Bregenz and Verona Opera Festivals by First Class Rail

London to Switzerland by First Class rail

From London St Pancras travel by Eurostar to Paris at speeds of up to 186mph, with a light meal and drinks served on board in Standard Premier Class. A private taxi transfer takes you across Paris to the Gare de Lyon to continue by TGV through France into Switzerland, arriving in the attractive lakeside city of Zurich. Overnight at the comfortable, highly-rated Hotel Helmhaus (4 star), a short walk from the station.

Through Switzerland to Austria and onwards to Bregenz

After breakfast make a whistle-stop tour of Zurich: the Old Town either side of the River Limmat, the shops of Bahnhofstrasse, the baroque Rathaus and the Grossmünster, Fraumünster and St Peterskirche churches. Then join the comfortable EuroCity service along Lake Zurich and east through picturesque mountain scenery into Austria and on to Bregenz. Three nights at the stylish Hotel Schwarzler (4 star).

Meals: breakfast

Bregenz and a night at the Bregenz Opera

Explore the picturesque old town on foot, from the Martinsturm Tower to the Gothic Church of St Gallus, then stroll the Lake Promenade on idyllic Lake Constance. This evening take your seat at the magnificent open-air auditorium to admire the floating Lake Stage, the largest in the world and a location in the James Bond film Quantum of Solace, for a mesmerising operatic performance.

Meals: breakfast

Bregenz

A full day to explore. Walk (2 to 3 hours) or take the cable car (6 minutes) up the Pfänder mountain for a 360 degree view across Lake Constance, with a mountain-top restaurant, alpine wildlife park and birds of prey show. Alternatively choose from a variety of Lake Constance boat cruises including the three-country cruise, the Flower Island of Mainau and the city of Konstanz, or swim, hike or cycle.

Meals: breakfast

Bregenz to Verona via Innsbruck

After breakfast board your train for the spectacular journey south-east along the scenic Arlberg route to Innsbruck. Change trains for the journey along the Brenner Pass with breath-taking views of the Italian Dolomites, arriving into Italy and on to Verona. Three nights at the richly evocative Hotel Accademia, close to Piazza Bra.

Meals: breakfast

Verona, the surrounding area and a night at the Verona Opera

Stroll this attractive walled city famous for Romeo and Juliet: Piazza Brà, San Zeno Maggiore, Piazza dei Signori and Piazza Erbe close to Juliet's balcony. This evening join the crowds inside the wonderfully preserved Roman amphitheatre as thousands of candles light the spectacle; the Arena di Verona provides the perfect backdrop for an unforgettable night at the Opera.

Meals: breakfast

The Roman city of Verona and the surrounding area

A further day to enjoy Verona. For a change of scene venture out to the Valpolicella vineyards, the Palladian delights of Vicenza or take to the waters of stunning Lake Garda.

Meals: breakfast

Verona through the Alps to Lake Geneva

After breakfast board the Eurostar Italia service at Verona Porta Nuova for the First Class journey to Milan, then join the EuroCity service snaking into the Alps for the spectacular journey through the Simplon Pass to lakeside Montreux on Lake Geneva. Overnight at the recently refurbished belle époque Grand Hotel Suisse Majestic (4 star), right next to the station.

Meals: breakfast

Free time in Montreux - Montreux to London - Homeward bound

This morning perhaps visit the stunning medieval Château de Chillon (payable locally), one of the best-preserved castles in Europe. Then join the InterRegio train to Lausanne, change onto the TGV to Paris, and after a taxi transfer to the Gare du Nord board the Eurostar home, with light meal and drinks in Standard Premier service, arriving into London St Pancras International.

Meals: breakfast