All Aboard! An unforgettable 'Swiss-tainable' Trans-Alpina adventure with Watch and Cow.

Switzerland please, but make it sustainable! Discover the freedom and joy of exploring Switzerland's most picturesque scenery by funiculars, cogwheel trains, steamboats, steam trains and cable cars. Jump aboard and let ​Watch and Cow DMC​ take you on a slow-paced Swiss adventure, combining sleek city sophistication with high-altitude alpine adventure.

With its awe-inspiring mountains, picture-perfect alpine villages and crystal-clear lakes, Switzerland is a magnet for all kinds of travellers. But this landlocked European country is so much more than its stunning scenery – it has cosmopolitan cities with medieval old towns, gourmet food, heavy-hitter art galleries and fascinating cultural collections. And what better way for your guests to soak up everything that Switzerland has to offer, than from the luxurious (and sustainable) comfort of a panoramic train carriage?

​Watch and Cow​, our Swiss DMC, are transportation specialists (borderline geeks even!) with particular expertise in rail travel. For them, the mode of transport is an integral part of the journey experience, and they incorporate many unique and unusual ways of getting around into their itineraries to allow guests to experience a unique perspective of Switzerland’s diverse terrain. Funiculars, cogwheel trains, steamboats, steam trains and cable cars are just some of the ways guests can reach the hidden gems of this fabulous country.

We love that ​Watch and Cow​ can build memorable, touristic itineraries realised purely by train or boat and for your guests, it’s the easiest way to see the must-see highlights! In fact, if ​Watch and Cow ​book your guest's tickets, travellers just need to be on time at the train stations! So for guests nervous about the steep, narrow curves of Swiss Mountain roads, all is well - there is a luxury, panoramic and sustainable way to take in the best of Switzerland. And here’s for the best bit…. ​Watch and Cow​ organise your guest's luggage transfer, meaning guests moving from luxury hotel to luxury hotel can relax in the knowledge their bags are one step ahead of them - genius!

Curating tailored and flexible itineraries is ​Watch and Cow’s​ forte, and luxury is at the heart of everything they do. They take pride in offering exclusive tours that feature handpicked hotels offering exceptional standards, impeccable service and breathtaking views.

​Watch and Cow’s​ team of Swiss specialists, including qualified tour guides, has shared an ​example itinerary​ that takes in some of Switzerland’s best sights and experiences.

Water into wine - Genève - Lausanne - Lavaux - Vevey - Montreux

Guests begin their Swiss journey with a relaxing cruise across one of the largest freshwater lakes in Europe, Leman Lake, towards the town of Vevey. From here, they take a unique train ride through the 800 hectares of terraced vineyards of the Lavaux UNESCO World Heritage Site. The steep terraces offer stunning views of the lake and oenophiles will have the opportunity to sample some fabulous wines in the vineyard cellars.

Take a train to Chillon Castle, in a fairytale position, located on a rock on the banks of Lake Geneva with jaw-dropping views over the lake and the stunning backdrop of the French Alps.

Meander back to Montreux, and stroll along the promenade or head to the old town of Vevay, a maze of narrow streets, fountains and statues, some of which are over a hundred years old, frescoes and colourful signs adding to the charm at every corner.

Finally, ​Watch and Cow​ recommends a visit to the Manoir de Ban estate, to visit Chaplins World - an incredible homage to Charlie Chaplin and an opportunity to see where the artist spent the last 25 years of his life.

Stay at the ​Fairmont Le Montreux Palace​. A firm favourite with ​Watch and Cow​, its beautiful Belle Epoque architecture, impeccable service and sweeping lakeside vista ensure a truly memorable visit.

Following an overnight stop in Montreux, guests board a cogwheel train to reach the peak of the Rochers-de-Naye, which offers unrivalled views of the Swiss and French Alps, from the Eiger to Mont-Blanc and down to Lake Geneva. The picturesque ride travels along the shores of Lake Geneva before rising steeply up into the fresh mountain air to an altitude of 2,000m.

Suspended between two peaks - Gstaad - Glacier 3000 - Les Diablerets

Describing the beauty of Gstaad Village is quite a task. It’s hard to communicate exactly how aesthetically pleasing this village really is! A picture-postcard cluster of alpine chalets (set against jaw-dropping scenic beauty) is an essential stop for those seeking out that old-world charm and glitzy wonderland of fine-dining, luxury shopping and five-star accommodations.

From the glamorous resort of Gstaad, guests reach the top of the Diablerets massif via the Glacier 3000 cable car. Located at the highest point of the Vaudois Alps, guests dismount from the cable car at a breathtaking altitude of 3,000m, where they can attempt the Peak Walk, the only suspension bridge in the world that connects two mountain peaks. Incredible in both the Winter and Summer, guests will never forget the exhilarating view of the Matterhorn, Mont Blanc, the Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau for those brave enough to walk across! (Thrill-seeking guests can even take a first flight or a solo paragliding flight in the Vaud Alps from here!)

Next up, let ​Watch and Cow​ scoop your guests up and book them on a trip on the scenic Golden Pass Line from Gstaad to Interlaken in the Bernese Oberland. Modern, comfortable trains with large windows steer passengers gracefully across alpine meadows to Mürren, with a stop at the thundering Trümmelbach Falls, Europe's largest underground waterfalls accessible via funicular and a maze of walkways, tunnels and viewing platforms.

Another must-do highlight of ​Watch and Cow’s ​itinerary is the Schilthornbahn, the longest cable car in Europe (when it was built in 1968). At the summit of Schilthorn, at an altitude of 2,970 meters, sits the futuristic, aluminium-clad revolving restaurant, Piz Gloria. Whilst enjoying the breathtaking 360-degree panoramic view of the Jungfrau massif, the Jura and Mont Blanc, guests can imagine themselves as characters in a James Bond film, as the restaurant was used as the setting for several scenes of the James Bond film, ‘On Her Majesty’s Secret Service’.

After a hard day's work of hiking, skiing or exploring, ​Watch and Cow ​invites your guests to overnight in the incredible ​Le Grand Bellevue Hotel​. For spa lovers, this is a must - guests can indulge body, mind and spirit in the fully renovated Alpine sanctuary, Le Grand Spa.

Next stop - Europe’s highest railway station - Jungfraujoch - Brienz

The jewel in the crown of any rail enthusiast’s visit to Switzerland is an excursion to Jungraujoch, known as the Top of Europe and the location of the continent’s highest train station. Built between 1896 and 1912 by Swiss railway pioneers who wanted to make high mountain peaks accessible to all, the station is an incredible feat of engineering.

A 7km tunnel leads up from the Eigergletscher station to Jungfraujoch, situated at an altitude of 3,454m. Dismounting at the summit is like stepping into another world with visitors greeted by a high-Alpine glacial landscape made of ice, snow and rocks. This panorama can be marvelled at from the Sphinx and Plateau viewing platforms on the Aletsch glacier.

Head down the mountain for an afternoon at Lake Brienz - ‘the turquoise gem’ nestled in the heart of the Bernese Oberland, this turquoise-toned Lake promises experiences to remember in and on its mesmerising waters – at any time of year. Wander around the picturesque villages, experience the full range of water-based activities, or relax with winter bathing in a Hotpot by the Brienz quayside!

Stay at the ‘Grande Dame’ of hotels, the ​Victoria Jungfrau Grand Hotel and Spa,​ a perfect blend of tradition and modernity. This imposing hotel in the Bernese Oberland oozes 150 years of history - and yet moves with the times. Its elegant ambience is contrasted by a beautiful modern interior. Enjoy authentic dishes made with regional ingredients, international classics or delicacies from Italy in the lively restaurants and immerse yourself in the Nescens Spa – one of the most beautiful in Switzerland.

An unforgettable panorama

Wake up and get ready for the Brienz Rothorn rack-and-pinion steam railway - a train ride that is considered unmissable by ​Watch and Cow​. Opened in 1892, this ride allows you to travel at a leisurely pace through meadows and forests towards a breathtaking panorama. If the visibility is good at 2244 m above sea level, you can see an unbelievable 693 mountain peaks from the summit of the Brienzer Rothorn.

From the summit, on the opposite side of the mountain, a cable car whisks your guests down to the famous Entlebuch valley, Switzerland's largest and most numerous marshes home to flora and fauna of international importance.

The grande finale - ride the cogwheel train to the summit of Mount Pilatus - Alpnachstad.

The perfect ending to this ​Watch and Cow Transaplina trip ​- a trip to Alpnachstad, offering the chance for your guests to ride the steepest cogwheel railway in the world. Reaching a gradient of up to 48 per cent, the railway snakes its way up through forests, meadows and rock faces to the summit of Mount Pilatus at an altitude of 2,132m. Another unforgettable experience that showcases Switzerland’s engineering excellence.

While this trip has plenty to delight mountain lovers and transport buffs, ​Watch and Cow​ ensures that there are plenty of opportunities for guests to explore the many historical, cultural and culinary highlights back down at sea level! Fairy-tale castles with ramparts, turrets and towers; art collections featuring works by 19th and 20th-century masters, and even cookery workshops sharing the secrets of making the perfect Ticino risotto are all included in this bucket-list trip.

If rolling luxuriously through Switzerland’s magical landscapes sounds appealing to your clients, let ​Watch and Cow​ provide hands-on support with expert and innovative itinerary planning, tailored to individual guests’ wishes.* Do ​get in touch​ if you wish to hear more.

*Please do bear in mind that tickets for the most popular panoramic trains, such as the Bernina, Glacier Express and Gotthard Panorama Express sell out very quickly and Watch and Cow cannot guarantee they will always be able to secure them for the requested date/time.