As well as offering a range of
private airport transfers to and from the major French, Swiss & Italian ski resorts,
Show Train also organise excursions to a number of renowned beauty spots, city tours and surrounding places of interest. However, instead of offering a set excursion programme, we prefer to create a bespoke itinerary to your individual requirements at any time of year.
For all excursions we use our own fleet of modern, high quality vehicles which comply with the strictest standards of safety and maintenance as well as offering a high level of comfort and style. We have vehicles ranging in size from 4 to 53 seats, so whether you are planning a simple day out with family and friends or arranging an away day to a sporting event or cultural site for your school group or business colleagues, we have a vehicle option to suit.
However, our excursion possibilities are by no means limited to day long forays within the local area, we are also experienced in organising longer duration tours and city breaks across Europe, including the UK.
Contact us now for a free, no obligation quote
Annecy excursion
Annecy lies on the northern shores of the spectacular Lake Annecy, surrounded by lofty peaks and alpine pastures; it’s an area of outstanding natural beauty. The town itself, whilst fairly small, is fascinating to visit with its medieval buildings dating back to the 12th century, canals and quaint cobbled streets lined with restaurants and cafes.
One of the main attractions is the Palais de Lisle, an imposing former prison that sits on an island in the middle of the Thiou canal, one of several canals that cut through the old town. Also well worth a visit is the Chateau de Montrottier, the 13th century castle that sits high above the town and offers spectacular panoramic views of the lake and surrounding mountains. If you fancy flexing your credit card a little then you are sure to find plenty to tempt you as you browse the narrow streets of the old town or head to the fashionable shops and boutiques of the main commercial area.
The lake itself offers a wealth of activities such as waterskiing, wake boarding and sailing, or you can take it all in at a more leisurely pace onboard one of the many boat cruises available. Once very polluted, today Annecy is famous for being one of the cleanest lakes in the world and is home to a wide range of wildlife including some 20 species of fish. The lake is also surprisingly warm, reaching 24 degrees in summer, making it very popular for swimming. One event not to miss is the Fete du Lac held at the beginning of August each year. It’s a fireworks festival set to classical music that takes place on the water and is a spectacle that you won’t forget!
Courmayeur excursion
Situated just through the Mont Blanc tunnel from Chamonix, Courmayeur (1224m) is the oldest mountain resort of the Aosta Valley. This quaint little Italian town with its traditional architecture is steeped in mountaineering history, and given its spectacular setting at the foot of Mont Blanc it’s no surprise that many world famous mountain guides call Courmayeur home. You can explore some of the town’s most celebrated mountaineering achievements in the Duca degli Arbruzzi Mountain Museum, just in front of the Parish Church in the centre of town.
Courmayeur itself boasts a wonderful array of shops, cafes and restaurants where you can check out the latest fashions and local handcrafts before spending a leisurely lunch watching the world go by in true Italian style. If you fancy something more active then take the cable car up to Plan Checrouit where you can access a number of hiking trails and the main ski area, not to mention several delightful mountain huts offering up local specialities such as polenta and fontina cheese.
For a truly spectacular mountain viewpoint though, take the Funivie Monte Bianco up to Pointe Helbronner, from where you will be greeted with endless views of the glaciers and surrounding summits of Mont Blanc.
Just the other side of Courmayeur is the Pre St Didier Spa and Thermal Baths where you can bathe in the relaxing waters that have been enjoyed since Roman times. The current spa opened in 1838 and offers over 40 different thermal treatments including hydro massage pools, theme saunas and outdoor thermal baths where you can relax in the warm waters even in the middle of winter!
Aosta Valley excursion
The Aosta Valley is Italy’s smallest province but is surrounded by some of Europe’s highest peaks – Mont Blanc, Monte Rosa, the Matterhorn and Grand Paradiso, making it a magnet for skiers and hikers alike. An important trading crossroads between Italy, France and Switzerland since Roman times, the entire valley is steeped in Roman and medieval history, evident in the scores of castles, forts and artistic treasures to be found at every turn.
The town of Aosta is the capital of the province, situated in a large fertile basin approximately 1 hour from the Mont Blanc tunnel. The area has been inhabited since 3000 B.C. but it really came into its own during Roman times when it was a military colony for Emperor Augustus’ troops. The Roman influence is visible everywhere in the town from the regimented grid pattern its streets are laid out in, to the large central piazza and well preserved remains.
The historic centre is car-free and very easy to explore on foot. Highlights not to miss are the Arch of Augustus, the Roman Theatre and the Porta Praetoria - all of which interweave with more modern (medieval) buildings. If you’re feeling thirsty after all that sightseeing then head to the main square where you will find Caffe Nazionale, one of Italy’s finest historic cafes, in operation since 1886.
If historical sites are really not your thing, then you should simply go to Aosta for the wonderful shopping and eating opportunities, both of which are plentiful and won’t disappoint!
Gruyere excursion
Gruyere is one of Switzerland’s most picturesque towns and, of course, home to the delicious cheese of the same name. Situated in the canton of Fribourg, this quaint medieval town perches high on an isolated hill above the foothills of Mount Moleson. One of the highlights of a visit to Gruyeres is a tour around the castle and its fortified walls that will take you through eight centuries of architecture, history and culture.
The castle houses a regional museum and an arts museum as well as an impressive multimedia show that details the colourful history of the castle through images, light and sound.
Gruyere itself is steeped in history and you’ll have plenty of opportunity to discover it as you browse the cobbled main street with its central fountain and quaint old houses that flank either side. The town is traffic free so the only vehicle you are likely to encounter is the little tourist train, offering regular scenic trips around the main sites.
Nearby is Lake Gruyere, a stunningly beautiful artificial lake that you can explore by barge. The hour long excursion will take you past the towering cliffs of Rossen and to the Ogoz Island in the centre, with its ruins and restored chapel. The lake area is also home to the black and white Fribourg cows which provide the milk for the strongly flavoured Gruyere cheese. You can watch this cheese being made at every turn and a trip to Gruyere would not be complete without tasting some!
Montreux excursion
The Swiss town of Montreux enjoys an idyllic setting on the north shores of Lake Geneva in an area that has become known as the Montreux Riviera. Famous for its wine, gastronomy and cultural events, the town has also attracted its fair share of celebrities over the years (Tchaikovsky, Stravinsky, Byron & Charlie Chaplin) and was home to the late Freddie Mercury for over a decade. Fans of the flamboyant singer shouldn’t miss the statue that the town erected in his memory at the Place du Marche on the edge of the water. Further musical connections include a fire at a Frank Zappa concert in Montreux Casino which became the inspiration behind Deep Purple’s legendary hit “Smoke on the Water”.
The main attractions to take in during your visit are the old town centre and the lakefront, both of which are easily enjoyed on foot courtesy of a helpful map/guide from the Tourist Office. Guided tours are also available of Montreux and nearby Vevey les Bains and last approximately 2 hours.
You can take a rack railway up to les Rochers de Nave (2045m), a headland viewpoint which offers the most spectacular views over Lake Geneva and the surrounding peaks.
However, no trip to Montreux would be complete without a visit to Chateau de Chillon, a 13th century castle and one of the most beautiful historic buildings in Switzerland. The castle can be reached by boat, bus or by walking along the lakefront footpath which will also take you past some of the most striking hotels and villas on the Riviera.
By far the main event on the Montreux calendar is the 16 day Jazz Festival held in July each year, when more than 100000 people flock to concerts and performances from musical greats such as BB King, Santana, Alicia Keys, Lenny Kravitz, Quincy Jones and many, many more.
Excursions