I Wish I Could Give it 10 Stars!!! It was the most amazing 2 weeks I have ever had. It far exceeded my expectations. The venues were amazing, the scheduling was spot on, the reserved 1st class train accommodations were out standing and of course Switzerland is beyond amazing. I can’t say enough about our guides. Our entire group just fell in love with them. I can’t imagine anyone could do more or a better job than they did. Most of us had tears in our eyes when we had to say good by. They make a great team. Again an amazing experience and you can be sure I will recommend Echo Rails and Trails to anyone that asks, I may even do it again👍😀.
Embarking on the 12-day Grand Rail Tour of Switzerland from Lucerne to Zurich was an experience that transcended the boundaries of a typical vacation. The tour began in the charming city of Lucerne and set the stage for the adventure that lay ahead. The panoramic views from the trains were extraordinary with landscapes varying from beautiful valleys to towering peaks, each more breathtaking than the last. The journey through the iconic Swiss Alps was magnificent. Our guides were exceptional. They were multi-lingual (very proficient in English), very engaging, and provided local expert perspectives on the various sites, cities, and villages that we visited. They were flexible and provided some options for the various daily activities and handled all of the logistics (including luggage transfer, which was a huge plus!). In order to take full advantage of all of the sites and scenes you need to be in reasonably active shape and able to walk on average 10,000 steps per day (sometimes on hilly, uneven ground). Overall, this 12-day tour was an excellent way to experience all that Switzerland had to offer. The combination of stunning alpine scenery, world-famous trains, luxury accommodations, and expert guides made it a journey of a lifetime.
If you have an interest in the seeing the iconic mountain sites in Switzerland and doing it by train, this is the tour for you. The activities were seamless and first class all the way. Luzern, St. Moritz, Andermatt, Zermatt, and Grindelwald. Wonderful hotels in these locations that provided for easy access to the top of the Alps. Never a line to stand in, never a missed connection, and great meals. The organization prior to the tour was good and our guides were top notch. You couldn't ask for better travel companions than our guides, Denise and Deb. No detail in this 12 days is left to chance. There is enough flexibility to allow for some individual preferences. I snuck in a swim in Lake Luzern and Lake St. Moritz. If you want to see Switzerland I can't think of a better way.
WONDERFUL trip. Small group with absolutely wonderful guides. Scenery in Switzerland was, of course, beautiful . Experience was easy as everything taken care of. Delicious food. First class train rides. Lots of walking and many trains. Highly recommend this trip.
My favorite part of this trip was our outstanding guides Andreas and Thomas along with Rene who took over for the last segment. It was the opinion of all the travelers, most of whom travel extensively, that this was the best trip they've ever been on. Of course, the real star of the trip was Switzerland! Words and pictures simply cannot describe the magnificence of this country. Even when you see it it's hard to believe! I heartily recommend this tour the trains, the hotels, and the meals exceeded my rather high expectations.