Embark on this exclusive holiday to Switzerland’s popular alpine resorts, experiencing scenic First Class journeys on both the iconic Glacier Express and Bernina Express

Your Swiss holiday begins today as you meet the Tour Manager and your fellow travellers at London St Pancras. Travelling in Eurostar Plus class, we enjoy a light meal at our seats on our way to Paris. In the French capital, we continue via Strasbourg to Basel by First Class rail.

Basel sits on the Rhine river, where France, Germany and Switzerland converge. Known for its rich cultural heritage, the city has world-class museums and a beautiful Old Town. On arrival, we take a short walk to our central hotel, and you have a bit of time to relax or get acclimatised after checking in for the night. This evening, we reconvene at the hotel for our first dinner together.

Please Note - For departure 15th June we will travel out via Colmar, staying at the Maison Turenne.

After breakfast at our hotel, we return to Basel station to take our First Class train seats to Chur. This captivating route takes us past lakes towards increasingly dramatic mountains. From Chur, the last leg of our journey into the heart of the Swiss Alps sees us snake across deep ravines and scenic viaducts, past snow-capped peaks and rushing waterfalls before arriving in St Moritz.

St Moritz has long been beloved as a year-round holiday destination with its glamorous atmosphere, upmarket boutiques and incredible natural surroundings. Using this resort town as a base for three nights puts much of Switzerland's beauty at our fingertips. We check in to our central hotel, which boasts uninterrupted views of Lake St Moritz, and after taking time to get settled in our new location, we enjoy a three-course dinner in the on-site restaurant.

Please Note - For departures 18th May and 16th July we will stay at the Hotel Bernina 1865 in Samedan.

Regarded as the rail experts' best-kept secret, the Bernina Express crosses the Alps into Italy on a UNESCO-listed route. From our First Class panoramic carriages, the alpine scenery continuously impresses as we wind ever higher.

Reaching the summit at more than 7,300 feet above sea level, we pass the turquoise waters of Lago Bianco before enjoying a truly memorable moment. Stepping off the train at Alp Grüm, we admire jaw-dropping views of the Palü Glacier. The stunning route then twists down the mountains, spiralling round the corkscrew viaduct at Brusio to Italy.

Arriving in Tirano, free time allows you to explore the narrow, cobbled streets and characterful piazzas of this charming Italian valley town or enjoy local delicacies in one of the town's trattorias. We return to Switzerland on the local train, which provides an opportunity to roll down a window for spectacular photos. Arriving back in St Moritz, we enjoy a three-course dinner at our hotel this evening.

Please Note - For departures 2nd June, 16th July and 6th, 13th & 20th August Days 3 and 4 have been swapped around.

Nestled amidst the mountains and lakes of the Engadine Valley, the resort of St Moritz lends itself to an abundance of possibilities during your free day today.

Right outside our central hotel, Via Serlas is one of the world's most famous shopping streets and brims with options. The St Moritz resort card provides free travel on the cable cars and funiculars surrounding the town so you can be ferried up to the snow-capped peaks in minutes. For a more relaxing day, St Moritz's serene lake can be enjoyed on a gentle stroll or from our hotel's terrace, along with uninterrupted mountain views. Alternatively, you could use your complimentary Swiss Half Fare Card for a 50% discount on trains to explore further afield. The fashionable resorts of Davos or Klosters have been popular with British royals, and these stylish towns can be reached by scenic rail in under two hours.

You dine independently this evening, and while St Moritz boasts a wide array of cuisines, you could sample authentic local food such as fondue, raclette or pizzoccheri pasta.

The Glacier Express is one of Europe's most iconic train journeys, and this incredible holiday follows its full route from St Moritz to Zermatt.

Travelling at an average speed of 24mph, the 'slowest express train in the world' clings to mountain edges on the UNESCO-listed Albula Line before delving into the Rhine Gorge. Here, our panoramic First Class carriages provide front-row seats to the 'Swiss Grand Canyon' as the emerald river winds its way past limestone cliffs. Enjoying a two-course lunch in our seats, we enjoy a constant presentation of breathtaking scenery while climbing to Andermatt and entering the nine-mile Furka Tunnel. Our journey reaches a dramatic conclusion as we zigzag up the Matter Valley, through alpine wildflower meadows and past waterfalls, before the Matterhorn looms into view on our approach to Zermatt.

Accessible only by train, the sense of peace in this quintessential Swiss mountain resort is instantly apparent. A warm welcome and three-course dinner awaits at our chalet-style spa hotel, where we check in for three nights.

Waking up in Zermatt, we have breakfast before setting off on a heritage train ride. More than 125 years old, the charming Gornergrat Mountain Railway is Switzerland's original electric rack railway and first carried travellers the six miles up the mountain in August 1898. We trace their journey, climbing over picturesque valleys and through lush alpine forests to an altitude of more than 10,000 feet above sea level.

The views from the top are jaw-dropping, with up to 29 mountaintops visible on a clear day. We have time to soak up these vistas, including the best view of the Matterhorn's pyramidal peak. This famous mountain is an iconic symbol of Switzerland, and its striking shape also provided the inspiration for the design of Toblerone.

Back amongst the low-pitched roofs of Zermatt's timbered chalets, an expert guide reveals that this charming alpine resort has several surprising connections to the UK, including the intriguing story of English mountaineer Edward Whymper. We dine independently tonight, and you could further delve into Swiss cuisine in one of Zermatt's cosy restaurants.

The imposing Matterhorn dominates the skyline around Zermatt, and after breakfast, we travel by gondola to the highest cable car station in Europe for a memorable experience. At a height of more than 12,700 feet, the alpine wonderland of the Matterhorn Glacier Paradise provides monumental views of the famous peak, covered in snow all year round. The experience is further enhanced as a lift lowers us nearly 50 feet inside the glacier to the ice palace - the highest of its kind in the world - where we are greeted by sculptures crafted from the perpetual ice that surrounds us, adding a decorative touch to a surreal landscape.

A leisurely afternoon provides the opportunity to explore the plateau and enjoy Matterhorn views from Schwarzsee or relax in our hotel's outdoor jacuzzi or on the terrace. Strolling along Zermatt's streets, you could wander between the historic wooden chalets of Hinterdorfstrasse. With geranium-filled balconies and buildings dating from the 1700s, this cobbled street showcases traditional alpine architecture. This evening, we gather back at our hotel for a three-course dinner.

We leave Zermatt after breakfast, travelling by rail to the French city of Strasbourg. First, we wind down the Matter Valley to Visp, admiring the stunning scenery. Our journey continues to Strasbourg via Basel, passing the waters of Lake Thun and the quaint lakeside town of Spiez with its 10th-century castle.

With its grand architecture, including the quaint half-timbered riverside houses of La Petite France, the historic city of Strasbourg is well worth exploring from our central hotel. A blend of German and French architectural influences typical of the Alsace graces Place Kléber, the city's main square, while the incredible Gothic cathedral dates from the 13th century. Featuring a façade of ornately carved portals, the cathedral is topped by a piercing, octagonal tower. This evening, we gather at a local restaurant for our final dinner.

A journey of mountain railways, glacial plateaus, serene lakes and charming towns, this holiday has provided many perspectives from which to soak up Switzerland's magnificent scenery. From our bases in the resorts of St Moritz and Zermatt, we have enjoyed trips on the Bernina Express, the Glacier Express and the Gornergrat Mountain Railway, basking in breathtaking vistas throughout each rail route.

Departing Strasbourg after breakfast, we travel by First Class rail to Paris. Dashing through the verdant French countryside, we pass the vines of the Champagne region before arriving in Paris. Here, we board Eurostar Plus, enjoying a light meal as we journey back to the UK, where our First Class adventure concludes.

Please note: One of the excursions on this tour is at high altitude. If you have any medical conditions or concerns that could impact this part of the tour, we recommend you seek medical advice and talk to us. We want to make sure that any holiday you book is right for you.

Our Classic range is what we're known for. Enjoy curated moments with plenty of inclusions. Centrally located hotels, premium travel options and engaging group tours with a seasoned expert are included. You'll be in groups with an average of 20-25 travellers and a maximum of 30*. *Scandinavian and Worldwide tours are on average 30-35 and a maximum of 40.

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 Gornergrat Mountain Railway runs for just less than six miles from the pretty town of Zermatt to the summit of the Gornergrat some 10,135ft above sea level. It is the highest railway in Europe to run and mostly in the open air (the Jungfrau Railway runs to a higher point but is predominantly in a tunnel).

The 4-Star Hotel Schweizerhof is situated in the centre of St Moritz and provides spectacular views over the lake from its terrace, with the main shopping area on the doorstep. The original Belle Époque surroundings and modern comforts of the hotel include two restaurants, a piano bar and a spa. Guest rooms are comfortably furnished with free Wi-Fi, flatscreen TV, telephone and minibar.

Set at the foot of Switzerland's Pennine Alps, wake up to views of the Matterhorn in this traditional, family-run 4-Star Superior Hotel Sonne within walking distance of Zermatt's main attractions and transport links. There's also a well-stocked wine cellar, a gym, indoor pool, sauna and steam bath. The tastefully decorated guest rooms each have free Wi-Fi, flatscreen TV, Nespresso machine, a minibar and a balcony.

Sitting 1,700 meters above sea level in Samedan, the 4-Star Bernina 1865 hotel is a superb example of Romanesque architecture. Surrounded by the Swiss Alps, it is not far from Switzerland's famous resort of St. Moritz. Spacious guest rooms come equipped with free Wi-Fi, a flatscreen TV, a safe and tea & coffee-making facilities.

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.