Cadenabbia Beside Lake Como

London to Strasbourg

Our journey begins today at London St Pancras International, where you meet your group and Tour Manager at Great Rail Journeys' dedicated Departure Office. We depart by Eurostar, enjoying a light meal and drinks on board, before boarding the high-speed TGV in Paris to the French town of Strasbourg, where we overnight. Later, we enjoy our first dinner together as a group, dining in a local restaurant in Strasbourg.

To Lake Como

Today, we complete our journey to Cadenabbia on Lake Como. Travelling in First Class, we take the train to Basel. Here, we change trains and continue on to Lugano, where we transfer to our hotel, the 4-Star Grand Hotel Cadenabbia. We stay here for the next seven nights. With a history dating back as far as the 1800s, the Grand Hotel Cadenabbia enjoys a spectacular location in Cadenabbia di Griante, overlooking the western shores of the sparkling lake and close to the beautiful gardens of Villa Carlotta. After some time to settle into our surroundings, we enjoy dinner together at the hotel's restaurant this evening.

Bellagio

This morning, we set sail to the picturesque village of Bellagio, a charming resort located at the tip of the peninsula dividing the two 'legs' of the lake. The pretty old-world streets wind away from the main square, Piazza San Giacomo, a bustling hive of activity and the location of Basilica di San Giacomo, the town's historic Romanesque church. You have some free time for lunch in one of Bellagio's many delightful cafés and trattorias before our return journey across the lake.

This afternoon, we visit historic Villa Carlotta, where our entry is included. Built in the early 18th century for a Milanese Count, this stunning building also once belonged to the Prussian Monarchy. Villa Carlotta boasts magnificent gardens and some superb artworks, including sculptures by Canova.

Bellinzona and Lugano

Today we travel to the striking Swiss town of Bellinzona. Known for its three magnificent medieval castles, which have achieved UNESCO World Heritage status, Bellinzona's beauty served as an inspiration for the painter William Turner. Afterwards, we visit the lakeside town of Lugano, a perfect blend of Swiss efficiency and Italian flair.

The Bernina Express

We take a fabulous excursion today on the Bernina Express. Travelling by coach, we leave Lake Como and journey to Tirano, where we board the Bernina Express. Travelling in panoramic carriages, we make our way along the superb Bernina Express line, climbing the Bernina Pass to more than 7,000 feet (2,134m). The superb Bernina Line passes mighty glaciers, rushing mountain streams and flower-filled Alpine meadows, as we make our way to chic St Moritz. This incredible UNESCO World Heritage railway line is over 100 years old and is recognised for the fantastic feat of civil engineering that was required to create the line, as well as for the stunning scenery through which it travels.

On arrival in St Moritz, you have free time to explore at your own pace. We make the return journey by coach.

To Bergamo

Enjoy a day at leisure today. Cadenabbia di Griante is one town, split into two parts, with Cadenabbia sitting right on the lakeside, and Griante located 50 metres above in the hills overlooking Cadenabbia. Take some time to explore this beautiful destination; perhaps enjoy a stroll along the lakeside, where you can marvel at the breathtaking views across the waters, or catch a boat for a scenic trip across the lake. Alternatively, spend a day relaxing on the sun terrace or by the wonderful outdoor swimming pool in the elegant surroundings of your hotel.

On Day 7, we board a coach to Bergamo. Located in the foothills of the Alps, the town owes much of its artistic inspiration and architectural splendour to the influence of Venice, which ruled the town from the 15th to the 18th century. On arrival, we visit the 'Città Alta', or 'upper town', for a guided tour. Highlights of this delightful area include the Palazzo Nuovo, Palazzo del Podestà, Palazzo della Ragione and the Torre del Campanone. This afternoon, we continue to Valcalepio, where we visit a local wine estate. Here, we are treated to a traditional lunch, a tour of the cellars and a tasting of the wines of Lombardy and Franciacorta.

Menaggio

Today we sail to Varenna, where cobbled streets and narrow alleyways give the town a medieval feel. After some free time here, Menaggio is our next destination, a stunning little town that epitomises the delightful charm of Italy. This evening, we enjoy a final farewell meal together.

Turin and London

We make our way to Turin, where we overnight. On Day 10, we travel to Paris for the Eurostar to London.

Departure Times

Provisional departure and return times, where available, can be found together with our dates and prices by clicking on the 'Prices & Availability' button. We write to all booked customers approximately 10 weeks prior to the start of their tour to advise the exact departure and return time for their particular group.