Lake Geneva, Chamonix & Mont Blanc

Meet your Tour Manager and travelling group at London St Pancras, ready to take the Eurostar to Paris. From the French capital, change trains and continue by rail to Geneva. From here, you journey by rail to the town of Aigle where you are transferred by coach up to the mountain resort of Champéry and to your charming 4-Star hotel - your home in Switzerland for the next six nights. Tonight, and each evening of your holiday, you enjoy a three-course dinner at your hotel.

• Dinner

Today you're free to get to know Champéry at your own pace. One of the oldest mountain resorts in Switzerland, Champéry is nestled at the foot of the Chablais Alps in view of the seven toothlike peaks that make up the Dents du Midi. Its picturesque main street features traditional chalets displaying carved balconies and pitched roofs, and it is here you can find many charming shops and restaurants in which to relax and soak up the views.

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 6350 feet, this is a ski area in winter but in summer provides breathtaking panoramas across the region's impressive peaks.

• Breakfast, Dinner

After breakfast, we set off on a journey that's a highlight of our trip. After taking the train to Martigny we board the Mont Blanc Express for a journey through the Chamonix Valley, on a picturesque line that dates back over a century. Our fantastic route is an Alpine backdrop of dense forests, azure mountain lakes and stunning peaks on your way to Chamonix-Mont-Blanc.

Up in this fabulous setting you're free to explore. Chamonix is a classic Alpine resort with glorious mountain panoramas, the jewel in the crown of which is Mont Blanc, the highest mountain in the Alps. If you'd like to continue upwards into the peaks you could take an exhilarating journey on the Montenvers railway and travel in a vintage carriage of this rack railway to see the fantastic Mer de Glace glacier and enter the ice cave, an amazing sight! Please be warned that the steps to the gondola are quite steep.

In Chamonix itself are Baroque churches and idyllic chapels to explore, a main street filled with quaint shops, and a range of restaurants and French bistros or cafés to choose from. You may be tempted to tuck into a delicious sweet or savoury crêpe with a café au lait.

• Breakfast, Dinner

This morning you travel by train to stylish Montreux, set on an idyllic, sheltered bay on the shores of Lake Geneva. Arriving late morning, you're at leisure to enjoy this French speaking Swiss town and its picturesque setting. Around Montreux, vineyard-covered hillsides contrast with the striking blue lake and snow-capped peaks of the distant Alps.

In summer the town has a Mediterranean feel, with palm and cypress trees lining the lakeside. On the promenade is a famous statue of Freddie Mercury, who had links to the city. From Montreux's lakeside you could take a sightseeing cruise on a vintage steamboat. When you have finished exploring, you're free to make your own way back to Champéry by rail. This evening you have a three-course dinner at your hotel.

• Breakfast, Dinner

Today you are at leisure to explore using your included Swiss Travel Card. One option is to take the train back to Montreux on Lake Geneva, where you could stroll along the pretty promenade to Château de Chillon, an impressive fortress which resembles a fairytale castle. A little further along the lake is the peaceful town of Vevey, where you can visit Chaplin's World, a museum dedicated to Charlie Chaplin who lived here.

Alternatively, you could visit the small town of Martigny. Surrounded by vineyards the town has a fascinating culture and history, stretching back to the Romans, Celts and Napoleon. Situated in a fertile, sunny valley, Martigny is known for its fabulous fresh produce and great food. The town is also famous for its living museum which allows 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

Today you and your group visit Zermatt by rail, an idyllic town beneath the peak of the mighty Matterhorn. You're at leisure here to look around. This car-free resort town has a remarkably serene atmosphere, the perfect setting for a relaxed stroll. To find out more about the mountaineering history of the area and its famous mountain, you could head to the Matterhorn Museum.

Alternatively, make the most of the scenic panoramas and take a journey on the Gornergrat Mountain Railway, which leaves from the village centre, and rises into the clouds before emerging at the summit of the Gornergrat. At the top enjoy wonderful views of the Matterhorn, maybe while enjoying some refreshments from the terrace of the summit café. You could also take a gentle ramble or visit the highest Alpine Garden in Europe.

You return to Champéry, travelling the same route you took this morning. This evening, back at your hotel, you enjoy a final dinner with your group - the perfect chance to reminisce and share your holiday stories.

• Breakfast, Dinner

This morning you leave Champéry and Switzerland behind, travelling by rail to Paris, via Geneva, where you board the Eurostar service to London St Pancras. As you travel homewards there's time to reflect on the highlights of your trip to Switzerland and to share memories with fellow travellers and new friends.

• Breakfast