Search

Marvellous Escapes · Tailor-made rail holiday

Lake Como Alpine Discovery

Swiss Alps to Italian lakeside on the Bernina Express, five days from Chur

Illustration of Lake Como Alpine Discovery

Marvellous Escapes' Lake Como Alpine Discovery is a five-day rail holiday that combines the Swiss Alps with an Italian lakeside retreat. You depart from London St Pancras or a UK airport, traveling via Eurostar and high-speed trains to Chur, Switzerland's oldest city, where you spend your first night. On Day 2, you board the Bernina Express, one of Europe's most celebrated scenic trains, crossing the Landwasser Viaduct and traversing alpine peaks before descending to Tirano and continuing by regional train to Lake Como. You then settle into Como for three nights, beginning with a guided food tour that showcases local meats, cheeses, wood-fired pizza, polenta, and pastries. The final free day offers swimming, boat trips, or a funicular ride up to Brunate for panoramic views before your return journey to the UK. The itinerary suits couples seeking romance and food experiences, first-time rail travellers who want a well-organised journey, and anyone drawn to the contrast between mountain scenery and lakeside charm.

What to know before you look closer

  • The package offers either flights from the UK or a roundtrip train journey from London St. Pancras; confirm which option is included in your quote.
  • Day 4 is unstructured; activities such as watersports and boat trips are available but not pre-booked.

Day by day

  1. Day 1railovernight: Chur

    Chur

    Embark on your journey from London's St Pancras station, with a Eurostar voyage to Paris, then a high-speed train to Switzerland; once in Zurich, continue to Chur aboard the SBB Swiss Rail, Switzerland's oldest city.

  2. Day 2railovernight: Como

    Como

    Board the iconic Bernina Express from Chur, ascending the Landwasser Viaduct and the Bernina Range before descending to Tirano, Italy, for a leisurely lunch, then continue by regional train to Lake Como.

  3. Day 3overnight: Como

    Como

    Immerse yourself in the authentic flavours of Lake Como on a guided food tour, with at least four tastings including meats, cheeses, wood-fired pizza, polenta uncia, sciat pancakes and nuvola cake.

  4. Day 4railovernight: Como

    Como

    Enjoy a second day in beautiful Como, with opportunities for watersports, boat trips and swimming, or take the funicular railway up to Brunate for panoramic views.

  5. Day 5rail

    Return home

    After breakfast, hop on the train travelling from Como to Milan and proceed to the airport for your return flight to the UK.

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 2The Bernina Express ascends the Landwasser Viaduct and traverses the Bernina Range, then descends toward Tirano with a leisurely lunch stop before continuing by regional train to Lake Como.
  • Day 3A guided food tour of Lake Como includes tastings of local meats, cheeses, wood-fired pizza, polenta uncia, sciat pancakes, and nuvola cake.

Included

  • Overnight hotel accommodation in Chur with breakfast included
  • 3-nights hotel accommodation in Lake Como with breakfast included
  • Flights to and from the UK (or a roundtrip train journey from London St. Pancras)
  • Secure reservations for the Eurostar, TGV Lyria and Trenitalia trains
  • Full Bernina Express journey from Chur to Tirano
  • Lake Como Food Tour

Questions travellers ask

Is train travel included?
Yes. The package includes Eurostar from London to Paris, TGV Lyria to Switzerland, SBB Swiss Rail to Chur, the full Bernina Express journey from Chur to Tirano, and a regional train to Lake Como. Return travel from Como to Milan and onward is also included.
Which train is the highlight?
The Bernina Express from Chur to Tirano is the signature journey. It crosses the Landwasser Viaduct, ascends the Bernina Range, and descends through alpine scenery.
What is included in the price?
One night in Chur and three nights in Como with breakfast; all reserved train journeys; flights to and from the UK (or a roundtrip train from London St. Pancras); and a guided food tour of Lake Como with tastings.
How many days are free to explore?
Days 3 and 4 are in Lake Como. Day 3 includes a guided food tour; Day 4 is free to enjoy watersports, boat trips, swimming, or a funicular ride to Brunate.
How much walking is involved?
Day 1 involves exploring Chur's old town. Day 3 includes the guided food tour. Day 4 offers optional activities from leisurely boat trips to a funicular ride. The package involves moderate city walking but no hiking.

Similar journeys