Day by day, with prices. Each one is reshaped around you.
Six nights by train from Interlaken to Lucerne, with the GoldenPass, the Gornergrat, the Glacier Express and the Bernina Express, in 4-star hotels beside each station. For first-time visitors who want the big views without a car.
From €2,199 per person
Six nights by train through Lucerne, Grindelwald, Zermatt and Montreux: Pilatus, a free day in the Jungfrau region, sunset on the Matterhorn and a wine walk in Lavaux. Central 4-star hotels; a good first Switzerland.
From €1,999 per person
Eleven nights by train from Montreux to Zurich: Lavaux, the Chocolate Train, Jungfraujoch, Zermatt and the Glacier Express to St. Moritz. Well-placed 3-star hotels keep the price down; we upgrade one or two stops on request.
From €3,499 per person
Thirteen nights from Zurich to Milan by train: Rhine Falls, kayaking on Lake Brienz, the Schilthorn, a via ferrata, Rigi, Lugano, Lake Como and the Borromean Islands. Central 3-star hotels; an active trip with full days.
From €5,499 per person
Eight nights by first-class train from Munich to Berlin in December: a day in Salzburg, Rothenburg, Nuremberg's Christkindlesmarkt and Dresden's Striezelmarkt. Old-town 4-star hotels within walking distance of the stalls.
From €2,299 per person
Nine nights in three bases, Brussels, Strasbourg and Basel, with guided day trips to Ghent, Bruges, Colmar, Zermatt, Mount Pilatus and Bern. First-class trains and 3-star hotels by the station; a lot of ground covered in one trip.
From €2,999 per person
Our designers’ take
01Trains are how we move almost every traveler we design for, and in the Alps the train is the sightseeing. The Glacier Express takes eight hours from Zermatt to St. Moritz over 291 bridges and through 91 tunnels; the Bernina Express climbs to 2,253 m before dropping to Tirano in Italy; the GoldenPass Express links Interlaken and Montreux via Gstaad; the Gornergrat and Jungfrau railways go where no road does. Swiss timetables run to the minute, and Zermatt, Wengen and Mürren do not allow cars at all.
Our rail itineraries start with Legendary Swiss Trains, seven days that cover the GoldenPass, Gornergrat, Glacier Express and Bernina Express with 4* hotels next to each station, from 2,199 € per person. Switzerland in 7 Days uses the Swiss Travel Pass to link Lucerne, Grindelwald, Zermatt and Montreux, from 1,999 €. For a longer rail trip, Switzerland by Train in 12 Days adds the Chocolate Train to Gruyères, Jungfraujoch via the Eiger Express and the full Glacier Express to St. Moritz. Switzerland to Italy in 14 Days rides the Gotthard line south to Lugano, Como and Milan.
Outside the Alps, first-class intercity trains do the long hops while you read or sleep: our German Christmas markets itinerary moves from Munich to Nuremberg, Dresden and Berlin by ICE with seat reservations, and our Belgium, Alsace and Switzerland trip runs Brussels to Strasbourg, Basel and Zermatt entirely by rail. In France the TGV covers Paris to Lyon in 2 hours, which is how our France itineraries reach Burgundy and Provence.
What we handle: the Swiss Travel Pass or point-to-point tickets, whichever is cheaper for your route; compulsory reservations on the Glacier Express and Bernina Express, held the day they open; first class on TGV, ICE and Eurostar; private transfers between station and hotel; and luggage forwarding in Switzerland so you carry a daypack on the panoramic lines. Valentine, who grew up between the French and Swiss Alps, designs most of these trips from our office near Lyon and sends a priced proposal within 48 hours. For planning by country, see Switzerland, Germany and multi-country Europe.
A wonderful travel partner
Caroline our specialist was always knowledgeable, available, helpful and kind. I was unable to make the trip because my cat became quite ill a couple of days before our departure. Caroline helped my husband have an enjoyable trip on his own and we appreciate her. I learned a lot even though I couldn’t travel. I can now use What’s App and Google Translate and Instagram. Thank you Caroline!
Barcelona to Nice along the Mediterranean
We had a wonderful time making the journey along the Mediterranean coast. Starting in Barcelona we were able to visit the newly opened Sagrada de Familia with a wonderful guide - one of the highlights our trip. We had an early entry so the crowds were easily managed and we were able to enjoy both inside and out. The next day we had another great guide who showed us the Jewish history and historical presence in Barcel…
We had a wonderful time making the journey along the Mediterranean coast. Starting in Barcelona we were able to visit the newly opened Sagrada de Familia with a wonderful guide - one of the highlights our trip. We had an early entry so the crowds were easily managed and we were able to enjoy both inside and out. The next day we had another great guide who showed us the Jewish history and historical presence in Barcelona. After Barcelona, we went to Girona, which was a wonderful surprise. We stayed at a lovely hotel in the old town that was a converted palace. Our tour here of the old town focusing on Jewish history was incredible. The next day we had an all day small group tour of Dali's house and museum - both well worth the travel including the incredible views along the Costa Brava. Travelling by car along the southern coast of France was relatively easily finding great things to see - Pone du Gard, Baux de Provence town and castle, St. Paul de Vence and finally Nice. An electric bike ride in Nice was also wonderful.
Wonderful trip, handled expertly by Mathilde
Wonderful trip! Everything was handled expertly by Mathilda! Our guides in Nuremberg, Justina, and Munich, Renata, were absolutely fantastic. We had a fantastic time, enjoyed every place we visited. Hotels and arrangements were hassle free. Overall beautiful and care free experience. Will most assuredly do again!!
Alsace Christmas markets 2026: official dates for Strasbourg, Colmar, Eguisheim, Riquewihr and Kaysersberg, crowd tips, where to stay and a 5-day plan.
Anniversary trip to Europe ideas from our designers: romantic cities, the Alps, the Riviera or wine country, with pacing, surprises and real 2026 budgets.
The Bernina Express from Chur or St. Moritz to Tirano: 2026 timetable, fares, CHF 32 to 44 reservations, Pullman Class, regional trains, luggage and access.
The Glacier Express for the full day of mountains and the Landwasser Viaduct; the Bernina Express for the highest and most dramatic line, UNESCO listed; the Gornergrat for the Matterhorn in 33 minutes. If you only ride one, make it the Bernina from Chur to Tirano, then continue by bus or train to Lugano.
On Swiss panoramic trains, yes: wider seats, bigger windows and quieter cars. On the TGV and ICE, first class gives more space and a near-guaranteed seat on busy routes, for a modest premium when booked early. We book first class by default and tell you where second class would do just as well.
The Glacier Express, Bernina Express, GoldenPass Express and Chocolate Train require reservations, and summer dates sell out weeks ahead. TGV and Eurostar tickets include a seat. German ICE trains do not require one but we add it. We hold every reservation as soon as your dates are confirmed.
Pack one suitcase per person plus a daypack. In Switzerland we forward your suitcase from hotel to hotel so you ride the scenic lines unencumbered. Elsewhere, private transfers meet you at the platform. Stations in Zurich, Munich and Paris have elevators; older Italian stations sometimes do not, which we plan around.
Largely, yes. Swiss and German trains offer boarding assistance booked in advance, and most panoramic trains have accessible cars. Some cogwheel and mountain railways have steps. Caroline, our accessible travel designer, checks each segment, books the assistance and uses adapted vehicles where a train is not practical.
Two minutes, three steps. Free and without obligation.
Christmas market itineraries in Germany and Alsace: Munich, Nuremberg, Dresden and Berlin by train, or Colmar, Lyon and Val d'Isère skiing. From 2,099 €
Tailor-made honeymoons in France, Switzerland and Italy: Paris to Provence in 5* hotels, the Riviera by yacht, Italian lakes and Swiss Alps. From 1,899 €
Family vacations in France, Switzerland and Germany: Normandy and Disneyland, a Chamonix adventure week, a Bavaria road trip. From 1,099 € per person.
Wheelchair accessible trips to Paris and the French Riviera: adapted transfers, accessible 4* hotels, step-free boats, priority entry. Specialist designer.
Food and wine itineraries in France, Switzerland, Italy and Belgium: Cognac, Saint-Émilion, Burgundy Grands Crus, Lavaux, Swiss cheese, Belgian beer.
Two- and three-country Europe itineraries by train, run by one DMC in France: Belgium to Switzerland, Switzerland to Italy, Alps and lakes. From 2,999 €.
Mountain and lake itineraries by Alpine-born experts: Zermatt, Jungfraujoch, Lucerne, Chamonix, Annecy, Lake Como and Maggiore, Val d'Isère. From 1,299 €
Self-drive itineraries by local experts: Bordeaux and Dordogne with balloon and oysters, or Germany from Heidelberg to Neuschwanstein. From 1,299 € pp.
