First Class Mountaintops of Switzerland in Winter

 Your remarkable winter adventure begins as you meet the Tour Manager and your fellow travelers at London St. Pancras, ready to board in Eurostar Plus. We enjoy a light meal at our seats before arriving in the French capital, where we board the train to Basel - the quickest route to Switzerland.   

   This sleek journey transports us through Jura and Alsace before arriving in the Rhine-side city of Basel. Our hotel here is located near the station, and after checking in, you have a bit of time to admire this typically Swiss city that looks even more beautiful during the winter. Its Old Town of charming buildings paints a picture-perfect scene of the season. This evening, we gather in the hotel's restaurant for our first dinner together in Switzerland. Overnight Basel.

•  Light Eurostar Meal, Dinner

 Leaving our luggage to be transferred to our next hotel, we take a short walk to the train station this morning for our journey to Interlaken. The route to the heart of scenic Switzerland increases in beauty, with snow-capped peaks lining valleys and alpine forests blanketed with snow.  

   When we arrive in Interlaken, there is free time to explore this perfectly positioned town set between lakes Thun and Brienz and overlooked by the Jungfrau, Mönch and Eiger Mountains. Afterward, we board a coach to our hillside hotel, the stunning Grandhotel Giessbach, where we enjoy a welcome drink on arrival.    

From its secluded setting, the hotel has views across the sparkling lake and onto the Giessbach waterfall, which often freezes over during winter. We have time to get to know our new surroundings before enjoying a three-course dinner at the hotel in the evening. Overnight Brienz.

• Breakfast, Dinner

 After breakfast, a coach transfer takes us to Interlaken, where we take the train through the beautiful Lauterbrunnen Valley to the snow-bound alpine village of Grindelwald, nestled at the foot of the magnificent north face of the Eiger. There is free time to enjoy the atmosphere of one of Switzerland's most popular mountain resorts.      

Wandering through this fairytale setting of wooden Swiss chalets and colorful town squares, you are constantly greeted by a stunning backdrop of the dramatic mountains. Due to its location near the Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau Mountains, Grindelwald was among the first resorts in the Bernese Oberland to become a winter vacation destination. As such, this time of year is a fantastic time to visit.   

You could opt to take the cable car up Grindelwald First Mountain for great views across the valley and surrounding peaks. Afterwards, perhaps warm up with a hot chocolate in a cozy café before returning to our lakeview hotel for dinner with the group. Overnight Brienz.

• Breakfast, Dinner

 Today is a highlight of any Swiss vacation. After taking the train to Brig, we board the incredible Glacier Express. The "slowest express train in the world" traverses staggering mountain passes with views of picturesque villages and valleys before it delves into the Rhine Gorge.  

  Our panoramic First Class carriages provide a front-row seat to the "Swiss Grand Canyon" as the river winds past limestone cliffs. Enjoying a two-course lunch at our seats, we enjoy a constant showcase of breathtaking scenery as the route progresses towards the scenic Engadine Valley, where we stay for the next two nights. 

  Surrounded by mountains and lakes, this part of Switzerland is as beautiful as it is cultural. As we arrive, we make our way to our hotel and enjoy a free evening to settle in to our new surroundings. You might like to admire the scenery while seeking out dinner at a local restaurant, perhaps trying authentic local food, such as fondue, raclette or hearty pizzoccheri pasta. Overnight Engadine Valley.

• Breakfast

 Dubbed the rail experts' best-kept secret, the Bernina Express follows an incredible course across the Alps to Italy. From our First Class panoramic carriages, the exceptional alpine scenery continuously impresses.     

We wind our way up through snow-bound scenes to the summit at Ospizio Bernina before being greeted by the jaw-dropping views of the Palü Glacier. This stunning route twists its way down the mountains, spiraling around the corkscrew viaduct at Brusio before arriving in Tirano.     

Free time allows us to explore the narrow, cobbled streets and character-filled piazzas of this charming Italian valley town. You might like to enjoy regional delicacies in one of the town's trattorias.      

We travel back to Switzerland on a local train in First Class in the afternoon, pausing in the glamorous resort of St. Moritz with a bit of free time to explore. You could wander Via Serlas, one of the world's most famous shopping streets lined with upmarket fashion boutiques, or simply admire the charming half-timbered architecture against the mountain views. We return to our hotel to conclude our day with a three-course dinner. Overnight Engadine Valley.

• Breakfast, Dinner

 This morning, we journey onward in First Class carriages, passing many beautiful lakes on our way to Lucerne. As Switzerland's fourth most populus city, Lucerne is a historic destination draped across the expansive Lake Lucerne.      

We have time to wander independently around the picturesque Old Town. One of the most striking landmarks here is the 14th-century Kapellbrücke. Separating Lucerne's Old and New Town, Europe's oldest wooden bridge was constructed to help protect the city. Inside the gables of the bridge, a series of paintings from the 17th century relay the local history.         

Our hotel for the next two nights, the Pilatus Kulm, is reached by cable car, taking us past incredible winter scenes to a land above the clouds. With such a jaw-dropping location nestled between two peaks, the Pilatus Kulm provides utterly stunning views across the soaring mountains of central Switzerland. Due to its position, there are unforgettable sunrises and sunsets, weather permitting. This evening, we sit down to a three-course dinner in the on-site restaurant. Overnight Mount Pilatus.

• Breakfast, Dinner

 If you wake in time, you may be fortunate enough to witness a sensational sunrise that dramatically illuminates the mountainous surroundings. While today is spent exploring independently, you might not want to leave this heavenly location.      

However, with a complimentary return ticket on the cable car, you could head down the hills to explore Lucerne or beyond. According to local legend, Lucerne was formed after an angel beamed a light on to the spot where a chapel should be built. The "City of Lights" has a charming Old Town brimming with ornate churches, frescoed historic houses and cobbled streets. Set on the crystal-clear lake, Lucerne is a great place to wander, and there are plenty of cozy cafés or restaurants in which to warm up with a treat.       

Alternatively, you may want to explore further afield. With your Swiss Travel Card, you receive a 50% discount on rail, boat and most mountain railways, so you could cruise across Lake Lucerne to Vitznau. Returning to the hotel, delight in the sunset (weather permitting) as we indulge in a three-course dinner. Overnight Mount Pilatus.

• Breakfast, Dinner

 After breakfast, we descend the mountain, ready to catch a late-morning train from Lucerne in First Class. We arrive in Strasbourg in mid-afternoon, with plenty of time to explore the Alsace capital after we check into our four-star hotel.    

With a wonderful atmosphere and a rich heritage formed by both the French and the Germans, Strasbourg is as fascinating as it is scenic. The architecture ranges from Gothic to modern, with preserved buildings dating back centuries. Located on an island, the historic Old Town is dominated by the spectacular 13th-century Notre Dame Cathedral, with its renowned astronomical clock, while Place Kléber is the city's main square, attracting tourists, shoppers and people seeking a relaxing meal or drink.     

La Petite France is one of Strasbourg's most popular attractions. In the Middle Ages, it was home to the city's millers, tanners and fishermen. Today, it draws tourists with its colorful half-timbered buildings gathered around narrow lanes and bridges crisscrossing peaceful canals.   

   In the evening, we gather for our final three-course dinner at a local restaurant. Overnight Strasbourg.

• Breakfast, Dinner

 Our fantastic Swiss adventure has shown us some of the nation's most impressive winter scenery from ground, rail and mountaintop. While staying in incredible hotels with breathtaking views and riding along two of Switzerland's renowned scenic railways, there has been no shortage of memorable views to complement our route.    

After breakfast at our hotel, we leave Strasbourg for Paris. We travel through the historic duchy of Lorraine and pass the frosty vineyards of the Champagne region enroute to the French capital. Changing to Eurostar Plus in Paris, we enjoy a light meal at our seats before concluding our journey at London St. Pancras early this evening. 

•  Breakfast, Light Eurostar Meal