Classic Glacier Express: Brig to Chur

Your Swiss holiday begins as you meet the Tour Manager and group at London St Pancras, ready to board the Eurostar to Paris. Travelling in Plus class, we enjoy a light meal at our seats and dash through the French countryside.

On arrival in Paris, we board the high-speed TGV in First Class and travel east to Switzerland. We join the efficient Swiss rail network in Geneva and begin our climb into the mountains. From our windows, we watch as the landscape increases in beauty and altitude. As we approach our destination, the Swiss Alps surround our route, creating stunning scenes.

On arrival in Brig, we check in to our four-star hotel for a three-night stay and enjoy a three-course meal together.

• Dinner
• Eurostar light meal

After breakfast in Brig, we take a local train to Zermatt, a tranquil mountain resort only accessible by foot or train. Zigzagging through the dramatic landscape of the Matter Valley, we pass lush wildflower meadows, dense alpine forests and thundering waterfalls.

On arrival, we have a short walk to Air Zermatt Heliport, a key base for helicopter travel in the region since 1968. Here, we learn from a pilot about the life-saving work of mountain rescue in this popular destination for climbers before having a free afternoon to explore. From Zermatt's location at the foot of the mighty Matterhorn, you might take the Gornergrat Mountain Railway up to the immense glacier or hop into a cable car past Schwarzsee for views of the year-round winter wonderland. Alternatively, soak up the atmosphere in a café in view of the iconic peak.

In the evening, we return to Brig for a three-course dinner at our hotel.

• Breakfast, Dinner

Travelling by rail through the 21.5-mile Lötschberg Base Tunnel after breakfast, we arrive in the quaint town of Spiez. Set in beautiful grounds beside the crystal-clear waters of Lake Thun is Spiez Castle.

Featuring conical turrets and a central keep with dense stone walls, this fairytale fortress dates from the 10th century. In its grounds is a rustic church, reported to be older than the castle. After a tour of the fortress and its medieval exhibits, we relax on the terrace for an exclusive private aperitif.

Leaving Spiez by boat, we cruise along the turquoise Lake Thun, with mountain views in every direction, including the forest-blanketed Niederhorn that slopes into the water, and the pyramid-shaped Niesen. Along the shore, pitch-roofed chalets and church towers peek out of the trees. On arrival in the historic town of Thun, we catch the train back to Brig for dinner.

*Please note: on departures from 24th March to 28th April, Spiez Castle is closed, and an alternative excursion by rail to Interlaken will take place.

• Breakfast, Dinner

One of Europe's most iconic train journeys awaits us today. After breakfast in our hotel, we board the incredible Glacier Express to Chur. The scenic route of the 'slowest express train in the world' delves into the Rhine Gorge, where panoramic carriages provide front-row seats to the 'Swiss Grand Canyon' as our train snakes alongside the River Rhine.

Travelling at an average speed of 24mph, we are served a two-course lunch in our seats, and can admire the serene lakes and snowy peaks from the panoramic carriages. We traverse the nine-mile Furka Tunnel and pass through the village of Andermatt before reaching the Oberalp Pass, the highest point of the route at nearly 6,670 feet above sea level.

On arrival in the historic town of Chur, we check in to our hotel near the station for a four-night stay and enjoy dinner together.

• Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Today begins with a leisurely breakfast before we meet a local guide at the hotel for a short walking tour of Chur's Old Town. On this insightful tour, we stroll through the colourful town centre towards Martinsplatz, or St Martin's Square. At the heart of the town's oldest district, the square features a beautiful 18th-century stone fountain adorned with signs of the zodiac. Overlooking the historic centre are the 800-year-old Cathedral of the Assumption and the terracotta-fronted Bishop's Palace.

After the tour, you're free to take in the lovely sights of Chur independently. You might choose to take the cable car up to the high plateau of Brambüesch, where you can look out at panoramic views of the valley.

Dining independently in Chur tonight, you could opt for the local speciality of pizzoccheri, a hearty dish of pasta, potato, cabbage and cheese.

• Breakfast

Dubbed the rail experts' best-kept secret, a journey on the Bernina Express in panoramic carriages is a highlight of this holiday. After breakfast in our hotel, we take the short walk to Chur train station and join this amazing train. The UNESCO-listed route twists and spirals its way south through the rugged landscape of the Engadine Valley, across the curved Landwasser Viaduct and looping through tunnels as it climbs the Albula Line.

Reaching the summit at more than 7,300 feet above sea level, we pass the turquoise waters of Lago Bianco before crossing the Bernina Pass. Pausing to view the spectacular Palü Glacier beside the tracks at Alp Grüm, we then wind down to the Italian-speaking town of Poschiavo.

Pastel-coloured buildings line the streets of this compact alpine town. Hues of pale blue, pink and yellow surround pretty Piazza Comunale, and there are numerous restaurants in which to lunch independently. On the return journey, we stop briefly in the sophisticated resort of St Moritz before arriving back in Chur for dinner.

• Breakfast, Dinner

After a leisurely breakfast, today is yours to explore the city's many lovely destinations independently. Uncover Chur independently or venture further afield.

You could use your Swiss Half Fare Card for 50% discounts on all rail journeys across the country. The scenic Arosa Line, which climbs more than 3,000 feet in less than 17 miles to the beautiful lakeside town of Arosa, is a popular option. Also easily reachable are the stylish mountain resorts of Davos and Klosters, favourites of British royals.

Dining independently tonight, choose from Chur's range of gourmet restaurants and traditional pubs.

• Breakfast

After breakfast in Chur, we journey to Strasbourg for an overnight stay in this historic city. On arrival, we check into our four-star hotel in the centre before having a free afternoon to explore Strasbourg's compact but captivating centre.

Wander through grand squares and take in views of the city's charming half-timbered houses and narrow waterways. Blending German and French architectural influences, the picturesque heart of the city is dominated by the Gothic cathedral. Dating from the 13th century and featuring a façade of ornately carved portals, the cathedral is topped by an octagonal tower.

In the evening, we take a short walk to a local restaurant for dinner to enjoy our final dinner together.

• Breakfast, Dinner

This classic Swiss holiday has featured iconic journeys on the Bernina Express and Glacier Express, welcoming hospitality in historic Chur and Brig, and the spectacular sights of the Matterhorn and Spiez Castle.

After breakfast, we depart Strasbourg on the high-speed TGV to make our way back to Paris. In the French capital, we join the Eurostar service, travelling in Eurostar Plus class for final leg of our trip home.

On arrival in London St Pancras, your holiday draws to a close and you are free to make your way home.

• Breakfast