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 tour
First-Class Lake Maggiore & Stresa
From our stunning location overlooking beautiful Lake Maggiore in the picturesque town of Stresa, we explore this magnificent region of Italy.
Day by day
- Day 1railovernight: Colmar
From London to Colmar
Meet the Tour Manager and travelling group at London St Pancras and take the Eurostar to Paris in Plus class, enjoying a light meal served at seats. Continue by First Class rail to Colmar, a charming Alsace town with colourful half-timbered houses, cobbled lanes and flower-lined waterways including the Little Venice district. Hotel is right outside the railway station. Dinner at the hotel restaurant. Note: if travelling by air, holiday starts on Day 2.
Meals: Eurostar Light Meal (Rail departures only), Dinner (Rail departures only)
- Day 2railovernight: Stresa
Arrival in lakeside Stresa
After breakfast, return to Colmar train station and board a First Class train to Switzerland, passing through the Swiss Alps and the famous Simplon Tunnel, arriving in Domodossola. Transfer by coach to Stresa on the shores of Lake Maggiore. Check into the luxurious Art Nouveau hotel overlooking the lake, with lush gardens and an outdoor swimming pool. Dinner at the hotel. If travelling by air, meet the Tour Manager at London Heathrow, fly to Milan and transfer to the hotel in Stresa.
Meals: Breakfast (Rail departures only), Dinner
- Day 3overnight: Stresa
Exploring the beautiful Borromean Islands
After a leisurely breakfast, join a boat trip from the pier on Lake Maggiore to the Borromean Islands. Sail to Isola Bella for a guided tour of the 17th-century Borromeo Palace and its Italianate gardens, then explore at leisure. Continue by boat to Isola dei Pescatori for independent exploration with cafés and restaurants for lunch. Return by boat to the hotel. Evening free to dine independently in Stresa town centre.
Meals: Breakfast
- Day 4overnight: Stresa
Discovering the island gems of Lake Orta
Set off for Lake Orta, Lake Maggiore's smaller neighbour. Sail to Isola San Giulio, an enchanting island village with an ancient monastery and basilica containing pastel frescoes and the crypt of the 4th-century Greek evangelist. Continue to Orta San Giulio, the 'Jewel of the Lake', with cobbled streets and a piazza overlooking the water. Free time to explore the lakefront. Return to the hotel for time to relax, enjoy the pool, spa or terrace, before dinner.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
- Day 5overnight: Stresa
A full day to enjoy Stresa on market day or explore further
Free day to enjoy as you wish. Friday is market day in Stresa with local vendors selling fresh produce, clothing and gifts. Options include walking the lakeside promenade, visiting villas along the lakeshore, taking a sightseeing cruise to Baveno or Pallanzo (Villa Taranto), visiting Isola Madre, or exploring Villa Pallavicino with its English garden and zoo. Evening free to dine independently.
Meals: Breakfast
- Day 6railovernight: Stresa
Centovalli Railway to the Swiss town of Locarno
Travel by coach to Domodossola and join the Centovalli Railway (Railway of 100 Valleys), winding through valleys, across wildflower meadows, over high bridges, past wide gorges and rushing waterfalls to Locarno in Switzerland. Free time in Locarno to explore the Old Town with its exotic gardens and lakeside promenades, and enjoy lunch or shopping on Piazza Grande. Return to Stresa by boat, gliding along Italy's second-longest lake past the Borromean Islands. Evening free to dine independently.
Meals: Breakfast
- Day 7railovernight: Stresa
A free day to discover more of Stresa and Lake Maggiore
Free day after breakfast. Options include a rail trip to Milan (Teatro alla Scala, the Duomo, Navigli district), continuing to Lake Como, sailing on Lake Maggiore, or relaxing at the hotel. Dinner at the hotel this evening.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
- Day 8overnight: Stresa
Wine tasting at Fontechiara
After a relaxed breakfast, travel by coach to the Fontechiara winery for a wine tasting. A tour of the winery and cellar by the owner provides insight into production of varieties including Nebbiolo, Vespolina and Rosata. Savour a tasting of three wines with homemade delicacies, local charcuterie and cheeses, followed by coffee and grappa produced on the premises. Return to Stresa in the afternoon for relaxation or revisiting favourite parts of town before the final dinner in Italy.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Day 9railovernight: Dijon (rail) or home (air)
By rail to Dijon or flying home
If returning by air: transferred to Milan Linate airport after breakfast for flight to Heathrow. If returning by rail: First Class rail journey to Lausanne passing along the Rhône Valley through the Swiss Alps, then First Class along the shore of Lake Geneva to Dijon. Check into hotel near the station for an overnight stay and final dinner with the group at a local restaurant.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner (Rail departures only)
- Day 10rail
Homeward bound
After breakfast, leave Dijon and continue by First Class rail to Paris. Join the Eurostar in Plus class, enjoying a light meal on the way back to London St Pancras, where the Italian holiday concludes. (Air travellers return home on Day 9.)
Meals: Breakfast, Eurostar Light Meal
Included
- Expertise of a UK Tour Manager from start to finish
- 9 nights' 4-star hotel accommodation (7 nights if travelling by air)
- Eurostar Plus class travel (rail departures)
- First Class rail travel throughout
- All rail, boat and coach travel throughout the tour
- Return flights from London Heathrow to Milan Linate (if travelling by air)
- Eurostar light meals (if travelling by rail)
- Breakfast each day
- 6 dinners (4 dinners if travelling by air)
- All guided tours and excursions
Not included
- Cancellation & Travel Insurance
