The GoldenPass Express in Winter

 Your wintertime vacation begins today as you arrive in Switzerland at Geneva's airport. Board the train for a scenic hour-long journey to lakeside Montreux, our base for the next three nights.

Our hotel in Montreux is situated along the lakeside promenade, just a short walk from the station. In addition to putting us in a fantastic position for explorations, the hotel boasts uninterrupted views across Lake Geneva to the atmospheric French Alps sporting their winter white. The season casts a new light on the Swiss Riviera, adding an extra cozy feel to Montreux. Enjoy some free time to get acquainted with your new surroundings before returning to our hotel this evening to meet the Tour Manager and travel group. This evening, we have our first dinner as a group in the hotel's restaurant. Overnight Montreux.

• Dinner

 Enjoy breakfast with views of Lake Geneva before we hop on a trolleybus outside our hotel to travel along the lake shore to Villeneuve. Here, a guide takes us on a tour of Château de Chillon, a romantic castle that appears as if it is floating on the lake. Formerly occupied by the influential House of Savoy, this medieval castle has attracted tourists since the early 1800s, including Lord Byron and Mary Shelley.   

Afterward, there is free time to explore Montreux. A walk along its promenade is lovely at any time of year, but stunning views across the water to snow-capped alpine peaks punctuate the appealing serenity of winter. As you walk, look upon the promenade's many statues, including those of composers Richard Strauss and Igor Stravinsky close to our hotel and a statue of Queen frontman Freddie Mercury, who bought a retreat here in 1978, in the center.   

For dinner this evening, you could opt to warm up with a traditional Swiss fondue at a local restaurant. Overnight Montreux.

• Breakfast

 A highlight of the trip awaits today as we travel by train across the snow-clad Alps to France. From Martigny, we join the Mont Blanc Express, which clings to dramatic mountainsides above spectacular gorges. The Mont Blanc drifts into view as we cross into France and approach Chamonix. 

  With a few hours of free time to explore the "mountaineering capital of the world," there are many options at your disposal. As one of France's premier snow sports resorts, Chamonix comes alive in winter. Perhaps combine a walk around its atmospheric town center with a delicious French lunch at a local restaurant. To explore further, you could head up to the Mer de Glace (Sea of Ice) Glacier on the Montenvers-Mer de Glace cogwheel railway, which carries passengers up nearly 3,000 feet in 20 minutes. It's an incredible journey through dense pine forests and high up the mountainside to an otherworldly landscape of piercing, snowy peaks.   

In the late afternoon, we leave Chamonix, returning to Montreux in time for dinner at our hotel. Overnight Montreux.

• Breakfast, Dinner

 A fantastic journey lies ahead as we board the royal blue and gold panoramic cars of the innovative, non-stop GoldenPass Express for an incredible wintry journey across the Swiss Highlands. 

  This magnificent rail journey is currently a hidden gem compared to Switzerland's other famous trains, but it won't be for long due to the amazing scenery. Leaving Montreux, the train winds uphill with Lake Geneva in the background. The untamed, icy pine forests and rolling mountains of the Pays-d'Enhaut highlands are dotted with chalets heavy with snow. We can admire these views while enjoying a light lunch of local produce and wine. The halfway point of this three-hour journey is Gstaad - the upscale mountain resort favored by Grace Kelly, Elizabeth Taylor and Roger Moore. 

  In the final stretch, the GoldenPass Express emerges beside Lake Thun at Spiez before we arrive at Interlaken and check into our hotel. There is a free afternoon in this compact town before we gather back at our centrally located hotel for dinner. Overnight Interlaken.

• Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

 This morning, an unforgettable experience greets us as we embark on an incredible journey up the Jungfrau. We take the train to the village of Grindelwald, where we hop on the Eiger Express gondola to Eigergletscher station. The modern gondola with panoramic windows affords incredible views of the snowfields below as we pass close to the north face of the Eiger. We then board the Jungfrau Express to Jungfraujoch, Europe's highest train station at the "Top of Europe." 

  The vistas are impressive year-round, but the deep snow and endless Aletsch Glacier in winter are on another level. We have free time to explore this natural spectacle or have a relaxed lunch at one of the many restaurants.   

We descend via the Jungfrau Express, traveling through the Mönch and Eiger Mountains before the cogwheel train twists down to Kleine Scheidegg. From here, we step onto the train to the valley town of Lauterbrunnen and back to Interlaken, arriving in time for a three-course dinner at our hotel. Overnight Interlaken.

• Breakfast, Dinner

 Today is a free day to explore as you wish. After breakfast, you may wish to spend some time marveling at the seasonal views from the roof terrace at our hotel.   

With an envious location, Interlaken has many excellent destinations within reach. Using your Swiss Travel Card for 50% discounts on train and mountain railway fares, you could head south to the beautiful mountain resorts of Wengen and Mürren among wintry scenes. You may also like to travel by rail to the "City of Lights," Lucerne, via the Brünig Pass. Here, you can find an Old Town with frescoed buildings and other historic sights, including the 14th-century Kapellbrücke, Europe's oldest covered wooden bridge.   

Alternatively, explore turquoise Lake Brienz by catching the train along its northern shore to Brienz, where you can marvel at the picture-perfect Brunngasse - a winding street of old wooden chalets. Exploring Interlaken further is also a good option, viewing the historic buildings around the cobbled main square or delving into its cuisine in a local restaurant. Overnight Interlaken.

• Breakfast

 After breakfast, we travel by train to Thun, a typical Swiss town dominated by its picturesque 12th-century castle. There is time to explore its medieval center and covered wooden bridges, made all the more beautiful under a layer of snow.   

Our journey back to Interlaken is onboard a vintage lake boat that cruises the length of Lake Thun. This scenic excursion provides a memorable perspective as the boat glides across the glacial waters. Serene villages frame the shore, and the route is surrounded by alpine peaks frosted with snow and impressive slopes fading into the lake. One of the highlights of any cruise on Lake Thun is gently sailing past the fairytale castles perched upon its shores.   

Our boat moors in Interlaken, and it is only a short distance back to our hotel. Enjoy some free time to continue soaking up the wintertime ambiance before joining the group for a three-course dinner this evening. Overnight Interlaken.

• Breakfast, Dinner

The incredible sights of Switzerland, from the serene grandeur of Montreux at this time of year to the splendor of the GoldenPass Express and the snow-globe scenes from the "Top of Europe" at the Jungfraujoch, have set the stage for a stunning winter getaway.   

After a final breakfast overlooking the magical scenery, take a short walk to Interlaken's station for the first leg of your journey home. Board the trainfor a direct route to Zürich's airport and enjoy another glimpse of Switzerland's frosted landscapes as your vacation comes to a close. On arrival, you are free to continue your onward journey home.

• Breakfast