The Second Sunday of Advent on the
Alpine Classic Pullman Express
5 or 6 to 8 December 2025
Prices from: CHF 935.-
The Alpine Classic Pullman Express
– the “Orient Express of the Alps” – combines the allure of a luxury train journey with an unforgettable mountain experience. We travel in elegant, historic coaches fitted out in the enchanting Art Deco style of the early 20th century.
Everything in these coaches exudes elegance, from the comfortable armchairs and bay windows to the dainty window tables and exquisite teak fittings. But it is the perfect aesthetic harmony of all the details and the unmatched ambiance that make for a unique experience. The four Pullman cars, each seating 32 passengers, are the perfect environment for sophisticated travel. Our route mostly follows the Rhaetian Railway network.
The Alpine Classic Pullman Express is made up of original 1931 Pullman cars from the Cie. Int. des Wagons-Lits et Grands Express Européens, featuring intricate marquetry by the celebrated French interior designer René Prou. They are joined by a piano bar coach dating from 1928 and a baggage car from 1931, along with Gourmino dining cars built in 1929 and 1930 in which lunch is served.
Restored in-house in late 1999, the Pullman fleet is the pride of the Rhaetian Railway and has proved hugely popular with travellers since it re-entered service. Coupled to the Gourmino restaurant on wheels and the piano bar coach, the “Orient Express of the Alps” has all the glamour of luxury rail travel in its heyday. The metre-gauge Alpine Classic Pullman Express is a unique piece of cultural heritage on rails and one of the jewels in the Rhaetian Railway’s crown.
Trip Details
Friday, 5 to Monday, 8 December 2025
Own travel arrangements to the hotel, evening at leisure.
Excursion with the Bernina Express in 1st class to Tirano, including lunch. Our train travels along the Albula and Bernina line, one of the most spectacular rail journeys in the world and part of a UNESCO World Heritage site.
This is the highest rail line in the Alps, and an enduring marvel of the engineer’s art. Enjoy breathtaking views as we pass through valleys and tunnels, over deep canyons and across bridges. As it makes its way from the Bernina Pass down into the valley and on to Tirano, the Bernina Railway has to cope with a dramatic descent within a short distance. This difficult task is achieved through a number of ingenious constructions, including the spiral viaduct near Brusio which is now one of the most instantly recognisable features of the line. The Bernina Express turns through a full 360 degrees as it negotiates the viaduct.
We have lunch in Tirano, featuring pizzoccheri, a local Valtellina speciality. Afterwards, we return to Chur in 1st class on the Bernina Express.
Alternatively, make your own way to your chosen hotel.
Evening at leisure.
At around 9 a.m., we board the train and settle into our seats. We celebrate the Second Sunday in Advent in style on board the Alpine Classic Pullman Express, relaxing comfortably in the Pullman cars dating from the 1930s.
The two Ge 4/4 II locomotives 626 “Alby Glatt” and 611 “Landquart” haul the “Orient Express of the Alps”, comprising four Pullman and three dining cars, a piano bar, a baggage car, a saloon car and a Stiva Retica “inn on rails”, from Chur through the canton of Graubünden. Our journey takes us via Thusis, the imposing Landwasser and Wiesen viaducts and the wild and romantic Zügen Gorge to Davos. We watch as the constantly changing landscape slips by beyond the train’s windows and enjoy a freshly prepared lunch. The route continues through the Prättigau via Landquart and Chur along the Rhine Gorge into the Surselva and on to Disentis.
We enjoy an atmospheric special concert amidst the splendour of the abbey church in Disentis, then return to Chur.
In the piano bar, pianist Elmar provides refined musical accompaniment, while barman Renato mixes tasty cocktails in his shaker. The Alpine Classic Pullman Express arrives back at Chur railway station at around 6.30 p.m.
Evening at leisure.
Own departure arrangements after breakfast.
Friday 5 December 2025
Own travel arrangements to the hotel, evening at leisure.
Saturday 6 December 2025
Excursion with the Bernina Express in 1st class to Tirano, including lunch. Our train travels along the Albula and Bernina line, one of the most spectacular rail journeys in the world and part of a UNESCO World Heritage site.
This is the highest rail line in the Alps, and an enduring marvel of the engineer’s art. Enjoy breathtaking views as we pass through valleys and tunnels, over deep canyons and across bridges. As it makes its way from the Bernina Pass down into the valley and on to Tirano, the Bernina Railway has to cope with a dramatic descent within a short distance. This difficult task is achieved through a number of ingenious constructions, including the spiral viaduct near Brusio which is now one of the most instantly recognisable features of the line. The Bernina Express turns through a full 360 degrees as it negotiates the viaduct.
We have lunch in Tirano, featuring pizzoccheri, a local Valtellina speciality. Afterwards, we return to Chur in 1st class on the Bernina Express.
Alternatively, make your own way to your chosen hotel.
Evening at leisure.
Sunday 7 December 2025
At around 9 a.m., we board the train and settle into our seats. We celebrate the Second Sunday in Advent in style on board the Alpine Classic Pullman Express, relaxing comfortably in the Pullman cars dating from the 1930s.
The two Ge 4/4 II locomotives 626 “Alby Glatt” and 611 “Landquart” haul the “Orient Express of the Alps”, comprising four Pullman and three dining cars, a piano bar, a baggage car, a saloon car and a Stiva Retica “inn on rails”, from Chur through the canton of Graubünden. Our journey takes us via Thusis, the imposing Landwasser and Wiesen viaducts and the wild and romantic Zügen Gorge to Davos. We watch as the constantly changing landscape slips by beyond the train’s windows and enjoy a freshly prepared lunch. The route continues through the Prättigau via Landquart and Chur along the Rhine Gorge into the Surselva and on to Disentis.
We enjoy an atmospheric special concert amidst the splendour of the abbey church in Disentis, then return to Chur.
In the piano bar, pianist Elmar provides refined musical accompaniment, while barman Renato mixes tasty cocktails in his shaker. The Alpine Classic Pullman Express arrives back at Chur railway station at around 6.30 p.m.
Evening at leisure.
Monday 8 December 2025
Own departure arrangements after breakfast.
Participation from Friday to Monday (3 nights) including excursion on the Bernina Express
Hotel Post in Chur (3-stars):
Double room: CHF 1,540 | Single room: CHF 1,745
Hotel ABC in Chur (4-stars):
Deluxe double room: CHF 1,790 | Deluxe single room: CHF 1,975
Grand Hotel Hof Ragaz in Bad Ragaz (5-stars)*:
Comfort double room: CHF 2,550 | Comfort single room: CHF 3,565
Participation from Saturday to Monday (2 nights)
Hotel Post in Chur (3-stars):
Double room: CHF 935 | Single room: CHF 1,085
Hotel ABC in Chur (4-stars):
Deluxe double room: CHF 1,110 | Deluxe single room: CHF 1,250
Grand Hotel Hof Ragaz in Bad Ragaz (5-stars)*:
Comfort-double room: CHF 1,580 | Comfort single room: CHF 2,350
*Grand Hotel Hof in Bad Ragaz, Comfort room (35 m²) with queen-size bed (width 1.60 m). Free use of the 6,050-m² thermal spa area including sports pool, indoor pool, garden pool, sauna, sanarium, steam bath and fitness centre. Admission to the 7,300-m² Tamina Therme thermal baths complex.
Booking
plus 0.25% risk contribution for the guarantee fund
What’s included:
- Five nights’ accommodation at the 5-star WestHouse Hotel New York
- Two- or three-nights’ accommodation including breakfast
- Service and hotel tax in your chosen hotel
- Second Advent Sunday excursion on the Alpine Classic Pullman Express
- Including drinks reception and lunch (drinks included) on board as well as the concert in Samedan
- All transfers from Bad Ragaz to Chur and back for those staying in Bad Ragaz
- Tips
- Tour director
- For those staying three nights, the excursion including lunch (with drinks) and the trip on the Bernina Express in the 1st-class panoramic coach along with the seat reservation supplement are also included.