Swiss Alps & Italian Lakes Grand Adventure

Eight hours of mountains, gorges and viaducts from a panoramic seat with a glass of white wine. Olivia timed everything so we never felt rushed. Zermatt at sunrise, with the Matterhorn turning pink, was unforgettable.

Our children (10 and 13) loved the toboggan run and the turquoise lake above Kandersteg. The hotels were spotless and the rail passes made every day easy. Pricey, but Switzerland is, and it was worth every franc.

Jungfraujoch on a clear day, then pasta on Lake Como two days later. The variety on this tour is incredible. I travelled alone and never felt alone: the group became friends by day two.

The scenery is beyond words. Lucerne and Mount Pilatus were wonderful, though the Jungfraujoch was crowded in June. Lake Como was the perfect place to slow down at the end.

Trains, boats, cable cars, a cogwheel railway: every connection worked to the minute. Lovely small hotels and a guide who knew the best fondue in Grindelwald.

I joined after a conference in Zurich and it was the best decision of the year. Everything was taken care of, so for nine days I only had to look out of the window.

After a week of glaciers, crossing the Simplon into the warmth of Lake Como felt like a second holiday. Bellagio by boat at sunset is a memory we will keep forever.