First Class Glacier Express, Zermatt & Matterhorn

Your vacation begins as you land at Zurich Airport before making your way independently by rail to St. Moritz.

Leaving Zurich Airport, we join a captivating route that takes us past gleaming lakes towards increasingly dramatic mountains and the historic town of Chur. The last leg of this scintillating journey into the heart of the Swiss Alps sees us snake across deep ravines and scenic viaducts, past snow-capped peaks and rushing waterfalls before arriving in chic St Moritz. We check in to our central hotel which boasts uninterrupted views of the lake before we meet our Tour Manager and fellow travelers to enjoy a three-course dinner in the on-site restaurant tonight.

• Dinner

Regarded as the rail experts' best-kept secret, crossing the Alps into Italy on the UNESCO-listed Bernina Express is an incredible experience. We embark on this sensational journey after breakfast. From our First Class panoramic carriages, the exceptional alpine scenery continuously impresses as we wind ever higher.

Reaching the summit at more than 7,300 feet above sea level, we pass the turquoise waters of Lago Bianco before enjoying a truly memorable moment. Stepping off the train at Alp Grüm, we savor a chilled glass of prosecco on the station platform amid jaw-dropping views of the ethereal Palü Glacier. The stunning route then twists down the mountains, spiraling round the remarkable corkscrew viaduct at Brusio.

Free time in Tirano allows you to explore the narrow, cobbled streets and characterful piazzas of this charming Italian valley town or enjoy local delicacies in one of the town's delightful trattorias. We return to Switzerland on the local train, which provides an opportunity to roll down a window for spectacular photos. Arriving back in St Moritz, we enjoy a three-course dinner at our hotel this evening.

• Breakfast, Dinner

Nestled amidst the mountains and lakes of the Engadine Valley, a free day in the glamorous resort of St Moritz lends itself to an abundance of possibilities.

Right outside our central hotel, the Via Serlas is one of the world's most famous shopping streets and brims with upmarket fashion boutiques. The St Moritz resort card provides free travel on the cable cars and funiculars surrounding the town so you can be ferried up to the snow-capped peaks in minutes. For a more relaxing day, St Moritz's serene lake can be enjoyed on a gentle stroll or from our hotel's glorious terrace along with uninterrupted mountain views. Alternatively, you could use your complimentary Swiss Travel Card for 50% discount on trains and explore further afield. The fashionable resorts of Davos or Klosters have been popular with British royals, and these stylish towns can be reached by scenic rail in under two hours.

You dine independently this evening and, while St Moritz boasts a wide array of cuisines, you could sample authentic local food such as fondue, raclette or hearty pizzoccheri pasta.

• Breakfast

Today we take the famous Glacier Express to Zermatt, enjoying incredible views from the panoramic windows of our first-class rail car. Leaving St Moritz, we cross the famous Landwasser Viaduct and work our way along the upper Rhine Valley. Lunch is served during the journey as the train climbs over the Oberalp Pass, the peak of the route, before crossing the spectacular gorge at Brig. From here, we wind our way to Zermatt, a tranquil mountain town nestled below the Matterhorn Mountain. Overnight Zermatt.

• Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Waking up in beautiful Zermatt, we savor breakfast before setting off on a delightful heritage train ride. More than 125 years old, the charming Gornergrat Mountain Railway is Switzerland's original electric rack railroad and first carried travelers the six miles up the mountain in August 1898. We trace their journey, climbing over picturesque valleys and through lush alpine forests, to an altitude of more than 10,000ft above sea level.

The spectacular views from the top are utterly jaw-dropping, and on a clear day an astonishing 29 mountaintops are visible. We have time to soak up these spellbinding vistas, including the best view of the majestic Matterhorn's pyramidal peak. This famous mountain is an iconic symbol of Switzerland, and its striking shape also provided the inspiration for the design of Toblerone.

Back amongst the low-pitched roofs of Zermatt's timbered chalets, an expert guide reveals that this charming alpine resort has several surprising connections to the UK, including the intriguing story of English mountaineer Edward Whymper. We dine independently tonight, and you could opt for one of Zermatt's many cozy restaurants.

• Breakfast

The imposing Matterhorn dominates the skyline around Zermatt, and, after breakfast, we travel by gondola to the highest cable car station in Europe for a magical experience. At a height of more than 12,700 feet, the alpine wonderland of the Matterhorn Glacier Paradise provides monumental views of the famous peak, covered in snow all year round. The experience is further enhanced as a lift lowers us nearly 50 feet inside the glacier to the enchanting ice palace - the highest of its kind in the world - where we are greeted by remarkable sculptures crafted from the perpetual ice that surrounds us, adding a decorative touch to a surreal landscape.

A leisurely afternoon provides the opportunity to explore the plateau and enjoy Matterhorn views from Schwarzsee or relax in our hotel's outdoor jacuzzi or on the terrace. Strolling along the charming streets of Zermatt, you could wander between the historic wooden chalets of Hinterdorfstrasse. With geranium-filled balconies and buildings dating from the 1700s, this cobbled street showcases traditional alpine architecture. This evening, we gather back at our hotel for a three-course dinner.

• Breakfast, Dinner

Our tour ends today as we leave beautiful Zermatt after breakfast, traveling to Zurich Airport by First Class rail. First, we wind down the gorgeous Matter Valley to Visp, admiring the stunning scenery on the way. Our journey continues to Zurich, passing the glistening waters of Lake Thun and the quaint lakeside town of Spiez with its 10th-century castle.

On the way, you can begin to reflect on this magical trip to Switzerland and recall the wonders of mountain railroads, glacial plateaus, serene lakes and charming Swiss towns that welcomed us so warmly. From our bases in the revered resorts of St Moritz and Zermatt, we have enjoyed journeys on the iconic Bernina Express and Glacier Express, basking in incredible scenery throughout. At Alp Grüm, we admired the enchanting Palü Glacier while savoring a glass of prosecco, and we marveled at the Matterhorn from the Gornergrat Mountain Railway and entered the magical ice palace.

• Breakfast