The William Tell Express 2012 

We depart St Pancras International by Eurostar for Brussels, travelling in Standard Premier Class with a complimentary light meal and drinks served before on board. We change trains in Brussels and continue through the rolling hills of the beautiful Ardennes to region to Luxembourg for an overnight stay at the Mercure Grand Hotel Alfa. (E,D)

We depart Luxembourg and our journey continues to Basel, just over the Swiss border at the point where France, Germany and Switzerland meet. Here we change trains and join the efficient Swiss rail network taking us on a scenic journey through the lush green pastures of the Emmental cheese-producing region to the historic city of Lucerne. Our hotel for four nights is the wonderful Hotel Seeburg, which enjoys a fabulous lakeside location with breathtaking vistas across the lake to Mount Pilatus rising to over 7,000 feet (2,134m) on the opposite shore. The hotel is highly rated by our customers for cuisine and we dine together overlooking the lake. (B,D)

You are free to explore Lucerne at your leisure today. Take a stroll through the cobbled streets and squares of the city, past ornate churches, medieval buildings with painted façades and the famous Kapellbrücke covered bridge. Enjoy a steamer cruise on the lake or perhaps visit the Swiss Transport Museum. This is also an excellent opportunity to discover the surrounding area by bus, train, funicular or cable car, taking advantage of 50% fares with your GRJ First Class Swiss Travel Card. The Hotel Seeburg's fabulous lakeside garden is the ideal place to relax after a day exploring. (B)

Today's excursion takes us into the mountains that surround Lake Lucerne. We first take to the water, travelling by boat to Vitznau a town across the lake from Lucerne. In Vitznau we board the Mount Rigi Railway, Europe's oldest rack-and-pinion railway dating back to 1871, for a journey to the summit of the Rigi Kulm. From here we enjoy magnificent views across Lake Lucerne and the surrounding region, before descending the opposite side of the mountain to Arth Goldau. We make the journey back to Lucerne by local train. (B,D)

We travel by mountain railway on the GoldenPass Line to Interlaken, with dazzling views of shimmering lakes and soaring mountain peaks along the way. Interlaken is superbly situated between Lakes Thun and Brienz, and is set against a backdrop of breathtaking scenery. Your options here include a visit to the Alpine Gardens along the Schynige Platte Railway, or the ultimate mountain railway journey to the highest station in Europe, the Jungfraujoch (supplement payable), which celebrates its centenary in 2012. (B,D)

Today we enjoy a fabulous journey on the William Tell Express. First, we board an historic paddlewheel steamer in Lucerne, taking our seats on the first-class upper deck of the boat. We enjoy a three course lunch in the First Class restaurant as our nostalgic ship glides past sleepy bays, picturesque villages, and soaring mountains to Flüelen. In Flüelen we board our superb First Class panorama coaches, and depart along the world famous Gotthard line, which swiftly begins to climb towards Göschenen.

During the journey we pass the church in Wassen three times as we circle higher up the mountain, before travelling through the 15-kilometre Gotthard Tunnel. We emerge to the terrific scenery of Ticino in the Italian-speaking area of southern Switzerland. We continue to Locarno, from where we transfer by coach along Lake Maggiore and into Italy. Our destination is the bustling lakeside town of Baveno, on the western shores, where we stay at the Grand Hotel Dino, an elegant hotel built right on the water's edge. (B,L,D)

Today you are free to relax in Baveno, taking chance to enjoy this fantastic Italian resort. The town has a delightful lakeside promenade and is packed with cafés and restaurants for you to enjoy. You have chance to explore nearby Stresa, another pretty lakeside town just a short distance from Baveno, where you can soak up the laid-back Italian atmosphere with a walk along the attractive, flower-filled promenade, lined with impressive villas and neatly terraced gardens. From Stresa you could travel by cable car up Mount Mottarone - the journey offers an amazing panorama, and on a clear day, your views from the peak include seven lakes as well as the Italian and Swiss Alps. Alternatively, take a cruise across the lake to visit the beautiful Borromean Islands. Isola dei Pescatori is a permanently inhabited island of narrow cobbled alleyways and pretty buildings. It boasts a fine selection of restaurants in which to enjoy lunch, with many menus loyal to the island's rich fishing heritage. Isola Bella is home to the sumptuous Borromeo Palace, a magnificent Baroque structure which dominates the island. Here you can take a tour of the lavish rooms and alluring Italian-style gardens. (B)

Our excursion today takes us on the Centovalli Railway, probably the highlight of any visit to the Ticino region. From Baveno we travel by train to Domodossola, where we change onto the fantastic Centovalli Railway. This narrow-gauge line winds its way across 'a hundred valleys' after which the line has been named, all the while passing through outstanding scenery and idyllic landscapes. We pass over deep ravines and gushing waterfalls, and alongside thick forests and through sleepy villages during our journey to Locarno. We have time to explore Locarno at leisure, a picturesque Swiss Old Town with a very Italian feel, with sub-tropical gardens filled with palm trees, exotic flowers and lakeside promenades. Finally, we cruise across Lake Maggiore, stopping at small villages and islands before arriving back in Baveno. (B,D)

We leave Baveno this morning and begin our journey home, starting with a short coach transfer to Stresa. Here we join the train to Basel travelling along the scenic Rhine Gorge to Cologne, where we spend the night at either the 4-star Four Points Hotel or the 4-star Grand City Hotel, both located close to the station, the Rhine and the magnificent Gothic cathedral. (B,D)

Today we depart Cologne and join the high-speed service to Brussels, where we connect with Eurostar to London. We enjoy 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