Swiss Winter Wonderland & Glacier Express

Day One

We depart North Wales in the early hours and travel south to Folkestone for our Eurotunnel crossing to Calais. Continuing through northern France, we arrive in Reims for an overnight stay. Set in the heart of the Champagne region, this historic city is known for its magnificent cathedral and elegant architecture. After checking in to our hotel, the evening is free, with welcoming restaurants offering an opportunity to sample the flavours of the region.

Day Two

We continue through France into Switzerland, arriving in Lucerne for a two night stay. Set beside the lake and framed by mountains, this beautiful city is full of character, with wooden bridges, painted façades and inviting historic streets. After checking in, take time to settle into your room before beginning to explore. Perhaps stroll towards the famous Chapel Bridge and neighbouring Water Tower, or wander into the Old Town, where handsome squares and welcoming restaurants create an atmospheric setting for your first evening in Switzerland.

Day Three

Today brings together two of Switzerland’s great pleasures: cruising across a mountain lake and climbing towards the peaks aboard a historic railway. We begin with a boat journey from Lucerne to Vitznau, watching lakeside villages and wooded slopes slip past as the mountains rise beyond the water. At Vitznau, we board the cogwheel railway to Rigi Kulm, following the pioneering line that opened in 1871 as Europe’s first mountain railway. As the train climbs, the lake falls away below and increasingly expansive views unfold beyond the windows.

Known as the “Queen of the Mountains”, Mount Rigi commands a breathtaking panorama of lakes, valleys and distant Alpine peaks on a clear day. There is time at the summit to appreciate the scenery, breathe the fresh mountain air and capture photographs. We then descend by a different route to Arth-Goldau, where a connecting train completes our circular journey back to Lucerne.

At Vitznau, we join the historic cogwheel railway for the climb to Rigi Kulm. Opened in 1871 as Europe’s first mountain railway, the line offers an unforgettable ascent, with the lake falling away below and an ever-widening panorama unfolding around us. Known as the Queen of the Mountains, Rigi rewards us with sweeping views across the surrounding Alps. Enjoy free time at the summit to take photographs and savour the scenery, with snow-covered peaks and distant lakes stretching towards the horizon on a clear day.

Our journey continues down the opposite side of the mountain by cogwheel train to Arth-Goldau. Here, we join a connecting train back to Lucerne, completing a varied circular excursion through some of central Switzerland’s finest scenery.

Day Four

A highlight of our holiday awaits as we travel to Andermatt to board the legendary Glacier Express. Settle into your panoramic carriage for a journey through the heart of the Swiss Alps, with broad windows bringing the mountain scenery into glorious view. Climbing towards the Oberalp Pass, the railway reaches its highest point at 2,033 metres. Here, sweeping slopes and snowy expanses reveal the grandeur of the high Alps before we descend towards the Rhine Valley. Remote mountain landscapes give way to small villages and sheltered settlements, with the train’s leisurely pace allowing time to appreciate every changing view. The Rhine Gorge provides a particularly striking stretch of the journey. Often called the “Swiss Grand Canyon”, its pale cliffs rise steeply above the winding river, creating a dramatic contrast to the open mountain heights. Arriving in Chur, Switzerland’s oldest city, we check in to Hotel ABC for three nights. The pedestrian Old Town invites exploration, with winding lanes, decorative fountains and attractive squares tucked beneath the mountains. Enjoy an evening among its historic streets and welcoming restaurants.

Day Five

Today captures the romance of a Swiss winter as we travel into the mountains to Davos. A traditional horse-drawn sleigh ride offers a delightful way to experience the surrounding scenery. Wrapped up against the crisp mountain air, settle back and enjoy the gentle rhythm of the horses, with Alpine views providing a memorable backdrop. Afterwards, there is free time to explore Davos, browse the shops or choose a cosy café for lunch. We then continue to nearby Klosters, where traditional wooden chalets and a magnificent mountain setting create a classic Swiss village scene. Enjoy a leisurely wander through this charming resort, taking in its distinctive architecture and relaxed atmosphere before we return to Chur

There will also be free time in Davos to browse the shops, enjoy lunch or warm up over a coffee before we continue to nearby Klosters. Framed by mountains and dotted with traditional wooden chalets, this attractive resort retains a welcoming village feel. Wander at your leisure, explore its small shops or settle into a cosy café before we return to Chur.

Day Six

Another memorable railway journey awaits as we board the Arosa Railway in Chur. Beginning among the city streets, our narrow-gauge train soon leaves the buildings behind and climbs into the beautiful Schanfigg Valley. Forests, open slopes and traditional villages perched on the mountainsides unfold beyond the windows, with each curve revealing a fresh perspective on the valley below. A highlight is the crossing of the impressive Langwies Viaduct, carrying us high above the valley floor amid spectacular mountain scenery.

Arriving in Arosa, we find an inviting Alpine resort encircled by magnificent peaks. Enjoy free time to explore, browse the shops or choose a restaurant for a leisurely lunch. Perhaps settle into a cosy café for a warming hot chocolate and take in the surrounding mountain views. Later, we return to Chur by train, enjoying the scenery from a different angle as we wind our way back down the valley.

Day Seven

After breakfast, we leave Chur and travel through Switzerland into France, continuing to Reims for our final overnight stay. After checking in, the evening is free to relax.

Day Eight

We travel to Calais for our Eurotunnel crossing to Folkestone, then continue through England and home to North Wales. Sit back on the final stage of our journey, taking home memories of snowy peaks, lakeside towns and Switzerland’s distinctive winter atmosphere.

B=Breakfast Included