Classic Glacier Express at New Year

We meet at our Departure Office in London St Pancras, before boarding the Eurostar to Paris. We change trains and continue to Strasbourg for the night. Capital of the Alsace region, known for its wine production, Strasbourg is an enchanting medieval city and a wonderful winter destination. Over the festive season its colourful half-timbered houses, historic buildings and market squares are all lit up and buzzing with activity. This evening we have a three-course dinner at a local restaurant which serves typical Alsace cuisine.

• Dinner
• Eurostar Meal

Our day begins with free time to explore Strasbourg. Afterwards, we take the local railway for a wonderful journey over the imposing Kander Viaduct, through the old Lötschberg tunnel and past soaring mountain peaks to the town of Brig. A historic town in the Valais canton, Brig dates back to the Roman era and we enjoy a three-night stay here. With free time in the afternoon, the cobblestones of the Stadtplatz are well worth visiting, capped by the remarkable Stockalper Palace - built in the 17th century by a prosperous silk merchant.

• Breakfast, Dinner

Today we visit the charming, car-free resort of Zermatt. We set out on a narrow-gauge train heading south through wintry vineyards and alongside the River Rhône to Visp. From here, we join the mountain track for our steep journey to Zermatt. The spectacular approach takes us through eight tunnels and across dozens of bridges as the Matterhorn comes into view. On arrival, you're free to spend your time as you choose. One option is to make the ascent to the summit of the Gornergrat by funicular railway, for stunning views of the Matterhorn. The town itself is a quintessential mountain resort with many beautiful sights, such as the picturesque historic chalets of Hinterdorfstrasse, or the many inviting cafés and restaurants where you can enjoy a warming drink or a hearty lunch.

• Breakfast, Dinner

Today is free in Brig and you could make the most of your Swiss Travel Card by taking the train along the Rhône Valley to Montreux, on the shores of Lake Geneva. Here, you can join either the GoldenPass Line panoramic train to Gstaad or the Centovalli Railway for a journey across '100 valleys'.

• Breakfast

We leave Brig, travelling on the iconic Glacier Express to Chur, Switzerland's oldest town, and our base for four nights. Switzerland's striking natural beauty is revealed on our journey, which is transformed into a picture-postcard landscape of snowy meadows, frozen streams and white mountaintops. The Glacier Express passes icy forests and frozen rivers, all playing their part to create a jaw-dropping winter wonderland setting, as we marvel at the Alpine scenery from our panoramic windows. Unmissable views come as we travel over the Oberalp Pass, the highest point on the route, and make our way through the Rhine Gorge to Disentis. At our hotel in Chur, after a welcome drink we celebrate the coming of the New Year with a special gala dinner.

• Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

New Year's Day is free for you to look around Chur, a destination with a history dating back over 5,000 years. Its quaint Old Town boasts some fantastically preserved medieval buildings and is entirely traffic-free, making it the ideal place to explore on foot. It's here you'll find the city's 800-year-old Cathedral of Assumption, as well as the terracotta fronted Bishop's Palace. And once you've marvelled at the historical landmarks and wintry mountain setting, back at the hotel we sit down to a traditional dinner with all the trimmings.

• Breakfast, Dinner

We make our way by rail to Lucerne, situated on the shores of Lake Lucerne at the foot of the Swiss Alps and known for its cobbled streets and ornate churches. Your time here is free to explore, so why not enjoy a stroll through the town to see the famous Kapellbrücke, a 14th-century wooden bridge that separates Lucerne's Old and New Town? The Old Town is situated north of the River Reuss and is rich in history. Houses decorated with frescoes line the picturesque squares, with several half-timber structures and the remnants of the old town walls a reminder of just how old Lucerne is. The Jesuit church, dating from the 17th century, is regarded as Switzerland's first baroque building and the twin towers of the Hofkirche form an integral part of the townscape. Alternatively, travel on the Pilatus or Rigi mountain railways or enjoy a paddle steamer cruise across Lake Lucerne using your Swiss Travel card for 50% fare reductions.

• Breakfast

We take the Bernina Express to Poschiavo, enjoying a seasonal journey over the Alps, admiring views of ancient castles and the magnificent, mountain-ringed Lake Bianco as we wind above deep ravines and past idyllic waterfalls, emerging from the Albula Tunnel and crossing the mighty Bernina Pass. Our destination is Poschiavo, an Italian-speaking town where pastel-coloured buildings line the narrow cobblestone streets. Piazza Comunale is the quaint main square, providing views of the snow-covered mountains and the campanile tower of the Church of Saint Victor. You may wish to enjoy a lunch of local specialities, such as pizzoccheri - a hearty pasta dish with cabbage, cheese and potatoes - before we return to Chur via St Moritz.

• Breakfast, Dinner

Departing Chur by train, we travel to Paris via Basel for the Eurostar back to London St Pancras.

• Breakfast