Swiss Alps by Rail & Venice Simplon-Orient-Express

Enjoy complimentary airport lounge access before your flight from the UK to Geneva, from which you’ll take a train that traces the banks of Lac Léman (also known as Lake Geneva) to Montreux. Hugging the shore of the lake and set against a backdrop of Alpine peaks, the town’s setting is wonderfully picturesque. After settling into your hotel, you may be tempted to head out into the town centre for something to eat, perhaps accompanied by a glass or two of local wine, for which this region of Switzerland is particularly revered. 

Stay: Montreux accommodation (Superior)

You have the whole day free to explore Montreux and its surroundings as you please. If there’s one place you absolutely must visit here, it’s Château de Chillon – a fairytale-esque medieval castle situated on an island on Lake Geneva. It’s magnificent to look at from the outside, but it’s well worth the entry free to explore inside, either independently or on a guided tour. Getting there by bus takes just 10 minutes or so from Montreux, but the walk along the flower-lined lakeside promenade is a delight. Alternatively, you could spend the day among the vineyard terraces of the Lavaux wine region, which holds UNESCO World Heritage status. 

Stay: Montreux accommodation (Superior)

Today, you’ll board the GoldenPass Express, taking you from the shores of Lake Geneva up into the Bernese Alps, passing some of Switzerland’s most spectacular scenery en route to Interlaken. You’ll be travelling in Prestige Class, with rotatable, heated seats allowing you to kick back and relax in total comfort while you take in the superb views from the window, perhaps accompanied by champagne and caviar. You can also order from a small but enticing menu of regional dishes as you go. Further connections with regional trains will bring you south, first to Visp, and finally to Zermatt, which lies at an altitude of 1,620 metres in the shadow of the Matterhorn. 

Stay: Zermatt accommodation (Superior)

Truly breathtaking views await as you take the Gornergrat Railway from Zermatt up to the Gornergrat observation point, with a vertical climb of 1,469 metres in 33 minutes. This is undoubtedly one of Switzerland’s most impressive rail journeys, passing forests of larch and Swiss stone pine, rocky ravines and Alpine lakes as it winds its way up to 3,089 metres above sea level. At the top, you’ll be greeted by stunning views of not just the Matterhorn, but a total of 29 mountain peaks exceeding 4,000 metres in altitude and the adjacent Gorner Glacier. There are several restaurants to choose from, as well as excellent hiking trails and an interactive exhibition that offers you the chance to see the Matterhorn up close. When you’re ready, take the train back down to Zermatt and enjoy the evening at leisure. 

Stay: Zermatt accommodation (Superior)

There’s no let up in the dramatic Alpine scenery today as you board the Glacier Express, traversing the cantons of Valais, Uri and Graubünden before arriving in St. Moritz. Across eight hours, you’ll travel at a leisurely pace through the mountains and valleys of southern Switzerland, with the option of upgrading to Excellence Class for a guaranteed window seat, a five-course tasting menu (including accompanying wine pairings) and exclusive access to the Glacier Bar. Nestled in the Engadin Valley, St. Moritz is renowned as one of Switzerland’s classiest Alpine resorts, and makes an ideal overnight base for the final section of the Swiss component of your trip.

Stay: St. Moritz accommodation (Superior)

You’ll bid Switzerland farewell today as you take the Bernina Express from St. Moritz to Tirano, just across the Italian border, passing through the endlessly photogenic, UNESCO World Heritage-listed region of the Rhaetian Railway along the way. The Morteratsch Glacier, Lago Bianco and the Brusio Circular Viaduct are among the highlights of this particular section. On arrival in Tirano, you’ll switch to a regional train to Milan, before your onward connection to Venice, where you’ll be spending the next three nights at the luxurious Baglioni Hotel Luna, set within an elegant, 12th-century palazzo, just a few steps away from the Piazza San Marco. 

Over the next couple of days, you’ll have ample time to soak up the rich history, gorgeous architecture and charming ambience of Venice at your own pace. The main square, Piazza San Marco, is the perfect place to start; in fact, you could easily spend a day just exploring this area, wandering among the canals, stopping at cafes, seeking out bacaros (traditional wine taverns) and admiring major landmarks including St. Mark’s Basilica and the Doge’s Palace. A gondola ride on the Grand Canal is also an essential experience when in Venice, while a longer cruise to the islands of the Venetian Lagoon is a worthwhile option, too. The colourful village of Burano is a particularly photogenic stop. However you choose to spend your time in Venice, it’s a city that never fails to make a lasting impression. 

Bid farewell to Venice today as you board the iconic gold-and-blue carriages of the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express. You’ll be welcomed by a glass of sparkling wine and shown to your elegant wood-panelled cabin before being treated to a three-course lunch served in one of the grand restaurant cars. Fabulous views of the Dolomites await as you head north before crossing over into Switzerland. Enjoy an exquisite four-course dinner and perhaps cap off your day with a cocktail or two before bedding down for the night. 

You’ll wake up to entirely different landscapes this morning as you continue northwards through France, enjoying breakfast from the comfort of your cabin. A lavish brunch is then served before you arrive in Paris and disembark. The final stretch of your journey takes place on the Eurostar, crossing the Channel en route to London St. Pancras International.