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Tailor Made Rail · Independent rail holiday

Wonders of Winter in First Class

Alpine rail loop from Cologne through Salzburg and Zermatt to Strasbourg

Illustration of Wonders of Winter in First Class

Wonders of Winter in First Class is an 8-day independent rail holiday operated by Tailor Made Rail, connecting Cologne, Salzburg, Chur, Zermatt, and Strasbourg across Germany, Austria, Switzerland, and France. The journey opens with Eurostar Plus and an ICE train from London to Cologne, then follows the Alpine route toward Salzburg for two nights of self-guided exploration, including the Old Town and Hohensalzburg castle. Day 4 carries you via TransAlpin through panoramic Alpine passes to Chur. The centerpiece is Day 5: the Glacier Express climbs from Chur to Zermatt at 6,670 feet, passing glacial rivers, lakes, and dramatic mountain scenery while lunch is served at your seat. After a second night in Zermatt, an optional Gornergrat railway ascent offers views of the Matterhorn. The route concludes with travel north to Strasbourg's Petite France district before a TGV and Eurostar return to London. All rail travel is in First Class with seat reservations included; seven nights' accommodation comes with breakfast. This suits repeat rail travellers drawn to celebrated trains, luxury seekers appreciating five-star hotel upgrades, and independent explorers who value self-paced discovery with complete travel support.

What to know before you look closer

  • Lunch on the Glacier Express (Day 5) is payable locally, not included in the package price.
  • The Gornergrat Bahn day trip (Day 6) is listed as optional and costs extra.
  • Hotel upgrades are available at additional cost; the package includes the standard-tier properties listed.

Day by day

  1. Day 1railovernight: Cologne

    London to Cologne

    Leave London St Pancras late morning and take the Eurostar to Brussels Midi, served a light brunch in Eurostar Plus class. Connect onto a German ICE service to Cologne, arriving late afternoon.

  2. Day 2overnight: Salzburg

    Cologne to Salzburg

    Return to the station for a service to Salzburg via Munich, crossing the Austrian border at Freilassing and arriving into Salzburg in the afternoon, for a 2-night stay.

  3. Day 3overnight: Salzburg

    Salzburg

    A full day exploring Salzburg, long associated with W A Mozart and the Sound of Music. Wander the pretty Old Town and fairytale Hohensalzburg castle, or head out to grand palaces such as Hellbrunn and Schloss Leopoldskron.

  4. Day 4railovernight: Chur

    Salzburg to Chur

    Catch a regional train to Schwarzach St Veit and then connect onto the TransAlpin service, seated in a panoramic coach as the Alpine scenery unfolds towards the Swiss border, with a short domestic train journey from Sargans to Chur.

  5. Day 5railovernight: Zermatt

    Chur to Zermatt via the Glacier Express

    Board the famous Glacier Express for a spectacular journey across the country to Zermatt, with lunch served at your seat (payable locally) as you head over bridges and viaducts, past glacial rivers and lakes, climbing to 6,670 feet above sea level.

  6. Day 6railovernight: Zermatt

    Zermatt

    Zermatt is a ski resort surrounded by mountain peaks, with only one train line running in and out and no cars allowed. A day trip on the Gornergrat Bahn, up to the second highest train station in Europe, is recommended for breathtaking views of the Matterhorn.

  7. Day 7overnight: Strasbourg

    Zermatt to Strasbourg

    Head north via Visp and the border city of Basel to Strasbourg. Explore the pretty Petite France district with its canals and half-timbered houses, and try a slice of local tarte flambée (Flammkuchen) with Alsace wine.

  8. Day 8rail

    Strasbourg to London

    A full morning at leisure in Strasbourg, with time for lunch before heading back to the station for a high-speed TGV service to Lille or Paris, connecting onto the Eurostar to London.

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 3Full day in Salzburg to explore the Old Town, Hohensalzburg castle, and grand palaces such as Hellbrunn and Schloss Leopoldskron.
  • Day 4TransAlpin service from Schwarzach St Veit in a panoramic coach as Alpine scenery unfolds toward the Swiss border.
  • Day 5The Glacier Express crosses Switzerland from Chur to Zermatt, climbing to 6,670 feet over bridges and viaducts past glacial rivers and lakes, with lunch served at your seat.
  • Day 6Optional day trip on the Gornergrat Bahn from Zermatt up to the second highest train station in Europe, with views of the Matterhorn and surrounding peaks.
  • Day 7Explore Strasbourg's Petite France district with its canals and half-timbered houses, and sample local tarte flambée with Alsace wine.

Included

  • First Class rail travel with seat reservations
  • 7 nights’ handpicked hotel accommodation with breakfast
  • Comprehensive directions to your hotels
  • Easy-to-follow travel documentation
  • Despatch of tickets by email, post or collection from our London office

Questions travellers ask

Is all the train travel included?
Yes. Tailor Made Rail includes First Class rail travel with seat reservations on five trains: Eurostar Plus (London to Brussels), ICE (Brussels to Cologne), TransAlpin (Schwarzach St Veit to Sargans), Glacier Express (Chur to Zermatt), and TGV (Strasbourg to Lille or Paris). Eurostar return to London is included.
Is this an escorted or independent tour?
It is an independent rail holiday. Tailor Made Rail provides First Class rail tickets, hotel bookings, comprehensive travel directions, and easy-to-follow documentation. You travel and explore at your own pace.
What is included in the price?
The price from GBP 1,699 includes First Class rail travel with reservations, seven nights' accommodation in handpicked hotels with breakfast, comprehensive directions, travel documentation, and ticket despatch by email, post, or collection from Tailor Made Rail's London office.
How many nights do you stay in each city?
Cologne 1 night, Salzburg 2 nights, Chur 1 night, Zermatt 2 nights, Strasbourg 1 night.
Can I upgrade my hotels?
Yes. Tailor Made Rail offers optional upgrades to the Excelsior Ernst (Cologne), Sacher Hotel (Salzburg), Grand Hotel Zermatterhof (Zermatt), or Sofitel Grand Ile (Strasbourg) at additional cost.
What is not included?
Lunch on the Glacier Express is payable locally. The Gornergrat Bahn day trip from Zermatt is optional and costs extra. Meals other than hotel breakfasts are not included.

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