Hop On The Grand Train Tour and Visit Switzerland’s Most Popular Christmas Markets

Hop On The Grand Train Tour and Visit Switzerland’s Most Popular Christmas Markets

It’s finally here! That time of the year when you’re feeling all warm and fuzzy because Christmas is just around the corner. No one, of course, does Christmas better than Switzerland! And, why not? It has all the magical elements and imagery that make this season so special. From soft carpets of snow, spicy mulled wine, mirror lakes reflecting warm fairy lights off the coast to a variety of Christmas markets in each town ringing in the cheer by selling all things ‘Christmassy’.

This year, double the delight for your Christmas vacation. Book a ride on the Grand Train Tour, Switzerland’s most scenic train rides and you can hop on and hop off at any of these pretty and famous Christmas markets enroute. Don't forget to buy your ski jackets and accessories, as you must not miss out on some ski time. Soak in the spirit of the season with a unique experience you’ll cherish. Most of these Christmas markets, locally called Marché de Noel or Weihnachtsmarkt, are only a stone’s throw away from each station. Freshly baked aromatic rum and plum cakes, biscuits, traditional Christmas decorations, local goodies, Christmas trees, complete with beautiful choir music soothing your soul amidst a backdrop of pristine mountains and lakes — are all cherished experiences you’ll sign up for on the Grand Train Tour.

Here is a list of all the Christmas markets in Switzerland that you can cover on the Grand Train Tour route:

Christmas Market in Zurich: Nov 21-Dec 24, 2019

As soon as you step down from the train at Zurich, two things will instantly strike you — the 15-metre humongous Christmas tree that’s decked up with 7,000 Swarovski crystals and the sweet, tempting aroma of hot spiced wine and cinnamon. The tree is surrounded by 150 market stalls all lit up and set to dazzle visitors to Switzerland’s oldest and most traditional Christmas market.

Lozärner Weihnachtsmärt" Christmas market on the Franciscan Fountain in Lucerne: December 5-22, 2019

This market is immediately recognised by the huge Advent wreath decorated with hundreds of lights, balls and 4-metre high candles. Gorge on the gingerbread and punch, pick up spices and sip on mulled wine as you stroll through this market picking up your Christmas gifts. You can also get these gift-packed at no extra cost at all!

Interlaken: Dec 14-22, 2019

When you’re on the Golden Pass Line, you must stop at Interlaken to shop and ice-skate on the “Top of Europe Ice Magic Interlaken” ice rink!

Montreux Noel Christmas Market: Nov 21 - Dec 24, 2019

The Grand Train Tour probably gives you the best view approaching this quaint market made up of over 160 chalets on the shores of the glistening Lake Geneva. The market has a number of exciting things to check out like the massive Ferris wheel or the Elves Square, which kids will love. There’s also Santa Claus flying on his sleigh, and if you catch the train that goes up the Rochers-de-Naye mountain, you can say Hello to Santa Claus at his house and office. Every evening catch the glamorous 3D light show lighting up the entire front of the Fairmont Le Montreux palace, or watch the numerous “flying lights” float on the lake.

The train gets you to the Christmas market at Zermatt up from December 1 onwards, a couple of hours away from the Nicolaital Valley, Switzerland’s deepest valley. A warm welcome with hundreds of lights twinkling against the world-famous Matterhorn just makes your day.

You can head to the ‘Delightful Christmas Market’ of St. Moritz held on December 4, where you can stroll through the beautifully decorated display of some top-quality goodies.

The Grand Train Tour then takes you to Lugano where Christmas is celebrated on the Piazza Riforma, not far from the train station, from Nov 30, 2019 to Jan 6, 2020. The lit-up city centre is packed with stalls and has live musical performances that you can watch sipping on hot wine punch.

The Voralpen-Express takes guests from Lucerne to the traditional UNESCO World Heritage city of St. Gallen, nicknamed ‘Swiss Star City’ because of the 700 stars that shine over the squares during Advent. Christmas markets run from Nov 28-Dec24, 2019.

A stopover in Schaffhausen counts as a must. The traditional Christmas market is located in and around the over 800-year-old cloister of the monastery “zu Allerheiligen” The stalls made of wood, which nestle in the cloister and on the forecourt to the cathedral on the old stone walls and on which wonderful things are offered from handpicked selection of exhibitors that are all connected to Christmas.

So, book a ride on the Grand Train Tour now and sign up for a lifetime of warm memories strolling through some of the world’s best Christmas markets.

For more information, visit: MySwitzerland.com