Swiss Alps by Rail: Glacier Express

After enjoying complimentary airport lounge access, fly to Zurich and transfer to the Hotel Marktgasse, a 15th century building in the midst of the picturesque old town, close by to the river Limmat, Lake Zurich and the main train station. Spend the rest of the day admiring the lake and mountain views, or perhaps take an optional sightseeing tour with a private guide and driver.

Stay: Hotel Marktgasse, Zurich

Transfer to the train station in Zurich and travel by train to chic, elegant and exclusive St. Moritz, located at 1856 metres above sea level and surrounded by the lake landscape of the Upper Engadine. With 322 days a year of sunshine and glamorous cosmopolitan air, St. Moritz attracts the rich and famous to its hotels and revitalising spas. Indulge in some of the best cuisine Switzerland has to offer in the beautiful old town.

Stay: Hotel Steffani, St. Moritz or similar

After breakfast board the Alps' most famous train the Glacier Express for the 179-mile journey to Zermatt. Often called the slowest express train in the world, the Glacier Express takes you past snow-dusted peaks, dense forests, rushing rivers, Alpine meadows and Swiss mountain villages at near glacial speeds, giving you plenty of time to savour the ever-changing scenery from the comfort of your Panorama Car, which even has windows in the roof. On arrival in Zermatt, at the foot of Mount Matterhorn, you'll transfer to the Hotel Alpenhof.

Stay: Hotel Alpenhof, Zermatt or similar

Spend the morning in Zermatt, a traffic-free mountain town that to its credit has clung on to its chocolate-box chalets, around which have emerged an astonishing array of restaurants and après-ski bars. Towering above the town stands the snaggletooth peak of the Matterhorn, as synonymous with Switzerland as the Eiffel Tower is with France. 

Enjoy an included excursion to the Gornergrat, a cogwheel train has transported passengers from the station in Zermatt to an altitude of 3089 metres since 1898, across stunning bridges, through galleries and tunnels, idyllic forests, past gorges and mountain lakes. The iconic view from the Gornergrat platform is dominated by the Matterhorn along with another 29 four-thousand metre peaks forming an impressive mountain panorama completed by the Gorner glacier, stop along the way to enjoy hiking and walking trails before return back to Zermatt.

Stay: Hotel Alpenhof, Zermatt or similar

After breakfast board the Glacier Express for the return 179-mile journey to St. Moritz. Often called the slowest express train in the world, the Glacier Express takes you past snow-dusted peaks, dense forests, rushing rivers, Alpine meadows and Swiss mountain villages at near glacial speeds, giving you plenty of time to savour the ever-changing scenery from the comfort of your Panorama Car, which even has windows in the roof. On arrival in St.Moritz, you'll transfer to your hotel.

Stay: Hotel Steffani, St. Moritz or similar

The morning is free to spend at your leisure. Around board your train, taking the scenic route past three lakes and spend your final night in Zurich before transferring to the airport the following day.

Stay: Hotel Marktgasse, Zurich

Transfer to the airport in time for your flight back to the UK and continue your onward journey home.