Great Rail Journeys
First-Class Swiss Mountains & Italian Lakes
First-Class escorted rail tour of Swiss lakes, mountains and Italy's Lake Como
10 daysfrom $5,608
80% rail
Planet Rail · Tailor-made rail holiday
Verona & The Magic of the Verona Opera by First Class Rail
Enjoy the magic of the Verona Opera with a luxurious first-class rail journey to this romantic Italian city rich in history and culture.
Day by day
- Day 1railovernight: Zurich
By rail to Switzerland
Your holiday begins at London St. Pancras station. Travel by Eurostar to Paris at speeds of up to 186mph, enjoying a light meal and drinks in Standard Premier Class. On arrival at Gare du Nord, a private taxi transfer takes you across Paris to the Gare de Lyon to continue by TGV through France into Switzerland. Travel through the Swiss countryside to the lakeside city of Zurich, where you spend the night at the Hotel Helmhaus (4-star).
Meals: Lunch/snack on Eurostar
- Day 2overnight: Verona
Through the Swiss Alps to Verona
After breakfast, explore Zurich's Old Town, the River Limmat, Bahnhofstrasse, the Grossmünster, Fraumünster, and St Peterskirche. Then make your way to Zurich station for the scenic Gotthard route through the Swiss Alps, through the Gotthard Base Tunnel (world's longest tunnel), across the Swiss border, through the Italian Lakes, and on to Milan. Change trains in Milan and continue to Verona, where you check in to the Hotel Accademia.
Meals: Breakfast
- Day 3overnight: Verona
Verona, the surrounding area and a night at the Verona Opera
Stroll around this attractive walled city famous for Romeo and Juliet. Soak up Piazza Brà, San Zeno Maggiore, Piazza dei Signori, Piazza Erbe and Juliet's balcony. Optionally venture to the Valpolicella vineyards, Vicenza or Lake Garda. In the evening, attend the Verona Opera at the Arena di Verona, lit by thousands of candles.
- Day 4overnight: Verona
The Roman city of Verona & the surrounding area
A further free day to enjoy the Roman city of Verona. Optional excursions to the Valpolicella vineyards, the Palladian delights of Vicenza, or stunning Lake Garda.
- Day 5railovernight: Montreux
Verona through the Alps to Lake Geneva
After breakfast, make your way to Verona Porta Nuova station and board the Eurostar Italia First Class service to Milan. Join the Euro City service through the Alps via the spectacular Simplon Pass to the pretty lakeside town of Montreux on the shores of Lake Geneva. Check in to the Grand Hotel Suisse Majestic (4-star superior), located right next to the station.
Meals: Breakfast
- Day 6rail
Free time in Montreux – Montreux to London – Homeward bound
Enjoy free time in Montreux or visit the stunning medieval Château de Chillon (payable locally). Make your way to Montreux station and join the Inter Regio train to Lausanne, then board the TGV to Paris. A taxi transfer takes you to the Gare du Nord where you join the Eurostar back to London St. Pancras International, enjoying a light meal and drinks in Standard Premier Class.
Meals: Lunch/snack on Eurostar
Included
- First Class rail travel throughout
- Eurostar Standard Premier Class (London to Paris and return) including light meal and drinks
- TGV Paris to Switzerland
- Scenic Gotthard route through the Swiss Alps
- Eurostar Italia First Class (Verona to Milan)
- Euro City service through Simplon Pass to Montreux
- Inter Regio train Montreux to Lausanne
- TGV Lausanne to Paris
- Private taxi transfer across Paris (Gare du Nord to Gare de Lyon, outbound)
- Private taxi transfer to Gare du Nord (return)
- 1 night at Hotel Helmhaus Zurich (4-star)
- 3 nights at Hotel Accademia Verona (4-star)
- 1 night at Grand Hotel Suisse Majestic Montreux (4-star superior)
- Complimentary hot and cold breakfast buffet at Hotel Helmhaus Zurich
- Opera ticket at the Arena di Verona
Not included
- Château de Chillon entrance fee (payable locally)
- Meals not specified as included
- Personal expenses
