Lake Maggiore by First Class Rail

By rail to Switzerland

Make your way to London St. Pancras station and board the Eurostar Standard Premier Class service to Paris. On arrival at Gare du Nord, a private taxi transfer takes you across Paris to Gare de Lyon for your connecting TGV Lyria service. Travel through France to Lausanne, then change trains for the journey alongside Lake Geneva to Montreux. Check in to the Grand Hotel Suisse Majestic (4-star superior), your hotel for the next two nights.

Meals: Light meal on Eurostar

Montreux and the surrounding area

A full day to explore the cosmopolitan resort of Montreux on the Swiss Riviera. Walk the stunning lakeside promenade lined with cypresses, magnolias and palm trees. Optional visits include the Château de Chillon, the cogwheel train up Rochers-de-Naye (2,042m), the Golden Panoramic Express towards Interlaken, the mountain train to Glacier 3000, or a steamboat cruise on Lake Geneva.

Lake Geneva to Lake Maggiore

Morning free to further explore Montreux and enjoy lunch overlooking the lake. Then board the Euro City service at Montreux station for the direct journey south to Stresa. Arrive in the afternoon for a four-night stay at Hotel La Luna nel Porto (3-star). Evening free to relax or explore.

Lake Maggiore, Lake Orta, Centovalli Railway, Locarno & Milan (Day 4 of 3)

Allow yourself to unwind and soak up the unique atmosphere of Lake Maggiore and the pretty town of Stresa. Visit the old town, explore the waterfront, or hop on a ferry to discover the lake. Take a relaxing lake cruise (payable locally) to Isola Bella and the Borromeo Palace with its Italian gardens. Optionally travel by train to Domodossola to join the narrow gauge Centovalli railway into Switzerland, across viaducts and bridges through a hundred valleys to Locarno, then return by lake cruise to Stresa. Alternatively visit lesser-known Lake Orta or relax at the hotel.

Lake Maggiore (continued)

Further days at leisure around Lake Maggiore, Stresa and the surrounding area. Options include lake cruises, visits to the Borromean Islands, excursions to Locarno via the Centovalli Railway, a day trip to Milan, or a visit to Lake Orta.

Lake Maggiore (continued)

Final full day at leisure in Stresa and around Lake Maggiore. Enjoy the scenery, local cuisine and atmosphere before departing for Turin the following morning.

Lake Maggiore to Turin

After a short walk to Stresa station, join the Euro City train to Milan, then change to the Eurostar Italia service to Turin. On arrival at Turin Porta Nuova station, make your own way to the Grand Hotel Sitea (5-star). Afternoon free to discover Turin: the Mole Antonelliana, Palatine Towers, Turin Cathedral, Palazzo Reale, Residences of the Royal House of Savoy, Botanical Gardens and the galleried shopping arcades. Evening: choose from a wide selection of restaurants for dinner.

Turin to London – Homeward bound

After a leisurely breakfast, make your own way by taxi or public transport (payable locally) to Turin Porta Susa station. Board the TGV for the first-class journey back to Paris, travelling north-west through the Alps past Mont Blanc. On arrival at Gare de Lyon, a taxi transfer takes you across Paris to Gare du Nord for the Eurostar service back to London St Pancras International.

Meals: Light meal on Eurostar