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Planet Rail · Escorted rail holiday

Charm & Beauty of Lake Garda by First Class Rail

Seven-day first-class rail loop from London to Lake Garda via Swiss Alps

Illustration of Charm & Beauty of Lake Garda by First Class Rail

Charm & Beauty of Lake Garda by First Class Rail is a 7-day, 6-night escorted journey operated by Planet Rail that takes you by first-class daytime trains from London through Paris and Zurich to Lake Garda in Italy, then back to London via Montreux and Lake Geneva. You travel on named services including the Eurostar, TGV, Swiss Federal Railways through the Gotthard Base Tunnel, Trenitalia Frecciarossa, Euro City, and Inter Regio, staying in 4-star hotels in Zurich (one night), Desenzano (four nights), and Montreux (one night). The first two days are travel-oriented, with exploration time in Zurich. Days 3 to 5 are entirely at leisure in Desenzano, where you can take ferries to villages around Lake Garda or book optional excursions to Venice, Milan, or the Dolomites. The final day returns you to London by train. This trip suits repeat rail travellers who appreciate first-class comfort and couples seeking relaxation by the lake.

What to know before you look closer

  • The itinerary offers three full days at leisure in Desenzano (days 3-5); Planet Rail does not structure these with guided activities, though optional day trips to Venice, Milan, and the Dolomites are available at extra cost.
  • Lake Garda ferry tickets and most meals beyond specified breakfasts are not included; the pack lists restaurants in Desenzano but no dining is pre-booked.
  • The Eurostar leg from London is Standard Premier Class, not First Class; upgrade to First Class applies on the return leg and all continental rail.

Day by day

  1. Day 1railovernight: Zurich

    By rail to Switzerland

    Depart London on the Eurostar to Paris (Standard Premier Class). Taxi transfer across Paris from Gare du Nord to Gare de Lyon. Board TGV to Zurich, passing through lush green pastures and the foothills of the Swiss Alps. On arrival at Zurich main station, take the tram or stroll to the Hotel Helmhaus (4 star) for the night.

  2. Day 2overnight: Desenzano, Lake Garda

    Free time in Zurich – Through the Swiss Alps to Lake Garda

    After breakfast, explore Zurich's Old Town, Bahnhofstrasse, the Grossmünster, Fraumünster and St Peterskirche churches, and the shores of Lake Zurich. Return to Zurich station for the scenic Gotthard route through the Swiss Alps, including the Gotthard Base Tunnel (world's longest tunnel). Cross into Italy and through the Italian Lakes to Milan. Change trains and board the Trenitalia Frecciarossa to Desenzano. Private transfer to the Park Hotel (4 star) on Lake Garda.

    Meals: Breakfast

  3. Day 3railovernight: Desenzano, Lake Garda

    At leisure in Desenzano

    Free day to explore Desenzano and Lake Garda. Visit the old town market, stroll the waterfront, or hop on a ferry to Malcesine, Limone, Riva del Garda, Sirmione, Torri del Benaco or Lazise. Optional day trip to Venice by rail.

  4. Day 4overnight: Desenzano, Lake Garda

    At leisure in Desenzano

    Another free day to enjoy Lake Garda at your own pace. Explore by ferry, visit nearby towns, or take an optional excursion to Milan or the Dolomites.

  5. Day 5overnight: Desenzano, Lake Garda

    At leisure in Desenzano

    Final full day at Lake Garda. Enjoy a relaxing lake cruise or explore more of the surrounding area before dinner at one of Desenzano's many attractive restaurants.

  6. Day 6overnight: Montreux

    Lake Garda to Montreux on Lake Geneva

    Private transfer from the Park Hotel to Desenzano station. Board the Trenitalia Frecciarossa First Class to Milan. Join the Euro City service through the Alps via the spectacular Simplon Pass to Montreux on Lake Geneva. Check in to the Grand Hotel Suisse Majestic (4 star superior), located next to the station. Stroll alongside Lake Geneva and explore this elegant lakeside town.

  7. Day 7rail

    Montreux to London – Homeward bound

    Leisurely breakfast before returning to Montreux station. Inter Regio service to Lausanne, then TGV First Class through France to Paris. Taxi transfer across Paris to Gare du Nord. Board Eurostar to London St. Pancras International, enjoying a light meal and drinks en route.

    Meals: Breakfast

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 1Eurostar departs London St. Pancras to Paris, then TGV First Class through the Swiss foothills to Zurich, arriving in time to stroll the hotel quarter.
  • Day 2The Gotthard Base Tunnel crossing from Zurich to Milan on Swiss Federal Railways, passing through the world's longest rail tunnel and descending into the Italian Lakes.
  • Day 2Trenitalia Frecciarossa First Class from Milan to Desenzano, with views across the Italian landscape to Lake Garda.
  • Day 6Euro City service from Milan through the Simplon Pass, crossing from Italy into Switzerland with alpine scenery before arrival in Montreux on Lake Geneva.

Included

  • Eurostar London to Paris (Standard Premier Class)
  • Taxi transfer across Paris (Gare du Nord to Gare de Lyon)
  • TGV Paris to Zurich (First Class)
  • 1 night at Hotel Helmhaus Zurich (4 star)
  • Breakfast in Zurich
  • Train Zurich to Milan via Gotthard route (First Class)
  • Trenitalia Frecciarossa Milan to Desenzano (First Class)
  • Private transfer Desenzano station to Park Hotel
  • 4 nights at Park Hotel Desenzano, Lake Garda (4 star)
  • Trenitalia Frecciarossa Desenzano to Milan (First Class)
  • Euro City service Milan to Montreux via Simplon Pass (First Class)
  • 1 night at Grand Hotel Suisse Majestic Montreux (4 star superior)
  • Inter Regio Montreux to Lausanne
  • TGV Lausanne to Paris (First Class)
  • Taxi transfer across Paris (Gare de Lyon to Gare du Nord)
  • Eurostar Paris to London (First Class / 1st Class)

Not included

  • Optional day trips (e.g. Venice, Milan, Dolomites)
  • Lake Garda ferry tickets
  • Meals not specified
  • Travel insurance
  • Personal expenses

Questions travellers ask

Is all train travel included in the price?
Yes. The package includes Eurostar London to Paris (outbound Standard Premier, return First Class), TGV Paris to Zurich, Swiss Federal Railways Zurich to Milan via the Gotthard Base Tunnel, Trenitalia Frecciarossa Milan to Desenzano and return, Euro City Milan to Montreux via the Simplon Pass, Inter Regio Montreux to Lausanne, and TGV Lausanne to Paris, all in First Class (except the outbound Eurostar).
What is included in the accommodation?
Six nights in 4-star hotels: one night at Hotel Helmhaus Zurich, four nights at Park Hotel Desenzano on Lake Garda (double room), and one night at Grand Hotel Suisse Majestic Montreux. Breakfast is included on days 2 and 7. Private transfers from Desenzano station to the Park Hotel and taxi transfers across Paris are included.
Is this trip escorted or independent?
Planet Rail describes this as an escorted rail holiday, though days 3-5 in Desenzano are free time for independent exploration. You are met at stations and transferred to hotels, but you arrange your own activities during leisure days unless you book optional excursions.
What meals are included?
Breakfast on days 2 and 7. Other meals are not included; dinner on day 5 and meals on other days are your responsibility. Lunch on the return Eurostar (day 7) is mentioned as "light meal and drinks".
How much walking or physical activity is involved?
Day 2 includes free exploration of Zurich on foot (Old Town, lakefront, churches). Days 3-5 are flexible; optional ferry trips to lakeside villages and day trips to Milan or the Dolomites involve walking, but are not mandatory. No strenuous hiking is described.
When does this trip run and what is the price?
Departures run throughout the year. The price from is GBP 1,595 per person in low season, based on two people sharing a double room.

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