Classic Glacier Express in Winter: Brig to Chur

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

As we climb into the mountains, the landscape quickly increases in beauty and altitude. The Swiss Alps surround the route, creating breathtaking winter scenes as you approach your destination.

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

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 sugar-coated trees blanketing the rising slopes and huddles of chalets lining the valley floor.

On arrival, you have a free afternoon to explore. Zermatt itself 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 Gornergrat Mountain Railway up to the immense glacier or hop into a cable car past Schwarzsee for views of the winter wonderland. Alternatively, warm up 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

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 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.

• Breakfast, Dinner

Today, one of Europe's most iconic train journeys awaits. After breakfast in our hotel, we board the incredible Glacier Express. Our route takes us through the nine-mile Furka Tunnel along the Rhône towards Chur, the oldest city in Switzerland.

Traveling at an average speed of 24mph on the "slowest express train in the world," we can admire dramatic landscapes from our panoramic carriages while enjoying a two-course lunch at our seats. As we approach Chur, we delve into the Rhine Gorge, where panoramic carriages provide front-row seats to the "Swiss Grand Canyon" as our train snakes alongside the River Rhine.

We check in to our 360-year-old for a four-night stay, before dinner tonight.

• 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 fascinating tour, we stroll through the colorful 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 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 frosty landscape.

Dining independently in Chur tonight, you could opt for the local specialty 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 wintertime vacation. 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, across the curved Landwasser Viaduct and through tunnels 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. 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 St Moritz before arriving back in Chur for dinner.

• Breakfast, Dinner

After a leisurely breakfast, today is yours to explore the scenic region independently.

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, favorites of British royals.

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

• Breakfast

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

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

• Breakfast