First-Class Glacier Express, Zermatt and Matterhorn

We meet our fellow travellers and Tour Manager at London St Pancras, ready to begin our luxury holiday to Switzerland. Travelling in Standard Premier Class on the Eurostar, we enjoy a light meal at our seats on our way to Paris. In the French capital, we continue via Stasbourg to Basel by First Class rail.

Basel sits on the Rhine River, where France, Germany, and Switzerland converge. Known for its rich cultural heritage, the city has world-class museums and a beautiful Old Town. On arrival, we take a short walk to our central hotel where we spend the night. This evening, we get to know one another over our first dinner together.

• Dinner
• Eurostar light meal

After breakfast at our hotel, we return to Basel station to take our First Class train seats to Chur. This captivating route takes us past gleaming lakes towards increasingly dramatic mountains. From Chur, the last leg of this scintillating journey into the heart of the Swiss Alps sees us snake across deep ravines and scenic viaducts, past snow-capped peaks and rushing waterfalls before arriving in stylish St Moritz. We check in to our central hotel which boasts uninterrupted views of the lake and enjoy a three-course dinner in the on-site restaurant tonight.

• Breakfast, Dinner

Regarded as the rail experts' best-kept secret, crossing the Alps into Italy on the UNESCO-listed route of the Bernina Express is an incredible experience. From our First Class panoramic carriages, the alpine scenery continuously impresses as we wind ever higher.

Reaching the summit at more than 7,300 feet above sea level, we pass the turquoise waters of Lago Bianco before enjoying a truly memorable moment. Stepping off the train at Alp Grüm, we admire jaw-dropping views of the ethereal Palü Glacier. The stunning route then twists down the mountains, spiralling round the remarkable corkscrew viaduct at Brusio.

Free time in Tirano allows you to explore the narrow, cobbled streets and characterful piazzas of this charming Italian valley town or enjoy local delicacies in one of the town's delightful trattorias. We return to Switzerland on the local train, which provides an opportunity to roll down a window for spectacular photos. Arriving back in St Moritz, we enjoy a three-course dinner at our hotel this evening.

• Breakfast, Dinner

Nestled amidst the mountains and lakes of the Engadine Valley, a free day in the glamorous resort of St Moritz lends itself to an abundance of possibilities.

Right outside our central hotel, the Via Serlas is one of the world's most famous shopping streets and brims with upmarket fashion boutiques. The St Moritz resort card provides free travel on the cable cars and funiculars surrounding the town so you can be ferried up to the snow-capped peaks in minutes. For a more relaxing day, St Moritz's serene lake can be enjoyed on a gentle stroll or from our hotel's glorious terrace along with uninterrupted mountain views. Alternatively, you could use your complimentary Swiss Travel Card for 50% discount on trains and explore further afield. The fashionable resorts of Davos or Klosters have been popular with British royals, and these stylish towns can be reached by scenic rail in under two hours.

You dine independently this evening and, while St Moritz boasts a wide array of cuisines, you could sample authentic local food such as fondue, raclette or hearty pizzoccheri pasta.

• Breakfast

It's one of Europe's most iconic train journeys and this incredible holiday takes in the full length of the Glacier Express from St Moritz to Zermatt after breakfast today.

Travelling at an average speed of 24mph, the 'slowest express train in the world' clings to mountain edges on the UNESCO-listed Albula Line before delving into the Rhine Gorge. Here, our panoramic First Class carriages provide front-row seats to the 'Swiss Grand Canyon' as the emerald river winds its way past limestone cliffs. Enjoying a glass of prosecco and a two-course lunch in our seats, the breathtaking scenery is constant as we climb to Andermatt and enter the nine-mile Furka Tunnel. Our journey reaches a dramatic conclusion as we zigzag up the fairytale Matter Valley, through lush alpine wildflower meadows and past thundering waterfalls, before the magnificent Matterhorn looms into view on our approach to picture-perfect Zermatt.

Accessible only by train, the sense of peace in this quintessential Swiss mountain resort is instantly arresting. A warm welcome and three-course dinner awaits at our chalet-style spa hotel, where we check in for three nights.

• Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Waking up in beautiful Zermatt, we savour breakfast before setting off on a delightful heritage train ride. More than 125 years old, the charming Gornergrat Mountain Railway is Switzerland's original electric rack railway and first carried travellers the six miles up the mountain in August 1898. We trace their journey, climbing over picturesque valleys and through lush alpine forests, to an altitude of more than 10,000ft above sea level.

The spectacular views from the top are utterly jaw-dropping, and on a clear day an astonishing 29 mountaintops are visible. We have time to soak up these spellbinding vistas, including the best view of the majestic Matterhorn's pyramidal peak. This famous mountain is an iconic symbol of Switzerland, and its striking shape also provided the inspiration for the design of Toblerone.

Back amongst the low-pitched roofs of Zermatt's timbered chalets, an expert guide reveals that this charming alpine resort has several surprising connections to the UK, including the intriguing story of English mountaineer Edward Whymper. We dine independently tonight, and you could opt for one of Zermatt's many cosy restaurants.

• Breakfast

The imposing Matterhorn dominates the skyline around Zermatt and, after breakfast, we travel by gondola to the highest cable car station in Europe for a magical experience. At a height of more than 12,700 feet, the alpine wonderland of the Matterhorn Glacier Paradise provides monumental views of the famous peak, covered in snow all year round. The experience is further enhanced as a lift lowers us nearly 50 feet inside the glacier to the enchanting ice palace - the highest of its kind in the world - where we are greeted by remarkable sculptures crafted from the perpetual ice that surrounds us, adding a decorative touch to a surreal landscape.

A leisurely afternoon provides the opportunity to explore the plateau and enjoy Matterhorn views from Schwarzsee or relax in our hotel's outdoor jacuzzi or on the terrace. Strolling along the charming streets of Zermatt, you could wander between the historic wooden chalets of Hinterdorfstrasse. With geranium-filled balconies and buildings dating from the 1700s, this cobbled street showcases traditional alpine architecture. This evening, we gather back at our hotel for a three-course dinner.

• Breakfast, Dinner

We leave beautiful Zermatt after breakfast, travelling to the French city of Strasbourg by rail. First, we wind down the gorgeous Matter Valley to Visp, admiring the stunning scenery on the way. Our journey continues to Strasbourg via Basel, passing the glistening waters of Lake Thun and the quaint lakeside town of Spiez with its 10th-century castle.

With its grand architecture, including the quaint half-timbered riverside houses of La Petite France, the historic city of Strasbourg is well worth exploring from our central hotel. Blending German and French architectural influences typical of the Alsace, Place Kléber is the city's main square, while the incredible Gothic cathedral dates from the 13th century. Featuring a façade of ornately carved portals, the cathedral is topped by a piercing, octagonal tower. This evening, we gather at a local restaurant for our final dinner together.

• Breakfast, Dinner

Departing Strasbourg after breakfast, we travel by First Class rail to Paris. Dashing through the verdant French countryside, we pass the gleaming vines of the Champagne region before arriving in Paris. Here, we board the Eurostar in Standard Premier Class, enjoying a light meal as we journey back to the UK.

On the way, we can begin to reflect on this magical trip to Switzerland and recall the wonders of mountain railways, glacial plateaus, serene lakes and charming Swiss towns that welcomed us so warmly. From our bases in the revered resorts of St Moritz and Zermatt, we have enjoyed journeys on the iconic Bernina Express and Glacier Express, basking in incredible scenery throughout. At Alp Grüm, we admired the enchanting Palü Glacier while savouring a glass of prosecco, and we marvelled at the Matterhorn from the Gornergrat Mountain Railway and entered the magical ice palace.

On arrival at St Pancras, we say a fond farewell to our Tour Manager, fellow travellers and new friends with whom we have shared these unforgettable experiences that will live long in the memory.

• Breakfast
• Eurostar light meal