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Vacations By Rail has withdrawn this trip from sale. We keep the page for reference and comparison. The same itinerary is still sold by another operator, listed under Also sold by below.

Vacations By Rail · Escorted tour

Italian Christmas & Austrian New Year

13-day escorted journey from London through Italian lakes to Austrian Alps

Illustration of Italian Christmas & Austrian New Year

Vacations By Rail orchestrates a 13-day escorted journey through two of Europe's most festive winter destinations: the emerald shores of Lake Garda at Christmas and the Alpine peaks of Innsbruck at New Year. Departing London on Eurostar Plus, the tour carries its group through Paris and over the Alps by First Class rail to Turin, then descends to Lake Garda for a five-night stay with Christmas Eve exploration of the medieval castle at Sirmione, a Christmas Day feast, and a Franciacorta wine tasting. From there, a guided tour of Venice and Verona precedes the train crossing of the Brenner Pass into Austria, where Innsbruck becomes home for five nights. Heritage narrow-gauge trains through the Zillertal and Stubai Valleys, guided walks through Innsbruck's Old Town, and a New Year's Eve gala dinner complete the celebration before the return journey via Cologne to London. A professional tour manager oversees all transport, meals, and guided excursions, making this trip well suited to couples and history-lovers seeking managed comfort and festive atmosphere.

What to know before you look closer

  • Mobility Rating 3 indicates significant physical demand; confirm your fitness for daily walking tours and optional mountain rides before booking.
  • The from-price covers the escorted package, guided tours, and most meals; cancellation and travel insurance are not included and must be arranged separately.
  • The itinerary spans six countries and mixes rail, coach, and occasional transfers; not a pure rail journey.

Day by day

  1. Day 1railovernight: Turin

    London to Turin: Crossing the Alps to Italy

    Meet the Tour Manager at London St. Pancras and join the Eurostar in Plus class to Paris, changing to First Class rail through the Alps to Turin; dinner at the hotel.

  2. Day 2railovernight: Bardolino

    Through northern Italy to Lake Garda

    Free morning to explore Turin, whose NH Lingotto Congress hotel is housed in the old Fiat factory with a rooftop test track; afternoon train through northern Italy via Milan to Peschiera del Garda, then by coach to Bardolino on Lake Garda for a five-night stay, welcomed with prosecco and a three-course dinner.

  3. Day 3overnight: Bardolino

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

    Coach to the lakeside town of Sirmione to explore the Rocca Scaligera castle and the Grotte di Catullo Roman villa remains; return to Bardolino for a Christmas Eve gala dinner.

  4. Day 4overnight: Bardolino

    Celebrate Christmas Day on Lake Garda

    Free morning by Lake Garda, then a festive Christmas lunch at a historic venue in Bardolino, followed by a three-course dinner and live music in the evening.

  5. Day 5overnight: Bardolino

    Raise a glass on a post-Christmas wine tasting

    Coach excursion into the Franciacorta wine region for a guided winery tour and expert-led sparkling wine tasting with local specialties; tea, coffee and pastries on return, then a gala dinner.

  6. Day 6railovernight: Bardolino

    Experience the timeless charm of Venice on a guided tour

    Train to Venice, then a private boat transfer to St. Mark's Square for a guided walking tour taking in the Doge's Palace, the Bridge of Sighs and the Rialto Bridge, with free time for a gondola ride or a visit to Murano; return to Bardolino for dinner.

  7. Day 7railovernight: Innsbruck

    Touring Verona then crossing the Alps to Austria

    Coach to Verona for a guided tour taking in Juliet's balcony and the Roman arena, then a train journey over the Brenner Pass to Innsbruck for a five-night stay with mountain views; dinner at the hotel.

  8. Day 8railovernight: Innsbruck

    The historic Zillertalbahn to Mayrhofen

    Journey on the narrow-gauge Zillertalbahn through the Zillertal Valley to Mayrhofen, with free time including an optional Penken Mountain gondola ride, before returning by rail for dinner.

  9. Day 9overnight: Innsbruck

    A guided tour of idyllic Innsbruck

    Guided walking tour of Innsbruck's Old Town, including the Hölbling house, the 14th-century watchtower and the Golden Roof; free afternoon, with an optional Nordkette Cable Car ride; dinner at the hotel.

  10. Day 10overnight: Innsbruck

    Riding the Stubaitalbahn on New Year's Eve

    Journey on the narrow-gauge Stubaitalbahn through the Stubai Valley to Fulpmes and back; New Year's Eve gala dinner with wine in the evening.

  11. Day 11overnight: Innsbruck

    New Year's Day in picturesque Innsbruck

    Free day to explore Innsbruck, including the Inn River, the Hofgarten, the Golden Roof and the city's churches; three-course dinner at the hotel.

  12. Day 12railovernight: Cologne

    To historic Cologne on the River Rhine

    Coach to Innsbruck's railway station, then train via Munich, Augsburg and Ulm to Cologne, with dinner at the hotel.

  13. Day 13rail

    Traveling home

    Train from Cologne to Brussels, then the Eurostar in Plus class back to London St. Pancras.

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 1Cross the English Channel aboard Eurostar in Plus class, then ascend through the Alps to Turin by First Class rail.
  • Day 3Coach to Sirmione to explore the medieval Rocca Scaligera castle and Roman villa ruins on Christmas Eve, then return to a gala dinner.
  • Day 5Journey by coach into Franciacorta for a guided winery tour and expert-led sparkling wine tasting.
  • Day 6Train to Venice, take a private boat to St. Mark's Square, then walk the Doge's Palace, Bridge of Sighs, and Rialto Bridge on a guided tour.
  • Day 8Ride the narrow-gauge Zillertalbahn through Zillertal Valley to Mayrhofen, with optional Penken Mountain gondola access.
  • Day 10Journey on the narrow-gauge Stubaitalbahn through Stubai Valley on New Year's Eve, followed by a gala dinner with wine.

Included

  • Expertise of a Tour Manager from start to finish
  • Eurostar Plus First & Standard Class rail travel
  • All rail and coach travel throughout your tour
  • Eurostar light meals
  • Breakfast and dinner each day, 1 lunch
  • All guided tours and excursions

Not included

  • Cancellation & Travel Insurance is not included in the price of the tour but can be arranged
  • Flights and Airport transfers not included

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 tour includes Eurostar Plus and First & Standard Class rail travel, plus two heritage narrow-gauge trains (Zillertalbahn and Stubaitalbahn). All rail and coach transport throughout the tour is included.
Is this tour escorted?
Yes, a professional tour manager travels with the group from start to finish.
Which cities does the tour visit?
London, Paris, Turin, Lake Garda (Bardolino and Sirmione), Venice, Verona, Innsbruck, Mayrhofen, Cologne, and Brussels.
What meals are included?
Breakfast and dinner each day, plus one lunch. Eurostar light meals are also included. Special festive dinners include a Christmas Eve gala, Christmas Day lunch, and New Year's Eve gala dinner.
What is the physical demand?
Mobility Rating 3, involving daily walking tours of historic city centres, guided tours of Venice and Verona, and optional mountain gondola rides.
What is not included?
Flights, airport transfers, cancellation and travel insurance, and any meals or activities not listed in the included services.

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