Classic Glacier Express in Winter

Your 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 brims with history - as does 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. Overnight Chur.

• Dinner

Dubbed the rail experts' best-kept secret, a journey on the Bernina Express in panoramic carriages is a highlight of this wintertime 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 its way south through the frozen landscape of the Engadine Valley, through tunnels and across the curved Landwasser Viaduct as it climbs the Albula Line.

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

Pastel-colored buildings line the streets of this compact alpine town and surround pretty Piazza Comunale, which 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. On the return journey, we stop briefly in St. Moritz before arriving back in Chur for dinner. Overnight Chur.

• Breakfast, Dinner

After a leisurely breakfast, today is yours to explore attractive Chur. You might enjoy a wintertime stroll through the colorful, car-free town center 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 center are the 800-year-old Cathedral of the Assumption and the terracotta-fronted Bishop's Palace.

In the afternoon, you might take the cable car up Brambrüesch mountain for a panoramic view of the frosty landscape. Alternatively, if you want to head further afield, you could use your Swiss Half Fare Card for 50% discounts on all rail journeys. The scenic Arosa Line, which climbs more than 3,000 feet to the beautiful lakeside town of Arosa, is a popular option. Also easily reachable are the stylish mountain resorts of Davos and Klosters, favorites of British royals.

Dining independently tonight, you could seek out some more local specialties, such as crisp potato röstis and buttery pork schnitzel - or enjoy a steaming mug of hot chocolate or spiced glühwein. Overnight Chur.

• Breakfast

Today, one of Europe's most iconic train journeys awaits. After breakfast at our hotel, we board the incredible Glacier Express to Brig. 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 winds alongside the River Rhine.

Travelling at an average speed of 24mph, we can admire dramatic landscapes from our panoramic carriages while enjoying a two-course lunch at our seats. The scenery is captivating as we rise above the valley, passing snowy meadows, frozen streams and white mountaintops as we climb to Andermatt.

Emerging from the nine-mile Furka Tunnel, we follow the Rhône to the valley town of Brig, nestled beside the river at the northern edge of the Simplon tunnel. We check in to our family-run hotel near the station for a four-night stay, before dinner tonight. Overnight Brig.

• Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

We embark on a dramatic journey along the Matter Valley after breakfast this morning. Flanked on either side by steep cliffs, our train winds between jaw-dropping winter scenes. Snow-dusted 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 Toblerone. This popular mountain resort exudes a charming atmosphere in winter, and you have some free time here to explore this winter wonderland.

Zermatt has many beautiful sights, such as the picturesque historic chalets of Hinterdorfstrasse. From Zermatt's location at the foot of the mighty Matterhorn, you might take the 125-year-old Gornergrat Mountain Railway to the summit for breathtaking views. Alternatively, warm up in a café with views of the iconic peak. Later this afternoon, we return by rail to Brig in time for dinner this evening. Overnight Brig.

• 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.

If you prefer 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. Overnight Brig.

• Breakfast

Travelling 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 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 take a cable car to the summit of Grindelwald-First mountain 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.

Afterwards, we continue to Interlaken to cruise across 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. Overnight Brig.

• Breakfast, Dinner

This wintertime journey has featured spectacular snowy scenery, cozy chalets and iconic trains. Having experienced many delights of this beautiful country, from trips aboard the Bernina and Glacier Express to the mountain panoramas of Zermatt and Grindelwald, your Swiss vacation 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