Swiss Alps by Rail: Best of Winter

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: Marktgasse Hotel, Zurich (Superior)

After breakfast, travel from Zurich to Lucerne. Surrounded by famous peaks and set on the majestic lake of the same name, Lucerne is often seen as quintessential Switzerland. The romantic old town is perfect for a late afternoon stroll: don’t miss the Chapel Bridge, with paintings in the eaves dating back to the Middle Ages, or the charming shops and restaurants along the lakeside.

Stay: Hotel Continental Park, Lucerne or similar (Superior) 

Board the Lucerne-Interlaken Express and enjoy the winter landscapes along the scenic journey. Interlaken sits in the heart of the Bernese Oberland and the Swiss Alps. It is the gateway to the Jungfrau region with the famous peaks Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau. and nestles between the two beautiful lakes of Thun and Brienz at the foot of the Jungfrau massif. 

Stay: Hotel Stella, Interlaken or similar (Superior)

The journey to the Jungfraujoch at 3,454 meters – Europe’s highest altitude railway station – is a highlight of any visit to Switzerland. The Jungfrau Railways is an engineering masterpiece. The last section has been built inside the mountain itself, and the view through the panorama windows at the "Eigerwand" and "Eismeer" stations in the middle of the North Wall are a thrilling experience. The platform of the observatory is located right above the Aletsch Glacier. The "Alpine Sensation" a subway inside the rock marks the centenary of the Jungfrau Railway and connects the Ice Paradise with the Sphinx Hall.

Stay: Hotel Stella, Interlaken or similar (Superior) 

Transfer by rail to Brig in the Upper Valais at the foot of the Simplon Pass. It's lively old quarter is dotted with stately homes and cozy inns. The main street is great for shopping and the nearby Stockalper Palace is one of the most important baroque palaces in Switzerland.

Stay: Hotel Ambassador, Brig or similar (Superior)

Take a full day excursion to Zermatt, the famous resort which is home to the mighty Matterhorn. Join a mountain excursion to the top of Gornergrat for the most impressive views.  From Zermatt station a cogwheel train will transport you to an altitude of 3089m, 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. There are several stops on the way which are starting points of various hiking and walking trails. 

Stay: Hotel Ambassador, Brig or similar (Superior)

Today you'll discover the many highlights along the Glacier Express route. The trip between Brig and Chur is unforgettable. Surrounded by a fantastic mountain panorama, the journey leads eastwards into the Upper Rhone valley which reaches 1366m at Oberwald, passing Andermatt onwards to the Oberlap Pass before winding its way upwards to 2034m (the highest point of the journey). The journey contunies on a decent along the Rhine valley to Chur at 595m (the lowest point of the route). The landscape looks very dramatic in the Rhine gorge between IIanz and Reichenau. The journey ends in Chur, the capital of the canton of Graubunden and the largest town along the route.

Stay: Hotel Stern, Chur or similar (Superior)

Board the Bernina Express for a journey along magical winter scenery. Experience the one‐of‐a‐kind mountain landscape of the Swiss Alps on this spectacular train journey across viaducts and bridges and through tunnels and ancient gorges. From the icy peaks of the Canton of Graubunden and the Morteratsch Glacier (where the ascent up the Bernina Pass begins) to Lago Bianco which at this time of year is covered in snow. Soon after, reach the highest point of 2253m at Ospizio Bernina. The dramatic descent down via Alp Grum offers magnificent views of the Palu Glacier. Finishing in the Italian‐speaking Swiss town of Poschiavo. Return directly by regional train to Chur or stop in St. Moritz for a few hours before continuing back to Chur.

Stay: Hotel Stern, Chur or similar (Superior)

This morning is free to spend at your leisure before you board your train, taking the scenic route past three lakes to spend your final night in Zurich before heading to the airport the following day

Stay: Marktgasse Hotel, Zurich (Superior)

Make your way to the airport in time for your flight back to the UK