Traditional Glacier Express

You arrive at Zürich Airport and transfer to the hotel independently by rail to begin your fantastic Swiss vacation. Traveling through Switzerland from Zürich, the country's largest city, the scenery quickly increases in beauty and altitude. From the gentle shoreline of Lake Zürich, the Swiss Alps surround the route as the landscape becomes more dramatic. As Switzerland's oldest town, Chur is full of history and our charming, family-run hotel is perfectly located to explore this pretty town surrounded by impressive peaks. On the route of the Glacier Express and the starting point for the Bernina Express, Chur is a great base from which to discover the delights of the Swiss Alps.

Tonight, we enjoy a three-course dinner at a local restaurant, before settling down to spend the first of three nights in Chur.

• Dinner

A relaxed breakfast leads into a free day today, and there are many excellent destinations to explore. Backed by mountains and with an Old Town boasting many colorful buildings, Chur is a great town to stroll around. There is also an array of interesting museums, from the Bündner contemporary art gallery and Cathedral Treasury Museum to the Rätisches Museum documenting the region's history.

With your complimentary Swiss Travel Card providing 50% discounts on rail, boat and most mountain railroad journeys, the scenic Arosa Line which climbs more than 3,000 feet in less than 17 miles to the beautiful lakeside town of Arosa is a favored choice. The stylish atmospheres of mountain resorts such as Davos and Klosters, a firm favorite of the Royal family, are easily reachable too.

Dining independently tonight, you could opt to sample one of Chur's many restaurants. Local specialties include hearty pizzoccheri and röstis.

• Breakfast

A journey on the Bernina Express is a highlight of any vacation to the Swiss Alps and we embark on a memorable trip after breakfast today.

Leaving Chur, this route twists and spirals its way south through the rugged landscape of the Engadine Valley as it has done for more than a century. With amazing scenery and eye-catching feats of engineering, the route has been a UNESCO World Heritage site since 2008. One of the manmade marvels we can admire is the curved Landwasser Viaduct, which we cross before twisting through spiral tunnels as the track climbs nearly 2,300 feet to Preda. Sat beside glacial Lago Bianco, Ospizio Bernina is the route's summit station at more than 7,300 feet above sea level. Shortly after leaving here, the train pauses to allow us to view the captivating Palü Glacier at Alp Grüm before winding its way down to the Italian-speaking town of Poschiavo.

There is free time to explore Poschiavo, its pastel-colored buildings and pretty squares before returning to Chur, where we dine at a local restaurant this evening.

• Breakfast, Dinner

After breakfast, we embark on one of Europe's most iconic train journeys - traveling aboard the incredible Glacier Express from Chur to Brig.

With an average speed of 24mph, the 'slowest express train' delves into the Rhine Gorge, where our panoramic carriages deliver great views of the 'Swiss Grand Canyon'. The breathtaking scenery continues to impress as we admire snow-dusted peaks and picture-perfect Swiss villages while ascending to Andermatt before entering the nine-mile-long Furka Base Tunnel and emerging near Brig, where we alight. From Brig, we travel the short distance to Kandersteg via a stunning route that climbs through beautiful peaks and meadows.

One of Switzerland's unspoilt gems, Kandersteg is an utterly charming village huddled in a lush valley surrounded by incredible mountain scenery. We check in to our historic hotel for a three-night stay where we can absorb the beautiful vistas and enjoy a three-course dinner together in the hotel restaurant this evening.

• Breakfast, Dinner

A 10-minute train journey along the dramatic Matter Valley takes us past rugged, snow-capped mountains enroute to beautiful Zermatt after breakfast this morning.

Only accessible by train or on foot, the tranquility of the town is immediate, yet Zermatt retains the buzz of a typical alpine resort. On arrival, we head to the traditional bakery, Bäckerei Fuchs, where we sit down to a tasting of the shop's specialities, from breads to chocolates, and enjoy a cup of coffee or hot chocolate.

Following our visit, you're free to explore this lovely car-free resort in the shadow of the emblematic Matterhorn before touring the town with an expert guide.

The Matterhorn is the Swiss national symbol and this iconic peak looms large over Zermatt. The Matterhorn Museum reveals more about this majestic mountain and how the area has become a must-visit for mountaineers, while those wishing to get closer could board the charming Gornergrat Mountain Railway for spectacular views of the Matterhorn. Zermatt has many inviting cafés and restaurants in which you could relax over a meal or drinks before returning to Täsch independently.

• Breakfast

Shimmering turquoise, blue or green depending on the time of day or weather, Oeschinen Lake is simply stunning. Backed by huge peaks, it can be easily reached from Kandersteg by cable car on a free day in this alpine wonderland. For breathtaking views of the Oeschinen Valley and its slate-grey peaks, hop into the cable car to the lush meadows of Allmenalp.

With the complimentary Swiss Travel Card, you can enjoy 50% discounts on train journeys from Kandersteg station. Within easy reach are Spiez and its fairytale castle sat on the shores of beautiful Lake Thun, or the Baroque Stockalper Palace in charming Brig. Alternatively, board the handy local post bus to the renewed mountain resort of Adelboden for free with the Kandersteg Visitors Card.

Kandersteg itself is a classic Swiss village dissected by the babbling Kander River, with charming chalets either side. In this perfectly positioned village, you won't be stuck for inspiration before returning to the hotel for our final dinner as a group.

• Breakfast, Dinner

Switzerland puts on another grand show for your journey home. After our final buffet breakfast in charming Kandersteg and saying farewell to your group, you can board the train to Zürich Airport independently, ready for your flight home.

On your way back across the Atlantic Ocean, you can start to reflect on this fantastic vacation. Chur and Kandersteg provided wonderful bases from which to explore the Swiss Alps, including amazing journeys on the Bernina Express and Glacier Express - two of the world's most famous trains. A trip to tranquil Zermatt gave us the opportunity to admire the magnificent Matterhorn peering overhead, while the warm hospitality of our family-run hotels ensured Switzerland delivered unforgettable experiences from beginning to end.

• Breakfast