Glacier Express All Inclusive in Winter

Your Swiss holiday begins by meeting the Tour Manager and travelling group at London St Pancras. Boarding the Eurostar to Paris, we switch to the high-speed TGV for the final leg of the day's trip to Strasbourg.

This attractive city is located in the historic Alsace region, near the border with Germany. After checking in to our hotel near the station, there is time to explore the eclectic mix of French and German architecture. Its old 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 best viewed when bathed in the golden glow of dusk.

This evening, we take a short stroll from our hotel to a local restaurant where we enjoy our first dinner together.

• Dinner

After breakfast, you have a free morning to explore Strasbourg. A short walk along the canal from the hotel is La Petite France - an area of half-timbered houses and picturesque waterways bedecked with flowers in the warmer months.

Later, we transfer to Strasbourg's station for the journey to Switzerland. Travelling to Tiefencastel via Basel and Chur, the dramatic scenery increases as the gentle slopes guide us towards the sparkling waters of Lake Zürich. Entering the Graubünden canton, imposing mountains begin to encircle the track on the approach to the UNESCO-listed Albula Line.

Arriving in the early evening, we check in for a five-night stay in the small village of Tiefencastel. Located on the route of the Glacier Express and Bernina Express, Tiefencastel has an incredible rail heritage and is surrounded by beautiful wintry scenery. A warm welcome awaits at our riverside hotel that has been run by the same family for more than five generations. Each evening, we have a three-course dinner, while wine, beer and soft drinks are included during dinner every night.

• Breakfast, Dinner

Heading to Tiefencastel station after breakfast, we travel on the Albula Line to the famous town of St Moritz. This historic route snakes through stunning alpine scenery, crossing deep ravines and scenic viaducts.

Set amidst glistening frozen lakes, emerald forests and towering mountains, St Moritz is often referred to as Switzerland's original winter wonderland, and is a favourite holiday destination of celebrities and royalty. Free time here 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

Experience a highlight of your holiday today as we enjoy an excursion on the Bernina Express, dubbed 'the rail experts' best-kept secret'.

Boarding at Tiefencastel station after breakfast, we embark on a fantastic journey along this UNESCO-listed route that is more than 100 years old. This spectacular line crosses the curved Landwasser Viaduct, clings to mountainsides and passes frozen waterfalls before climbing up to Lago Bianco and the snow-covered summit at Ospizio Bernina, 7,400ft above sea level. From panoramic carriages, we can marvel at the ethereal Palü Glacier before twisting round the incredible spiral viaduct at Brusio. When we reach the delightful Italian town of Tirano, there is free time to explore and enjoy your picnic lunch.

Crossing the Adda river and entering the Old Town through the Porta Poschiavina, you are greeted by rustic cobbled streets, palazzos and fresco-decorated churches. Alternatively, indulge in a taste of Italy with a glass of wine, before we return to Tiefencastel by local train in time for dinner and drinks.

• Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Today is a free day to explore this pretty region at leisure, with a picnic lunch provided by the hotel. Tiefencastel is a small village but due to its location there is plenty to discover, including the wood carvings inside the 14th-century Church of St Stefan.

With your Swiss Travel Card providing a 50% discount on rail fares in the area, you might want to explore further afield. Travelling on the Albula Line to nearby Filisur gives you many options. From here, you can continue to Bergün, where you can learn about the importance of trains to the region at the Albula Railway Museum - found on the small station's platform. Alternatively, you could travel through the spectacular Zügen Gorge to the upmarket mountain resorts of Davos and Klosters, loved by the British Royal family.

Wherever you choose to discover today, dinner with selected drinks awaits back at our hotel this evening.

• Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

We board the train to Chur after breakfast this morning, continuing on the Arosa Line for an hour-long journey to the charming lakeside resort of Arosa.

Climbing more than 3,000 feet in 16 miles, the train winds its way through wintry valleys and across the historic Langweiser Viaduct before arriving beside Obersee. There is free time here to bask in incredible views of surrounding peaks, savouring your picnic lunch while drinking in the views. Arosa is a spectacular location at this time of year and, for those who want to see more, you can venture higher on a cable car.

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

• Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

One of Europe's most iconic trains awaits this morning as we make the short journey to Tiefencastel station to board the Glacier Express - an epic way to conclude our time in the Swiss Alps.

With a picnic lunch and luggage transfer to tonight's hotel included, panoramic carriages allow us to sit back and soak up the stunning snowbound views. From Chur, the 'slowest express train in the world' delves into the 'Swiss Grand Canyon', before snaking over the Oberalp Pass. Gliding beside glacial lakes and through the nine-mile-long Furka Base Tunnel, the Glacier Express arrives in the attractive valley town of Brig. Here, we change trains to head north through the mountains to Basel, passing Lake Thun and fairytale Spiez Castle on the way.

Basel is a historic city dominated by its red sandstone Gothic minster on the banks of the Rhine. Our hotel tonight is next to the train station and is popular with our passengers. We check in and enjoy our final dinner together.

• Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Based in the idyllic Albula Valley, this winter exploration of a spectacular part of Switzerland revealed picture-perfect scenes of snowy mountains, icy lakes and pretty towns. Our journeys on the iconic Bernina Express and Glacier Express allowed us to enjoy all this and more from cosy seats as we absorbed the stunning landscapes of a Swiss winter.

Making our way to Basel train station after breakfast, we begin our journey home. Joining the high-speed TGV to Paris, we change in the French capital to the final train of our holiday and travel by Eurostar back to London St Pancras, where your seasonal holiday comes to an end.

• Breakfast