Church and Imperial Gardens? Whatever you choose, you can enjoy the impressive backdrop of the Nordkette mountain range, the gateway to the Karwendel mountains. You’re sure to love this amazing sight, just like locals do. The mountains and the city are closer together here in Innsbruck than anywhere else and this means that the Alps are all around you wherever you go: whether on a walk through the historic old town, strolling under shady arcades or admiring the colourful rows of buildings. The Winter Olympic Games were held in Innsbruck twice, first in 1964, then again in 1976.

Notice, with the included Innsbruck Card you profit of many free or reduced services.

Overnight in Innsbruck

Innsbruck on river Inn © Austria Marketing/Lackner

Day 4 – Day at leisure in Innsbruck

Make well use of the Innsbruck Card. Some of the excursions and entries are free of charge.

So many exciting sights to visit around Innsbruck…Are you a steam train fan? From Jenbach to Achensee is a spectacular steam train. The track leads you through lush woods and picturesque villages up to Lake Achen.

High up on the Hafelekar: The highest city stroll in the Alps: The lift ride up to the top of Innsbruck’s local mountain takes you on a journey high above the river Inn, spruce forests and jagged rock formations, up to the home of the alpine ibex. Thomas Keil knows the route better than most: he works for the Nordkettenbahnen lift company and never ceases to be inspired by the rugged beauty of the mountains.

The wonder of crystal as it has never been seen before. World famous and wonderful: Swarovski Crystal Worlds, located just 20 kilometres east of Innsbruck, awaits with new and exciting attractions.

In Rattenburg you have the opportunity to see a glassblower at work, creating wonderful objects. And so much more…

Overnight in Innsbruck

Day 5 – Innsbruck-Bolzano/Bozen

The train will bring you from Austria to Italy. Enjoy the ride over the Brenner. This is one of the most important trade routes in the Alps.

Visiting Bolzano is discovering the peculiarities of the fusion between the Mediterranean and central Europe. In its medieval historic town center the Nordic and Mediterranean accents visibly melt. The autonomous region of South Tyrol, of which Bolzano/Bozen (Bolzano is the Italian and Bozen the German name of the city) is the capital, now belongs to Italy after Austria lost it after the World War I. Therefore the original language spoken here is German. However, you will experience that both, Italian and German, is spoken by all inhabitants and also the signs are posted bilingual.

If you have time, visit the Museum of Archeology with the famous “Otzi” the 5,000 year old mummified body found in the glacier in 1991. Alternatively a cable car ride towards Renon/Ritten, a sunny alp approximately 1,000 meters above Bolzano/Bozen, is a great way to view the Dolomite mountains! The ride only takes 12 minutes.

Overnight in Bolzano/Bozen

Day 6 – Bolzano/Bozen-St. Moritz

Today you will travel by train and postal bus. No worries, because all the transfers are extremely easy and at the Mals station, the walk to the bus may take less than 10 meters (30 feet)!

By local train you travel from Bolzano to Merano and further on to Mals, through the Vinschgau valley with its numerous fortresses and castles. This is also “apple country” as you will travel through endless apple orchards. It will become clear that more than 10 % of all apples in Europe grow here due to the mild climate.

At the final station in Mals, the yellow Swiss post bus is waiting for you. It will travel to Muestair after having not only passed the Italian-Swiss border, but also the extremely narrow town gate of Glurns. Will the bus fit?

Through the Swiss National Park

After Mustair the bus crosses the Ofen Pass at 2,149 metres and drive through the Swiss National Park to Zernez, the final stop. Zernez is a small town located in the Engadin valley where Rhaeto-romanic is spoken. This is an old language similar to Latin. Zernez is also the site of the headquarters of the aforementioned Swiss National Park. The Rhaetian railway then takes you to St. Moritz through the beautiful Engadin valley with its typical stone houses with thick walls (because of the cold temperatures in winter). A truly exiting leg of your journey ends here.

Upon arrival at St. Moritz there is some time to explore the town. You will notice the many boutique shops with beautiful cloths, accessories and watches. Also, a stroll to the lake is a good choice, so you will enjoy the high alpine air.

Overnight in St. Moritz

The Muottas Muragl funicular railway in the evening

Day 7 – Day at leisure in St. Moritz

St. Moritz hardly needs an introduction. This “capital of light” at an altitude of 1,815 m level hosted two Olympic winter games. It also has the worlds only bobsleigh run with natural ice. In summer, the area with the upper Engadin lakes and surrounding mountains is a paradise for hikers and landscape lovers.

Winter tourism – the result of a legendary bet
In the autumn of 1864, the story goes, Johannes Badrutt sat by the fire in Kulm Hotel in St. Moritz with four English holiday guests. He enthused about the St. Moritz winter idyll – a snow-blanketed landscape basking in sunshine with mild temperatures during the day, “a paradise on earth.” The Englishmen did not believe him since they knew the dark, cold English winters all too well. This conversation led to the legendary bet: Badrutt suggested that the four should return in December, and if they did not enjoy their stay, he would reimburse the travel expenses. The Englishmen returned – and stayed until Easter. Badrutt won his bet and winter tourism was launched.

Today you can enjoy the choice of several excursions in all directions. Whether you backtrack towards the Bernina Pass and ride the Diavolezza cable car for a view of the “Festival hall of the Alps”, or the even higher Piz Corvatsch, these excursions are all included (only in summer). Our recommendation is to safe the ride up to the Muottas Muragl for the evening. Reserve your table in advance and enjoy dinner at sunset!

Overnight in St. Moritz

Day 8 – St. Moritz-Glacier Express-Zermatt

After the Swiss breakfast buffet (included with all overnights), you will experience the train trip in the world famous Glacier Express to Zermatt.

From St. Moritz via Chur, the panoramic trip leads over 291 bridges and through 91 tunnels over the Swiss Alps to Zermatt and the Matterhorn. The Glacier Express winds its way through remote valleys, past sheer rock faces, idyllic mountain villages, over the Landwasser viaduct and through the Rhine gorge, the Grand Canyon of Switzerland. It scales the highest point of its journey at the Oberalp Pass with ease at 2,033 m. Thanks to the large panoramic windows, a clear view of numerous summits, deep gorges and the UNESCO World Heritage sites “Swiss Alps Jungfrau-Aletsch” and “Rhaetian Railway in the Albula/Bernina landscapes” is guaranteed. The menus are prepared freshly in the on-board kitchen and served to you at your seat.

Zermatt is a car free village. All transport within the village is done by electric cars or sometimes even horse carriages. Zermatt is famous because of the Matterhorn, which was climbed for the first time in 1865. The first climb, however, was overshadowed by the tragedy on the descent when 4 of the 7 climbers died because one of them slipped. The Matterhorn museum shows the broken rope…

Enjoy the evening in the cozy town and a great choice of fine restaurants of all kinds.

Overnight in Zermatt

Zermatt and the Matterhorn

Day 9 – Zermatt-Interlaken

It is well worth to set your alarm about 30 minutes before sunrise and see the Matterhorn illuminated in all kinds of orange light. The light changes practically every minute!

In the morning you will take the cog railway to the Gornergrat (3,089 m). This magnificent viewpoint, not only has one of the best views of the Matterhorn, but also shows you the greatest collection of the highest glacier covered peaks of Switzerland. 29 4,000 m peaks are visible and you will discover that also the other mountains have their distinctive character.

In the afternoon, it is time to say farewell to the Matterhorn. Via the 34 km long newly built Loetschberg base tunnel you will reach Interlaken in the heart of the Bernese Oberland. After check-in at your hotel you can explore Interlaken with its famous “Hoeheweg” (promenade) facing the Jungfrau mountain. Another possibility is a ride with the Harder funicular to the viewpoint above Interlaken. You can get a good overview of Interlaken and see why it is called this way. Interlaken is Latin for „between the lakes“.

Overnight in Interlaken

Day 10 – Excursion Jungfraujoch – Top of Europe

Today’s full day excursion takes you up to a unique, high alpine glacier world. Aboard the legendary Jungfrau Railway you reach Europe’s highest altitude railway station (3,454 m). This mountain railway was built back in the late 19th century and opened on August 1st 1912. Originally the goal was the summit of the Jungfrau (4,158 m), but in 1912 the financials did not permit to go on with the construction and then World War I put an end to the project. Now the Jungfraujoch – Top of Europe is the highest railway station and the highlight of every tour through Switzerland.

The new Eiger Express, between Grindelwald Terminal and the Eigergletscher station, at the entrance of the Jungfrau railway tunnel, permits breathtaking views to the Eiger North Face. This very steep wall is one of the most difficult climbs in the Alps. It was the greatest climbing challenge in the 1930’s. Numerous stories about these climbs and fatal accidents can be told.

At the Jungfraujoch – Top of Europe you can see the longest glacier of the Alps, the Aletsch Glacier, 22 km long! You can hike over the glacier to the nearby Moenchsjoch hut. At the Ice Palace you can go inside the glacier and see the ice sculptures. Don’t miss the view from the Sphinx Terrace, you can reach it by one of the fastest elevators in Switzerland.

Overnight in Interlaken

Day 11 – Departure

Today when entering France we will pass the last “language border”. However, the first few kilometers within France is the Alsace region, where German was spoken originally, and still many, mostly elderly inhabitants, still speak German.

Different destinations from Interlaken possible, see dotted lines.