Great Rail Journeys
First-Class Swiss Mountains & Italian Lakes
First-Class escorted rail tour of Swiss lakes, mountains and Italy's Lake Como
10 daysfrom $5,608
80% rail
Great Rail Journeys · Escorted Small Group Tour
First-Class Lake Iseo: Italy's Secret Lake
Enjoy a fantastic exploration of undiscovered Lake Iseo, Lombardy's fourth largest lake, dappled with charming medieval villages and boasting world-class food and drink.
Day by day
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
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
