How much does it cost?

From £2,399 per person, the operator's advertised from-price, read on its own page on 12 Sept 2026. About $3,241 at ECB reference rates. Departures, room types and dates can price differently; the operator's page is the final word.

Is train travel included?

Yes. The package includes Eurostar Plus outbound and return, and First Class rail throughout: Paris to Turin, Turin to Desenzano via Milan, Desenzano to Venice, and Milan to Chambéry via the French Alps. All rail fares are part of the quoted price.

Is the tour escorted?

Yes. A UK Tour Manager travels with the group from London St Pancras to the end in Chambéry, coordinating all transport, accommodation, and guided excursions.

What meals are included?

Breakfast each day, seven dinners at hotels and Pratello Winery, and light meals on Eurostar both ways. Other meals are at your expense.

When do departures run?

Great Rail Journeys offers three departures in 2027: June, September, and October.

Great Rail Journeys · Escorted tour

Lake Garda & Hidden Gems of Northern Italy

Great Rail Journeys operates this 10-day escorted tour across northern Italy, departing London and returning from Chambéry. After travelling by Eurostar Plus and First Class rail across France and the Italian Alps, you base yourself for seven nights in Desenzano, an elegant lakeside town on Lake Garda's southern shore. From there, you explore the region by train, coach, and boat: a private boat transfer in Venice leads to a guided tour of the Doge's Palace and Bridge of Sighs; a coach journey takes you to the UNESCO World Heritage city of Mantua and a cruise through the Mincio Natural Oasis; a scenic lake cruise visits Monte Isola and Lake Iseo, followed by a wine tasting in the Franciacorta region; a guided tour of Vittoriale degli Italiani, the hilltop estate of poet Gabriele d'Annunzio, precedes a free afternoon in the historic town of Salò. The final journey by First Class rail passes through the French Alps to Chambéry. The tour suits repeat rail travellers who enjoy first-class comfort, couples seeking a relaxed pace with quality time together, and food-and-wine enthusiasts drawn to Italian cuisine and local wineries.

Price history

Across 5 checks, this price has held at £2,399 every time.

Each point is a day we checked this operator's own page, not a weekly average, and the line holds flat between checks rather than guessing at movement we did not see. 3 of 5 points are a live read of the operator's page. Hollow points are values shown when the trip was first listed here and never confirmed with the operator.

What to know before you look closer

50); confirm the exact surcharge with Great Rail Journeys before booking.
Group size goes up to 30 travellers; if you prefer smaller groups, check current bookings when you enquire.
Days 3 and 6 in Desenzano offer free time without guided activities; you arrange your own meals and excursions on those days.

Day by day

Day 1railovernight: Turin
London to the Italian city of Turin
Board the Eurostar at London St Pancras to Paris travelling in Plus class with a light meal, then continue by First Class rail across France, passing the Italian Alps, to Turin. First group dinner at a traditional restaurant.
Day 2railovernight: Desenzano
Continuing to our lakeside base in Desenzano
Free time to explore Turin, then continue by First Class rail via Milan to Desenzano on the southern shores of Lake Garda, checking in to the hotel for a seven-night stay.
Day 3overnight: Desenzano
A free day in Desenzano
A full day at leisure to explore Desenzano at your own pace, including Piazza Malvezzi, the medieval Desenzano castle, the promenade, the Roman Villa and its mosaics, and the Cathedral of Santa Maria Maddalena.
Day 4railovernight: Desenzano
Visiting the 'Floating City' of Venice
Travel by First Class rail to Venice, then by private boat to St Mark's Square. A local guide leads a tour of the main sights including the Doge's Palace, the Bridge of Sighs and the Grand Canal, before free time. Return to Desenzano by rail for dinner.
Day 5overnight: Desenzano
The Renaissance city of Mantua and Mincio Natural Oasis
Travel by coach to UNESCO-listed Mantua for a guided tour and free time, then a relaxing cruise of Mantua's lakes continuing into the tranquil Mincio Natural Oasis.
Day 6railovernight: Desenzano
A day at leisure on Lake Garda
A free day to explore the Lake Garda region independently, such as a ferry to Sirmione or a rail trip to Verona.
Day 7overnight: Desenzano
The hidden gems of Lake Iseo and Monte Isola
Travel by coach to Iseo, then cruise to Monte Isola, the largest lake island in Italy, for a guided tour and free time, before visiting the Franciacorta wine region for a cellar tour and tasting.
Day 8overnight: Desenzano
Vittoriale degli Italiani and picturesque Saló
A coach transfer to Vittoriale degli Italiani, the hilltop estate of poet Gabriele d'Annunzio, for a guided tour, then on to Saló for free time. In the evening, a guided tour and farewell dinner at the family-run Pratello Winery.
Day 9railovernight: Chambéry
Through the Alps to Chambéry
Travel by coach to Milan, then by First Class train through the Vanoise National Park to the medieval town of Chambéry, transferring to the hotel for an overnight stay.
Day 10rail
Homeward bound
Travel home by First Class rail via Paris, continuing in Eurostar Plus seats with a light meal en route to London St Pancras, where the holiday ends.

The moments this trip is built around

Day 1Depart London St Pancras on Eurostar Plus to Paris, then continue by First Class rail across France and the Italian Alps to Turin.
Day 4Travel by First Class rail to Venice, where a private boat transfers you along the waterways to St Mark's Square for a guided tour including the Doge's Palace and Bridge of Sighs.
Day 7Take a scenic cruise across Lake Iseo to Monte Isola for a guided tour, then visit Franciacorta wine region for a guided cellar tour and tasting.
Day 8Tour Vittoriale degli Italiani, the hilltop estate of poet Gabriele d'Annunzio, then explore the historic town of Salò before a farewell dinner at Pratello Winery.
Day 9Travel by First Class rail from Milan through Vanoise National Park in the French Alps to Chambéry, passing dramatic mountain scenery.

Included

Expertise of a UK Tour Manager from start to finish
9 nights' 4-Star hotel accommodation
Eurostar Plus, First Class rail travel; all rail, cruise and coach travel throughout your tour
Eurostar Light Meal; breakfast each day, 7 dinners
All guided tours and excursions

Not included

Cancellation & Travel Insurance is not included in the price of the tour

Questions travellers ask

How much does it cost?: From £2,399 per person, the operator's advertised from-price, read on its own page on 12 Sept 2026. About $3,241 at ECB reference rates. Departures, room types and dates can price differently; the operator's page is the final word.
Is train travel included?: Yes. The package includes Eurostar Plus outbound and return, and First Class rail throughout: Paris to Turin, Turin to Desenzano via Milan, Desenzano to Venice, and Milan to Chambéry via the French Alps. All rail fares are part of the quoted price.
Is the tour escorted?: Yes. A UK Tour Manager travels with the group from London St Pancras to the end in Chambéry, coordinating all transport, accommodation, and guided excursions.
What meals are included?: Breakfast each day, seven dinners at hotels and Pratello Winery, and light meals on Eurostar both ways. Other meals are at your expense.
When do departures run?: Great Rail Journeys offers three departures in 2027: June, September, and October.