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Planet Rail · Tailor-made rail holiday

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

Nine days through Italian lakes and Swiss Alps by First Class rail from London

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

Planet Rail operates this nine-day independent rail holiday that links London to Lausanne through two of Italy's most celebrated lakes. You travel by First Class rail throughout, beginning with Eurostar to Paris and the TGV to Zurich, then descending through the Gotthard Base Tunnel into Lake Como, where you stay three nights in the village of Lenno on the Tremezzina shore. From there, trains carry you south to Lake Garda for three more nights in Desenzano, with views of medieval castles, olive groves, and lemon orchards. The return journey crosses the dramatic Simplon Pass to Montreux on Lake Geneva before heading home via Paris. Each day is yours to plan: explore the villages and villas of Como, take ferries and lake cruises at Garda, or use the local rail network for day trips to Venice, Verona, or the Dolomites. All hotels are four-star, with breakfast and private transfers in Paris and Desenzano included.

What to know before you look closer

  • Ferry or taxi between Como station and Lenno is payable locally; lake cruises on Lake Garda are also not included.
  • This is an independent tailor-made package with no daily escorted activities; you arrange your own exploration on the lakes and select from the activities described.

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.

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 2The train crosses the Gotthard Base Tunnel, the world's longest tunnel, descending through the Swiss Alps into Italy and Lake Como.
  • Day 3At leisure on Lake Como, you can visit Villa Carlotta with its art collection and gardens of over 500 plant species, or take the ferry to Como and its Duomo.
  • Day 5From Como station you join the Eurostar Italia southbound to Desenzano on Lake Garda, passing through Milan's art-deco Centrale station.
  • Day 8The EuroCity train crosses the spectacular Simplon Pass, descending to the lakeside town of Montreux on Lake Geneva.

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)

Questions travellers ask

Is train travel included?
Yes. First Class rail is included throughout, covering Eurostar London to Paris, TGV Paris to Zurich, trains through the Gotthard route to Como, Eurostar Italia to Desenzano, Trenitalia Frecciarossa and EuroCity services, and Inter Regio to Lausanne on the return.
Is this escorted or independent?
Independent tailor-made. Planet Rail arranges your rail tickets, four-star hotels, and private taxi transfers in Paris and Desenzano, but you travel without a guide and choose your own activities at the lakes.
Which trains am I on?
Eurostar (Standard Premier), TGV (First Class), trains via the Gotthard route, Eurostar Italia, Trenitalia Frecciarossa, EuroCity through the Simplon Pass, and Inter Regio to Lausanne. All are named in the itinerary.
What hotels are included?
Hotel Helmhaus (4 star) in Zurich for one night, Hotel Albergo Lenno (4 star, front lake view) on Lake Como for three nights, Park Hotel (4 star, superior lake view) in Desenzano for three nights, and Grand Hotel Suisse Majestic (4 star superior) in Montreux for one night. All include breakfast.
What is not included?
Ferry or taxi from Como station to Lenno, and lake cruises on Lake Garda are payable locally. Meals on trains beyond Standard Premier on Eurostar are not specified as included.
When does this trip run?
Planet Rail does not publish specific departure dates in the information provided. Contact them directly to confirm availability and book your dates.

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