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First-Class Grand Alpine Explorer

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20252026
14 days From £4,099 £3,999 per person
4.4 stars(41 reviews)
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Travel through breathtaking scenes of glistening lakes, majestic mountains and pretty towns on an exploration of Germany, Austria and Switzerland

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Save £100pp on selected Europe 2025 holidays when you book by 16th December 2024.

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No Single Supplement

No Single Supplement subject to availability on selected departures. 

Mobility Rating 3

2025 Tour code: APG25

About the tour

Bask in boundless displays of jaw-dropping views on a spectacular First Class holiday through the Alps.

Soak up the atmosphere of historic Munich on a beer tour, marvel at the fairytale Neuschwanstein Castle and indulge in a sublime Mozart concert dinner in Salzburg after a tour with a singing guide. Enjoy a cruise in the Austrian Lake District and explore charming Innsbruck.

See Switzerland from First Class panoramic carriages on the iconic Glacier Express and Bernina Express and reach the 'Top of Europe' on the stunning Jungfrau Express.

Unforgettable Experiences

Experiencing the Glacier Express in First Class with lunch
Experiencing the Glacier Express in First Class with lunch
Embark on one of the world’s greatest rail experiences on a First Class journey with two-course lunch through astonishing snow-capped peaks and alpine valleys as we travel in panoramic carriages from St Moritz to Brig.
Travelling to Italy in First Class on the Bernina Express
Travelling to Italy in First Class on the Bernina Express
Enjoy a First Class trip on the Bernina Express from St Moritz to Tirano in Italy. Step off the train for to enjoy the views of the spectacular Palü Glacier.
Journeying to the ‘Top of Europe’ on the Jungfrau Express
Journeying to the ‘Top of Europe’ on the Jungfrau Express
Travel to the ‘Top of Europe’ on the spectacular Jungfrau Express, experiencing jaw-dropping 360˚ views of Switzerland’s iconic peaks and the Aletsch Glacier from Europe’s highest train station.
Enjoying a Mozart concert dinner in his hometown of Salzburg
Enjoying a Mozart concert dinner in his hometown of Salzburg
Spend three nights in the charming Austrian city of Salzburg and indulge in a sublime candlelit gastronomic dinner accompanied by a chamber ensemble who perform a selection of Mozart’s music while you dine.
Admiring fairytale Neuschwanstein Castle
Admiring fairytale Neuschwanstein Castle
Savour the views from Bavaria’s glorious Neuschwanstein Castle with its piercing white turrets, which has become synonymous with Romanticism and inspired Walt Disney.

What’s included

Itinerary

Day 1 - London to Munich: First Class to Bavaria

Our fantastic alpine holiday begins as we meet our fellow travellers and Tour Manager at London St Pancras to join the Eurostar service to Brussels in Standard Premier Class, enjoying a light meal at our seats. From the Belgian capital, we travel to Cologne and onwards through Germany to Munich in First Class.

The route passes through rolling wooded hills on its way to Frankfurt before heading through the old Swabian towns of Ulm and Augsburg before arriving in the Bavarian capital of Munich tonight. Located within sight of the Alps, Munich is one of Germany's best-loved cities and blends historic architecture and vibrant culture. Our 4-Star hotel is just a short distance from the main train station and after check-in, we can look forward to exploring this intriguing city in the morning.

Includes
  • Eurostar light meal
Day 2 – A guided tour of Munich

Today we get to know Munich and its fascinating culture and heritage on a guided sightseeing tour. Walking through the historic streets, we admire the city's charming main square, Marienplatz, home to the neo-Gothic Town Hall and the famous glockenspiel. We also see the Church of St Peter, with its exterior boasting eight clocks.

Afterwards, we stop for food and drink in typical Munich style by sampling local food and beers. Munich is renowned for its beer and, after learning about the history of brewing in Bavaria and the influence of the 'Reinheitsgebot' purity law at the Oktoberfest Museum, we visit Munich's oldest beer house, the Höfbrauhaus.

The rest of the day is at leisure before we regroup for dinner at the hotel. One option is to stroll round one of the city's many green spaces. The 17th-century Renaissance gardens of the Hofgarten stand behind Munich Residence, the former home of Bavarian dukes and kings, while the expansive English Garden is larger than New York's Central Park and attracts visitors to its lakes, rivers and peaceful Japanese tea house.

Includes
  • Breakfast, Dinner
Day 3 - A musical welcome to cultured Salzburg and candlelit Mozart dinner

We leave Munich this morning and travel by First Class rail across the Austrian border to Salzburg. This picturesque city is renowned as the birthplace of Mozart and the setting for The Sound of Music, and on arrival we enjoy a tour of this musical city with Trudy, the singing tour guide. Overlooked by the huge 11th-century Hohensalzburg Fortress, set high on a hill, we stroll through the charming Old Town. The churches, squares and alleyways here are incredibly well preserved and dominated by fabulous Baroque spires in this UNESCO World Heritage site.

This evening, we enjoy dinner with a difference. Making our way to the grand banquet hall of St Peter's, we sit down to savour a candlelit dinner accompanied by the stirring music of Salzburg's most famous son, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. A chamber ensemble and singers dressed in Rococo costumes bring selections of Mozart's celebrated music to life while we enjoy a gastronomic menu inspired by historical recipes popular during the composer's lifetime.

Includes
  • Breakfast, Dinner
Day 4 – Free day to explore delightful Salzburg

After breakfast, there is a full day to explore this grand city at leisure. One suggestion is to purchase a Salzburg Card which gives you access to many of the wonderful museums and attractions, as well as travel on the city's buses and trolleybuses.

Salzburg is a gorgeous city with a sea of noble white buildings huddled either side of the Salzach River. This alpine city is renowned for its musical and culture heritage and Mozart was instrumental in this. You can visit the former residence of the Mozart family at Getreidegasse 9. It is where Wolfgang was born in 1756 and now houses a museum detailing his young life. His old Makartplatz home is also a museum displaying artifacts from the composer's life. You could also take a walk through the pretty Mirabell Garden or head out of the city for a cable-car ride up Untersberg Mountain for spectacular alpine views.

You are free to dine independently tonight, and from luxurious gastronomy to hearty local cuisine in a lively beer hall, Salzburg's many restaurants accommodate all tastes.

Includes
  • Breakfast
Day 5 – Discovering the tranquil Austrian Lake District

The gentle alpine hills, dense forests and emerald waters of the Austrian Lake District are our destinations today. Our first visit is to the remarkable Kaiservilla, the stately former summer residence of Habsburg Emperor Franz Josef I with beautifully decorated grounds that we can explore.

Continuing to St Gilgen, there is time to grab lunch independently in this charming town of ornately decorated chalets and enticing cafés before we take a cruise across Lake Wolfgang. After soaking up the serenity of the aquamarine lake, we disembark at St Wolfgang and have time to stroll amongst its cluster of chocolate-box chalets.

We then travel to pretty Mondsee on the shores of Lake Mondsee whose most famous attraction is its 15th-century Basilica of St Michael. Bedecked in a yellow Baroque façade, this impressive church featured in the wedding scene in The Sound of Music. We have free time here to either pay homage to the cinematic von Trapp family or enjoy a lakeside stroll on the attractive promenade before returning to Salzburg for a three-course dinner at our hotel.

Includes
  • Breakfast, Dinner
Day 6 - To Innsbruck and the heart of the Austrian Alps

Leaving Salzburg after a leisurely breakfast, we travel by First Class rail into the heart of the Austrian Alps. The dramatic scenery increases on the approach to Innsbruck, with steep mountains rising either side of the Inn Valley.

Arriving around noon, we get our bearings with an informative guided tour of Innsbruck's magnificently preserved Old Town. Reflecting the Tyrolean capital's history, it boasts wonderful Renaissance and Baroque buildings as well as traditional Tyrolean architecture. Along the way, we'll see Innsbruck's cathedral and Hofkirche, built by Emperor Maximilian I. On Herzog-Friedrich-Strasse, we admire the Goldenes Dachl (or Golden Roof), and the ornate Hölbling house with its imposing 14th-century watchtower.

The rest of the afternoon is free to continue exploring and you could travel on the Nordkette Cable Car, a hybrid funicular and cable car system designed by renowned architect Zaha Hadid. At the top, you are rewarded with otherworldly views across the Tyrolean Alps from a height of more than 7,000 feet. In the evening, we regroup at our central hotel overlooking the majestic peak for a three-course dinner.

Includes
  • Breakfast, Dinner
Day 7 – Fairytale Neuschwanstein Castle and Zugspitze Mountain Railway

Returning to Germany by coach this morning, our route crosses the impressive Fern Pass enroute to one of the most beautiful and famous castles in the world - the glorious Neuschwanstein Castle. A magnificent fairytale structure built into the mountains, the brilliant white of Neuschwanstein contrasts stunningly against the surrounding forests.

King Ludwig II of Bavaria commissioned the castle's construction in the late 19th century on a rocky outcrop near his childhood home, reportedly having dreamt of building a castle there since he was a child. This symbol of Romanticism has appeared in countless films, from Chitty Chitty Bang Bang to The Great Escape and also inspired Walt Disney's Sleeping Beauty Castle.

Afterwards, we embark on a journey aboard the cheerful Zugspitze Mountain Railway, ascending to the summit of the Zugspitze for fabulous views of elemental rocky peaks. Climbing more than 2,500 feet in seven miles, the cogwheel railway passes the crystal-clear Eibsee lake on its way up the highest mountain in Germany. From the top, there are astonishing views across Germany, Austria, Switzerland and Italy.

Please note, due to planned maintenance of the Zugspitze Mountain Railway, on departures 09/05 and 13/05, the group will instead take a journey on the Nordkette Railway to the Top of Innsbruck.

Includes
  • Breakfast
Day 8 - Remarkable journey through the Alps to stylish St Moritz

A free morning provides the opportunity to explore Innsbruck, before we embark on a spectacular First Class train journey through the Alps. The route starts by winding alongside the Inn River, the jade waters rushing between steep peaks dotted with thick pine forests. Shortly after leaving the Inn at Landeck, the Arlberg Line passes Weisberg Castle at the eastern end of the impressive Trisanna Bridge, widely considered to be one of Austria's finest. As the track climbs higher towards the popular resort of St Anton, traditional chalets pepper this beautiful alpine landscape.

Looping briefly into the tiny double-landlocked principality of Liechtenstein, we are welcomed to Switzerland by delightfully scenic views. The last leg of our journey takes us on the UNESCO-listed Albula Line, which zigzags and spirals its way round mountains and over bridges, including the curved Landwasser Viaduct. After a panorama of deep ravines, snow-capped peaks and rushing waterfalls, we arrive in chic St Moritz, where a three-course dinner awaits at our central hotel which boasts uninterrupted views of the glamorous town's serene lake.

Includes
  • Breakfast, Dinner
Day 9 – Across the Alps to Italy in First Class on the Bernina Express

An incredible experience awaits today as we climb the Alps on the astonishing Bernina Express in First Class. From our panoramic carriages, the exceptional alpine scenery continuously impresses throughout our journey. A truly memorable experience is to be had when we step off the train at Alp Grüm. Greeted by jaw-dropping views of the Palü Glacier, we soak up these magical surroundings. This stunning route then twists its way down the mountains, spiralling round the remarkable corkscrew viaduct at Brusio before crossing the border into Italy.

Free time in our destination of Tirano allows you to explore the narrow, cobbled streets and characterful piazzas of the charming Italian valley town, where you can enjoy lunch. A regional speciality is pizzoccheri, a hearty buckwheat pasta dish made with potato, cabbage and cheese.

We return to St Moritz on a local service, which provides an opportunity to pull down a train window for spectacular photos, before we sit down for a three-course dinner at our hotel.

Includes
  • Breakfast, Dinner
Day 10 – At leisure in glamorous St Moritz

With panoramic views of the mountains and lakes of the Engadine Valley, chic St Moritz provides many options for a free day. Via Serlas is one of the world's most famous shopping streets, brimming with upmarket fashion boutiques right outside our hotel.

The St Moritz resort card provides free travel on the cable cars and funiculars surrounding the town so you can be ferried up to the snow-capped peaks in minutes. Meanwhile, the Swiss Travel Card's 50% discount on trains allows you to explore further afield, including the fashionable resorts of Davos or Klosters.

You could visit the church of St Maurice, also known as 'the church of the springs', around which the town was built or enjoy a traditional 1930s Swiss high tea at Badrutt's Palace Hotel. Alternatively, absorb local culture at the Segantini Museum, dedicated to the works of alpine painter Giovanni Segantini. For a relaxing day, St Moritz's serene lake can be enjoyed on a gentle stroll or from our hotel's glorious terrace along with uninterrupted mountain views.

Includes
  • Breakfast
Day 11 - First Class experience on the iconic Glacier Express

Today is a highlight of any rail holiday to Switzerland as we embark on one of Europe's most iconic train journeys - the incredible Glacier Express to Brig in First Class. The 'slowest express train' delves into the Rhine Gorge, where our panoramic carriages provide great views of the 'Swiss Grand Canyon'.

Averaging a steady 24mph, the Glacier Express allows us to enjoy the continually impressive scenery while we enjoy a glass of prosecco and a two-course lunch at our seats. Snow-dusted peaks pass by as the train climbs over the Oberalp Pass, the peak of the route, before entering the nine-mile-long Furka Base Tunnel and spiralling down through picture-perfect Swiss villages on the approach to Brig. Here we change trains and travel in First Class to Interlaken, via the pretty lakeside town of Spiez.

Interlaken is a delightful town nestled between two glacier-fed lakes and towering peaks. Our 4-Star hotel is on the main street, providing great views of mountains and the nearby castle grounds. After checking in this evening, we enjoy a three-course dinner.

Includes
  • Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 12 - An unforgettable trip to the ‘Top of Europe’ on the Jungfrau Express

A jaw-dropping journey to Jungfraujoch - Europe's highest train station - awaits today. We travel by rail to the mountainside village of Kleine Scheidegg where we board the sensational Jungfrau Express, a cogwheel train that climbs the final section of the route. On our trip, the train enters an incredible tunnel which cuts through the Eiger. Even more incredible are the carved-out viewing windows meaning we can enjoy the scenery from inside the tunnel.

On reaching Jungfraujoch station, the vistas from the Sphinx viewing platform are absolutely spellbinding. At the top, we're treated to panoramic vistas across an eternally snowy wonderland that includes the Aletsch Glacier - a UNESCO World Heritage wonder - that stretches as far as the eye can see. With free time in this alpine paradise, you could also visit the Lindt Swiss Chocolate Heaven or enter the Alpine Sensation exhibition which pays tribute to the miners who built the railway more than 100 years ago.

This stunning experience continues as we descend via the charming village of Grindelwald before returning to Interlaken and dining independently this evening.

Includes
  • Breakfast
Day 13 – A day to explore revitalising Interlaken at leisure

You're free to explore attractive Interlaken today. The town's historic centre is compact, so it's easy to discover the medieval monastery, castle and ancient square on foot.

Interlaken is also a mecca for outdoor enthusiasts, so whether you're looking for an adventure or just a peaceful stroll, there's something for everyone to enjoy. Maybe take the funicular for a 10-minute trip to the summit of Harder Kulm, where you can enjoy panoramic views across the mountains and Lake Brienz.

Another great option is to take a peaceful lake cruise on a vintage paddle steamer - your Swiss Travel Card gives you a 50% discount on this and other boat tours, as well as for most trains and mountain railways. The travel card can also be used for a day out to historic Lucerne or charming Meiringen. Here, you can board a quaint funicular to the Reichenbach Falls that played an important part in the Sherlock Holmes stories or visit the town's museum honouring Arthur Conan Doyle's famous detective.

We gather tonight at the hotel for our final three-course dinner together.

Includes
  • Breakfast, Dinner
Day 14 – Homeward bound

Our incredible alpine holiday concludes after breakfast this morning, as we board the train to Zürich Airport for our flight back to London Heathrow. The train journey takes us through delightful mountain scenery, providing one final spectacle on this fantastic trip. Flying back to London, we can reflect on our great alpine exploration and the unforgettable experiences we have enjoyed.

Whether it was bustling Munich and its heady mix of history and beer, cultured and classical Salzburg, Innsbruck's incredible backdrops or St Moritz's stylish mix of mountains and boutiques, the towns and cities on our great alpine adventure will have left an impression. A candlelit dinner with classical music in Mozart's hometown and the fairytale beauty of Neuschwanstein Castle will live long in the memory. However, the star attraction is surely the spellbinding scenery and how we experienced it. Mighty peaks and ethereal glaciers, enchanting forests and luminous lakes have all been viewed from some of the Alps' most spectacular railways.

Includes
  • Breakfast

Additional information

Please Note

Please note: One of the excursions on this tour is at high altitude. If you have any medical conditions or concerns that could impact this part of the tour, we recommend you seek medical advice and talk to us. We want to make sure that any holiday you book is right for you.

Departure times

Provisional departure and return times, where available, can be found together with our dates and prices by clicking on the 'Prices & Availability' button. We write to all booked customers approximately 10 weeks prior to the start of their tour to advise the exact departure and return time for their particular group.

Mobility information

Due to the nature of our tours they are generally unsuitable for those with restricted mobility. If you’d like to discuss any particular holiday with us in this respect, then please don’t hesitate to call us.

Hotels

Hotel Innsbruck, Innsbruck

Hotel Innsbruck, Innsbruck

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Hotel Interlaken, Interlaken

Hotel Interlaken, Interlaken

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Maritim Hotel, Munich

Maritim Hotel, Munich

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Hotel NH Salzburg City

Hotel NH Salzburg City, Salzburg

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Hotel Schweizerhof, St Moritz

Hotel Schweizerhof, St Moritz

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Trains

Bernina Express
Eurostar
The Glacier Express
Jungfrau Railway
TGV
Thalys
Zugspitze Railway

Enhance your holiday

Upgrades

London Hotels
UK rail connections
Door to door luggage service

Reviews

4.4 stars4.4 / 5 · 41 reviews

  1. 5 stars
    (24)
  2. 4 stars
    (8)
  3. 3 stars
    (8)
  4. 2 stars
    (1)
  5. 1 star
    (0)

Jeffrey Prosser

3 stars

Submitted 8/Oct

Too full on for our taste. Very long days and very tiring.We think more should have been pointed out about this iSn brochure details. St Moritz hotel very disappointing and not customer friendly Tour Manager was first class and there were a number of excellent individual experiences .

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Lesley Walshaw

4 stars

Submitted 3/Oct

A well organised holiday with good communication beforehand. Beautiful scenery and interesting tours. The tour manager Richard Hare was excellent.

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C Bell

5 stars

Submitted 30/Sep

The entire tour was EXCELLENT. Special kudos to our tour manager, Ivan. He was incredible.

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Sylvia Senseny

3 stars

Submitted 29/Sep

The food was mediocre, some of the hotels were below expectations. Had to walk from every train to hotel, many times in the rain. Many glitches that changed the itinerary. Would not book with this company again,

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Kurt Taylor

5 stars

Submitted 24/Sep

Fantastic trip. Our guide made travel easy and convenient for someone who has never traveled by rail before. Highly recommend our guide Ivan. The trip has a good amount of walking and stairs. Great food. Amazing sites.

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Marcella Forster

5 stars

Submitted 23/Sep

Our tour guide Ivan Mayers kept our group of 28 informed with a written itinerary and verbal updates the day before. The scenes were absolutely glorious. The restaurants in all our locations were outstanding with ample choice.

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