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Planet Rail · Independent tailor-made rail holiday

A trio of the best Italian Lakes by First Class rail

Fifteen days through Swiss and Italian lakes by first-class rail from London

Illustration of A trio of the best Italian Lakes by First Class rail

Planet Rail operates this 15-day independent rail holiday linking three of Italy's most celebrated lakes with first-class rail travel throughout. The journey departs London on Eurostar, crossing to Paris and then Switzerland via high-speed TGV before descending through the Gotthard Pass into Italy. You spend four nights each at Lenno on Lake Como, Desenzano on Lake Garda, and Stresa on Lake Maggiore, with single nights in Zurich at the start and Montreux on Lake Geneva before returning home. The itinerary is self-guided; Planet Rail arranges your rail tickets and hotels but you organize your own transfers and daily activities. The lakes themselves offer walking along waterfronts, ferry excursions to villages and islands, visits to classical villas and museums, and optional scenic train rides such as the Centovalli Railway. Hotels are solid three and four-star properties, most with lake views. This package suits repeat rail travellers and independent explorers who prefer flexibility, as well as couples seeking a romantic multi-destination getaway.

What to know before you look closer

  • Most transfers between stations and hotels are not included: Como station to Lenno (taxi or ferry, payable locally), and lake cruises at Garda and Maggiore are extra.
  • The package is independent and self-guided; there is no tour escort, and you arrange your own onward travel between stations and accommodations.
  • The from-price is for two adults sharing; single supplement not stated in the evidence.

Day by day

  1. Day 1railovernight: Zurich

    By rail to Switzerland

    From London St Pancras International board the Eurostar to Paris, with a light meal and drinks served at your seat in Standard Premier Class. In Paris a private taxi transfers you to the Gare de Lyon for the high-speed TGV to Zurich. Overnight at the popular Hotel Helmhaus (4 star), with time for a whistle-stop tour of the Old Town, Bahnhofstrasse, the Grossmünster, Fraumünster and St Peterskirche.

  2. Day 2overnight: Lenno, Lake Como

    Through Switzerland to Lake Como

    From Zurich station join the Euro City service along the spectacular Gotthard route, past soaring mountain peaks and through the Gotthard Tunnel into Italy. From Como station take a taxi or a picturesque ferry (payable locally) along the lake to Lenno, for four nights at the highly-rated Hotel Albergo Lenno (4 star) with glorious views over Lake Como.

  3. Day 3overnight: Lenno, Lake Como

    Exploring Lake Como

    A full day to relax at your hotel or stroll around Lenno; perhaps take a ferry to nearby Bellagio with its narrow cobbled streets, breath-taking views and glorious villas, or visit Villa Carlotta with its luxurious interiors and over 500 species of plants.

  4. Day 4overnight: Lenno, Lake Como

    Exploring Lake Como

    Travel by ferry to the lovely town of Como to visit the Duomo and wander the historic walled centre, or to picturesque Varenna with its steep winding alleys, ancient castle, Villa Cipressi and Villa Monastero.

  5. Day 5railovernight: Lenno, Lake Como

    Exploring Lake Como

    Take the cog train to Monte Bre for views of Lake Lugano, ride the funicular up to Brunate for breath-taking views of Lake Como and the Alps, or visit medieval Bergamo with its Piazza Vecchia.

  6. Day 6railovernight: Desenzano, Lake Garda

    Lake Como to Lake Garda

    Return down the lake to Como station (payable locally) and join the train south to Milan. At Milan’s art-deco Centrale station change to the Eurostar Italia service to Desenzano on Lake Garda, where a private taxi transfer takes you to the stylish Park Hotel (4 star) overlooking the lake for four nights.

  7. Day 7overnight: Desenzano, Lake Garda

    Exploring Lake Garda

    See Lake Garda at its best on a relaxing lake cruise (payable locally); ferry destinations include Limone, Riva del Garda or Malcesine in the north and Torri del Benaco, Lazise or Sirmione in the south, the latter with narrow medieval streets and a 13th century castle.

  8. Day 8overnight: Desenzano, Lake Garda

    Exploring Lake Garda

    Relax in Desenzano with its inter-connected squares, shops, ice cream parlours and pavement cafés, plus a medieval castle and the ruins of a Roman villa.

  9. Day 9railovernight: Desenzano, Lake Garda

    Exploring Lake Garda

    Take advantage of the local rail network to explore further afield: timeless Venice, the charming walled city of Verona and Bolzano in the heart of the Dolomites are all easily accessible by train.

  10. Day 10railovernight: Stresa, Lake Maggiore

    Lake Garda to Lake Maggiore

    A private taxi transfer returns you to the station for the Eurostar Italia service to Milan, connecting with the Euro City northwards to Stresa on Lake Maggiore, a short distance from the charming Hotel La Luna Nel Porto (3 star), your base for four nights.

  11. Day 11railovernight: Stresa, Lake Maggiore

    The Lake Maggiore Express (supplements apply)

    Optionally discover more of Lake Maggiore on the Lake Maggiore Express: ferry to Locarno on the Swiss part of the lake, then the wonderfully scenic Centovalli Railway across viaducts and bridges, past ravines and waterfalls to Domodossola, connecting back to Stresa by rail.

  12. Day 12overnight: Stresa, Lake Maggiore

    Stresa and Lake Maggiore

    Unwind in Stresa’s old town and picturesque waterfront, or hop on a ferry to the islands including Isola Bella with the gorgeous Borromeo Palace and its Italian gardens (lake cruise payable locally).

  13. Day 13overnight: Stresa, Lake Maggiore

    Stresa and Lake Maggiore

    A further day to explore: perhaps travel west to lesser-known, utterly charming Lake Orta, or relax at your hotel with its lovely views of the lake.

  14. Day 14railovernight: Montreux

    Stresa to Montreux on Lake Geneva

    Board the Euro City service from Stresa as the train snakes through the spectacular scenery of the Swiss Alps to Montreux on Lake Geneva. Overnight at the belle époque Grand Hotel Suisse Majestic (4 star superior) next to the station; if time permits visit the nearby Château de Chillon.

  15. Day 15rail

    Homeward bound

    Join the Inter Regio train to Lausanne, connect with the TGV to Paris, then a private taxi transfer to the Gare du Nord for the Eurostar back to London St. Pancras International, with light meal and drinks in Standard Premier.

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 2The Euro City train follows the spectacular Gotthard route through soaring mountain peaks and the Gotthard Tunnel from Switzerland into Italy, arriving at Como for ferry or taxi transfer to Lenno on Lake Como.
  • Day 3Ferry to Bellagio with its narrow cobbled streets and classical villas, or visit Villa Carlotta with its luxurious interiors and over 500 species of plants.
  • Day 6Eurostar Italia service from Milan south to Desenzano on Lake Garda, followed by private taxi transfer to the Park Hotel overlooking the lake.
  • Day 11Optional Lake Maggiore Express: ferry to Locarno, then the scenic Centovalli Railway across viaducts and bridges past ravines and waterfalls to Domodossola (supplements apply).
  • Day 14Euro City service from Stresa snakes through the Swiss Alps to Montreux on Lake Geneva, with overnight at the Grand Hotel Suisse Majestic next to the station.

Included

  • First Class rail travel throughout (Standard Premier on Eurostar)
  • 3/4 star accommodation throughout
  • Lake views at all hotels in Italy (subject to availability and prices)
  • Private taxi transfers (across Paris between stations; Desenzano station-hotel)

Not included

  • Como station to Lenno transfer (taxi or ferry, payable locally)
  • Lake Garda cruises (payable locally)
  • Lake Maggiore island cruises (payable locally)

Questions travellers ask

Is the train travel included in the price?
Yes. First-class rail is included throughout Europe, including Eurostar (Standard Premier), TGV, Euro City, Eurostar Italia, and Inter Regio services. The package starts in London and ends in Lausanne.
Is this an escorted tour or independent?
Independent and self-guided. You make your own way between stations and hotels. Planet Rail arranges some private taxi transfers (Paris and Desenzano station-hotel), but most days you are free to explore on your own.
What hotels are included?
Hotel Helmhaus (4 star) in Zurich for 1 night; Hotel Albergo Lenno (4 star) on Lake Como for 4 nights; Park Hotel (4 star) on Lake Garda for 4 nights; Hotel La Luna Nel Porto (3 star) on Lake Maggiore for 4 nights; Grand Hotel Suisse Majestic (4 star) in Montreux for 1 night.
What is not included in the price?
Como station to Lenno transfer (taxi or ferry, payable locally), lake cruises at Garda and Maggiore, the optional Lake Maggiore Express (from GBP 40 per person), and any excursions beyond the main itinerary.
When does it run?
The operator does not publish specific departure dates in this package information. Contact Planet Rail to confirm available dates.
How much time is free for exploration?
Days 3 to 5 are free at Lenno (Lake Como); days 7 to 9 at Desenzano (Lake Garda); days 12 to 13 at Stresa (Lake Maggiore). The itinerary includes optional ferry excursions, rail trips to nearby cities, and lake cruises, all payable locally.

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