Lake Geneva, Chamonix & Mont Blanc

Meeting the Tour Manager and travelling group at London St Pancras early this morning, your holiday begins by boarding the Eurostar to Paris.

Changing trains in the French capital, we continue by rail to Geneva. From here, we join the Swiss rail network to journey along the glistening shores of Lake Geneva, passing through the famous shoreline resorts of the Swiss Riviera. In the Rhône Valley town of Aigle, we continue by rail up to the mountain resort of Champéry. Our home in Switzerland for the next six nights is a charming 4-Star hotel with beautiful alpine views across to the sharp, toothlike summits of the seven peaks of the Dents du Midi, part of the Chablais Alps.

Tonight, and each evening of our holiday, we enjoy a three-course dinner at the hotel.

• Dinner

Today you're free to get to know Champéry at your own pace. One of the oldest mountain resorts in Switzerland, Champéry's picturesque main street features traditional chalets displaying carved balconies and pitched roofs. It is here you can find many charming shops and restaurants in which to relax and soak up the views.

High up in a valley just across the mountainous border from the famous French ski resorts of Avoriaz and Morzine, amazing alpine views surround our charming base. There are many walking trails in the area, but an easier way to bask in the incredible scenery is by taking the iconic red-and-white cable car to Croix-de-Culet. At a height of 6,350 feet, this is a ski area in winter but in summer provides breathtaking panoramas across the region's impressive peaks. A regular train service links the station immediately outside our hotel with Champéry's centre and the town of Aigle, which boasts a stunning medieval chateau set amid a backdrop of beautiful Alps.

Returning to our hotel this evening, we enjoy a three-course dinner in the restaurant.

• Breakfast, Dinner

A highlight of our trip awaits after breakfast as we travel by train to France. After journeying down the valley to Martigny, we board the Mont Blanc Express for a stunning ride through the Chamonix Valley on a picturesque line that dates back more than a century. This route winds past dense forests, azure mountain lakes and stunning peaks on the way to Chamonix.

On arrival, you're free to explore this classic alpine resort with glorious mountain panoramas, the jewel in the crown of which is Mont Blanc, the highest in western Europe. Travelling in the vintage carriages of the Montenvers rack railway, you could climb even higher and see the fantastic Mer de Glace glacier and enter the ice cave, an amazing sight!

In Chamonix itself, there are many beautiful churches, shops and restaurants. You may be tempted to tuck into a delicious sweet or savoury crêpe with a café au lait, before we return across the mountains to Champéry for dinner tonight.

• Breakfast, Dinner

Hopping aboard a train after breakfast this morning, we travel to stylish Montreux, on the northern shore of Lake Geneva. From this popular lakeside town, we board the delightful 'Chocolate Train' for an excursion into the world of two of Switzerland's most revered products: chocolate and cheese.

In stately Belle Époque Pullman carriages, the route climbs past hillside vineyards, providing wonderful views behind us while we enjoy coffee and chocolate croissants. From Montbovon, a coach transfer takes us to Gruyères. This picturesque medieval town in the Swiss Highlands is synonymous with cheese. During a visit to the Maison du Gruyère, we learn about how the world-famous cheese is produced, before there's free time to explore the town. Later, we continue to nearby Broc to visit the Cailler chocolate factory. The oldest Swiss chocolate brand still in production, the sweet treat has been produced on this site since 1898. After an engaging exploration, we indulge in a delicious tasting.

After returning to Montreux, we return to Champéry by rail in time for this evening's three-course dinner at our hotel.

*On departures in April and October, we will travel on the cogwheel railway from Montreux to Les Rochers-de-Naye instead.

• Breakfast, Dinner

You are free today to explore using your included Swiss Travel Card. One option is to take the train back to Lake Geneva, where you can find Château de Chillon, an impressive fortress which resembles a fairytale castle.

Alternatively, you could visit the small valley town of Martigny. Surrounded by vineyards, the town has a fascinating culture and history, stretching back to the Romans and Celts. It also played a crucial role in Napoleon Bonaparte's rise to power. Napoleon and his forces used Martigny and the nearby St Bernard Pass to launch a surprise attack on the Habsburgs, defeating them at the Battle of Marengo in northern Italy in 1800.

Situated in a fertile, sunny valley, Martigny is also known for its fresh produce and great food. There is a living museum allowing visitors to meet Saint Bernard dogs, endearing animals which are devoted to rescuing people in the mountains. If you're looking for a bite to eat here, the restaurants and cafés in Martigny are mostly around the Place Centrale in the heart of the town.

• Breakfast, Dinner

A scenic rail journey after breakfast sees us travel along the Rhône deeper into Switzerland's stunning mountains. With lush wildflower meadows, thundering waterfalls and rugged mountains, the dramatic Matter Valley guides us to our destination - beautiful Zermatt.

You're at leisure to look around this idyllic, car-free town sitting beneath the peak of the mighty Matterhorn. With a remarkably serene atmosphere, this is the perfect setting for a relaxed stroll amongst historic, timber-framed chalets. To find out more about mountaineering in the area and its famous mountain, you could head to the Matterhorn Museum. Alternatively, make the most of the panoramas and take a journey on the vintage Gornergrat Mountain Railway, which leaves from the village centre, and rises into the clouds before emerging at the summit of the Gornergrat where you can admire wonderful views of the Matterhorn.

Returning to Champéry this evening, we enjoy a final dinner together at our hotel.

• Breakfast, Dinner

The peaceful mountain town of Champéry is a great place from which to explore this part of mountainous Switzerland and neighbouring regions. The Mont Blanc Express carried us over the Alps into France, affording great views of western Europe's highest mountain from the charming town of Chamonix. A trip from Montreux aboard the stately carriages of the Chocolate Train took us to the Callier chocolate factory and the cheese-producing Maison du Gruyère, while a train journey to tranquil Zermatt provided the opportunity to get up close to Switzerland's most iconic mountain, the mighty Matterhorn.

Leaving Champéry this morning, we say farewell to Switzerland, travelling by rail to Paris, via Aigle and Lausanne, where we board the Eurostar service to London St Pancras. On arrival this evening, your Swiss holiday comes to a conclusion.

• Breakfast