The Glacier Express, Switzerland

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Day 1 - London to Hergiswil on Lake Lucerne We leave St Pancras International on a morning Eurostar for Paris then travel on, via Mulhouse and Basel, to Hergiswil, on Lake Lucerne, for a four night stay at the 4* Seehotel Pilatus. The hotel is ideally situated directly on the lakefront, with gorgeous views over Lake Lucerne and the mountains.

Day 2 - Lucerne It is just a short train journey from our base in Hergiswil to stunning Lucerne, where we spend the day. A delightful city thanks to its attractive lakeside setting, impressive historic buildings and variety of shops, Lucerne is a pleasure to explore. Why not visit the Chapel Bridge, the oldest preserved wooden bridge in Europe, the famous Lion Monument or the Swiss Museum of Transport?

Day 3 - A day at leisure Relax in the glorious surroundings of Lake Lucerne and take advantage of the hotel's leisure facilities. Alternatively, you may wish to use your Swiss Saver Pass, which is valid on most trains, boats, buses and mountain railways to venture further afield.

Day 4 - Lake cruise and Rigi Mountain Railway Today we embark on a leisurely cruise across Lake Lucerne bound for Vitznau. Here we join the Mount Rigi Railwayas it climbs to the top of Rigi Kulm. As Europe's first cog railway it has been carrying passengers to the summit since it opened in 1871. On a clear day it is possible to see thirteen of Switzerland's lakes, and as far as France and Germany. From Rigi Kulm we descend the opposite side of the mountain by cog railway to Arth Goldau, to join our train for our journey past lovely Lake Zugersee and back to Lucerne.

Day 5 - Glacier Express to Brig We embark on a morning departure aboard the world-famous Glacier Express - affectionately known as the slowest 'express' in the world. The journey traverses richly varied landscapes, from snow-capped mountains to tranquil meadows and dramatic passes. The train travels via Chur, where it makes its way along the broad valley before it starts to climb towards the Oberalp Pass, the highest point of the route at 6,670 feet (2,033m). The Glacier Express then descends to Andermatt and continues down the Rhône Valley to Brig, a small historic town situated at the foot of the Simplon Pass. Here we check into our base for the next three nights, the 3* Hotel Ambassador.

Day 6 - Zermatt Enjoy the striking Swiss scenery today as we travel to picturesque Zermatt by narrow gauge mountain railway. Overlooked by the mighty Matterhorn, Zermatt is ideally situated for walks into the mountains or, if you have a head for heights, make the train journey up to the Gornergrat (supplement payable locally).

Day 7 - Brig to London We travel by train from Brig via Geneva to Paris and onward by Eurostar to St Pancras International.

Single room prices include the supplement for single occupancy throughout: £175