Wengen & the Jungfrau Express

We meet in St Pancras International at our dedicated departure office before boarding the Eurostar in Standard Premier to Paris. Here we transfer to the high-speed TGV service to Basel. In Switzerland, we travel onwards to Wengen by Standard Class rail. Arriving in the car-free town in the evening, our hotel is just a few steps from the station and shares those incredible vistas across the valley towards the Schilthorn. Our 4-Star hotel has a spa and wellness facility, a bar and a restaurant - where we enjoy our first dinner as a group on arrival.

• Dinner

Today is free to spend at leisure, exploring the Bernese Oberland using your included Swiss Travel Card for 50% fares. Perhaps journey up to the Schynige Platte and travel in restored 19th century carriages, hauled by a vintage electric locomotive, as you ride on this classic cog railroad. Be prepared for more awe inspiring views of the towering mountain ranges as well as the lakes of Thun and Brienz, visible to the north. Why not visit the Alpine Botanical gardens up here, home to around 500 plant species, or relax and drink in the views from the café terrace? Alternatively, you could take a ride on the Brienz-Rothorn railroad, one of the steepest in Switzerland and powered almost entirely by steam engines. This rack-and-pinion line traverses a number of bridges, crossing the steep, stony mountain trails and offering glittering views of Lake Brienz as you climb to the terminus at the summit of Rothorn.

• Breakfast

Our excursion today takes us on this innovative cableway, originally built in 1954 to connect Wengen resort with the mountains for the safety of skiers and walkers. Within five minutes, the difference in altitude reaches 2,970m, and we are in Männlichen for more sensational views that can be enjoyed from the café here. After some time to look around, we continue our journey to Grindelwald on Europe's longest gondola cableway.

This pretty Alpine village is nestled at the foot of the imposing north face of the Eiger, and as a popular tourist destination, there is plenty to enjoy. Surrounded by lush meadows and grazing cattle, there are many popular walking paths in the area or you may just like to explore the town, visit some of its souvenir shops and relax in one of the numerous cafés or bars. We later return to Wengen by train where we enjoy dinner tonight at the hotel. 

• Breakfast, Dinner

Today is unquestionably the highlight of our visit to the Bernese Oberland region as we travel on the Jungfrau Railroad to the Jungfraujoch - the highest railroad station in Europe. The famous narrow-gauge line was completed in 1912 and is now celebrated as a major feat of engineering. As we climb from Kleine Scheidegg, the distinctive string of red and yellow carriages disappear into the tunnel through the Eiger. During the journey the train pauses at two separate observation stops; windows hewn out of solid Alpine rock between the tunnel and the infamous north face of the Eiger, with spectacular views down to the valley below.

Finally, the train arrives at Jungfraujoch, the 'Top of Europe', located at 3454m above sea level. With free time at the summit station, you will have plenty of time to explore the Ice Palace and its incredible ice sculptures. You can also spend time on the Sphinx Terrace, enjoying superb views onto the Aletsch Glacier, at 22 km the longest ice stream in the Alps. After time to explore and to enjoy lunch, we descend back down to Wengen passing picturesque villages and idyllic farming cabins. 

• Breakfast, Dinner

Today we continue our journey into the dramatic Swiss landscape with an excursion by cable car to the summit of the Schilthorn. We travel firstly by train to Lauterbrunnen, changing for our onwards service to delightful Mürren, before joining the cable car for our ascent to the summit, 2970m above sea level. The views are truly unparalleled and on a clear day we are able to admire a magnificent vista. You have some free time here to appreciate our stunning surroundings. Why not visit the fantastic revolving restaurant and enjoy a 360 degree panorama of the Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau mountains as you sample a delicious, traditional Swiss menu and maybe a martini, shaken not stirred? The restaurant is named Piz Gloria in honour of the James Bond film, 'On Her Majesty's Secret Service' that was filmed here, and there are many 007 references to spot in the building and out on the mountain. On our descent, there is the opportunity to stop at Stechlberg to visit the mighty Trümmelbach Falls. Nestled deep into the canyon, the falls have carved a path for themselves through the hillside making this a waterfall with a difference. Trümmelbach boasts Europe's largest subterranean waterfalls, and the only glacial waterfalls accessible underground by lift, galleries, tunnels, paths and platforms. A monument to nature itself and its thunderous power, these waterfalls resemble a scene from an adventure film, and the roaring sound of white water crashing against ancient rock is not soon to be forgotten.

• Breakfast

Today is free for you to spend as you wish. You may opt to relax at the hotel or wander round gorgeous Wengen. With the Swiss Travel Card providing a 50% discount on travel, you could explore further afield.

The pretty village of Lauterbrunnen with its charming timbered chalets not only gives its name to the valley but also contains the Staubbach Falls. Falling nearly 1000 feet down the steep cliff face, this impressive waterfall can be seen from the village, although you can walk up to the base or behind the falls too. From the town of Wilderswil at the base of the valley you could board the cogwheel railway up to the Schynige Platte Alpine Botanical Garden to stroll through beautiful wildflower pastures with views over the region's mountains.

For a serene day, you could take to the water from nearby Interlaken on a cruise across Lake Thun to the 10th-century fairytale Spiez Castle, or the emerald waters of Lake Brienz to the town of the same name. With blooming flowers spilling from picturesque chalets, Brunngasse is regularly considered one of Switzerland's most photogenic streets. You could also embark on a charming journey to the summit of the Rothorn on the steam-hauled Brienz-Rothorn Mountain Railway for exquisite views across Lake Brienz and the Jungfrau region.

Returning to Wengen in the evening, we gather for our final dinner together - a three-course meal at our hotel.

• Breakfast, Dinner

After breakfast, we begin our journey home. Departing Wengen, we travel by rail via Interlaken, Basel and Paris, where we connect with the Eurostar service back to London. Here our tour concludes.

• Breakfast
• Eurostar Meal