Interlaken & the Jungfrau Express 2012 

We depart St Pancras International by Eurostar for Brussels in Standard Premier Class, with a light meal and drinks served on board. We continue by train through the Ardennes region to Luxembourg, where we spend the night at the Mercure Grand Hotel Alfa. On Day 2 we leave Luxembourg and travel in First Class to Basel, where we change trains. We join the superb Swiss railway network, famous for its efficiency and punctuality, for a wonderful journey into the spectacular Bernese Oberland region. We travel south and then East through an area of incredible natural beauty. Our destination is Interlaken, a town situated between the lakes of Thun and Brienz and at the foot the famous trio of peaks, the Eiger, the Mönch and the Jungfrau and well-known for its superb scenery and perfect setting. Our base in Interlaken is the Hotel Metropole, ideally located in the centre of town. (Day 1-E,D; Day 2-B,D)

Your day is free to spend at leisure in Interlaken, perhaps to explore the town, or travel further afield with your Bernese Oberland Regional Pass giving you 50% fares on most trains and buses. You could travel to the quaint town of Meiringen where Sherlock Holmes met his fictional death. Alternatively, the pretty, traffic free village of Mürren can be reached via Lauterbrunnen. From Mürren, the highly recommended Schilthorn cable car climbs to the awe-inspiring Piz Gloria revolving summit restaurant, made famous in the James Bond film "On Her Majesty's Secret Service". The Swiss capital of Bern can also be reached by train. The city, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is a delight to explore. Take in the ambience of the pedestrianised old town as you wander though the medieval streets and arcades. (B)

Today we head east by train along the shore of Lake Brienz, situated at the foot of the Rothorn Mountain, to the delightful village of Brienz. Here, we take a magnificent excursion by steam mountain railway on the Brienz-Rothorn Bahn, climbing to the summit of the Rothorn*, which at over 5,000 feet (1,524m), offers fabulous views of the deep blue lakes and the snow-capped mountains in the surrounding area. After descending back to Brienz, you have some free time to explore this pretty village, famed as a centre for woodcarving. We return to Interlaken by taking a scenic cruise along the entire length of Lake Brienz, the smaller of Interlaken's two lakes which is flanked by spectacular mountain peaks. (B,D)

*Please note: this attraction does not operate on some departures in May and early June when an excursion such as the Schilthorn will be taken.

Our excursion today is unquestionably the highlight of any visit to the Bernese Oberland, as we travel on the Jungfrau Railway to the Jungfraujoch - Europe's highest railway station at 11,333 feet (3,454m). The route from Interlaken takes us to Lauterbrunnen on the Bernese Oberland Railway. This narrow-gauge line was opened to the public in 1890, and is 12 miles in length. Over the course of the route, the line climbs 1,532 feet (467 metres) above sea level, frequently passing chalets and small farming cabins. At Lauterbrunnen, the Wengeralp Railway runs to Kleine Scheidegg. Due to the steep area through which the railway runs, the line is actually the world's longest continuous rack railway at just over 12 miles. On this particular stretch of the route, the views are absolutely outstanding. The final section of the journey is on the Jungfrau Railway itself, which runs the remaining six miles to just below the summit of the Jungfrau Mountain. The narrow-gauge line was opened in 1912 and celebrates its centenary in 2012. Although much of the line is in a tunnel, the route includes an observation stop, with huge windows carved into the rock between the tunnel and the infamous northern face of the Eiger, providing spectacular views down to the valley below. On emerging from the tunnel the train arrives at Jungfraujoch, which at 11,333 feet (3455 metres) is the highest railway station in Europe. At Jungfraujoch, we have plenty of free time to enjoy the incredible views over the Alps. Here you can gaze across the Aletsch Glacier, a 12-mile river of ice, which provides a sharp contrast to the lush meadows and Alpine pastures of the lower lying hillsides near the valley floor. While at the summit you should visit the Ice Palace, with its labyrinth of tunnels and fantastic ice sculptures. On our return journey we follow a different route home, travelling via the pretty resort of Grindelwald. (B,D)

Today you are free to explore at leisure. You could take the opportunity to visit some of the many fantastic lakeside villages in the region, such as Spiez, which enjoys a magnificent location in a quiet bay on the lake. Alternatively, take the cog railway through Alpine meadows to Schynige Platte, for spectacular panoramic views over the Alps. The spectacular Trümmelbach Falls, the largest subterranean waterfall system in Europe, is part of the Lauterbrunnen Valley, and is easily reached from our base in Interlaken. Here you can access the glacial waterfalls through a series of lifts and tunnels. (B)

We return to the water today as we enjoy a fantastic cruise across Lake Thun, passing delightful waterfront villages and idyllic lakeside castles nestled below the towering mountain peaks. The cruise takes us along the entire length of the lake to the town of Thun, located on the opposite shore from our starting point in Interlaken. From Thun, we travel south by train to the delightful mountain village of Kandersteg - a quaint village surrounded by an oasis of tranquility in the heart of the Swiss Alps. From here you have the option of a terrific cable car journey up to Oeschinensee to enjoy wonderful views across the towering mountain peaks, reflected in the crystal clear waters below. We return to Interlaken by train later today, travelling via Spiez. (B,D)

Your final day in Switzerland is free to spend at leisure, exploring the Bernese Oberland region using your included Bernese Oberland Pass, which offers 50% fares on public transport across the region. Tonight we enjoy a farewell dinner together in the Gasthof Hirschen - a historic guesthouse in Interlaken. (B,D)

We leave Interlaken, and eventually Switzerland, as we begin our journey home. We change trains in Basel and head through the picturesque Rhine Gorge, through vineyards and past hill-top castles, to Cologne, where we spend tonight at the Four Points Hotel or the Grand City Hotel, both located close to the stunning Cathedral. On Day 10 we leave Cologne on the mid-morning service to Brussels, where we board the Eurostar to London. We are served a light meal and drinks at our seats before our arrival into St Pancras International. (Day 9-B,D; Day 10- B,E)

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

The 1st August 2012 marks the centenary of the very first train to Jungfraujoch, the 'Top of Europe', which was the culmination of 16 years' work constructing the line. One of the world's most complex engineering challenges, the Jungfrau Railway is still hailed as a pioneering masterpiece even today.

We have a number of other departures that include a trip on the Jungfrau Railway in its centenary year. These all feature a range of displays and events to celebrate the anniversary, such as a brand new subway, detailing the history of the line.