Classic Glacier Express in Winter

Your wonderful winter vacation begins as you land at Zürich airport. From here, you travel independently to Chur, with your rail ticket included.

As you head deeper into Switzerland, the scenery quickly increases in seasonal beauty. From the gentle shoreline of Lake Zurich, the snow-capped Swiss Alps begin to surround the route as the landscape becomes more dramatic.

Chur is the country's oldest town and full of history - as is our central hotel, where you meet the Tour Manager and traveling group. After a welcome drink and a three-course dinner, we settle down to spend the first of three nights in a 360-year-old hotel beloved by our customers.

• Dinner

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

This stunning seasonal 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 toward our destination.

Poschiavo is a pretty, Italian-speaking town of pastel-colored buildings and cobblestone streets. 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 grab lunch, perhaps enjoying local specialties, such as pizzoccheri - a hearty pasta dish with cabbage, cheese and potatoes. Afterward, we return to Chur via a short stop in St Moritz.

• Breakfast, Dinner

Enjoy a full free day today to look around Chur, a town with a history dating back more than 5,000 years.

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

After exploring, there's nothing better than spending a couple of hours warming up in a cozy café or restaurant. Seek out some of the local specialties, such as crisp potato röstis and buttery pork schnitzel - or enjoy a steaming mug of hot chocolate or spiced glühwein.

• Breakfast

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

Traveling 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. Unmissable views continue as we make our way through the elemental 'Swiss Grand Canyon' before ascending to the roof of the route on the Oberalp Pass.

Descending through the nine-mile Furka Tunnel, we arrive at our destination, Brig. This charming valley town nestles beside the Rhône River at the northern edge of the famed Simplon tunnel. Checking in to our family-run four-star hotel near the station, we can reflect on our spectacular journey over a three-course dinner.

• Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

A dramatic journey along the Matter Valley follows 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 resort 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 Railroad 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.

• Breakfast, Dinner

A day at leisure provides the opportunity to see more of this beautiful part of Switzerland after breakfast. As well as a charming historic center, Brig also boasts the impressive 17th-century Stockalper Palace. Built by wealthy local silk merchant Kaspar Stockalper, it is recognizable 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.

• Breakfast

Traveling by train to the picturesque mountain village of Grindelwald, you have free time to look around one of Europe's oldest mountain resorts. Due to its spectacular location, visitors began arriving in the late 18th century - and with free time to explore, it's easy to understand its appeal.

Nestled in a beautiful valley, Grindelwald is surrounded by some of Switzerland's most famous mountains. You could continue to the summit of Grindelwald First mountain by cable car to marvel at a skyline of incredible peaks, including the Jungfrau, Mönch and Eiger. Alternatively, stroll through the village itself to admire the attractive wooden chalets and town squares combining the old comforts of classic alpine architecture with more contemporary winter sports facilities.

Afterward, we continue to Interlaken to cruise the full length of glimmering Lake Thun, the emerald waters surrounded by enchanting snow-capped peaks. On the cruise, look out for the fairytale Spiez Castle, which juts out into the lake. From Thun, we return to Brig by train for our final dinner together as a group.

• Breakfast, Dinner

A winter wonderland of spectacular snow-bound scenery, cozy chalets 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 Grindelwald, your Swiss adventure comes to an end after breakfast this morning.

Leaving Brig today, your rail ticket is included as you make your way independently to Zürich airport ready for your flight back home.

• Breakfast