Day 1

Travel by Eurostar and TGV Lyria to Basel. From here, continue on the Treno Gottardo over the scenic Gotthard route to Locarno. Hotel Belvedere**** has its own station on the funicular railway linking Locarno with Madonna del Sasso. The hotel features a garden with swimming pool and a restaurant with a terrace. You'll stay in a Superior Room with a south-facing balcony overlooking Locarno and Lake Maggiore.

Day 2

Stay in Locarno. Explore the historic old town, take a boat trip on Lake Maggiore, or visit the Centovalli Valley or Madonna del Sasso.

Day 3

Travel from Locarno to Lugano. Continue by bus along the shores of Lake Lugano and Lake Como to the Italian town of Tirano. Here you board the Bernina Express, one of Switzerland's most spectacular panoramic railways, crossing the Bernina Pass (2,328 m).

Leave the train at Pontresina. From here, a short bus transfer takes you to Punt Muragl, where the funicular climbs to the viewpoint at Muottas Muragl (2,456 m). The Romantik Hotel is located beside the upper station of the funicular.

Day 4

Descend from Muottas Muragl to Samedan. Here you board the famous Glacier Express, travelling over 291 bridges, through 91 tunnels and across the 2,033-metre Oberalp Pass to Zermatt.

Continue on the Gornergrat Railway to the Gornergrat (3,089 m). Stay in a beautiful mountain-view room at the highest hotel in Switzerland, with half board included. Enjoy fantastic views of 29 peaks above 4,000 metres, including the Matterhorn and the Dufourspitze.

Day 5

Travel via Zermatt to Brig. Continue on the Lötschberger along the scenic Lötschberg route to Spiez and Interlaken. From the station, the boat takes you to the landing stage of Grandhotel Giessbach. The hotel's own funicular, over 130 years old, takes you up to the hotel, beautifully situated above Lake Brienz beside a spectacular waterfall.

This beautifully preserved 19th-century palace hotel offers breathtaking views and an oasis of peace surrounded by forests and alpine meadows. Enjoy the beautiful gardens, terraces, natural swimming pool and tennis court.

Day 6

Free day in Giessbach. Take a walk along the shores of Lake Brienz to Iseltwald (around 1½ hours), or simply enjoy the beautiful surroundings from the terrace or in the gardens.

Day 7

Cross Lake Brienz by boat to Brienz. Enjoy one final scenic rail journey over the Brünig Pass, via Lucerne to Basel. From Basel, return by TGV Lyria and Eurostar to London, or continue to your preferred railway station elsewhere in Great Britain.

8-day Rail Tour

Difference from the 7-day rail tour:

• Break your outward or return journey with an overnight stay in Basel.