Jungfrau Express

By train to Strasbourg

After meeting at our St Pancras Departure Office, we take the Eurostar to Paris, continuing to Strasbourg for the night.

Onwards to Meiringen

Today we continue our journey to Meiringen, travelling by rail, via Basel.

Reichenbach Falls

This morning we travel by mountain railway to the Reichenbach Falls and the platform where the dramatic final duel between Sherlock Holmes and arch-enemy Moriarty took place. From the falls, you have the option of exploring the area on a signposted walk.

Alternatively, enjoy lunch at the café above the stunning falls, before returning to Meiringen at your leisure. Your afternoon is free in this Swiss town. Historically, the town is known for its claims to have been the place where the meringue dessert was first invented. You may wish to visit the small Sherlock Holmes Museum, located in the basement of a former English church.

Brienz Rothorn Line and Lake Brienz

We head west by train along the Brünig line to Brienz, located in the middle of charming mountains at the eastern end of the turquoise-coloured Lake Brienz. The cosy village is our starting point for excursions to the Bernese Oberland, and it is here that we begin an excursion by steam mountain railway, climbing to over 5,000 feet (1,524m), to the summit of Rothorn.* The summit offers fabulous views of the deep-blue lakes below and the snow-capped mountains in the distance, including one of the highest mountains in Europe, the Jungfrau. On our return to Brienz, we enjoy a cruise on Lake Brienz to Interlaken. Later, we return to Meiringen.

*Please note: This railway does not operate in the early season. Departures before June will enjoy a lake cruise.

Lucerne

Today we take a train to the town of Lucerne, known for its cobbled streets and ornate churches. Your time in Lucerne is free to explore. Enjoy a stroll through the town to see the famous Kapellbrücke, a 14th century wooden bridge that separates Lucerne's Old Town and New Town. Alternatively, travel on the Pilatus or the Rigi mountain railways, or enjoy a paddle steamer cruise across beautiful Lake Lucerne.

To the highest station in Europe

Today we enjoy what is undoubtedly one of the highlights of our stay in the Bernese Oberland, as we travel on the Jungfrau Railway to the Jungfraujoch - Europe's highest railway station. We begin on the Bernese Oberland Railway, trundling through the foothills of the Alps from Interlaken to Lauterbrunnen, through flower-filled pastures and past pretty villages. Over the course of the route, the line climbs 1,532 feet (467 metres) above sea level, passing isolated chalets and small farming cabins. In Lauterbrunnen we join the Wengeralp Railway, continuing our ascent through ever changing scenery to Kleine Scheidegg, where we join the Jungfrau Railway for the final six miles of our journey.

Climbing further from Kleine Scheidegg, the distinctive string of red and yellow carriages of the Jungfrau Railway disappear into the tunnel through the Eiger Mountain. During the journey the train pauses at two separate observation stops; windows hewn out of solid Alpine rock between the tunnel and the infamous north face of the Eiger, with spectacular views down to the valley below. Finally, the train arrives at Jungfraujoch, the 'Top of Europe', located at 3454m above sea level.

With free time at the summit station, you will have plenty of time to explore the Ice Palace and its many ice sculptures. You can spend time on the Sphinx Terrace, enjoying superb views onto the Aletsch Glacier, which, at 22km is the longest ice stream in the Alps, and provides a sharp contrast to the lush meadows and Alpine pastures of the lower lying hillsides near the valley floor. You can also enjoy the walking plateau, which is eternally covered in snow. After time to explore and to enjoy lunch, we descend via the charming mountain resort of Grindelwald.

At Leisure

Your day is free, perhaps to explore with your GRJ Swiss Travel Card which gives a 50% discount on most trains, buses and lake steamers in the area. You could travel to Brienz and visit the Ballenberg Open-Air Museum, or walk along the picturesque promenade, complete with its vivid flower beds and trees. Alternatively, you could take the Giessbachbahn funicular railway, the oldest of its kind in Europe, and travel up to the impressive Giessbach Falls. The city of Thun is nearby, located at the point where the River Aare flows into the shimmering waters of Lake Thun.

Schynige Platte and Harder Kulm

Today we take the cog railway through Alpine meadows to Schynige Platte, for spectacular views of the Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau Mountains. Reaching a height of 1,967 metres at the top station, there is also a chance to explore the alpine botanical garden at the summit, displaying a variety of high-altitude species. Later, we return to Interlaken and ascend Harder Kulm, which looms over the lakeside town at 1,322 metres. The summit is occupied by the authentically Swiss Bergrestraunt Harder Kulm, where we enjoy a sumptuous dinner with breathtaking views of Lakes Thun and Brienz.

To London

We leave Meringen for Lausanne, joining the high-speed service to Paris and there continuing on to London St Pancras via the Eurostar.