Mountaintops of Switzerland in Winter

Our spectacular winter adventure begins as we meet our Tour Manager and fellow travelling companions at London St Pancras, ready to board the Eurostar in Standard Premier Class. Enroute to Paris, we enjoy a light meal at our seats. In the French capital we take the direct train to Basel - the quickest route to Switzerland.

This sleek journey transports us through Jura and Alsace before arriving in the Rhine-side city of Basel. Our hotel near the station is popular with our passengers and we have some time to explore this typically Swiss city that looks even more beautiful in winter - with its Old Town of charmingly characterful buildings painting a picture-perfect scene of the season. This evening, we gather back at the hotel to get to know one another better over our first dinner together.

• Dinner
• Eurostar Meal

Leaving our luggage to be transferred to our next hotel, we take a short walk to the train station this morning for our journey to Interlaken. The route to the heart of scenic Switzerland increases in beauty with snow-capped peaks lining valleys and alpine forests blanketed with snow.

When we alight in Interlaken, there is free time to explore this perfectly positioned town set between lakes Thun and Brienz and overlooked by the Jungfrau, Mönch and Eiger mountains.

Afterwards, we board a coach to our hillside hotel, the stunning Grandhotel Giessbach. On arrival, we enjoy a welcome drink. From its secluded setting, the hotel has views across the sparkling lake and onto the Giessbach waterfall, which often freezes over during winter. We have time to explore our new surroundings before enjoying a three-course dinner together at the hotel in the evening.

• Breakfast, Dinner

After breakfast, we transfer by road to Interlaken, where we take the train through the beautiful Lauterbrunnen Valley to the snow-bound alpine village of Grindelwald. This delightful village is nestled at the foot of the magnificent north face of the Eiger. There is free time to enjoy the atmosphere of one of Switzerland's most popular mountain resorts.

Wandering through this fairytale setting of wooden Swiss chalets and colourful town squares, you are constantly greeted by a stunning backdrop of the dramatic mountains. Due to its location near the Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau mountains, it was the first resort in the Bernese Oberland to become a winter destination. As such, winter is a fantastic time to visit and you could opt to take the cable car up Grindelwald First mountain for great views across the valley and surrounding peaks. Afterwards, perhaps warm up with a hot chocolate in a cosy café before returning to our amazing lakeview hotel.

• Breakfast, Dinner

Today is a highlight of any holiday in Switzerland. Taking the train to Brig, we then board the incredible Glacier Express. The 'slowest express train in the world' traverses incredible mountain passes, with views of picturesque villages and valleys, before it delves into the Rhine Gorge. Our panoramic First Class carriages provide a front-row seat to the 'Swiss Grand Canyon' as the emerald river winds its way past limestone cliffs. Enjoying a two-course lunch, the breathtaking scenery is constant.

Our hotel is in the beautiful Graubünden region, with gorgeous valleys surrounded by imposing mountains. On arrival this evening, you are free to dine at a local restaurant on your own. The region is renowned for comforting and warming food, such as the Swiss favourite of fondue or pizzoccheri - a hearty buckwheat pasta dish with potato, cabbage and cheese.

• Breakfast, Lunch

Dubbed the rail experts' best-kept secret, crossing the Alps into Italy on the UNESCO-listed Bernina Express is an incredible experience. From our First Class panoramic carriages, the exceptional alpine scenery continuously impresses.

We wind our way up through snow-bound scenes to the summit at Ospizio Bernina before being greeted by the jaw-dropping views of the glistening Palü Glacier. This stunning route twists its way down the mountains, spiralling round the corkscrew viaduct at Brusio.

Free time allows us to explore the narrow, cobbled streets and characterful piazzas of the charming Italian valley town of Tirano, where we can enjoy local delicacies in one of the town's delightful trattorias. We return to Switzerland on a local train in First Class in the afternoon before enjoying a three-course dinner at our hotel.

• Breakfast, Dinner

This morning we journey onwards in First Class carriages, passing many beautiful lakes on our way to Lucerne. As Switzerland's fourth most populus city, Lucerne is a historic city draped across the expansive Lake Lucerne.

We have time to wander independently round the picturesque Old Town. One of the most striking landmarks is the 14th-century Kapellbrücke. Separating Lucerne's Old and New Town, Europe's oldest wooden bridge was constructed to help protect the city. Inside the gables of the bridge, a series of paintings from the 17th century relay the city's history.

Our hotel for the next two nights, the Pilatus Kulm, is reached by cable car, taking us past incredible winter scenes to a land above the clouds. With such a jaw-dropping location nestled between two peaks, the Pilatus Kulm provides utterly stunning views across the soaring mountains of central Switzerland. Due to its position, there are unforgettable sunrises and sunsets, weather permitting. This evening we enjoy a three-course dinner in the glorious restaurant.

• Breakfast, Dinner

If you wake in time, you may be fortunate enough to witness a sensational sunrise that dramatically illuminates the shimmering mountainous surroundings. While today is spent exploring independently, you might not want to leave this heavenly location.

However, with a complimentary return ticket on the cable car, you could head down the hills to explore Lucerne or beyond. According to legend, Lucerne was formed after an angel beamed a light on to the spot where a chapel should be built. The 'City of Lights' has a charming Old Town brimming with ornate churches frescoed historic houses and cobbled streets. Set on the crystal-clear lake, Lucerne is a great place to wander and find somewhere to eat at a cosy café or restaurant.

Alternatively, you may want to explore further afield. With your Swiss Travel Card, you receive a 50% discount on rail, boat and most mountain railways, so you could cruise across Lake Lucerne to Vitznau. Returning to the hotel, there is another opportunity to delight in the sunset as we indulge in a three-course dinner.

• Breakfast, Dinner

After breakfast, we descend the mountain ready to catch a late-morning train from Lucerne in First Class. We arrive in Strasbourg in mid-afternoon, with plenty of chance to explore the Alsace capital after we check into our 4-Star hotel. With an interesting blend of German and French culture, Strasbourg's architecture ranges from Gothic to modern and there is a sparkling verve to the atmosphere.

Located on an island, the historic Old Town is dominated by the spectacular 13th-century Notre Dame Cathedral with its renowned astronomical clock, while Place Kléber is the city's main square - attracting tourists, shoppers and people seeking a relaxing meal or drink.

La Petite France is one of Strasbourg's most popular attractions. In the Middle Ages, it was home to the city's millers, tanners and fishermen but today draws in tourists with its colourful half-timbered buildings gathering round narrow lanes, and bridges criss-crossing peaceful canals.

In the evening, we gather for a three-course dinner at a local restaurant.

• Breakfast, Dinner

After our final breakfast, we leave Strasbourg for Paris. In First Class seats, we travel through the historic duchy of Lorraine and pass the frosty vineyards of the Champagne region before arriving in the French capital. Changing to Standard Premier Class on the Eurostar, we enjoy a light meal and recall the spectacular mountainous scenery that accompanied our fantastic wintry Swiss adventure and the incredible hotels that welcomed us with their warmth and breathtakingly seasonal views.

Arriving back at London St Pancras in the early evening, we say farewell to our fellow travellers and Tour Manager, grateful for the lovely memories that will stay with us.

• Breakfast
• Eurostar Meal