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Great Rail Journeys · Escorted Small Group Tour

First-Class Lake Iseo: Italy's Secret Lake

Ten-day rail and lake escape through Italy and Swiss Alps from London

Illustration of First-Class Lake Iseo: Italy's Secret Lake

Great Rail Journeys' ten-day tour to Lake Iseo combines First Class rail travel from London, a seven-night stay in the four-star Hotel RivaLago or Hotel Araba Fenice in Sulzano on the lake's shore, and exploration of some of northern Italy's finest Roman, medieval, and culinary heritage. Your journey begins with Eurostar Plus from London St Pancras to Paris, then continues by First Class rail into the Alps and down to Turin. From there, you transfer to the lake for your main stay. Days bring a guided walking tour through Brescia's Roman temples and Renaissance squares, a funicular ride to the fortified Upper Town of Bergamo, a boat cruise around Monte Isola with lunch at the historic castle overlooking the water, and an evening at a Franciacorta winery where you taste Italy's acclaimed sparkling wines and dine on local specialities. Three free days let you explore nearby Verona, Milan, and the fishing villages of Clusane and Lovere by train and ferry. From Basel, you return to London via First Class rail and Eurostar Plus.

What to know before you look closer

  • Single supplement (GBP 3,899) is significantly higher than half the double rate (GBP 2,999 suggests roughly GBP 1,500 per person). Check exact single availability with Great Rail Journeys.
  • Hotels on Day 2 onwards are listed as 'Hotel RivaLago or Hotel Araba Fenice, Pilzone', your final accommodation depends on your selected tier and booking date; confirm the specific hotel before paying.
  • Days 3 and 5 are entirely at leisure with no included excursions; meals beyond breakfast are independent, though restaurants are within reach by train and boat.
  • The Treno dei Sapori (Train of Flavours) is listed in the trains section but not explicitly mentioned in the day-by-day itinerary; confirm when and how this vintage locomotive excursion is scheduled with the operator.

Day by day

  1. Day 1railovernight: Turin (or Grenoble on June 7th departure)

    London to Turin: Straight to Italy by rail

    Meet the Tour Manager and travelling group at London St Pancras International and board the Eurostar service in Plus class, served a light meal at your seats. Travel to Paris, then change to a First Class service direct to Turin. Cross the Alps into northern Italy, arriving in Turin this evening. Check in to a four-star hotel near the centre and enjoy a three-course dinner at a local restaurant. Note: On the June 7th departure, stay in Grenoble instead of Turin. For departures 1st September and 11th October, stay at the Doubletree by Hilton Turin Lingotto with dinner at the hotel.

    Meals: Eurostar Light Meal, Dinner

  2. Day 2railovernight: Sulzano (Hotel RivaLago or Hotel Araba Fenice, Pilzone)

    First Class rail to beautiful Lake Iseo

    After breakfast, explore Turin at leisure. In the afternoon, travel by First Class rail to Brescia, then coach transfer to the charming village of Sulzano on the shores of Lake Iseo. The elegant hotel has a swimming pool and panoramic terrace on the shores. Check in and unwind before a three-course dinner in the hotel's restaurant. Note: On the June 7th departure, transfer from Grenoble to Turin this morning with no free time in Turin. For selected departures, stay at Hotel Araba Fenice in Pilzone.

    Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

  3. Day 3railovernight: Sulzano

    A day at leisure to explore Lake Iseo

    A free day to explore independently. Visit Sulzano's Old Town, the medieval village of Iseo (Friday market), or take a ferry to Lovere, one of Italy's most beautiful villages. A train line along the eastern shore makes exploring easy. Dine independently this evening to sample local cuisine including freshwater fish dishes.

    Meals: Breakfast

  4. Day 4overnight: Sulzano

    Guided tour of ancient Brescia

    Full day exploration of Brescia. Travel by coach and explore the historic old centre with an expert guide on a walking tour through the main city squares. See the most important Roman remains in northern Italy, including a former temple and part of a World Heritage site with an amphitheatre. Walk past arched columns, decorative churches and marble statues to the medieval district and Renaissance-era square. Return to accommodation for a three-course dinner in the hotel restaurant.

    Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

  5. Day 5railovernight: Sulzano

    Discovering Lake Iseo and surrounding areas at leisure

    A free day to enjoy the beauty of Lake Iseo and beyond. Take a boat to other lake villages, or travel by train to Verona (Juliet's balcony, Roman Arena) or Milan (Via Monte Napoleone, Teatro alla Scala, Navigli district, Piazza del Duomo). The ancient fishing village of Clusane is renowned for Franciacorta wine, saffron and baked tench.

    Meals: Breakfast

  6. Day 6overnight: Sulzano

    Monte Isola and lunch at Castello Oldofredi

    Cruise on Lake Iseo with an English-speaking guide, sailing around the islands of Loreto and San Paolo before docking on Monte Isola (nearly 1,970 feet high, one of Europe's tallest lake islands). Guided tour through the historic fishermen's village of Peschiera Maraglio. Tasting lunch at Castello Oldofredi with exceptional views across the lake. Free time to explore the island independently, then sail back to Sulzano. Note: on the 27th April, 9th & 30th May, 1st September and 11th October departures, dinner is at the hotel this evening.

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

  7. Day 7overnight: Sulzano

    A day in the beautiful walled-city of Bergamo

    Drive to Bergamo at the foothills of the Alps. Board a funicular to the historic Upper Town for a walking tour of the citadel encircled by Venetian walls. See the Piazza Duomo, Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore, neoclassical cathedral and octagonal baptistery. Free afternoon to explore the Lower Town or enjoy local flavours including casconcelli. Return to Sulzano for a three-course dinner.

    Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

  8. Day 8overnight: Sulzano

    A sparkling evening at a Franciacorta winery

    Free morning and afternoon to unwind in Sulzano. In the evening, travel by coach to a Franciacorta winery for a guided tour to learn about the history and flavour of these acclaimed sparkling wines, followed by a tasting of several varieties. Three-course dinner of local specialities at the winery.

    Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

  9. Day 9railovernight: Basel (or Colmar/Strasbourg on selected departures)

    Crossing the Alps to overnight in the Swiss city of Basel

    Leave Sulzano by coach after breakfast, heading to Milan. Take First Class rail through Switzerland to Basel, passing through Como and Lugano, then through the Gotthard Base Tunnel (35.5 miles, world's longest railway tunnel), skirting Lake Lucerne. Arrive in Basel and walk to the central hotel. Relax or explore the city before a three-course dinner in the hotel restaurant. Note: on the 30th May departure, stay in Colmar; on the 13th September departure, stay in Strasbourg.

    Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

  10. Day 10rail

    Homeward bound

    After a leisurely breakfast, walk to the station and board the direct train to Paris in First Class. Transfer to the Eurostar in Plus class, enjoying a light meal at your seats. Arrive back at London St Pancras. Note: For departure 23rd August, the rail journey to Paris will be via Strasbourg.

    Meals: Breakfast, Eurostar Light Meal

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 1Depart London St Pancras on Eurostar Plus, served a light meal at your seats, then board First Class rail direct to Turin across the Alps.
  • Day 6Lake cruise with an English-speaking guide, sailing to Monte Isola, then enjoy a tasting lunch at Castello Oldofredi with exceptional views across the water.
  • Day 7Ride a funicular to Bergamo's historic Upper Town and walk the Venetian walls encircling the citadel, seeing the Piazza Duomo and Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore.
  • Day 8Evening at a Franciacorta winery with a guided tour of the sparkling wine production, tasting several varieties, followed by a three-course dinner of local specialities.
  • Day 9Travel by First Class rail through Switzerland via Como, Lugano, and the Gotthard Base Tunnel (world's longest railway tunnel at 35.5 miles) to arrive in Basel.

Included

  • Expertise of a UK Tour Manager from start to finish
  • 9 nights' 4-star hotel accommodation
  • Eurostar Plus class travel (London–Paris and return)
  • First Class rail travel throughout
  • All rail, cruise and coach travel throughout the tour
  • Eurostar light meals (outbound and return)
  • Breakfast each day
  • 1 lunch
  • 6 dinners
  • All guided tours and excursions

Not included

  • Cancellation & Travel Insurance

Questions travellers ask

Is train travel included in the price?
Yes. The from-price includes all rail travel: Eurostar Plus outbound and return, and First Class rail throughout the tour (Paris-Turin, Turin-Brescia, Milan-Basel via Gotthard Base Tunnel, and Basel-Paris).
Is this tour escorted or independent?
Great Rail Journeys runs this as an escorted small group tour. A UK Tour Manager travels with you from start to finish. Group size is up to 30 people. You are guided on tours of Brescia and Bergamo; some days are free to explore independently.
Where is the tour based?
You stay seven nights in Sulzano on the shore of Lake Iseo at either Hotel RivaLago or Hotel Araba Fenice. Both are four-star hotels. You also overnight in Turin (Day 1) and Basel (Day 9).
What meals are included?
Breakfast each day, six three-course dinners at hotels or a winery, one lunch at Castello Oldofredi on Monte Isola, and light meals on Eurostar. Most other lunches and dinners are independent, though the itinerary suggests local restaurants.
When does the tour run?
Great Rail Journeys operates 9 departures between April 2026 and October 2027, spanning April, May, June, August, September, and October.
How much walking is involved?
The tour includes walking tours of Brescia's old centre and Bergamo's Upper Town (accessed by funicular). Free days allow independent exploration of villages and nearby cities. There are no major hikes mentioned.

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