First-Class Top of Europe ft. Zurich & Interlaken

Your vacation begins today in Switzerland's financial capital, Zürich. As you arrive, make your own way by rail or taxi to our central Zürich hotel to check in for two nights. The remainder of the day is then at leisure to relax or begin exploring on your own.

Zürich is Switzerland's largest city and sits at the northern edge of a beautiful lake that shares its name. With a history stretching back to the Romans, there are many attractions to seek out here. The city is also an art-lovers' paradise. The Kunsthaus displays major works of fine art, modern and Constructivist pieces can be found at Museum Haus Konstruktiv (located inside a former power station), and Cabaret Voltaire is the spiritual home of Dadaism, an early 20th-century avant-garde movement.

This evening, return to your hotel to meet the Tour Manager and fellow travelers for a group welcome dinner. Overnight Zürich.

• Dinner

Waking in Zürich, we get acquainted with the city after breakfast, embarking on a guided walking tour.

Starting at Zürich main station, we wander through picturesque alleys and past historic buildings, including the Opera House and the castle-like building that houses the National Museum. Crossing Bahnhofstrasse, one of the world's most exclusive shopping venues, we enter the Old Town and view the iconic Grossmünster church and the 13th-century Fraumünster church, an icon of Zürich and the city's skyline. Throughout the tour, our knowledgeable guide shares fascinating stories and insights into Zürich's unique past.

After free time to enjoy lunch, we transfer by coach to the Lindt Chocolate Museum. Here, you can explore the museum at your own pace, discovering the history and craftsmanship behind Switzerland's world-famous chocolate, with the opportunity to enjoy a tasting of their mouth-watering creations. Returning to Zürich by coach afterwards, this evening is free to dine independently at one of the city's many inviting restaurants. Overnight Zürich.

• Breakfast

There's a free morning in Zürich after breakfast, before we head deeper into the Swiss Alps by First Class rail. Our destination is Interlaken, known as the gateway to the beautiful Bernese Oberland. This idyllic town nestles between two turquoise lakes - Thun and Brienz - and is surrounded by impressive alpine peaks.

Our five-star hotel is in a peaceful location beside the azure Aare River and backdropped by dense forests and mountains. After checking in, there is some time to become acquainted with our new base. With your Swiss Half Fare Card, you might like to board the Harderbahn funicular railroad to ascend Harder Kulm. At the top, you can enjoy spectacular views across Interlaken and to the Jungfrau Massif in the distance.

This evening, return to our hotel and take your seat in L'Ambiance restaurant for a three-course dinner, with all drinks included from 7-9 P.M, as they are each evening of our stay. Overnight Interlaken.

• Breakfast, Dinner

After breakfast in the riverside dining room, we walk across to the station nearby to travel by First Class rail up to the idyllic town of Grindelwald, where quaint wooden chalets are dwarfed by the dramatic north face of the Eiger, the Mönch and Jungfrau mountains.

Here, we board a cable car to the summit of Grindelwald First mountain, one of the most popular in the Jungfrau region. Ascending by sky gondola, we experience great views of the snow-dappled peaks of the Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau, swathes of forests and distant villages. With a picnic lunch provided by our hotel, there is time to enjoy it among the fresh mountain air and spectacular scenery before returning by cable car and rail to our hotel.

The remainder of the afternoon is at leisure until dinner at our hotel. You may like to get to know the popular resort town and visit one of the inviting cafés or bars, before returning to our five-star hotel for a three-course dinner and drinks this evening. Overnight Interlaken.

• Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

An unforgettable experience awaits today as we travel by train to the unspoilt hillside village of Mürren. With peaceful, chocolate-box surroundings, we board the steepest cable car in the world for a trip up to the summit of the Schilthorn.

At the top, we are greeted by breathtaking 360° views of approximately 200 mountain peaks, including the Jungfrau. However, the star attraction is the remarkable revolving restaurant, Piz Gloria. Made famous as a location in the 1969 James Bond movie On Her Majesty's Secret Service, this mountaintop eatery contains a museum about the filming of the movie. We have free time here to either follow in the footsteps of George Lazenby's 007, view the exhibition or enjoy a memorable lunch in the restaurant.

On the return journey, we stop off near the Trummelbach Falls and you might like to observe the glacial waterfalls that tumble through the mountain, creating a roaring sound until they burst into the valley. This evening, we have dinner back at our hotel. Overnight Interlaken.

• Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Today is set to be a highlight of your vacation as we enjoy a remarkable journey to Jungfraujoch - a UNESCO-listed site and Europe's highest train station - on the iconic Jungfrau Express.

From Kleine Scheidegg, we travel the final section by cogwheel train, entering an incredible tunnel which cuts through the Eiger. On reaching Jungfraujoch, the vistas from the Sphinx viewing platform are truly awe-inspiring. At the top, we're close to the stunning Aletsch Glacier - a UNESCO World Heritage wonder - which stretches as far as the eye can see. We enter the glimmering interior of the Ice Palace, carved inside the glacier and adorned with dazzling ice sculptures. This special location is not open to members of the public and we enjoy an exclusive tour with a glass of wine, beer or glacial water at the Ice Bar.

Descending, we return to the hotel for a three-course dinner this evening. Overnight Interlaken.

• Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

We take a short rail journey after breakfast to the picturesque village of Wilderswil. From here, we travel along an open-coach cog railway through pretty alpine meadows on our way up to Schynige Platte, soaking up sensational views of Jungfrau Mountain. Enjoying this wonderfully nostalgic journey from beautifully restored 19th-century carriages, the vintage train hugs the picturesque contours of the mountain as we cross many bridges and burrow through endless tunnels. The higher the train climbs, the more breathtaking the views.

At the summit, we have free time to explore the Alpine Botanical Garden and find a scenic spot to enjoy our picnic lunch. An explosion of color, this delightful garden has around 800 different species of alpine flora, including blueberries, local azaleas and roses. Look out for the legendary edelweiss flower, a beloved symbol of the Swiss Alps, as it blossoms in its natural habitat.

Returning down the mountain on the quaint railway, we continue by rail to Interlaken for dinner at our hotel this evening. Overnight Interlaken.

• Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

This morning, we head to Brienz, the starting point for a steam-hauled ascent of the Brienzer Rothorn Mountain above the glorious turquoise Lake Brienz.

The cog railway journey to the top of the mountain is magical, as we admire wonderful views of the Emmental Alps. Free time at the summit allows you to explore and bask in the panoramic views at your leisure, whether it's taking a stroll or visiting the summit restaurant for a bite to eat. Our afternoon ends with a wonderful scenic cruise back to Interlaken, sailing serenely across the crystal-clear lake on a traditional lake boat. With the Alps rising all around us and pretty villages dotting the green shores, our cruise is as beautiful as the ascent.

Back at our five-star hotel this evening, we enjoy a three-course dinner with drinks. Overnight Interlaken.

• Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner