Lake Como and The Bernina Express

We meet at London St Pancras and board the Eurostar to Paris. From the French capital, we continue by rail to the handsome city of Turin, where we spend the night. Turin is a wonderful place to discover, with elegant, tree-lined boulevards and a fantastic architectural heritage.

• Dinner
• Eurostar Meal

We continue our journey by rail, heading to Milan before speeding onwards towards Lake Como. Our hotel here is the Grand Hotel Cadenabbia, where we spend the next seven nights on the shores of the scenic lake. Lake Como is Italy's deepest lake, set within picturesque scenery where towering mountains fall steeply to the water's edge. For centuries, the shores of the lake have been a popular destination for Italians wishing to escape the cities, and as a result there's many historic and beautiful villas lining the shores.

• Breakfast, Dinner

We cruise to Lenno, sailing past striking vineyards and olive groves. In Lenno, we visit Villa Balbianello, a star of the silver screen used in the Star Wars and James Bond films. Perched on a wooded peninsula, this striking 18th-century mansion boasts a sophisticated façade and beautiful terraced gardens. Discover the villa on an insightful guided tour followed by free time. You could either spend a little more time exploring the villa or discover charming Lenno. The town is home to some charming cafés, and the Baptistery di San Giovanni, which dates back to the 11th century.

• Breakfast, Dinner

We sail to picturesque Bellagio, at the tip of the peninsula dividing the 'legs' of the lake. We head up into the woods overlooking Lake Como to partake in the centuries-old tradition of truffle hunting. Joined by a local chef and a specially trained truffle-sniffing dog, we search for truffles and mushrooms before savouring an expertly prepared meal made using our findings. You have free time in Bellagio before our return journey across the lake. Discover the old-world streets that wind away from the main square, Piazza San Giacomo, a hive of activity.

• Breakfast, Lunch

We embark upon an unforgettable journey on the Bernina Express. The incredible line is over 100 years old and is recognised by UNESCO for the feat of civil engineering used to create it, as well as the stunning scenery through which it travels. We journey in panoramic carriages, admiring idyllic flower-filled meadows as we wind toward St Moritz, where you have time to explore. St Moritz is one of Switzerland's most iconic resort towns and is synonymous with glamour; maybe window-shop at the luxury boutiques or relax with a coffee and watch the world go by.

• Breakfast, Dinner

Enjoy a free day in Cadenabbia di Griante. This is a town split into two parts, with Cadenabbia right by the lake and Griante located a little higher in the hills above. You could visit nearby Villa Carlotta. Built in the 18th century and perched between the lakes and the mountains, it boasts pretty gardens and artworks including sculptures by Canova. Or, find a quaint little café in which to unwind with some delicious Italian cuisine or a coffee.

• Breakfast

We take a coach to Bergamo, nestled in the foothills of the Alps. We visit the 'Città Alta', or 'upper town', where Renaissance buildings are encircled by 17th-century walls, for a fascinating guided tour. This afternoon, we continue to the DOC wine region of Valcalepio. Our destination is Gandosso, where we visit a local wine estate set in a beautiful rural spot surrounded by greenery. We're treated to a traditional lunch here as well as an introduction to the local wine production, as we tour the wine cellars before enjoying a wine tasting.

• Breakfast, Lunch

We set out by boat to Varenna on the lake's eastern shores. Quaint cobbled streets and a jumble of narrow alleyways give the village a medieval feel, and you have some free time to explore at your own pace. Next, we continue to Menaggio, a stunning little town that epitomises the charms of Italy. Wander along the pretty lakeside promenade, perhaps enjoying some ice cream from a local gelateria, or soak up the atmosphere in the quaint town square before we return to Cadenabbia.

• Breakfast, Dinner

We leave Cadenabbia and Lake Como behind today, as we transfer to Turin and our overnight hotel.

• Breakfast, Dinner

From Turin, we take to train to Paris, where we join the Eurostar to London St Pancras.

• Breakfast
• Eurostar Meal