Mountaintops of Switzerland

We meet our fellow travelling companions and Tour Manager at London St Pancras ready to begin a memorable Swiss vacation. Boarding the Eurostar in Standard Premier Class, we enjoy a light meal at our seats on the way to Paris. In the French capital we take the direct train to Basel - the quickest route from the UK to Switzerland.

This sleek journey in First Class transports us through Jura and Alsace before arriving in the Rhine-side city of Basel. Our hotel near the station is popular with our passengers and there is some time to explore this typically Swiss city. Downtown Basel combines picturesque history and the modern amenities of a lively and important city. Its redbrick, twin-spired Gothic cathedral is believed to have 9th-century origins and sits in a charming square next to beautifully characterful buildings.

This evening, we gather at our hotel and enjoy our first dinner together as a group.

Please Note - For departure May 6th we will travel out via Mulhouse staying at the Mercure Mulhouse.

• Eurostar Meal, Dinner

Waking in Switzerland this morning, we take a short walk to the train station after breakfast for our journey to Interlaken. From here, we board a boat to cruise across Lake Brienz. Sailing through the heart of scenic Switzerland, the brilliant turquoise tones of the glacial waters contrast with the green mountain slopes. During the cruise, we can spot picture-book towns and idyllic villages dotting the shores of the lake.

As we disembark, the Giessbach funicular is ready to transport us to our hillside hotel, the stunning Grandhotel Giessbach. On arrival, we enjoy a welcome drink and can begin to discover the history and charm of this perfectly located Belle Époque hotel. From its secluded setting, the hotel enjoys views across the sparkling lake and onto the cascading Giessbach waterfall nearby. We have time to explore our new surroundings before enjoying a three-course dinner together at the hotel in the evening.

• Breakfast, Dinner

After breakfast, we set sail from our idyllic hotel to the town that gives Lake Brienz its name. Here, we board the charming steam-hauled Brienz-Rothorn Mountain Railway*. This rack-and-pinion line traverses steep mountain trails and verdant alpine meadows - all while providing beautiful views of glistening Lake Brienz below. A real heritage rail experience, the delightful small steam engine chugs its way up this dramatic route to its destination at an altitude of more than 7,000ft. On a clear day, the scenery is spectacular as we are only a few miles from the lakeshore as the crow flies. Viewing Lake Brienz from a different perspective really brings out the remarkable color and you may be able to make out Grandhotel Giessbach.

Returning to Brienz, there is time to explore this pretty Swiss town with its traditional wooden chalets, most notably the quaint geranium-decorated buildings on cobbled Brunngasse. Relax or explore further before reuniting for a three-course dinner in the restaurant with views across Lake Brienz.

Please note: On the 22nd April and 6th May departures, we will enjoy an excursion to Harder Kulm  with tea, coffee and cake at the summit.

Please note: On the 13th May departure, the Brienz-Rothorn Mountain Railway will only travel as far as Planalp

• Breakfast, Dinner

Today is a highlight of our Swiss vacation. Taking the train to Brig, we board the incredible Glacier Express to St Moritz. The 'slowest express train in the world' traverses incredible mountain passes, with views of picturesque villages and valleys, before it delves into the Rhine Gorge. Our panoramic First-Class cars provide a front-row seat to the 'Swiss Grand Canyon' as the emerald river winds its way past limestone cliffs. Enjoying a two-course lunch at our seats, the breathtaking scenery is constant. After Thusis, we join the UNESCO-listed Albula Line as it clings to mountain edges, zigzagging and spiraling its way round mountains and over bridges, including the curved Landwasser Viaduct, before arriving in the chic mountain resort of St Moritz.

Our hotel is in the center of this stylish town and the terrace offers great views of the serene lake. With glamorous St Moritz on the doorstep, you may wish to explore shopping streets such as Via Serlas, where world-famous fashion brands have boutiques, or dine independently in an appealing restaurant this evening.

• Breakfast, Lunch

Dubbed the rail experts' best-kept secret, crossing the Alps into Italy on the UNESCO-listed Bernina Express is an incredible experience. From our First-Class panoramic cars, the exceptional alpine scenery continuously impresses as we wind our way up to Ospizio Bernina. 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 admire jaw-dropping views of the Palü Glacier, this stunning route then winds down the mountains, spiraling round the remarkable corkscrew viaduct at Brusio before arriving in the charming Italian valley town of Tirano.

Crossing the Adda river and entering the Old Town through the Porta Poschiavina, we are greeted by a pretty scene of rustic cobbled streets and stout palazzos. With free time to explore, you could wander the narrow, cobbled streets, uncovering the Collegiate Church of St Martin or the preserved 16th-century Sanctuary of the Blessed Virgin of Tirano.

We return to St Moritz by local rail in the afternoon before enjoying a three-course dinner at our hotel.

• Breakfast, Dinner

This morning, we leave St Moritz for Chur in First Class seats, continuing to Lucerne. The fourth most populus city in Switzerland, Lucerne is draped across an inlet of the expansive Lake Lucerne.

We have time to wander independently round the picturesque Old Town. One of the most striking landmarks is the 14th-century Kapellbrücke, which is the oldest wooden bridge in Europe and was constructed to help protect the city from attacks.

Our hotel for the next two nights, Pilatus Kulm, is reached by way of the steepest cogwheel railroad in Europe. Reaching a gradient of 48%, the half-hour ascent takes us past alpine meadows and rocky outcrops to a land above the clouds. With such a jaw-dropping location nestled between two peaks, Pilatus Kulm provides stunning views across soaring mountains. Due to its position, there are unforgettable sunrises and sunsets - weather permitting - and we arrive in good time for the latter, before enjoying a three-course dinner in the glorious restaurant. Afterwards, perhaps step outside to view the magnificent display of stars twinkling in the night sky.

• Breakfast, Dinner

If you wake in time, you could witness a sensational sunrise that gradually 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 Pilatusbahn, you could 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 of cobbled streets, ornate churches to frescoed historic houses.

Alternatively, you may want to explore further afield. With your Swiss Travel Card, you receive a 50% discount on rail, boat and most mountain railroads, so you could hop on a boat for a cruise across Lake Lucerne to Vitznau. The Rigi Mountain Railway, Europe's first mountain railroad, has been departing from here since 1871 and offers beautiful views across to Mount Pilatus.

Returning to the hotel via the Pilatusbahn, there is another opportunity to delight in the sunset as we indulge in a three-course dinner.

• Breakfast, Dinner

After breakfast, we descend the mountain by funicular, ready to catch a late-morning train from Lucerne in First Class. We arrive at our destination in the afternoon, and there is a chance to explore Strasbourg after we check in to our four-star hotel. With an interesting blend of German and French culture, Strasbourg's architecture ranges from Gothic to modern and there is a sparkling verve to the atmosphere.

Located on an island, the historic Old Town is dominated by the spectacular 13th-century Notre Dame Cathedral, while Place Kléber is the city's main square, lined on one side by the imposing l'Aubette. This 18th-century building was redecorated in the 1920s by three avant-garde artists and has since been known as the 'Sistine Chapel of abstract art'.

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 but today draws in tourists with its colorful half-timbered buildings gathering round narrow lanes, and bridges crisscrossing peaceful canals.

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

Please Note -  For departures May 6th, May 13th and Sep 9th we will travel inbound via Strasbourg staying at the Leonor.

For departures May 15th we will travel back via Mulhouse staying at the Du Parc Mulhouse.

• Breakfast, Dinner

We leave Strasbourg after breakfast on a morning train bound for Paris. In First Class seats, we pass the vineyards of the Champagne region before arriving in the French capital. Changing to Standard Premier Class on the Eurostar, we enjoy a light meal as we travel back to the UK.

Enroute, we can begin to recall the spectacular mountainous scenery that accompanied our fantastic Swiss vacation and the incredible hotels that welcomed us with their warm hospitality. Sailing across the turquoise Lake Brienz to the Grandhotel Giessbach, we admired stunning vistas from our idyllic vantage point before enjoying a trip on the charming Brienz-Rothorn Mountain Railway, and exquisite First-Class journeys on the iconic Bernina Express and Glacier Express from stylish St Moritz. Switzerland is an astonishing country of breathtaking views and the jaw-dropping panoramas we witnessed from the remarkable Pilatus Kulm will live long in the memory.

• Breakfast, Eurostar Meal