Planet Rail · Tailor-made rail holiday

Duo of Italian Lakes by First Class rail - Lake Como & Lake Garda, via Switzerland

Duo of Italian Lakes by First Class rail - Lake Como & Lake Garda, via Switzerland, a rail journey with Planet Rail

Discover the beauty of Lake Como and Lake Garda via scenic first-class rail through Switzerland on this unforgettable Italian lakes tour.

Day by day

  1. Day 1railovernight: Zurich

    By rail to Switzerland

    Your holiday begins at London St Pancras International, boarding the Eurostar to Paris with a light meal and drinks served at your seat in Standard Premier Class. On arrival you are transferred across Paris by private taxi to the Gare de Lyon for the high-speed TGV to Zurich, and make your way to the Hotel Helmhaus (4 star).

  2. Day 2overnight: Lenno, Lake Como

    Free time in Zurich - Through the Swiss Alps to Lake Como

    Morning free to explore Zurich: the Old Town, Bahnhofstrasse, the Grossmünster, Fraumünster and St Peterskirche, Lake Zurich and Lindenhof. Then the scenic Gotthard route through the Swiss Alps and the Gotthard Base Tunnel, the world's longest tunnel, crossing into Italy to Como. Take the ferry or a taxi (both payable locally) to Lenno and check in to the Hotel Albergo Lenno (4 star) for three nights.

  3. Day 3overnight: Lenno, Lake Como

    Lenno, Bellagio, Como, Villa Carlotta, Varenna, Monte Bre, Brunate & Bergamo

    At leisure on Lake Como: relax in Lenno on the Tremezzina shore, visit Bellagio ('la perla del lago'), take the ferry to Como and its Duomo, or visit Villa Carlotta with its art collection and gardens of over 500 plant species.

  4. Day 4railovernight: Lenno, Lake Como

    Lenno, Bellagio, Como, Villa Carlotta, Varenna, Monte Bre, Brunate & Bergamo (continued)

    Further exploration: picturesque Varenna with its castle, Villa Cipressi and Villa Monastero; the cog railway to Monte Bre above Lake Lugano; the funicular to Brunate for views of Lake Como and the Alps; or medieval Bergamo and the Piazza Vecchia.

  5. Day 5railovernight: Desenzano, Lake Garda

    Lake Como to Lake Garda

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

  6. Day 6overnight: Desenzano, Lake Garda

    Exploring Lake Garda

    Two full days to explore Lake Garda. Take a lake cruise (payable locally) from near the hotel to Limone, Riva del Garda or Malcesine in the north, or Torri del Benaco, Lazise or Sirmione with its medieval streets and 13th century castle in the south and east.

  7. Day 7railovernight: Desenzano, Lake Garda

    Exploring Lake Garda (continued)

    Relax in Desenzano with its interconnected squares, medieval castle and Roman villa ruins, or use the local rail network for day trips to Venice, the walled city of Verona or Bolzano in the heart of the Dolomites.

  8. Day 8overnight: Montreux

    Lake Garda to Montreux on Lake Geneva

    A private transfer takes you to Desenzano station for the First Class Trenitalia Frecciarossa to Milan, then the EuroCity service through the spectacular Simplon Pass to lakeside Montreux on Lake Geneva. Overnight at the belle époque Grand Hotel Suisse Majestic (4 star superior), right next to the station.

  9. Day 9rail

    Montreux to London - Homeward bound

    After a leisurely breakfast, take the Inter Regio service to Lausanne for the connecting TGV to Paris. A taxi transfer takes you to the Gare du Nord for the Eurostar to London St Pancras International, with a light meal and drinks served at your seat.

Included

  • First Class rail travel throughout
  • 1 night B&B in a double room at the Hotel Helmhaus (4 star), Zurich
  • 3 nights B&B in a front lake view double room at the Hotel Albergo Lenno (4 star), Lenno on Lake Como
  • 3 nights B&B in a superior lake view double room at the Park Hotel (4 star), Desenzano on Lake Garda
  • 1 night B&B in a double room at the Grand Hotel Suisse Majestic (4 star superior), Montreux
  • Private taxi transfers in Paris & Desenzano

Not included

  • Ferry or taxi between Como station and Lenno (payable locally)
  • Lake Garda lake cruises (payable locally)

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