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Great Rail Journeys · Escorted tour

Italian Christmas & Austrian New Year

Festive rail journey from London through Italian lakes to Austrian Alps

Illustration of Italian Christmas & Austrian New Year

Great Rail Journeys operates this 13-day escorted festive journey from London to Brussels, pairing Christmas on Italy's Lake Garda with New Year celebrations in Innsbruck's Tyrolean Alps. The route departs London St Pancras on Eurostar Plus, crosses into Italy aboard first-class TGV, then splits the holiday: five nights in the four-star Parc Hotel Germano at Bardolino on Lake Garda, followed by five nights in the four-star Hotel Innsbruck. The itinerary includes day trips to Venice (with a guided walking tour and private boat transfers) and Verona (UNESCO-listed old town with the Roman arena), a Boxing Day vineyard tour and tasting in Franciacorta, and two heritage railway experiences: the Zillertalbahn through the Ziller Valley and the narrow-gauge Stubaitalbahn on New Year's Eve through the Stubai Valley. Each day includes breakfast and dinner; a UK Tour Manager leads the group of up to 30 throughout. The tour suits couples seeking festive celebrations, repeat rail travellers keen to ride regional European trains, and food-and-wine enthusiasts interested in both lakeside charm and mountain tradition.

What to know before you look closer

  • The tour departs December 2026 only; confirm availability well in advance.
  • Group size capped at 30; the final composition and social dynamic may be large for some travellers.
  • Several hotels marked with no specific name in Cologne; the operator reserves the right to substitute a comparable property.

Day by day

  1. Day 1railovernight: Turin

    London to Turin: Crossing the Alps to Italy

    Meeting the Tour Manager and group at London St Pancras, join the Eurostar in Plus class with a light meal served en route to Paris. In Paris, change for the First Class service direct to Turin. This scenic journey passes the Alps. Check in to the hotel for an overnight stay. Enjoy the first dinner of the tour at the hotel restaurant.

    Meals: Eurostar Light Meal, Dinner

  2. Day 2railovernight: Bardolino, Lake Garda

    Through northern Italy to Lake Garda

    After breakfast, a full morning to explore Turin at leisure. In the afternoon, continue by rail through northern Italy, passing Milan on the way to Peschiera del Garda, then by coach to Bardolino on Lake Garda. Check in to the four-star hotel for five nights. Welcomed with a glass of prosecco before a three-course dinner.

    Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

  3. Day 3overnight: Bardolino, Lake Garda

    Christmas Eve in Sirmione, the 'Pearl of Lake Garda'

    Travel to the enchanting lakeside town of Sirmione for leisure time. Explore the medieval town, the Rocca Scaligera castle, the Grotte di Catullo Roman villa remains, or enjoy cafés and trattorias. Return to the hotel in Bardolino in the afternoon, then celebrate Christmas Eve with a gala dinner.

    Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

  4. Day 4overnight: Bardolino, Lake Garda

    Celebrate Christmas Day on Lake Garda

    Morning free to enjoy as you wish – walk beside Lake Garda, visit Cisano village or Bardolino. In the early afternoon, gather for a festive Christmas lunch at a historic venue in the centre of Bardolino. A three-course dinner in the evening leads into live music entertainment.

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

  5. Day 5overnight: Bardolino, Lake Garda

    Raise a glass on a Boxing Day wine tasting

    After breakfast, a Boxing Day excursion by coach to the Franciacorta wine region. Visit a local winery for a tour of the production process, followed by an expert-led tasting of different vintages accompanied by local specialities. Return to the hotel for tea, coffee and pastries, then a gala dinner in the evening.

    Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

  6. Day 6railovernight: Bardolino, Lake Garda

    Experience the timeless charm of Venice on a guided tour

    After breakfast, take a train to Venice. A private boat transfer goes to St Mark's Square for a guided walking tour including the Doge's Palace, Bridge of Sighs and Rialto Bridge. Free time to explore – optional gondola ride, visit Murano, or enjoy a café. Private boat transfer back to the station, then return to Lake Garda for a three-course dinner.

    Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

  7. Day 7railovernight: Innsbruck

    Touring Verona then crossing the Alps to Austria

    Leave Lake Garda by coach to Verona for a guided tour of the UNESCO World Heritage-listed city centre, including Juliet's balcony and the Roman arena. Free time for lunch around Piazza Brà. In mid-afternoon, board the train for a direct journey to Innsbruck via the Brenner Pass. Check in to the hotel in Innsbruck's Old Town for five nights. Three-course dinner this evening.

    Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

  8. Day 8overnight: Innsbruck

    The historic Zillertalbahn to charming Mayrhofen

    Travel on the Zillertalbahn through the Ziller Valley, passing the Ziller river, Tyrolean towns and snow-covered meadows. Arrive in Mayrhofen for leisure time – optional gondola cable car to Penken summit, cobbled street walks, or visit the Ahorn Eagle's Stage. Return journey to the hotel and dinner together.

    Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

  9. Day 9overnight: Innsbruck

    A guided tour of idyllic Innsbruck

    After breakfast, a guided walking tour of Innsbruck's Old Town, including Herzog-Friedrich-Strasse, the Hölbling house, the 14th-century watchtower and the Golden Roof. Free afternoon to explore further – optional Nordkette Cable Car designed by Zaha Hadid for views across the Tyrolean Alps at over 7,000 feet. Dinner at the hotel.

    Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

  10. Day 10overnight: Innsbruck

    Riding the Stubaitalbahn on New Year's Eve

    After breakfast, journey through the Stubai Valley aboard the narrow-gauge Stubaitalbahn from Innsbruck, winding through meadows, sleepy villages, icy forests and alpine meadows to Fulpmes. Back in Innsbruck, relax before a fabulous New Year's Eve gala dinner with wine.

    Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

  11. Day 11overnight: Innsbruck

    New Year's Day in picturesque Innsbruck

    Day free to explore Innsbruck – walk beside the Inn River, visit the Innsbrucker Hofgarten, explore the baroque cathedral or gothic Hofkirche. Optional use of the hotel's spa and wellness facilities. Three-course dinner this evening.

    Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

  12. Day 12railovernight: Cologne

    To historic Cologne on the River Rhine

    Transfer to Innsbruck station and travel by rail down the Inn valley to Munich, then change trains and continue through Germany – passing Augsburg, Ulm, Schwäbisch Gmünd and Limburg an der Lahn – to Cologne. Check in to the overnight hotel. Dinner served this evening.

    Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

  13. Day 13rail

    Homeward bound

    After final breakfast, take the train from Cologne to Brussels. From Brussels, join the Eurostar service to London St Pancras in Plus Class with a light meal onboard. Arrive in London and the festive holiday comes to an end.

    Meals: Breakfast, Eurostar Light Meal

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 3Christmas Eve in Sirmione: explore the medieval Rocca Scaligera castle and Roman villa remains of Grotte di Catullo on Lake Garda's peninsula.
  • Day 5Boxing Day vineyard tour and tasting in the Franciacorta wine region near Lake Garda, followed by a gala dinner with live music.
  • Day 6Day trip to Venice: private boat transfer to St Mark's Square, guided tour of the Doge's Palace and Rialto Bridge, optional gondola ride.
  • Day 8Zillertalbahn heritage railway through the Ziller Valley past Tyrolean towns and snow-covered meadows to Mayrhofen.
  • Day 10New Year's Eve aboard the narrow-gauge Stubaitalbahn through the Stubai Valley's icy forests and alpine meadows to Fulpmes, followed by gala dinner in Innsbruck.

Included

  • Expertise of a UK Tour Manager from start to finish
  • 12 nights' 4-star hotel accommodation
  • Eurostar Plus class travel
  • First & Standard Class rail travel
  • All rail and coach travel throughout the tour
  • Eurostar light meals
  • Breakfast and dinner each day
  • 1 lunch (Christmas Day festive lunch)
  • All guided tours and excursions
  • Private boat transfers in Venice

Not included

  • Cancellation & Travel Insurance

Also sold by

The same itinerary is listed by more than one company. Prices and inclusions can differ; compare before booking.

Questions travellers ask

Is train travel included?
Yes. The package includes Eurostar Plus class, first-class rail from Paris to Turin, and all rail travel through Italy and Austria, including the Zillertalbahn and Stubaitalbahn heritage railways.
Is the tour escorted?
Yes. Great Rail Journeys provides a UK Tour Manager from London St Pancras to Brussels throughout the 13 days.
What meals are included?
Breakfast and dinner each day, plus Eurostar light meals on outbound and return journeys and one three-course Christmas Day lunch at Bardolino.
When does it depart?
The tour departs in December 2026. Confirm exact dates and current availability with Great Rail Journeys.
What is not included?
Cancellation and travel insurance; optional extras such as the Nordkette Cable Car, gondola rides, and castle visits; lunches on unspecified days; gratuities.
How much walking is involved?
The guided tours of Venice and Innsbruck's Old Town involve city walking. A day excursion to Sirmione and Verona are on foot. Cable cars and optional gondola rides reduce physical demands, though stairs and cobbled streets are part of the route.

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