Experience the scenic Bernese Oberland adorned in its winter finery on a panoramic journey from lakeside Montreux to the snow-covered Jungfrau region

Your wintertime holiday to Switzerland begins today as you arrive at London St Pancras International and meet the Tour Manager and your travel group. Together, we board the Eurostar to France and enjoy a light meal in Eurostar Plus before arriving in Paris. Here, we switch to the high-speed TGV in First Class carriages, travelling to Lausanne in Switzerland.

A short transfer by train sees us arrive in Montreux, where we check in to our lakefront hotel for three nights. Located on the lakeside promenade, just a short walk from the station, the hotel boasts uninterrupted views across Lake Geneva to the atmospheric French Alps sporting their winter white. The season casts a new light on the Swiss Riviera, adding an extra cosy feel to Montreux. Tonight, we enjoy our first dinner as a group in the hotel's restaurant.

Enjoy breakfast with views of Lake Geneva before we hop on a trolleybus outside our hotel to travel along the lake shore to Villeneuve. Here, a guide takes us on a tour of Château de Chillon, a romantic castle that appears as if it is floating on the lake. Formerly occupied by the influential House of Savoy, this medieval castle has attracted tourists since the early 1800s, including Lord Byron and Mary Shelley.

Afterwards, there is free time to explore Montreux. A walk along its promenade is lovely at any time of year, but stunning views across the water to snow-capped alpine peaks punctuate the appealing serenity of winter. As you walk, look upon the promenade's many statues, including those of composers Richard Strauss and Igor Stravinsky close to our hotel and a statue of Queen frontman Freddie Mercury, who bought a retreat here in 1978, in the centre.

For dinner this evening, you could opt to warm up with a traditional Swiss fondue at a local restaurant.

A highlight of the holiday awaits today as we travel by train across the snow-clad Alps to France. From Martigny, we join the Mont Blanc Express, which clings to dramatic mountainsides above spectacular gorges. Mont Blanc drifts into view as we cross into France and approach Chamonix.

With a few hours of free time to explore the 'mountaineering capital of the world', there are many options at your disposal. As one of France's premier snow sports resorts, Chamonix comes alive in winter. Perhaps combine a walk around its atmospheric town centre with a delicious French lunch at a local restaurant. To explore further, you could head up to the Mer de Glace (Sea of Ice) Glacier on the Montenvers-Mer de Glace cogwheel railway, which carries passengers up nearly 3,000 feet in 20 minutes. It's an incredible journey through dense pine forests and high up the mountainside to an otherworldly landscape of piercing, snowy peaks.

In the late afternoon, we leave Chamonix, returning to Montreux in time for dinner at our hotel.

A fantastic journey lies ahead as we board the royal blue and gold panoramic carriages of the innovative, non-stop GoldenPass Express for an incredible wintry journey across the Swiss Highlands.

This magnificent rail journey is currently a hidden gem compared to Switzerland's other famous trains, but it won't be for long due to the amazing scenery. Leaving Montreux, the train winds uphill with Lake Geneva in the background. The untamed, icy pine forests and rolling mountains of the Pays-d'Enhaut highlands are dotted with chalets heavy with snow. We can admire these views while enjoying a light lunch of local produce and wine. The halfway point of this three-hour journey is Gstaad - the upmarket mountain resort favoured by Grace Kelly, Elizabeth Taylor and Roger Moore.

In the final stretch, the GoldenPass Express emerges beside Lake Thun at Spiez before we arrive at Interlaken and check in to our central hotel for dinner.

This morning, an unforgettable experience greets us as we embark on an incredible journey up the Jungfrau. We take the train to the village of Grindelwald, where we hop on the Eiger Express gondola to Eigergletscher station. The modern gondola with panoramic windows affords incredible views of the snowfields below as we pass close to the north face of the Eiger. We then board the Jungfrau Express to Jungfraujoch, Europe's highest train station at the 'Top of Europe'.

The vistas are impressive year-round, but the deep snow and endless Aletsch Glacier in winter are on another level. We have free time to explore this natural spectacle or have a relaxed lunch at one of the many restaurants.

We descend via the Jungfrau Express, travelling through the Mönch and Eiger mountains before the cogwheel train twists down to Kleine Scheidegg. From here, we step onto the train to the valley town of Lauterbrunnen and back to Interlaken, arriving in time for a three-course dinner at our hotel.

Today is a free day to explore as you wish. After breakfast, you may like to spend some time marvelling at the seasonal views from the roof terrace at our hotel.

Interlaken has many excellent destinations within reach. Using your Swiss Half Fare Card for 50% discounts on train and mountain railway fares, you could head south to the beautiful mountain resorts of Wengen and Mürren among wintry scenes. You may also like to travel by rail to the 'City of Lights', Lucerne, via the Brünig Pass. Here, you can find an Old Town with frescoed buildings and other historic sites, including the 14th-century Kapellbrücke, Europe's oldest covered wooden bridge.

Alternatively, explore turquoise Lake Brienz by catching the train along its northern shore to Brienz, where you can marvel at the picture-perfect Brunngasse - a winding street of old wooden chalets. Exploring Interlaken further is also a good option, viewing the historic buildings round the cobbled main square or delving into its cuisine in a local restaurant.

After breakfast, we travel by train to Thun, a typical Swiss town dominated by its picturesque 12th-century castle. There is time to explore its medieval centre and covered wooden bridges, made all the more beautiful under a layer of snow.

Our journey back to Interlaken is on board a boat that cruises the length of Lake Thun. This scenic excursion provides a memorable perspective as the boat glides across the glacial waters. Serene villages frame the shore, and the route is surrounded by alpine peaks frosted with snow and impressive slopes fading into the lake. One of the highlights of any cruise on Lake Thun is gently sailing past the fairytale castles perched upon its shores.

Our boat moors in Interlaken, and it is only a short distance back to our hotel. Enjoy some free time to continue soaking up the wintertime ambience before joining the group for a three-course dinner this evening.

The incredible sights of Switzerland, from the serene grandeur of Montreux at this time of year to the splendour of the GoldenPass Express and the snow-globe scenes from the 'Top of Europe' at the Jungfraujoch, have set the stage for a stunning winter holiday.

After a final breakfast overlooking the magical scenery, we travel by train to Basel, where we board the high-speed TGV in First Class to Paris. Admire the Jura mountains and hills of Burgundy as they flash past our windows on our approach to France's capital.

In Paris, we transfer to the Eurostar Plus carriages, enjoying a light meal at our seats before concluding this winter holiday on arrival at London St Pancras International.

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.

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.

Train journeys on The GoldenPass Line are a wonderful introduction to Switzerland and give you the opportunity to see the country at its very best. Travelling on ultra-modern panoramic trains, you experience unparalleled views of some of Switzerland's finest scenery from weathered timbered chalets sat in peaceful sunlit valleys to dramatic peaks, glittering lakes and remote, untouched forest.

The GoldenPass Line's picturesque route stretches between Montreux on the Swiss Riviera and lakeside Lucerne in the historic heart of Switzerland, taking us through Zweisimmen and Interlaken along the way. Various sections of this route are featured in a number of our Swiss tours.

The route from Interlaken to Jungfraujoch, Europe's highest railway station, comprises three different railways. The first leg from Interlaken to Lauterbrunnen is on the Bernese Oberland Railway, continuing to Kleine Scheidegg on the Wengernalp Railway. From Kleine Scheidegg, the Jungfrau Railway climbs to Eigergletscher, before entering the 4.43-mile tunnel that ends in the underground station at Jungfraujoch. During the journey through the tunnel, the train makes a short stop at the Eiger Wall for view through the picture window from the north face of the Eiger down to Grindelwald.

Designed to make the most of the beautiful scenery and wonderful mountain vistas, the superb Mont Blanc Express offers one of the best railway journeys on offer in the Alps. Our journey on the tourist line begins in the small Swiss town of Martigny. On departure, the line begins a gentle ascent, passing through the neat rows of vineyards which line the fields running down to the tracks.

We continue into France through the charming landscape of the pretty Rhône Valley, and then our train begins to ascend in earnest - here it makes use of the rack-and-pinion mechanism to climb higher into the mountains. The views in this section are outstanding with snow-capped mountains towering over the sloping valley below. Our electric train then reaches the dramatic Trient Gorge, crossing the wild rocky canyon using a series of bridges. Soon we catch our first glimpse of the mighty Mont Blanc - France's highest mountain - as we approach the Chamonix Valley.

After a final climb along one of the line's steepest sections, the Mont Blanc Express arrives in the resort town on Chamonix, a wonderfully popular holiday destination due to its amazing mountain panoramas and picturesque location.

Introduced in 1981, France's TGV (Train à Grande Vitesse) was the original European high-speed train. Linking Paris with Lyon, the new service revolutionised train travel and meant that travelling by air over medium and short distances was no longer seen as the best option, even for business travel.

The network has expanded rapidly and today these sleek, stylish trains offer links to over 60 destinations throughout France. Operated by SNCF, the French national rail operator, TGV trains travel over specially constructed high-speed lines. The trains can achieve speeds of up to 186mph (300km/h) on most long-distance routes and 200mph (320km/h) on the new TGV Est line, which links Paris with Strasbourg, Luxembourg and Basel. With the exception of shorter journeys, TGVs almost always have an on-board buffet car, serving a selection of drinks and light refreshments.

As the tallest building in the compact and appealing town of Interlaken, this modern 4-Star hotel enjoys incredible views of the surrounding Bernese Oberland, including lakes Thun and Brienz and the Jungfrau mountain. Amenities include a fitness centre, a sauna and a panoramic restaurant on the top floor. Guest rooms are equipped with free Wi-Fi, flatscreen TV, minibar, hairdryer and complimentary toiletries.

From its prominent position on Lake Geneva's shore in upmarket Montreux, this stylish hotel boasts uninterrupted views of the lake across to the beautiful French Alps. Amenities include a gourmet café restaurant, a stylish cocktail bar, and a spa including a pool, jacuzzi, hammam, sauna and fitness room. Guest rooms are equipped with free Wi-Fi, flatscreen TV, minibar, ironing equipment, tea and coffee 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.