Simply Glacier & Bernina Express

Your holiday begins at London St Pancras, meeting the Tour Manager before boarding the Eurostar to Paris. In the French capital, we walk to nearby Gare de l'Est for a two-hour train journey to the Alsace. Our route to Strasbourg passes through the Champagne region and the historic area of Lorraine.

After checking in to our hotel in Strasbourg, there is time to explore this picturesque city with its eclectic mix of French and German architecture. Strasbourg's historic centre, the Grande Île, is dominated by its main square, Place Kléber, while the red sandstone façade of the 13th-century Gothic Notre Dame Cathedral is a marvel of intricate carving which looks beautiful in the golden glow of dusk.

This evening, it's a short stroll from our hotel to a local restaurant where we have dinner.

• Dinner

Following breakfast, there is some free time to explore Strasbourg. A short walk along the canal is La Petite France - a pretty quarter where half-timbered houses and picturesque waterways are bedecked with flowers in the warmer months.

We then transfer to Strasbourg's station for our rail journey to Switzerland. Travelling to Tiefencastel via Basel and Chur, the scenery is enhanced as gentle slopes guide us to the sparkling waters of Lake Zürich. Entering the Graubünden canton, imposing mountains begin to encircle the route as we approach the UNESCO-listed Albula Line.

Arriving early evening, we check in for a five-night stay in the small village of Tiefencastel. A warm welcome awaits at our riverside hotel, run by the same family for over five generations. Located on the route of the Glacier Express and Bernina Express, Tiefencastel has a fascinating rail heritage. Each evening, we are served a three-course dinner, with wine, beer and soft drinks included.

• Breakfast, Dinner

A day at leisure provides a chance to explore the area at your own pace, with a picnic lunch provided by the hotel. Tiefencastel is a small village but there is plenty to discover, including the wood carvings inside the 14th-century Church of St Stefan and several woodland walks.

With your Swiss Half Fare Card providing a 50% discount on rail fares in the area, you might decide to explore further afield. Travelling on the UNESCO-listed Albula Line across the curved Landwasser Viaduct to nearby Filisur gives you many options. From here, you could continue to Bergün to learn the history of regional trains at the Albula Railway Museum.

Alternatively, you might like to travel through the spectacular Zügen Gorge to the refined mountain resorts of Davos and Klosters, loved by the British Royal family. Between May and October, the historic 'Crocodile' train also runs between Filisur and Davos. Returning to Tiefencastel, dinner with selected drinks is provided tonight as it is each evening.

• Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Heading to Tiefencastel station after breakfast, we travel on the Albula Line to the famous resort of St Moritz. This historic route snakes across deep ravines and scenic viaducts, past impressive mountain peaks and evergreen forests before arriving in St Moritz.

Set amidst the mountains and lakes of the Engadine Valley and renowned for its grand hotels, cafés and stylish shops, free time in St Moritz lends itself to an abundance of possibilities for you to discover on your own.

Taking a relaxing stroll provides the opportunity to enjoy your picnic lunch by the serene lake, admiring the backdrop of incredible mountains. Via Serlas is one of the world's most glamorous shopping streets and is brimming with upmarket fashion boutiques. Alternatively, pause to sip an apéritif or cocktail in a bar, or ride the Diavolezza cable car to reveal exquisite views over the Morteratsch Glacier. Later, we return by train to our Tiefencastel hotel for dinner and drinks.

• Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Travelling across the Alps to Italy on the UNESCO-listed route of the Bernina Express is a highlight of our tour.

We set off on this fantastic journey after breakfast. One of rail enthusiasts' best-kept secrets, this spectacular route clings to mountainsides and passes dramatic waterfalls before climbing up to Lago Bianco and the summit at Ospizio Bernina, 7,400ft above sea level. From panoramic carriages, there's time to admire the ethereal Palü Glacier before our train joins the marvellous 360-degree spiral viaduct at Brusio.

Reaching the Italian town of Tirano, there is free time to explore and enjoy your picnic lunch. On crossing the Adda river and entering the Old Town through the Porta Poschiavina, you are greeted by rustic cobbled streets and palazzos. Entering the Collegiate Church of St Martin and the 16th-century Sanctuary of the Blessed Virgin of Tirano, you can discover intricate interiors decorated with beautiful frescoes and statues. We return to Tiefencastel by local train in time for dinner and drinks.

**Please note: on certain departures, we will travel by local train to Tirano and return aboard the Bernina Express.

• Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

We board the train to Chur this morning, then continue along the Arosa Line for a sensational journey to the lakeside resort of Arosa.

Climbing more than 3,000 feet in 16 miles, the train winds through verdant valleys and crosses the amazing Langwieser Viaduct - a single track reinforced concrete railway bridge which spans the Plessur River - before arriving beside the crystal-clear waters of Obersee. There is free time here to bask in the beautiful views of surrounding peaks with your picnic lunch. Arosa is a nature-lovers' paradise and, for those who'd like to see more, you can venture higher by cable car.

Before we return to Tiefencastel for dinner and drinks, there is some free time to explore Switzerland's oldest town. Backed by mountains, Chur's historic cobblestone centre has quietly impressed visitors for many years with its colourful buildings and squares. The focal point of the Old Town is Martinsplatz, dominated by the tower of St Martin's Church. Chur also has several galleries and museums, including the Rätisches Museum and Cathedral Treasure Museum.

• Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

One of Europe's most renowned trains awaits this morning. We make the short journey to Tiefencastel station to board the Glacier Express - the perfect way to conclude our time in the Swiss Alps.

This epic journey, on what is known as 'the slowest express train in the world' transports us west from Chur before delving into the Rhine Gorge, dubbed the 'Swiss Grand Canyon'. With a luggage transfer to tonight's hotel and a picnic lunch included, we can soak up the ever-changing views of wildflower meadows and pine forests from panoramic windows. The spectacular route snakes over the Oberalp Pass, beside glacial lakes and through the nine-mile-long Furka Base Tunnel before arriving in Brig.

Here, we change trains to head north through the mountains to Basel, passing turquoise Lake Thun and fairytale Spiez Castle on the way. Basel is a delightful city, rooted in history and dominated by its red sandstone Gothic minster on the banks of the Rhine. Our popular hotel tonight is next to the train station, and we check in before the final dinner of our tour.

• Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

This scenic tour has shown us the highlights of the Swiss Alps, from the attractive towns of St Moritz, Arosa and Chur to the stunning views from iconic trains including the Glacier Express and Bernina Express.

Making our way to Basel train station after breakfast, we begin our journey home on the high-speed TGV to Paris. In the French capital, we change to the Eurostar back to London St Pancras. Your holiday concludes on arrival at London St Pancras, where you are free to make your own way home.

• Breakfast