Enjoy Switzerland’s best rail journeys, including the iconic Glacier Express and uncover breathtaking landscapes of lakes, glaciers and historic towns in the stunning Swiss Alps

Gathering at London St Pancras, we join our Tour Manager to board the Eurostar to Paris. In the French capital, we walk to neighbouring Gare de l'Est for a two-hour journey to the Alsace. We pass through the Champagne region and the historic area of Lorraine on our way to Strasbourg.

After checking in to our hotel near the station, there is time to explore this attractive city and its eclectic mix of French and German architecture. Its historic centre, the Grande Île, is dominated by its main square, Place Kléber, while the red sandstone façade of the 13th-century Gothic Notre Dame Cathedral is a marvel of intricate carving best viewed when bathed in the golden glow of dusk.

This evening, we take a short stroll from our hotel to a local restaurant where we enjoy our first dinner together.

Please Note - For departure 16th May we will travel out via Mulhouse, staying at the Mercure Mulhouse hotel.

After breakfast, you have some free time to explore Strasbourg. A short walk along the canal from the hotel is La Petite France - an area of half-timbered houses and picturesque waterways bedecked with flowers in the warmer months.

We then transfer to Strasbourg's station for the journey to Switzerland. Travelling to Tiefencastel via Basel and Chur, the dramatic scenery increases as the gentle slopes guide us towards the sparkling waters of Lake Zürich. Entering the Graubünden canton, imposing mountains begin to encircle the track on the approach to the UNESCO-listed Albula Line.

Arriving in the early evening, we check in for a five-night stay in the small village of Tiefencastel. Located on the route of the Glacier Express and Bernina Express, Tiefencastel has an incredible rail heritage. A warm welcome awaits at our riverside hotel which has been run by the same family for more than five generations. Each evening, we have a three-course dinner, with wine, beer and soft drinks included.

Today is a free day to explore our new surroundings at leisure, with a picnic lunch provided by the hotel. Tiefencastel is a small village but due to its location there is plenty to discover, including the wood carvings inside the 14th-century Church of St Stefan and many nearby woodland walks.

With your Swiss Half Fare Card providing a 50% discount on rail fares in the area, you might want to explore further afield. Travelling on the UNESCO-listed Albula Line across the curved Landwasser Viaduct to nearby Filisur gives you many options. From here, you can continue to Bergün, where you can learn about the importance of trains to the region at the Albula Railway Museum - found on the small station's platform.

Alternatively, you could travel through the spectacular Zügen Gorge to the upmarket mountain resorts of Davos and Klosters, loved by the British Royal family. Between May and October, the historic 'Crocodile' train also runs between Filisur and Davos.

Returning to Tiefencastel, dinner with selected drinks is provided tonight as it is each evening.

Heading to Tiefencastel station after breakfast, we travel on the Albula Line to the famous resort of St Moritz. This historic route snakes across deep ravines and scenic viaducts, past impressive mountain peaks and evergreen forests before arriving in St Moritz.

Set amidst the mountains and lakes of the Engadine Valley and renowned for its grand hotels, cafés and stylish shops, free time in St Moritz lends itself to an abundance of possibilities for you to discover on your own.

Taking a relaxing stroll provides the opportunity to enjoy your picnic lunch by the serene lake, admiring the backdrop of incredible mountains. Via Serlas is one of the world's most glamorous shopping streets and is brimming with upmarket fashion boutiques. Alternatively, pause to sip an apéritif or cocktail in a bar, or ride the Diavolezza cable car to reveal exquisite views over the Morteratsch Glacier. Later, we return by train to our Tiefencastel hotel for dinner and drinks.

Travelling across the Alps to Italy on the UNESCO-listed route of the Bernina Express is a highlight of the holiday. We set off on this fantastic journey after breakfast. One of rail enthusiasts' best-kept secrets, this spectacular route clings to mountainsides and passes dramatic waterfalls before climbing up to Lago Bianco and the summit at Ospizio Bernina, 7,400ft above sea level. From panoramic carriages, we can marvel at the ethereal Palü Glacier before twisting round the incredible spiral viaduct at Brusio.

When we reach the Italian town of Tirano, there is free time to explore and enjoy your picnic lunch. Crossing the Adda river and entering the Old Town through the Porta Poschiavina, you are greeted by rustic cobbled streets and palazzos. Entering the Collegiate Church of St Martin and the 16th-century Sanctuary of the Blessed Virgin of Tirano, you can discover intricate interiors decorated with beautiful frescoes and statues. We return to Tiefencastel by local train in time for dinner and drinks.

We board the train to Chur this morning, continuing on the Arosa Line for an hour-long journey to the lakeside resort of Arosa. Climbing more than 3,000 feet in 16 miles, the train winds its way through unspoilt verdant valleys and across the historic Langweiser Viaduct before arriving beside the crystal-clear waters of Obersee. There is free time here to bask in incredible views of surrounding peaks with your picnic lunch. Arosa is a nature-lovers' paradise and, for those who want to see more, you can venture higher on a cable car.

Before we return to Tiefencastel for dinner and drinks, you have some time to explore Switzerland's oldest town. Backed by mountains, Chur's historic cobblestone centre has quietly impressed visitors for many years with its colourful buildings and squares. The focal point of the Old Town is Martinsplatz, dominated by the tower of St Martin's Church. Chur also contains a number of galleries and museums, including the Rätisches Museum and Cathedral Treasure Museum.

One of Europe's most iconic trains awaits this morning. We make the short journey to Tiefencastel station to board the Glacier Express - an epic way to conclude our time in the Swiss Alps.

The 'slowest express train in the world' heads west from Chur before delving into the Rhine Gorge, dubbed the 'Swiss Grand Canyon'. With a luggage transfer to tonight's hotel and a picnic lunch included, panoramic carriages allow us to sit back and soak up the ever-changing views of wildflower meadows and pine forests. The spectacular route snakes over the Oberalp Pass, beside glacial lakes and through the nine-mile-long Furka Base Tunnel before arriving in Brig.

Here, we change trains to head north through the mountains to Basel, passing the emerald Lake Thun and fairytale Spiez Castle on the way. Basel is a dynamic city rooted in history and dominated by its red sandstone Gothic minster on the banks of the Rhine. Our popular hotel tonight is next to the train station and we check in and enjoy our final dinner together.

Please Note - For departure 20th June we will travel back via Mulhouse, staying at the Mercure Mulhouse hotel.

Making our way to Basel train station after breakfast, we begin our journey home. Joining the high-speed TGV to Paris. In the French capital, we change to the Eurostar back to London St Pancras, where we arrive by early evening.

Enroute, we can look back at the many highlights of our trip to Switzerland, including the warm hospitality we enjoyed at our family-run hotel in Tiefencastel. This perfectly placed hotel gave us easy access to the area's amazing sights and iconic railways. From the attractive towns of St Moritz, Arosa and Chur to the stunning views of canyons and snow-dusted peaks on the Glacier Express and Bernina Express, the Swiss Alps showcased their breathtaking beauty in majestic fashion.

Please note: on the 30th May we will transfer by coach from the hotel in Basel to Strasbourg, then continue by rail to Paris.

Our Discoveries range offers everything you need at a great price so you can travel with confidence. It provides comfortable, locally run accommodation*, standard rail or economy flights and expert-led group tours. You'll be in groups with an average of 30-35 travellers and a maximum of 40. *where available

Enjoy More with a GRJ All Inclusive Holiday

• On this GRJ All Inclusive tour, all meals at Hotel Albula & Julier, Tiefencastel are included. On excursion days a picnic lunch will be provided.
• Drinks include beer, wine and soft drinks each day between 7pm to 9pm with dinner in Tiefencastel.

Please note that while every departure of this tour will feature the same excursions, the order may differ from that shown above.

The Bernina Express is dubbed the rail experts' best-kept secret. Connecting northern and southern Europe, the narrow-gauge railway offers a spectacular means of crossing the Alps. The breathtaking route runs through the ancient landscape of Switzerland's beautiful Graubünden region and beside spellbinding glaciers, providing a stunning connection to Lombardy in northern Italy.

Step aboard the high-speed international rail service, linking London St Pancras to Paris and Lille in France, Brussels in Belgium and Amsterdam in the Netherlands.

Eurostar's Standard Class coaches feature two seats on either side of the central aisle, most of which are arranged in an 'airline' seating configuration with drop-down tray tables. There are two tables for four per carriage. Passengers travelling in Eurostar Standard Class coaches can take advantage of the Bar-Buffet which sells a range of snacks, meals, and hot and cold drinks - including Champagne!

The highest class of Eurostar travel available for leisure customers is Plus class. In your dedicated Plus carriage you'll find a less dense seat configuration, meaning the seats are larger and you have ample space to relax and stretch out. As part of the service, you'll enjoy complimentary drinks and refreshments, served at your seat by friendly, helpful waiting staff.

For the class of travel used on your chosen tour, please refer to the 'What's Included' section of the tour page.

Undoubtedly Switzerland's best-known train, the Glacier Express winds its way through some of Europe's most dramatic and beautiful scenery. Called 'the slowest express train in the world', the panoramic carriages allow us to soak up the spectacular views as we traverse incredible mountain passes, picturesque villages and valleys between the popular alpine resorts of St Moritz and Zermatt. Enroute, the train clings to the mountainsides on the Albula Line, zigzags and spirals its way round mountains and over bridges, and delves into the Rhine Valley - also known as the 'Swiss Grand Canyon'.

The 3-Star Hotel Albula & Julier is situated in the small village of Tiefencastel in the heart of the Swiss Alps. The hotel is set on the banks of the rushing Albula River and a five-minute inclined walk from the train station, which is used by both the Glacier Express and Bernina Express. This hotel has been run lovingly by the Schnöller family for more than five generations, so a warm welcome is always guaranteed, and an on-site restaurant serves a fixed-menu dinner each night, including both regional and local dishes. Spacious guest rooms are equipped with flatscreen TV, desk, safe, hairdryer and seating area. Free Wi-Fi is available in the lobby and the restaurant.

Your holiday begins the moment you meet your Tour Manager at St Pancras International and board the Eurostar train for mainland Europe. If you wish to get your holiday off to an extra special start, why not consider upgrading your on-board accommodation from Standard Class to Plus Class?

As well as all the amenities enjoyed in Standard Class, Plus Class travellers benefit from extra spacious, comfortable seats, complimentary newspapers and magazines and a light snack with drinks served at your seat during the journey. Before 11am, the light snack comprises breakfast pastries, yoghurt, fruit juice and tea or coffee. After 11am there is a choice of 2 main dishes and a dessert, accompanied by soft drinks, wine or beer and tea or coffee.

Prices for an upgrade from £125 each way. Please call us for more details.

Enjoy hassle-free travel to and from Switzerland with our return door-to-door luggage transfer service from only £269 per bag.

The service includes one 20kg bag per person which will be collected from your home before you depart and will be ready and waiting for you at your first destination hotel in Switzerland. Your bag will also be delivered back to your home address on your return.

If your tour involves an overnight stay enroute, you'll need to travel with an overnight bag. If flying to or from your destination, you will take your own luggage with you on the flight.

Spending a night in London before your tour can make such a difference to the first day of your holiday - you can arrive in the capital in good time, relaxed and ready to join your Tour Manager the next morning. You may even want to take in a show on the West End or dine in one of London's famous restaurants. Perhaps on your return to London, you would like to break your journey with an overnight stay before continuing home.

We can book a wide range of hotels in central London or, for our holidays beginning with a flight, at Heathrow, Gatwick, or Manchester Airport for the night before or after your holiday. If you require a quote for single occupancy at any of the hotels, please contact us on 01904 734 805.

Buying tickets for UK train services can be a tricky business - there are so many fares to choose from, each with different rules and restrictions. As you are connecting with an international departure, we strongly recommend that you book a fully flexible ticket to ensure that should the departure times for your holiday change, your rail ticket can allow for these changes.

We can book fully-flexible UK rail tickets from your local station to join your holiday whether this be a European holiday from St Pancras or a UK holiday. The prices are competitive and tickets are not restricted to a particular train or time of day, and in most cases offer you a free choice of routes.

For an up to date quote from your local station, please ask one of our Tour Advisors.