Tuesday, February 28, 2012

Spring Getaways: The Alps of Lake Geneva

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A spring getaway can be a wonderful way to relax and refresh yourself after a cold and hectic winter. The beautiful Alps of Lake Geneva offer the perfect setting in which to unwind and discover something new - read our guide to find out more.
An excellent option for train travel in Switzerland, the Alps of Lake Geneva provide some great opportunities for discovering not only stunning scenery, but also pretty towns and historic rail lines.
What's more, choosing train holidays means you can really unwind as you travel, as there's no need to worry about long queues at the airport, uncomfortable flights or even planning out your own itinerary. Just sit back, relax and let the glorious scenery unfold in front of you.
Departing London's St Pancras station, the Eurostar will whisk you to Paris, which you will cross by coach before boarding another train to either Geneva or Lausanne. After changing trains for a final time, you'll follow Lake Geneva to Vevey. Your base for your getaway, Vevey is a beautiful market town boasting a charming medieval quarter - and was once the home of Charlie Chaplin.
The next day, you can really begin your spring rail holiday by enjoying a trip to Chateau de Chillon. This stunning 13th-century castle is an excellent example of early Gothic architecture perched on the shores of Lake Geneva. Its stunning mountainous backdrop makes it all the more breathtaking, and you'll enjoy a wonderful guided tour before heading back to Vevey.
However, you needn't necessarily go straight back to the town. Rather, you could visit the lovely town of Montreux en route - a lively destination with a fantastic lakeside promenade. Another option is a trip to the pretty village of Villeneuve.
Les Pleaides will be your next destination, which you'll reach by rack-and-pinion railway. This fabulous train has vast panoramic windows that give you the best chance of admiring as much of the dramatic scenery as possible en route to this 4,500 ft location. Situated above Lake Geneva, it boasts amazing views over the lake and surrounding area.
The following day, travel by train to Martigny, where you'll board the Mont Blanc Express. Taking you along an incredible route through the mountains to Chamonix, this excellent line is a real highlight of your trip. Boarding the historic Montenvers Mountain Railway next, you'll travel from the valley floor, through pine forests and up to Montenvers.
This exciting spot is situated at 6,275 ft, offering splendid views out over the Mer de Glace glacier. At nine miles long, it is truly a spectacular sight - and you can enjoy a delicious lunch while you admire the views. If you're lucky, you might also be able to visit the attraction via cable car and see its mesmerising ice grottoes.
You'll then have a full day at leisure to spend however you please. Your Riviera card will take you to a host of exciting destinations, such as Lausanne, with its fascinating Olympic Museum, and Geneva, which is home to the Palais des Nations. Of course, you may simply want to remain in Vevey, which is a delight to explore, as well as playing host to a variety of museums.
Alpine town Les Diablerets will be your final destination before beginning the journey home. To reach it, you'll ride the charming TransOrmonan 1913 vintage narrow-gauge railway to a spot high in the mountains. Characterised by wooden houses and traditional farm buildings, this pretty settlement is also home to beautiful alpine meadows, which you'll explore with a guide. Your guide will also tell you all about the local geology, flora and fauna you can spot along the way.
Before travelling back to Vevey, visit a typical Swiss mountain inn and enjoy a delicious fondue lunch - the perfect way to round off a morning's sightseeing! Once you've returned to Vevey, your holiday will draw to a close as you prepare to set off for home the next morning. Of course, one of the best things about a rail holiday is how much you see as you travel, so not a second of your getaway is wasted. Relax all the way home and soak up the scenery.
If you're trying to find the perfect spring rail holiday, come to Great Rail Journeys.
We provide a variety of fabulous train holidays, including train travel in Switzerland, so book your getaway with us today.


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posted by Laurie Beth at 11:07 PM