Private Glacier Express First Class & Switzerland's Oldest Town

Your private guide will meet and greet you at your hotel or residence before accompanying you on an exclusive journey through Switzerland's oldest town and aboard the Glacier Express First Class, one of the world's most renowned scenic rail experiences.

The day begins in Chur, widely recognized as Switzerland's oldest town, where more than 5,000 years of history have shaped a remarkably preserved alpine settlement. Walking through the Old Town, you'll follow narrow cobblestone streets lined with historic houses, quiet squares, and centuries-old buildings that reflect Chur's long-standing role as a centre of trade, culture, and regional life.

As the route ascends toward the cathedral quarter, the city's strategic location at the crossroads of important Alpine valleys becomes increasingly apparent. At its heart stands the Cathedral of St. Mary, whose origins date back to the medieval period and whose elevated setting illustrates Chur's historical importance as both a religious and commercial centre. The city's intimate atmosphere and preserved architecture offer a glimpse into a community shaped by centuries of Alpine heritage.

From Switzerland's oldest town, continue aboard the Glacier Express First Class, travelling through some of the most impressive landscapes in the Swiss Alps. Large panoramic windows provide uninterrupted views as the train follows a route renowned for its natural beauty and remarkable engineering achievements.

Shortly after departure, the journey enters the Rhine Gorge, often called the "Swiss Grand Canyon," where steep limestone cliffs rise above the winding waters of the Rhine. The scenery continues to change as the train traverses mountain valleys, crosses viaducts, and winds through rugged alpine terrain.

One of the highlights of the route is the iconic Landwasser Viaduct, one of Switzerland's most recognizable railway landmarks. Here, the train crosses a curved stone bridge before entering a tunnel carved directly into the mountainside, demonstrating the engineering ingenuity that made rail travel through the Alps possible.

The journey concludes in Andermatt, a traditional alpine village situated in the high Urseren Valley. For centuries, its location near the historic Gotthard Pass made it an important crossroads for merchants, pilgrims, and travellers moving between northern and southern Europe. Walking through the village, historic chalets, mountain scenery, and quiet streets reveal a community shaped by its close relationship with the surrounding Alps.

Today, Andermatt successfully combines its historic character with its role as a modern mountain destination while maintaining the traditions and identity that define life in this part of Switzerland.

Your visit concludes in Andermatt before your private guide accompanies you back to your hotel or residence, bringing this memorable day of historic Swiss heritage, panoramic rail travel, and Alpine scenery to a close.