An Alpine Christmas in Switzerland - JG Explorer

Ferry to Calais and overnight stay in France.

Continue to Hotel Terrace in Engelberg, where we spend the next five nights.

An enchanting day out in Lucerne awaits on Christmas Eve. We begin with a panoramic boat cruise on Lake Lucerne, the perfect way to soak up the stunning surroundings of snow-capped mountains and calm waters fringed by historic architecture. Look out for the medieval water tower and Kapellbrücke (Chapel Bridge), a lovingly restored wooden footbridge dating back to the 14^th century and the defining image of this beautiful city. We see it from another perspective on our guided walking tour next, where we discover the highlights of the beautiful Old Town. There is something to see at every turn, with mural-adorned half-timbered houses, quaint squares and landmarks such as the Jesuit Church, Switzerland's first Baroque sacred buildings located on the River Reuss. Our day is complete with a trip on the lovingly decorated Christmas Train Lucerne, a magical way to spend the evening before Christmas! Expect a cosy ride through the illuminated streets of the city and past festive alleyways, accompanied by music and tales of Lucerne's Christmas past.

Later, we enjoy a traditional Christmas Eve dinner at the hotel.

Christmas Day is a lovely day of leisure and celebration. You may like to go for a stroll to soak up the festive atmosphere in Engelberg or simply relax at the hotel before enjoying mulled wine and cookies in the afternoon, followed by a traditional turkey dinner with a Swiss twist this evening.

Today we head out to discover Mount Titlis, one of Switzerland's most iconic destinations. We begin with the world's first rotating cable car, meaning everyone can enjoy the spectacular vistas of icy crevices, dramatic rock faces, glistening snow and mountain landscapes as we ascend 3,020 metres above sea level. At the summit, you may like to treat yourself to lunch on the Panorama Restaurant's sun terrace, or also included is the Glacier Cave, where the 5,000-year-old ice creates a magical turquoise-hued world. For those feeling brave after strolling through the 150-metre ice tunnel, our ticket additionally covers the Titlis Cliff Walk, Europe's highest suspension bridge! This exhilarating experience offers breathtaking views over a 500-metre chasm – a truly unique way to spend Boxing Day.

After breakfast, we make our way to Andermatt, where we board the Matterhorn Gotthard Railway and travel along part of the Glacier Express route to Brig. This legendary journey is famous for its rolling scenery snow-covered valleys, mountain passes and picturesque Swiss villages – so sit back and enjoy the views! We re-join the coach at Brig and take a scenic drive to Interlaken, partly along the stunning shores of Lake Thun. Nestled between Lake Brienz and Lake Thun and set against towering peaks, the popular resort of Interlaken boasts a beautiful location in Switzerland's Bernese Oberland region. Watch the paragliders here, stroll along the Höheweg promenade, lined with shops, restaurants and cafés, enjoy a funicular ride to Harder Kulm to admire the panoramic views or visit the Winterheart Market for some warming mulled wine and local treats. After another memorable day, we head back to the hotel for dinner.

We wave goodbye to Switzerland and travel to Colamar in the Alsace region of France. With its half-timbered houses, softly lit canals and garland-draped squares, Colmar feels like a living Christmas card, and if it's still running, the stalls of the atmospheric Christmas market are well worth a browse. The well-preserved Old Town is a must-see, often referred to as 'Little Venice' due to its serene canals, while St. Martin's Church offers a masterpiece of Gothic design. There's also time to enjoy a picturesque riverside stroll and find somewhere for lunch at your leisure before continuing the journey to our overnight hotel, with dinner included.

Continue to Calais for our return ferry home.