Interlaken & the Jungfrau Express at Christmas

Your festive holiday begins at London St Pancras where you meet the Tour Manager before boarding the Eurostar service to Brussels. Here we change trains and continue to the bustling cathedral city of Cologne where we spend the night.

After checking in, dinner is served at our hotel this evening.

• Dinner

After breakfast we journey into Switzerland, passing through Mannheim beside the Rhine and Freiburg in the Black Forest on our way to Basel. From the Swiss city of Basel, we set off on a magical winter journey past glittering lakes and snowy peaks to Interlaken, in the heart of the Bernese Oberland - one of the best-loved regions in the Swiss Alps.

This resort town is nestled between lakes Thun and Brienz, watched over by the Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau mountains. On arrival, we check in to our modern hotel which has great views of the Bernese Oberland. After settling into our home for the next five nights, we have dinner.

*Please note: the order of this festive itinerary differs depending on the date of departure. For the tour departing on 23rd December, we take the Jungfrau Express to the 'Top of Europe' on Christmas Eve and spend Christmas Day in Lucerne. The Boxing Day excursion is the trip to Grindelwald and cable car ride to Grindelwald First mountain. Our advisors are on hand to explain the exact itinerary for each departure. Telephone 01904 734 359 or email for more information.

• Breakfast, Dinner

Today is the highlight of our holiday - an excursion to the summit of the spectacular Jungfrau on the Jungfrau Railway. First, we join the Bernese Oberland Railway to Lauterbrunnen, where the Wengernalp Railway takes us to Kleine Scheidegg. The views on this steep route are outstanding, with sights including the White Lütschine River Valley and Staubbach Falls, often frozen in winter.

The Jungfrau Railway begins at Kleine Scheidegg and runs the remaining six miles to just below the summit of the Jungfrau Mountain. After a viewing stop along the way, making the most of impressive panoramas, we emerge from the tunnel at Jungfraujoch, the highest railway station in Europe. With plenty of free time here, you could call in to the restaurant or may choose to visit the Ice Palace, first created in the 1930s, which features a labyrinth of ice caves containing glistening hand-carved sculptures recreated each year (payable on entry). Admire the endless expanse of the Aletsch Glacier from the Sphinx Observatory or head to the Lindt store for an insight into the history of Swiss chocolate. After today's glorious experience we head back to our hotel, and you are free to dine independently this evening.

• Breakfast

A spellbinding train journey aboard the Luzern-Interlaken Express to Lucerne makes a memorable Christmas Eve outing. Entering stunning alpine scenery, we travel along the banks of Lake Brienz to Meiringen, in the shadow of the famous Reichenbach Falls. From here, we climb the Brünig Pass through magical winter scenery to an elevation of 3,287 feet. On the descent, we pass shimmering lakes before reaching Lucerne.

There's time to wander Lucerne's old town where an illuminated spruce fir tree stands 15 metres high, casting a golden glow across the main square. The skating rink is another seasonal attraction, while Lucerne's cobbled streets embody tradition, culture and well-preserved medieval architecture, from ornate churches to frescoed historic houses and the 14th-century covered Kapellbrücke. This sparkling lakeside city is a wonderful place to explore and find somewhere to eat at one of the many cosy cafés and restaurants. This evening, we retrace our journey back to our hotel in Interlaken, where we enjoy a Christmas Eve dinner.

• Breakfast, Dinner

On 'the most magical day of the year' we make our way by rail to the characterful alpine village of Grindelwald, blanketed in snow and nestled at the foot of the imposing Eiger. From here, we take a cable car journey to the summit of the Grindelwald First mountain where we can appreciate grand panoramas of the twinkling valley below and look across at the mighty Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau mountains.

Back in Grindelwald, there is time to admire the attractive wooden chalets and quaint town squares of this fairytale setting, with its backdrop of dramatic mountains. Later we return to Interlaken where we sit down to a traditional Christmas dinner.

• Breakfast, Dinner

Today is free, giving you a chance to explore Interlaken or possibly to venture further. Locally, you could take a boat ride across one of the lakes before warming up at a cosy café. Or wrap up warm and head out on one of the many nature trails that start in the town.

Interlaken's history can be traced back to a monastery built here in the 12th century, while the surrounding landscapes provide a gateway to the Bernese Oberland, a region which is home to over 45 scenic mountain railways and aerial gondolas that you can discover using your Swiss Travel Card for 50% off fares.

This evening dinner is served at our hotel.

• Breakfast, Dinner

This sensational Christmas holiday has taken us into idyllic alpine scenery on renowned Swiss railways. We have explored the unique village of Grindelwald and charming lakeside Lucerne, the 'City of Lights', from our base in the cosmopolitan resort town of Interlaken.

Our tour of the spectacular Jungfrau draws to a close this morning as we depart Interlaken and make our way to Basel, before transferring to the onward rail service to Paris. In the French capital we join the Eurostar to London St Pancras where you are free to continue your journey homewards.

• Breakfast