Jane Lavender, a writer for Express, decided to ditch the airport chaos and explore Europe by train. Her week-long journey through France and into Switzerland has convinced her to never fly again.
A New Way to Travel
Instead of the usual airport queues and early morning flights, Jane opted for a rail holiday with Great Rail Journeys. Despite her past frustrations with UK trains, she was drawn to the reputation of European trains for reliability and punctuality.
Her journey began at St Pancras in London, where she boarded the Eurostar to Paris. The process was ruthlessly efficient, with passport control and security cleared in minutes.
The Joys of Rail Travel
One major perk was the lack of liquid restrictions, allowing her to carry full-sized toiletries. She enjoyed the comfort of an air-conditioned train as it whizzed through Kent and into the tunnel, arriving at Paris Gare du Nord right on time.
After a quick sprint across Paris to Gare du Lyon, she boarded a TGV to Geneva. The double-decker train offered a magical vantage point to watch the French countryside, including fields of sunflowers and stunning lakes and rivers.
Arriving in Switzerland
The final train of the day was an efficient Swiss service to Montreux, a quaint city on the shores of Lake Geneva. Staying at the Hotel Royal Plaza, she arrived just in time for a spectacular sunset that made the trip worthwhile.
Day two began with breakfast overlooking the lake before visiting Castle Chillon, a medieval castle that seems to float on the water. The castle inspired Lord Byron's poem 'The Prisoner of Chillon', and Byron even signed his name in the underground cell. A guided tour is a must, and a boat trip back to the hotel offered breathtaking views.
A quick dip in Lake Geneva was a must, with its immaculately clean and surprisingly warm water.
Exploring the Alps
Montreux offered plenty to see, including the Queen experience and a Freddie Mercury statue. A trip to Chamonix was in order to gaze at Mont Blanc and take a funicular up the mountainside to see a glacier.
The Golden Pass Train, a highlight of the trip, connects Montreux to Interlaken. With floor-to-ceiling panoramic windows, it offers breathtaking views that put the London to Manchester train to shame.
Interlaken, nestled between lakes Thun and Brienz, is known as the adventure gateway to the Alps. The hotel had views of Jungfrau, dubbed the Top of Europe, and the sky was filled with paragliders.
A Magical Journey to the Top
One of the most magical experiences was ascending Jungfrau by train. A 20-minute cable car ride past the North Face of the Eiger led to another train that goes through the heart of the mountain. At the top, a snow-covered landscape awaits, complete with ice sculptures and the highest Lindt chocolate shop in the world.
Other highlights included Schynige Platte, a fairytale botanical garden, and the town of Thun with its medieval castle and turquoise river.
Switzerland was truly a country of dreams, so stunning it almost doesn't seem real. Jane concludes that travelling by train has changed her mind about flying—100 percent yes.
Book the Trip
The 8-day Goldenpass, Mont Blanc & Jungfrau Express is available from £2,799pp at greatrail.com.
