Glacier Express & St Moritz 2012 

We depart St Pancras International by Eurostar for Brussels, travelling in Standard Premier Class where we enjoy a complimentary light meal and drinks. On arrival, we change trains and continue our journey by high-speed train in First Class to Cologne, where we overnight at either the Grand City Hotel Cologne Centre or Four Points Hotel. (E,D)

From Cologne, we travel by EuroCity train from Germany to Switzerland. Our journey takes us along the scenic Rhine Gorge past lush vineyards and fairytale castles to Basel then Zürich, before we start the scenic ascent through the Alps to St Moritz, set in the heart of Graubünden. On arrival in St Moritz we transfer to the Hotel Monopol for a three-night stay. (B,D)

From St Moritz we join the historic narrow-gauge Bernina Express, a railway journey on the superb Bernina Line that passes mighty glaciers, rushing mountain streams and flower-filled alpine meadows. The railway line is over 100 years old and has been rewarded with UNESCO World Heritage Status - as a testament to the incredible civil engineering that was required to create the line, as well as for the breathtaking scenery through which it travels. We travel through countless tunnels and across almost 200 bridges, including the instantly recognisable Landwasser Viaduct, an architectural treasure. The track clings to the mountainside as we wind our way above deep ravines and past rushing waterfalls. Looping and spiralling through the rugged landscape of the Engadine Valley, our ascent takes us through the Albula Tunnel and over the Bernina Pass to an altitude of more the 7,000 feet. Enjoy the breathtaking views of the snow-capped peaks as we travel to Tirano in Italy. You have some free time in Tirano, perhaps to visit the beautiful Basilica della Madonna, before we return to St Moritz. (B,D)

Today you are at leisure to explore St Moritz by cable car, free of charge using your St Moritz Travel Card. You may wish to ascend the Diavolezza at 9,970 feet (3,039m), which boasts stunning views over the surrounding peaks. Alternatively explore the surrounding mountains further afield by cable car or mountain railway with 50% fares using your Swiss Travel Card. (B)

Today we take the famous Glacier Express narrow-gauge train along the iconic route from St Moritz to Zermatt. Our journey descends, emerging from a rock tunnel to cross the spectacular Landwasser viaduct and eventually entering the upper Rhine Valley. We travel through pastures and woodland before climbing once more into the mountains. A two-course lunch is served at our seats during the journey, followed by tea and coffee - the perfect accompaniment to our time on board 'the slowest express train in the world', whilst you watch stunning scenery pass slowly by. Once we've ascended to the highest point of the journey - the Oberalp Pass, at 6,670 feet (2,033m) - we snake and spiral towards Andermatt and the head of the Rhône Valley. The final part of our journey takes us from Brig through a spectacular gorge and, as we near our ultimate destination, we should have our first views of the dramatic Matterhorn towering above the pretty town of Zermatt. Our base here for the next four nights is the Hotel Beau-Site. (B,L,D)

Today we ascend the Gornergrat Mountain Railway, the highest open-air cogwheel railway in Europe which climbs to the summit of the Gornergrat at 10,134 feet (3,089m) and offers spectacular views across the valley to the Matterhorn. The journey to the summit takes 24 minutes and travels through tunnels and galleries, over bridges and through lush forests and rolling alpine meadows. On a clear day at the top you can see 29 snow-capped peaks of more than 4,000m. After some time at the top to enjoy the scenery and views over the Gornergletscher, the largest glacier in the Alps, we descend and enjoy a guided tour of beautiful Zermatt. The pretty town is a car-free zone, with timbered buildings and an English church dating back to 1870, and is known as a popular ski resort. You may then wish to visit the Alpine Museum, a moving tribute to the epic early attempts to scale the Matterhorn. (B,D)

Today we travel by train to Domodossola in Italy, where we take a coach to Stresa, on the shore of Lake Maggiore. On arriving in Stresa, we take a short cruise across Lake Maggiore to the charming island of Isola Pescatore, a wonderfully atmospheric rustic fishing village boasting some fantastic restaurants and shops. The island measures just 350 meters in length and is 100 metres wide, and only has a population of around 50 people. Of particular note is the pretty chapel of San Vittore. We return to Zermatt for dinner this evening. (B,D)

Today is free for you to explore Zermatt. Perhaps relax and take advantage of the hotel's excellent pool and spa facilities, enjoy a walk along one of the many marked trails or climb the Kleine Matterhorn. Another option is to use your First Class Swiss Pass to explore further afield. The pass allows 50% fares on most trains, buses and lake steamers. Among the most popular options available to you is a journey 'across a hundred valleys' on the Centovalli Railway, a narrow-gauge line that winds over high bridges and past sleepy villages to the town of Locarno, located on the shores of delightful Lake Maggiore. Other options include a railway journey along the Rhône Valley to Montreux on Lake Geneva, as well as a fascinating journey on the panoramic GoldenPass Line train. (B)

We descend from Zermatt to Brig, where we change trains and travel through Switzerland to Basel. Here we join the train to Luxembourg, where we spend the night at the Mercure Grand Hotel Alfa, located close to Luxembourg's historic centre. (B,D)

Today we travel by train from Luxembourg, through the rolling countryside of the Ardennes to Brussels. Here we connect with Eurostar to London, with a light complimentary meal and drinks served on board before our arrival into St Pancras International. (B,E)

E = Eurostar meal, B = Breakfast, L = Lunch, D = Dinner
These meals, where shown, are included in the price of your holiday