Premium Switzerland by Rail: A Grand Tour

Your premium Swiss vacation begins as you land at Zürich Airport, making your own way by rail or taxi to our five-star hotel in the city center. With your personal First Class Swiss Pass, your train and bus journeys are included.

The remainder of the day is at leisure to relax or begin exploring independently. 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 in 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

Our first morning in Switzerland begins with a guided tour of Zürich after breakfast. We enjoy a walking tour of the city's remarkable Old Town, as an expert guide shares hidden details, historic anecdotes and insider insight revealing its rich past. We wander down the famous Bahnhofstrasse, one of the world's most exclusive shopping streets, enjoy views across the city from Lindenhof Park and admire the towering Romanesque Grossmünster church.

After free time for lunch, we make our way to the station to board a train to Lucerne, where you can explore at leisure before we embark on a highlight of the vacation.

Boarding the historic Gallia, Europe's fastest steamboat, we set out on a five-hour dinner cruise of the glacial Lake Lucerne. As we sail along the azure waters of this fjord-like lake, we enjoy a regional five-course meal accompanied by a selection of beverages, including champagne and wine. Be transported into the past by the on-board storyteller, bringing the life of Casimir Friederich Knörr, a pioneer of steam navigation, to life. After disembarking, we transfer to our five-star hotel in Lucerne. Overnight Lucerne.

• Breakfast, Dinner

This morning, we set out on an excursion to the stunning alpine peak of Mt. Pilatus, overlooking Lake Lucerne.

We catch a train to Alpnachstad, where we board the steepest cogwheel railway in Europe to marvel at breathtaking views from Mount Pilatus. Reaching a gradient of 48%, the half-hour ascent travels past alpine meadows and rocky outcrops to a land above the clouds. At the summit, nearly 7,000 feet above sea level, spectacular alpine scenes stretch out in every direction. Take a short walk to the Oberhaupt viewpoint for the best vantage, before we descend the peak via scenic cable car.

Your afternoon is free to explore Lucerne at leisure. Wander the cobbled streets and picturesque squares adorned with colorful medieval buildings in the Old Town. Visit the famous Kapellbrücke, Europe's oldest covered bridge and one of Switzerland's most beloved landmarks, and stroll along the 14th-century Musegg Wall, the well-preserved defensive walls. Dining independently this evening, you could try some Swiss specialties, such as fondue, Rösti or freshwater fish from the lake. Overnight Lucerne.

• Breakfast

Leaving Lucerne after breakfast, we transfer by deluxe motorcoach to Switzerland's oldest town, Chur.

Backed by mountains and with an Old Town boasting many colorful buildings, Chur is both a fascinating historic destination and a gateway to the central alps. The focal point of the Old Town is Martinsplatz, dominated by the tower of St. Martin's Church. There is also an array of museums, from the Bündner Art Museum and Cathedral Treasury Museum to the Rätisches Museum, which documents the region's history. Chur is renowned for traditional cuisine; try dishes like raclette or capuns for a Swiss-style lunch.

This afternoon, we board a First Class train to the stylish resort town of St. Moritz, our base for the next two nights. As we travel further into the Swiss Alps, the route reveals breathtaking views, passing alpine meadows, sparkling lakes and endless mountain peaks. Arriving in St. Moritz in the idyllic Engadin Valley, we check into our five-star hotel. There is some time to settle in or explore the local area before we sit down to dinner at the hotel. Overnight St. Moritz.

• Breakfast, Dinner

Our first journey onboard one of Switzerland's famous panoramic trains awaits with a trip on the Bernina Express.

Regarded as the rail experts' best-kept secret, the Bernina Express crosses the Alps into Italy on a UNESCO-listed route. From our First Class panoramic train cars, the 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 admire jaw-dropping views of the Palü Glacier. The stunning route then twists down the mountains, spiraling round the corkscrew viaduct at Brusio to Italy.

Arriving in Tirano, free time allows you to explore the narrow, cobbled streets and character-filled piazzas of this charming Italian valley town or enjoy local delicacies in one of the town's trattorias. Returning to St. Moritz by rail, you are free to dine independently this evening. Overnight St. Moritz.

• Breakfast

Today brings another highlight, as we embark on a full-day journey on the Glacier Express in luxurious Excellence class.

The entire train car is chartered for our travel group for an exclusive experience, with a dedicated concierge providing five-star service. Relax in reclining window seats as you admire the scenery through the panoramic windows. Indulge in a five-course lunch featuring fresh local ingredients, complete with wine pairings for each course, and enjoy the private Glacier Bar.

Your journey begins with a climb up to the winter ski resort of Andermatt and continues up into the snow-capped mountains. The train reaches the route's highest point before descending along the beautiful Rhône Valley at a slow and steady pace. Known as "the Slowest Express Train in the World", the Glacier Express carries us through classic Swiss scenes of meadows and turquoise river gorges, before arriving in the car-free resort of Zermatt in the early evening. After checking in to our central hotel, your evening is free to dine locally. Overnight Zermatt.

• Breakfast, Lunch

Waking up in Zermatt, we have breakfast before setting out on a walking tour of the village. Amongst the low-pitched roofs of timbered chalets, an expert guide reveals the history of Zermatt with local color.

After time to lunch independently in Zermatt, we set off on a heritage train ride in the afternoon. More than 125 years old, the charming Gornergrat Mountain Railway is Switzerland's original electric rack railway 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 10,000 feet above sea level. The views from the top are jaw-dropping, with up to 29 mountaintops visible on a clear day. We have time to soak up these vistas, including the best view of the Matterhorn's pyramidal peak. This famous mountain is an iconic symbol of Switzerland, and its shape inspired the design of Toblerone.

Returning to Zermatt, you are at leisure to enjoy the evening at your own pace. Overnight Zermatt.

• Breakfast

We leave Zermatt this morning and head to the station to board a train to Visp, traveling through the dramatic Mattertal Valley. In Visp, we change trains to Spiez, then continue on a short ride along the shores of glacial Lake Thun.

Our destination is Interlaken, an idyllic town picturesquely located between two turquoise lakes - Thun and Brienz - and surrounded by impressive alpine peaks. You have time here to explore and find lunch - for spectacular views, take the funicular to Harder Kulm, a viewpoint overlooking the lakes and the Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau mountains.

In the afternoon, we board a deluxe motorcoach to Grindelwald, one of the oldest and most scenic alpine resorts in Switzerland. Our journey takes us through the breathtaking Lauterbrunnen Valley, meaning "loud springs" due to the 72 waterfalls located here. The deepest valley in the Alps, Lauterbrunnen epitomizes the region - sheer rock face borders the valley, waterfalls thunder from staggering heights, and idyllic meadows dotted with chalet-style houses stretch out before us. Arriving in Grindelwald, we check into our family-run hotel in time for dinner. Overnight Grindelwald.

• Breakfast, Dinner

An unforgettable journey to Europe's highest train station awaits after breakfast. From Grindelwald, we board the Eiger Express, a high-speed cable car that rises 4,544 feet in 15 minutes to the Eiger Glacier station. With a knowledgeable guide, we join the cogwheel Jungfrau Railway for a spectacular journey to Jungfraujoch, known as the "Top of Europe." Our route takes us through a tunnel dug into the rocks of the Eiger mountain before arriving at a wintry world of snow, whatever the season.

On arrival, we enjoy the panoramic vistas over the Alps and the ancient Aletsch Glacier stretching to the horizon. We then head down to the spectacular Ice Palace, a network of transparent ice tunnels carved into the glacier, featuring beautiful ice sculptures. After, we enjoy exclusive access to the Ice Bar, sampling an aperitif at a unique bar made entirely from ice. For lunch, we visit a restaurant at the summit to enjoy a meal with an unbeatable backdrop.

Returning to Grindelwald, your afternoon is free to explore the charming streets and dine independently. Overnight Grindelwald.

• Breakfast, Lunch

A fantastic journey lies ahead as we board the GoldenPass Express, a hidden gem of Switzerland's panoramic trains.

Unwind in heated leather seats for ultimate comfort on a private chartered train car in Prestige class. The seats are raised higher in this car and can be rotated to offer an even more immersive experience. Indulge in a platter of local meats and cheeses with a drink while admiring the Bernese Oberland and the Pays-d'Enhaut Highlands, passing Lake Geneva as we wind downhill to French-speaking Montreux.

On arrival in Montreux, we transfer to Lausanne by deluxe motorcoach, stopping along the way at Lavaux Vinorama. The UNESCO-listed Lavaux Vineyards, first cultivated by monks in the 11th century, serves as both a museum and a tasting center. Enjoy panoramic views of Lake Geneva while learning the history of winemaking in Switzerland on a guided tour, before a wine tasting with local snacks. Only a very small amount of Swiss wine is exported, making this an especially memorable experience. Arriving in Lausanne, we check into our hotel in time for dinner. Overnight Lausanne.

• Breakfast, Dinner

On this premium Swiss vacation, we have experienced exclusive journeys on three panoramic trains, including Excellence class on the Glacier Express. A luxurious dinner cruise across Lake Lucerne introduced us to the heritage and beauty of central Switzerland, and we soaked up iconic Matterhorn views from the Gornergrat Mountain Railway. We savored unique experiences at the glacial Ice Bar at Jungfraujoch and the scenic vineyards of Lavaux, where we sampled rare wines, rounding out this unforgettable vacation.

Your grand tour concludes after breakfast this morning, as you travel home independently. Geneva Airport and Zürich Airport can be reached by direct rail using your included Swiss Pass.

• Breakfast