Group members gather for the overnight direct flight to Zurich, Switzerland's largest city.

Arrive in Zurich early this morning before meeting our tour manager and boarding a train to the charming Alpine village of Zermatt. This village is nestled in the Alps with the famous Matterhorn peak towering high above. Other than the electric vehicles run by the local hotels, this is a car-free destination, adding to the already wonderful charm of this quiet mountain resort town. Tonight we will gather for our Welcome Dinner. Hotel National Zermatt (3 nights)

This morning climb aboard the Gornergrat Bahn cogwheel railway, the highest train in Europe, and ascend to a summit far above Zermatt to experience one of the best viewpoints in the Alps. Admire a gorgeous view that includes Monte Rosa, the Matterhorn, and the Gorner Glacier. Hike down past Alpine lakes to Riffelberg, where we will catch the train back to Zermatt. Enjoy a visit to the Matterhorn Museum, where a local mountaineer will recount stories of early attempts to conquer the Matterhorn and other climbing adventures.

Today we start the day with a walk through the village of Zermatt. In the afternoon, ride the gondola up to Schwarzsee or Furi for a walk through the spectacular Zmutt Glacier Valley. Later, return to Zermatt by gondola.

Take a seat on the world famous Glacier Express and set off on a breathtaking journey across three high-mountain passes, over 291 bridges, and through 91 tunnels. Enjoy the elegant atmosphere of the train as we soak up magnificent views of skyscraping, glacier-glazed peaks on our way to the Upper Engadin Valley. We disembark in St. Moritz and take a short drive to our hotel in Pontresina. Sporthotel Pontresina (3 nights)

This morning we set out on a walking tour of Pontresina and discover local lore that dates back to prehistory. Later this morning, travel to St. Moritz by local train, and visit the Segantini Museum, dedicated to the Alpine artist Giovanni Segantini. After lunch on your own, take the rest of the afternoon to explore the picturesque valley of St. Moritz before returning to Pontresina.

Ride the famous Bernina Express, the highest mountain railway in the Alps, to the heart of Italian-speaking Switzerland. Take in the extraordinary views of the Morteratsch Glacier from the train’s panoramic windows as we climb to the highest point at Ospizio Bernina, 7,578 feet above sea level. Descend to the town of Tirano, where we meet a local guide for a tour of its charming historic centre. Return to Pontresina via the Bernina Express late this afternoon.

A spectacular drive through Alpine valleys brings us into the Italian Lake District today. The countryside is dotted with villas in hues of terracotta, pink, ochre, and gold, and strewn with tropical vegetation and lush gardens. En route, we stop in Bellinzona defined by its powerful medieval fortifications. After lunch, we will visit Castelgrande, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This 13th century castle is set on a hilltop, offering magnificent views of the city and the majestic Alps. Later, we arrive in the palm-lined town of Stresa. It is one of the most beautiful in the Italian Lakes, cascading from the hills to the glistening water in a terracotta jumble. Dating back to the 1st century, Stresa is now a town full of splendid villas and magnificent gardens. Grand Bristol Hotel (3 nights)

A trip through nostalgia and romanticism: The two-hour journey from Domodossola to Locarno with the Centovalli Railway is the shortest and most beautiful connection between Lake Maggiore and Bern. This panoramic train journey through the picturesque “One Hundred Valleys”, passing deep gorges and crevices with glittering cascading waterfalls, travels across colourful alpine meadows, over numerous bridges, and through vineyards and forests of chestnut trees. Magical landscapes and lush vegetation, which change with the seasons, can be seen from the train. This is an unforgettable, varied, fascinating, comfortable and exciting journey.

Isola Madre and Isola Bella are blooming oasis immersed in the blue of Lake Maggiore. They used to be the location for the ceremonies and the feasts of the nobles, while today they are elegant estates which are open to the public. They are the most impressive islands in the archipelago. They were named after the Borromeo family, the noble lineage that acquired them in the 14th century and transformed them with baroque palaces and rich gardens. Visit the Palazzo on Isola Bella presiding over 10 tiers of spectacular terraced gardens roamed by peacocks. This baroque palace is arguably Lake Maggiore's finest building. Wandering the grounds and the first floor reveal guestrooms, studies and reception halls. Particularly striking rooms include the Sala di Napoleone, where the emperor Napoleon stayed with his wife in 1797.