Glacier Express in Winter & Spring (Chur-Kandersteg)  2013 

We depart from St Pancras International by Eurostar to Brussels. We change for the high-speed service to Cologne where we stay tonight at the Grand City Hotel, situated close to the station, the Rhine and the city's magnificent Gothic cathedral. (D)

We leave Cologne by EuroCity train for Switzerland. Our journey takes us through the breathtaking scenery of the picturesque Rhine Gorge, with its many fairytale castles nestled amongst extensive vineyards. We journey across the border via Zürich, joining the superb Swiss railway network, famous for its efficiency and punctuality. We travel past lakes and meadows to Chur, Switzerland's oldest town with over 5,000 years of settlement history for you to explore. We spend three nights here at the Hotel Freieck. (B,D)

Your day is free to explore historic Chur and the surrounding region. Take time to stroll through the medieval cobbled alleyways and squares of the Old Town, and visit the 12th century cathedral, a blend of Gothic and Romanesque styles. Today is a superb opportunity for you to discover the area by mountain railway using your included Swiss Card for 50% fares. The wild, rugged and rocky landscape of the glorious Graubünden region is waiting to be discovered, with superb railway journeys available from Chur that take you over, around and across the dramatic valleys that make this one of the most attractive cantons in Switzerland. A journey on the Arosa Express to lakeside Arosa, surrounded by dramatic snowy peaks, is a popular option for today. Alternatively, visit Lucerne, an historic lakeside city of cobbled streets, squares and ornate churches. Whilst in Lucerne, see the famous Kapellbrücke covered bridge or perhaps visit the Swiss Transport Museum. (B)

Today's excursion takes us on the historic Bernina Express - a railway journey on the superb Bernina Line that passes mighty glaciers and sloping alpine meadows laden with snow. 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. From Chur we head south, travelling through 55 tunnels and over 196 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 frozen 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 views of the snow-capped peaks as we descend, entering the Italian-speaking region of Switzerland before arriving at our destination. Pastel-coloured houses line the streets of picturesque Poschiavo, where we have time for lunch before enjoying the journey in the opposite direction. (B,D)

We leave Chur today, travelling from the rocky landscape of the Graubünden canton to the fantastic Valais on the iconic Glacier Express - 'the slowest express train in the world'. Our entire journey is accompanied by views of the scenery for which Switzerland is justly famous; beautiful, snow-covered pastures, and frosted forests rising up the hillsides beside the track towards towering snow-capped peaks. We travel along the beautiful Rhine Valley, climbing steadily and then steeply as we make our way up and over the snowy Oberalp Pass, the distant peaks of the Italian Alps in view to the south. At 6,670 feet, the Oberalp Pass is the highest point of the route. From here we descend past the countless small villages that line our route, nestled in the foothills of the surrounding mountains, before travelling through the Furka Base Tunnel and into the Rhône Valley. The final part of our journey on the Glacier
Express takes us through expansive vineyards that line the surrounding hillsides to the small town of Brig. Here we take the local railway for a wonderful journey over the imposing Kander Viaduct, through the old Lotschberg tunnel and past soaring mountain peaks to the town of Kandersteg. The resort of Kandersteg is one of Switzerland's truly unspoilt gems - a picturesque destination surrounded by breathtaking mountain scenery. We check in for three nights at the Hotel Victoria. (B,D)

Today we travel to the charming, car-free resort of Zermatt. We travel to Brig to join a narrow-gauge train, heading south alongside the River Rhône to Visp. From here we join the mountain track for the steep ascent to Zermatt. The train clings to the track as we wind left and right, ascending past small clusters of houses and tiny hamlets that together form the region's village communities. The spectacular approach to Zermatt takes us through 8 tunnels and across 42 bridges, the gradient of the ascent requiring cogwheels to be engaged. Finally we reach the grandiose scenery of Zermatt, nestled below the snowy tilted peak of the instantly recognisable Matterhorn. In Zermatt you are free to spend your time as you choose. One option that you will find hard to resist is the ascent to the summit of the Gornergrat by funicular railway (payable locally). The views from the top are some of the most spectacular in Europe. (B,D)

Today is free for you to explore Kandersteg, renowned for its breathtaking views and scenic trails. You could take the cable car up to the stunning Oeschinen lake. The lake is frozen in winter, and offers incredible vistas. Here you can visit the traditional Swiss restaurant or, if you're feeling more adventurous, you could toboggan back down to Kandersteg. Alternatively, explore the wider region using your Swiss Travel Card for 50% fares. We particularly recommend travelling along the Rhône Valley to Montreux. From here you can enjoy a cruise on Lake Geneva or join the GoldenPass Line panoramic train for the journey over the Golden Pass to Spiez. Otherwise travel to Interlaken, a charming town situated between Lakes Thun and Brienz. Take a mountain railway ride through the Alpine meadows, or undertake the ultimate excursion to the highest railway station in Europe (payable locally), Jungfraujoch, at over 11,000 feet (3,353m). (B)

We depart from Kandersteg, and travel by train via Brig and along the shores of shimmering Lake Geneva, to Geneva. Here we join a direct TGV service to Paris. After crossing Paris by
coach we connect with Eurostar to St Pancras International. (B)

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



Our Swiss Travel Card covers all included rail journeys and permits 50% discounted fares on free days for rail, boat and most mountain railway journeys.