Classic Glacier Express

Your tour begins as you land in Zurich airport and make your way independently to Chur by rail. As the country's oldest town, our destination of delightful Chur is full of history - as is our central hotel. 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

Dubbed the rail experts' best-kept secret, a journey on the UNESCO-listed Bernina Express in panoramic carriages is a highlight of this vacation. After breakfast in our wonderful hotel, we take the short walk to Chur train station and join this amazing train. The 100-year-old 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 we cross 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-colored buildings line the streets of this compact alpine town. Hues of light blue, pink and yellow surround pretty Piazza Comunale, and there are numerous restaurants for you to lunch independently. On the return journey, we stop briefly in the chic mountain resort of St Moritz before arriving back in Chur for a three-course dinner.

• Breakfast, Dinner

A leisurely breakfast begins a free day, and there are plenty of fantastic destinations to explore. Chur itself is backed by mountains and the colorful buildings of its charming Old Town mean it is a delightful place to wander. 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.

For a panoramic view of Chur, take the cable car up Brambrüesch mountain. Alternatively, if you want to head further afield, you could use your Swiss Travel 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, while the stylish mountain resorts of Davos and Klosters, a favorite of British royals, are easily reachable too. Dining independently tonight, you could opt for the local specialty of pizzoccheri, a hearty dish of pasta, potato, cabbage and cheese.

• Breakfast

It's one of Europe's most iconic train journeys and, after breakfast in our excellent Chur hotel, we board the incredible Glacier Express to Brig. The 'slowest express train in the world' delves into the Rhine Gorge, where our panoramic carriages provide front-row seats to the 'Swiss Grand Canyon' as the emerald river winds its way past limestone cliffs.

Traveling at an average speed of 24mph, we savor a two-course lunch in our seats, admiring the dramatic landscapes from our panoramic carriages. The breathtaking scenery is constant as we rise above the valley floor, passing serene lakes and snow-coated peaks as we climb to Andermatt. Emerging from the nine-mile Furka Tunnel, we follow the Rhône to the charming valley town of Brig, nestled beside the river at the northern edge of the famous Simplon tunnel. Checking in to our family-run 4-Star hotel near the station for a four-night stay, we can reflect on the day's spectacular journey over a three-course dinner tonight.

• Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

A dramatic journey greets us after breakfast in Brig. Traveling by local train, we zigzag through the lush wildflower meadows, dense alpine forests and thundering waterfalls of the delightful Matter Valley. Rugged, snow-capped mountains guide our way to beautiful Zermatt, which is only accessible on foot or by train. As such, the tranquility is immediately striking.

On arrival, we meet a helicopter pilot who discusses the life-saving work of mountain rescue teams in this popular destination for climbers, before we have a free afternoon to explore the quintessential alpine resort. From its location at the foot of the mighty Matterhorn, the Swiss national symbol, you could take the Gornergrat Mountain Railroad up to the Alps' second largest glacier or hop into a cable car past Schwarzsee and into a year-round winter wonderland. Both provide sensational views of the Matterhorn.

In Zermatt itself, you could stroll amongst the historic wooden chalets of Hinterdorfstrasse, admiring the geranium-filled window boxes before soaking up the atmosphere in a welcoming café. We return to Brig this evening for a three-course dinner in our hotel.

• 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 merchant Kaspar Stockalper, it is recognizable from miles around due to its three stone towers topped by large, gilded onion domes.

Using your Swiss Travel Card for 50% discounts on rail travel, the glamorous Swiss Riviera can be reached in under 90 minutes. Celebrities including Charlie Chaplin and Freddie Mercury flocked to live in the villas of Montreux and Vevey. With hillside vineyards and the crystal-clear waters of Lake Geneva looking out across to the French Alps, it's easy to understand why. Bern (65 mins) is also nearby, with its UNESCO-listed medieval town, picturesque bridges, and streets lined with arched arcade frontages.

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

Displaying conical turrets and a central keep with stone walls that are nearly 10-feet thick, this fairytale fortress originally dates from the 10th century. In its grounds is a charmingly rustic church, which is reported to be older than the castle. After an engaging tour of the fortress and its medieval exhibits, we relax on the glorious terrace for an exclusive private aperitif.

Leaving Spiez by boat, we cruise along the turquoise-hued 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 attractive church towers peek out of the trees. On arrival in the town of Thun, we catch the train back to Brig in time for our final dinner together.

*Please note: On some departures, the excursion to Spiez Castle is replaced with a visit to the alpine village of Grindelwald.

• Breakfast, Dinner

Saying a fond farewell to our Tour Manager, fellow travelers and new friends this morning, the stunning Swiss Alps put on one final show as you travel independently to Zürich airport, passing shimmering lakes and impressive peaks enroute. This incredible vacation concludes as you board your flight back home and you can begin to recall the wonderful sights we have enjoyed in Switzerland.

Having enjoyed breathtaking journeys on the iconic Bernina Express to quaint Poschiavo and the Glacier Express through the 'Swiss Grand Canyon', we have enjoyed warm hospitality throughout. From our delightful bases in historic Chur and idyllic Brig, we have also marvelled at the spectacular sights of the Matterhorn and the charming mountain town of Zermatt. Our fantastic trip was completed in style with a tour of Spiez's fairytale castle and a cruise across the gorgeous waters of Lake Thun.

With amazing scenery dappled with charming towns explored from welcoming family-run hotels, Switzerland has provided many unforgettable experiences for us to treasure for years to come.

• Breakfast