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Great Rail Journeys · Escorted tour

Lake Garda & Hidden Gems of Northern Italy

Ten-day escorted rail journey from London through northern Italy to Lake Garda

Illustration of 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.

What to know before you look closer

  • The single supplement (from £3,299) is significantly higher than half the double-occupancy price (£1,199.50); 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

  1. Day 1railovernight: Turin

    London to the Italian city of Turin

    Your holiday begins today as you arrive at London St Pancras, meeting the Tour Manager and fellow travellers before boarding the Eurostar to Paris. Travelling in Plus class, enjoy a light meal at your seats as we journey towards the French capital. On arrival, we change trains and continue by First Class rail across France, passing the Italian Alps as we travel to Turin. After checking in to our hotel in the city's historic centre, we enjoy our first group dinner together in a traditional restaurant nearby.

    Meals: Eurostar Light Meal, Dinner

  2. Day 2railovernight: Desenzano

    Continuing to our lakeside base in Desenzano

    After breakfast this morning, there's free time to explore Turin at your own pace. After exploring, we regroup and walk to the railway station to continue our journey in First Class. Passing through Milan, we arrive in Desenzano on the southern shores of Lake Garda. On arrival, we check in to our hotel, ideally located just one row back from the lake. This evening, we dine together at the hotel restaurant.

    Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

  3. Day 3overnight: Desenzano

    A free day in Desenzano

    Today brings a full day at leisure, providing the perfect opportunity to get to know Desenzano at your own pace. Visit Piazza Malvezzi, the medieval Desenzano castle, the Roman Villa, the archaeological museum or the Cathedral of Santa Maria Maddalena. Indulge in authentic Italian cuisine for lunch or dinner.

    Meals: Breakfast

  4. Day 4railovernight: Desenzano

    Visiting the 'Floating City' of Venice

    Travelling by First Class rail, we arrive in Venice, where a private boat transfers us along its famous waterways to St Mark's Square. Accompanied by a local guide, we embark on a tour of the city's main sights and hidden gems, including the Doge's Palace and the Bridge of Sighs. Once our tour ends, we are free to continue discovering the city at our own pace. Later, we return to Desenzano by rail and dine independently.

    Meals: Breakfast

  5. Day 5overnight: Desenzano

    The Renaissance city of Mantua and Mincio Natural Oasis

    This morning after breakfast, we travel by coach to the UNESCO World Heritage city of Mantua. On arrival, we soak up the sights with a local guide before some free time to explore independently. Later, we take to the water for a relaxing cruise offering a different perspective of Mantua's skyline, continuing into the tranquil Mincio Natural Oasis. Returning to dry land, we make our way back to our hotel for dinner together this evening.

    Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

  6. Day 6railovernight: Desenzano

    A day at leisure on Lake Garda

    Another free day allows you to explore the beautiful Lake Garda region at your own pace. You might choose to take a ferry across the lake to the picturesque peninsula of Sirmione, or travel by rail to Verona in just 20 minutes.

    Meals: Breakfast

  7. Day 7overnight: Desenzano

    The hidden gems of Lake Iseo and Monte Isola

    We head out today to explore lesser-known corners of northern Italy. Our first stop is the charming lakeside town of Iseo, then we take a scenic cruise across the lake to Monte Isola for a guided tour. Returning to Iseo, we continue into the renowned Franciacorta wine region for a guided cellar tour and wine tasting. Arriving back at our hotel early this evening, there's time to relax before dinner together in the hotel restaurant.

    Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

  8. Day 8overnight: Desenzano

    Vittoriale degli Italiani and picturesque Salò

    A coach transfers us to Vittoriale degli Italiani, the elegant hilltop estate of poet Gabriele d'Annunzio. On a guided tour, we explore his former home, gardens, outdoor theatre and museums. Afterwards, we continue to Salò, a charming historic town on Lake Garda's western shore, with a free afternoon to explore. This evening we journey to Pratello Winery for a guided estate tour and a memorable farewell dinner in Italy, with local dishes paired with the estate's finest wines.

    Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

  9. Day 9railovernight: Chambéry

    Through the Alps to Chambéry

    Leaving Desenzano after breakfast, we travel by coach to Milan, then board the train in First Class to France, passing the dramatic Vanoise National Park en route to Chambéry. Arriving in this attractive medieval town, we transfer to our hotel for an overnight stay. After checking in, we gather for dinner at the hotel restaurant.

    Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

  10. Day 10rail

    Homeward bound

    Checking out of our hotel after breakfast this morning, we begin our journey home. Travelling by First Class rail via Paris, we continue in our Eurostar Plus seats, enjoying a light meal en route to London St Pancras, where your holiday comes to an end.

    Meals: Breakfast, Eurostar Light Meal

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) travel
  • First Class rail travel throughout
  • All rail, cruise and coach travel throughout the tour
  • Eurostar light meals (outbound and return)
  • Breakfast each day
  • 7 dinners
  • All guided tours and excursions

Not included

  • Cancellation & Travel Insurance

Questions travellers ask

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 is included in the price?
Nine nights in 4-star hotels, all Eurostar and First Class rail travel, all coach and boat transfers, breakfast daily, seven dinners, Eurostar light meals outbound and return, and all guided tours and excursions (Venice, Mantua, Mincio Natural Oasis, Lake Iseo, Monte Isola, Franciacorta wine tasting, Vittoriale degli Italiani, and Salò).
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.
How much free time is there?
Days 3 and 6 in Desenzano are entirely free. On Days 4, 5, 7, and 8, there are guided activities in the morning or afternoon with some free time to explore independently.
When do departures run?
Great Rail Journeys offers three departures in 2027: June, September, and October.

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