Classic Glacier Express

To ensure you get to London St Pancras in time for our early departure, we recommend an overnight hotel in Kings Cross. After meeting, we then board the Eurostar for Paris. On arrival, we change trains for the local service, travelling to Strasbourg for an overnight stay.

Please Note: For departure 02/10/2023 yiu will now overnight at the Hotel Victoria in Basel.

• Dinner
• Eurostar Meal

We continue our rail journey to Switzerland, arriving in the quaint town of Chur - our base for the next three nights. Chur is the country's oldest town and is home to a number of historic attractions, including a 12th century church, the 15th century town hall and Martinsplatz, found in the heart of the Old Town.

• Breakfast, Dinner

Today takes us on the historic Bernina Express, a route that, at 100 years old, has been awarded UNESCO World Heritage status. Travelling in First Class on this picturesque heritage railway, we head south. Our journey sees us meander through dozens of tunnels and bridges, including the landmark Landwasser Viaduct. We then wind our way above deep ravines and past idyllic 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. The train begins its descent towards colourful Poschiavo, the Italian-speaking region of Switzerland where pastel-coloured houses line the streets and we pause briefly to soak up the Mediterranean atmosphere. On the way back, we make a short stop at the chic mountain resort town of St Moritz.

• Breakfast, Dinner

With a free day, why not explore Chur and the surrounding region using your Swiss Travel Card? Giving you 50% off on local transport and most mountain railways, you can explore the wild and rugged landscapes of the glorious Graubünden region. You could take the train to the glamorous mountain resort of St Moritz. This historic town expanded around the church of St Maurice, which is also known as 'the church of the springs' and is an important Christian pilgrimage site. Or you might prefer to embark on a journey along the scenic Arosa Line. Navigating a gradient of over 3,000 feet in less than 17 miles, outstanding mountain views are guaranteed.

• Breakfast

We board the iconic Glacier Express, travelling in First Class, leaving behind the rocky landscape of the Graubünden canton as we head towards sunny Valais. Our journey takes us through idyllic Swiss scenes of meadows, dense forests and snow-capped mountains. We amble along the beautiful Rhine Valley aboard the 'slowest express train in the world', crossing the Rhine Gorge and climbing up to the Oberalp Pass, the highest point of our journey at 6,670 feet. After descending past isolated hamlets, we emerge from the Furka Base Tunnel into the scenery of the lush Rhône Valley and the vineyards surrounding Brig. From the station we walk to our hotel for the next four nights, either the Hotel Ambassador or Hotel Stockalperhof (departure dependent).

• Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

With a free day today, you may want to use your Swiss travel card to explore the towns and hamlets around Brig. Perhaps visit Eggishorn, where you could take a gentle hike, enjoy a drink or meal with wonderful views at the Horli Hitta restaurant. Alternatively, travel by cable car to the viewpoint platform in nearby Bettmerhorn, swim in Lake Bettmersee and visit the famous chapel, 'Mary of the Snow'. Otherwise, Riederalp is home to Villa Cassel, once a summer residence for British Royals, it's now a nature conservation centre.

• Breakfast

After breakfast we take the high-speed train to Paris, travelling via Geneva. Once in the French capital, we join the Eurostar back to London St Pancras.

• Breakfast
• Eurostar Meal