Single Travellers: Jungfrau Express & Golden Pass 2012 

We depart St Pancras International by Eurostar for Brussels in Standard Premier Class with a light meal and drinks served at our seats. We continue by train through the forests and rolling hills of the Ardennes region to Luxembourg. We overnight at the Mercure Grand Hotel Alfa. (E,D)

From Luxembourg we travel to Basel, where we change trains and continue on the efficient Swiss rail network, travelling along the entire length of beautiful Lake Thun to Interlaken, where we spend the next five nights. The 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, is well-known for its natural beauty and perfect setting. Our accommodation in Interlaken is the striking 5-star Lindner Grand Hotel Beau Rivage, located in the town centre. We dine together in the hotel this evening. (B,D)

We head west by train along the Brünig line to Brienz, located among the mountains at the eastern end of Lake Brienz. From Brienz we enjoy an excursion by steam mountain railway, climbing to over 5,000 feet (1,524m), to the summit of Rothorn.* The summit offers fabulous views of the deep-blue lakes below and the snow-capped mountains in the distance, including one of the highest mountains in Europe, the Jungfrau; our destination tomorrow. On our return to Brienz, you have time to explore at leisure, enjoy a steamer cruise on Lake Brienz, or perhaps visit the Ballenberg Open-Air Museum, with its collection of preserved houses displaying traditional Swiss crafts. Tonight we dine together in a local restaurant. (B,D)

* This attraction does not operate on the May departure when an excursion to the Schilthorn summit will be taken.

Our excursion today is unquestionably the highlight of any visit to Interlaken and the Bernese Oberland, as we travel on the Jungfrau Railway to the Jungfraujoch. 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, we pass meadows, charming wooden 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. 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 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. 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. This evening we dine together in a traditional local restaurant in Interlaken. (B,D)

Your day is free, which gives you a great opportunity to explore the Bernese Oberland region. Your GRJ Swiss Travel Card will give you 50% fares on most trains, buses and lake steamers, so your choices are endless. You could take a relaxing cruise on the gentle lake waters to the town of Thun, situated right on the lake shore, which has a delightful Old Town to discover. Alternatively, take the mountain railway through Alpine meadows to Schynige Platte, for spectacular panoramic views over the Alps. 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". (B)

Today's excursion is by mountain railway on the GoldenPass Line to Lucerne. The elegant town is filled with historic beauty and enjoys endless picture-perfect mountain views. Here, the cobbled alleys and winding streets are brightened by the mural-covered façades of period buildings and ornate churches. During our time in Lucerne we enjoy a wonderful cruise on the lake, enjoying magnificent views of city and the snow-capped mountains. On our return from the cruise, there is time to explore this historic city, its medieval towers, squares and the famous Kapellbrücke covered bridge. The Swiss Transport Museum, the largest transport museum in Europe, is well worth a visit. Alternatively, travel on the Pilatus or the Rigi mountain railways. Following our return to Interlaken, we enjoy a farewell dinner together in the Gasthof Hirschen - an historic guesthouse in Interlaken. (B,D)

We leave Interlaken, and eventually Switzerland, to begin our journey home. We travel into Germany, enjoying a picturesque journey through the scenic Rhine Gorge, with its fairytale castles nestled amongst vineyards. We arrive in Cologne for an overnight stay at either the Four Points Hotel Central or the Grand City Hotel Cologne Centre, both close to the station and the city's magnificent Gothic cathedral. (B,D)

We depart Cologne this morning, travelling in First Class on the high-speed service to Brussels. Here we connect with the Eurostar to London in Standard Premier Class. We are served a light meal and drinks at our seats 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

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.