Spend a picture-perfect Christmas in Switzerland, travelling through stunning scenery on the iconic Glacier Express and Bernina Express

Your festive holiday begins as you meet the Tour Manager and group at London St Pancras. Boarding the Eurostar to Paris in Plus class, we enjoy a light meal at our seats as we dash through the French countryside to the capital. Here, we change trains and continue to the Swiss city of Basel, where we spend the night.

Near the borders of France and Germany, Basel sits on the River Rhine and is considered Switzerland's cultural capital. Its Old Town boasts charming streets and a twin-spired Gothic minster, with its notable red sandstone walls and colourful roof tiles.

After checking in to our hotel, we enjoy our first dinner together this evening.

There's a morning at leisure after breakfast and you can explore Basel. Discover the attractive Old Town in its winter finery, with its striking red Rathaus taking pride of place in the Marktplatz.

This afternoon, we set off on a magical winter journey by rail. As we head deeper into Switzerland, the scenery quickly increases in seasonal beauty, with snow-capped Swiss Alps surrounding our route as the landscape becomes more dramatic.

Our destination is Brig. This charming valley town nestles beside the Rhône at the northern edge of the famed Simplon tunnel. Checking in to our family-run hotel near the station, we settle in before a three-course dinner.

A dramatic journey along the Matter Valley awaits after breakfast this morning. Flanked on either side by steep cliffs, our train winds between jaw-dropping winter scenes. Sugar-coated trees blanket the rising slopes, while huddles of chalets gather in small villages lining the valley floor.

On the approach to the car-free resort of Zermatt, the Matterhorn comes into view. This pyramidal peak is the Swiss national symbol and inspired the design of the Toblerone. This popular mountain resorts exudes a charming atmosphere in winter, and you're free to spend the rest of your time here as you choose.

One option is to ride the 125-year-old Gornergrat Mountain Railway to the summit for some of the best Matterhorn views. Zermatt itself has many beautiful sights, such as the picturesque historic chalets of Hinterdorfstrasse. Later this afternoon, we return by rail to Brig in time for dinner this evening.

A day at leisure provides the opportunity to explore this beautiful part of Switzerland after breakfast. As well as a charming historic centre, Brig also boasts the impressive 17th-century Stockalper Palace. Built by wealthy local silk merchant Kaspar Stockalper, it is recognisable from miles around due to its three stone towers topped by large, gilded onion domes.

Alternatively, you could make the most of your Swiss Half Fare Card, taking the train along the Rhône Valley to Montreux on the shores of Lake Geneva. Here, you can join either the GoldenPass Line panoramic train to Gstaad or explore the striking Château de Chillon and the sights of Montreux - including its beautiful lakefront promenade and statue of former Queen frontman Freddie Mercury.

For those wanting to remain in the mountains, the Aletsch Glacier can be reached by cable car, and the Italian town of Domodossola is a short ride from Brig through the tunnel formerly used by the evocative Simplon-Orient Express.

Leaving Brig after breakfast today, we enjoy a sensational journey on the iconic Glacier Express.

Travelling on this world-famous train, Switzerland's striking natural beauty is revealed throughout. Spellbinding scenes of snowy meadows, frozen streams and white mountaintops all play their part to create a jaw-dropping winter wonderland setting. From our panoramic windows, we can marvel at the alpine scenery while we enjoy lunch served at our seats. After climbing through the nine-mile Furka Tunnel, unmissable views are revealed as we ascend to the roof of the route on the Oberalp Pass. Making our way through the elemental 'Swiss Grand Canyon', we arrive at our destination.

Chur is the country's oldest town and full of history - as is our hotel. After a welcome drink, we settle down to spend the first of four nights in a 360-year-old hotel beloved by our customers.

Making our way by rail to Lucerne after breakfast today, there is time to explore this attractive town situated on the shores of Lake Lucerne at the foot of the Swiss Alps.

At this time of year, Lucerne lives up to its nickname as the 'City of Lights'. Twinkling festive displays illuminate the Old Town's cobbled streets, casting a shimmering glow on the half-timbered buildings and frescoed exteriors. Christmas market stalls can be found on the lakefront, so you could enjoy a warming hot chocolate or glühwein while admiring panoramic views of the mountains and tranquil waters. One of the main attractions of Lucerne is the famous Kapellbrücke, a 14th-century wooden bridge that increases the fairytale feel to this picturesque Swiss city. Alternatively, travel on the Rigi mountain railway or enjoy a paddle steamer cruise across Lake Lucerne using your Swiss Half Fare Card for 50% fare reductions.

Back in Chur this evening, the celebrations begin with a special dinner, accompanied by wine and followed by carols around the Christmas tree.

Merry Christmas! Enjoy a leisurely day today to relax or look around Chur, a destination with a history dating back more than 5,000 years.

Chur itself is backed by mountains, and the colourful buildings of its charming Old Town mean it is a delightful place to wander at this time of year. The focal point is the idyllic Martinsplatz, where you can find the arcaded 15th-century Town Hall. Overlooking the historic centre are the 800-year-old Cathedral of the Assumption and the terracotta-fronted Bishop's Palace.

Once you've marvelled at the historical landmarks and wintry mountain setting, we sit down back at our hotel to enjoy a three-course dinner with wine.

Our final full day in Switzerland delivers an unforgettable journey after breakfast as we board the panoramic carriages of the Bernina Express.

This stunning Boxing Day journey over the Alps reveals views of ancient castles, frosted forests and snow-bound plateaus. Twisting along the UNESCO-listed Albula Line, our route then climbs high into the mountains to an altitude of 7,392 feet. Views of frozen lakes and peaks blanketed in pristine white greet us as we skirt Lago Bianco and descend towards our destination. Poschiavo is a pretty town of pastel-coloured buildings and cobblestone streets in an Italian-speaking region. The quaint main square, Piazza Comunale, enjoys views of the wintry mountains and the campanile tower of the Church of Saint Victor.

There's time to explore this small town as it emerges from its festive celebrations. Afterwards, we return to Chur via a short stop in St Moritz, dining at our hotel this evening.

A winter wonderland of spectacular snowbound scenery, cosy chalets, festive atmospheres and iconic trains - Switzerland is breathtaking at this time of year. Having experienced many delights of this beautiful country, from the Bernina Express and Glacier Express to the mountain panoramas of Zermatt and lakeside Lucerne, your Swiss yuletide holiday comes to an end after breakfast this morning.

Leaving Chur by train, the snow-covered mountains and glistening lakeshores line our route to Basel. From here, we continue to Paris where we switch to the Eurostar. Travelling in Eurostar Plus, we enjoy a light meal at our seats before arriving back at London St Pancras.

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

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'.

This 4-Star hotel is set within an Art Deco-style building, conveniently located close to Brig's railway station and town centre. The hotel boasts an elegant restaurant, cosy brasserie and delightful garden terrace. Guest rooms are equipped with free Wi-Fi, flatscreen TV, safety deposit box, minibar, tea & coffee-making facilities, hairdryer and complimentary toiletries.

This stunning 4-Star hotel reflects traditional Swiss architecture and has stood for more than 360 years in central Chur, just a short distance from the train station. In a property that perfectly blends rustic heritage and modern convenience, the well-established on-site restaurant specialises is delicious Swiss cuisine and you can access the rooftop terrace for wonderful views across the stunning surrounding countryside. Guest rooms are equipped with free Wi-Fi, flatscreen TV, safety deposit box, tea & coffee-making facilities, hairdryer and complimentary toiletries.

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.