Mountain Tops of Switzerland

Your discovery of Switzerland begins today as you arrive in Basel. Be taken to your hotel where you have the chance to meet your Great Rail Journeys Tour Escort and other travellers over a Welcome Dinner. Stay: Basel, Hotel Schweizerhof or similar (D)

Wake to the beautiful surrounds of Switzerland today, taking the chance to savour a coffee over breakfast. Then, join a train this morning, being taken directly from Basel to Interlaken. From here, you'll board a boat on Lake Brienz, cruising across the tranquil waters to the heart of scenic Switzerland. The striking alpine waters reflect the green mountains like magic. Watch as the pretty towns and villages pass by the lake's shores.

Disembark and join the famous Giessbach funicular railway to your mountaintop hotel. Stay Two Nights: Grandhotel Giessbach (B/D)

Board one of the country's most scenic stretches of railway today on the Brienz-Rothorn Mountain Railway. Head to Brienz where the steam-hauled train awaits. Begin the steady mountain ascent, crossing steep, mountain trails, with the glittering water of Lake Brienz beneath you. As you gain height, the scenery becomes progressively greener, with jagged mountain peaks at eye level. At over 2,000 metres above sea level, you'll reach Rothorn, the summit of the rail journey.

Disembark at the peak and explore at your own leisure. Then it's back to the train for your descent to Brienz and Giessbach. (B/D)

After breakfast, travel by coach to Spiez, then by rail to Brig where one of Switzerland's most famous trains awaits. Lunch is served in the rail cars during your journey. Arrive in St Moritz and check in to your centrally located hotel. Enjoy superb views over the lake from the front of the hotel. Stay Two Nights: St Moritz, Hotel Schweizerhof (B/L)

Insider Experience: The red and white Glacier Express is known for being the slowest express train, but also one of the most scenic. Board the train and chug through the tunnels, and across countless bridges and viaducts. A sure highlight is when you ascend over 1,800 metres at the Oberalp Pass, using cogwheels to conquer the steepest points.

On your Insider Experience rail ride, you'll travel at an altitude of over 2,000 metres, enjoying views of turquoise glacial lakes speckled below. Once in Tirano, it's time to explore at leisure. There's a peaceful old quarter towards the east of the town, which you might like to head to for a rest after the excitement of the rail adventure. Later in the afternoon, it's time to head back to Switzerland. (B/D)

Insider Experience: Connecting Italy and Switzerland with one of the highest railway lines in the Alps, the Bernina Express is a must on any rail-lover's list. Join the odyssey today, carving through the snow-capped scenery and lush hillsides to Tirano in northern Italy.

Because Switzerland is so well known for its superb rail network, you are in for another treat today. Travelling to Lucerne, join the world's steepest cogwheel railway. Aboard the Mt Pilatus Railway, with a gradient that reaches up to 48%, there are many moments on this journey reminiscent of a roller coaster rather than a railtrack. Spend half an hour ascending almost two kilometres from Alpnachstad to Pilatus-Kulm, located just outside the city of Lucerne, where your hotel awaits. Settle in upon arrival and prepare for a full day of exciting sightseeing tomorrow. Stay Two Nights: Lucerne, Hotel Pilatus-Kulm (B/D)

You may wish to return to Lucerne after breakfast at your hotel this morning and set off on some independent sightseeing. Lucerne's most famous site is the Chapel Bridge which divides the Old and New towns. Built in the 14th century, this wooden bridge once served as protection against outside attacks on the city. Today, a series of paintings from the 17th century hang on the walls inside and tell the tale of Lucerne's history. There are also plenty of churches to visit, and wandering along the cobbled stone streets is an equally enticing option.

After you've explored the town, head back to the hotel for a Farewell Dinner. (B/D)

Your incredible journey reaches an end this morning after breakfast. Transfer to Zurich airport by train. (B)