Lake Iseo - Italy’s Secret Lake

Our Italian adventure begins as we gather at London St Pancras International, ready to board the Eurostar in Standard Premier Class. We enjoy a light meal at our seats as we travel to Paris, where we switch trains to the First Class service direct to Turin.

Rolling French scenery passes our windows before we cross the Alps into Italy, arriving in the bustling city of Turin this evening. We check in to our 4-Star hotel near the station for an overnight stay, and head out for our first meal together, a three-course dinner at a local restaurant.

Please note: Some departures have different order of itinerary due to the running days of the 'Train of Flavours'

• Dinner
• Eurostar Light Meal

After breakfast there's time to explore dignified Turin which showcases Baroque, Renaissance and modern architecture. Fringed by the Italian Alps, the city's wide boulevards and grand public squares are lined with enticing cafés and bars. Just a short walk from our hotel is a stylish pedestrianised shopping district.

This afternoon we travel by First Class rail, via Milan, to Brescia. From here, a coach transfer transports us to the charming small village of Sulzano on the shores of Lake Iseo. Our elegant hotel has a pleasant pool and panoramic terrace right on the lake edge, providing jaw-dropping views of this gorgeous lake and its rising mountains. With a private bathing area, it is also possible to take a dip in the lake's refreshing waters.

After checking in, there is time to unwind before we gather for a three-course dinner in the hotel's restaurant this evening.

• Breakfast, Dinner

You have the chance to familiarise yourself with this little-known corner of northern Italy today as we explore independently. Exploring the beauty of Lake Iseo allows you to uncover many hidden gems. This unspoilt lake and its charming villages recall the days of the Grand Tour when people flocked to Italy to discover the culture and beautiful landscapes of this fascinating country. A train line with regular services along the eastern shore makes this easy and a pleasure.

Sulzano's Old Town is small, but its narrow, sheltered streets are beautiful, winding gently with the shoreline and regularly providing glimpses of stunning views. There is a memorial to the temporary 2016 installation by renowned artists Christo and Jean-Claude. The inventive couple's 'Floating Piers' created a walkable surface between Sulzano and the islands of Monte Isola and San Paolo that allowed visitors to stroll across the lake on bright orange walkways.

To the south of Sulzano is the medieval village of Iseo. The region's largest open-air market is held here on Fridays amid a picturesque warren of alleys and towering, pastel-coloured houses. One of Italy's most beautiful villages is Lovere, on the northern edge of the lake. With public ferries connecting most settlements surrounding the fourth-largest lake in Lombardy, a day here could prove appealing. Nestled between the lake and mountains, the Centro Storico is a delightful jumble of colourful houses jostling for position around the shore and main square, Piazza 13 Matriri. The understated exterior of the 15th-century Basilica of Santa Maria of Valvendra hides an astounding interior. Glorious frescoes cover the walls and ceiling, as well as the nine arched chapels, enclosed by iron gates.

There are many restaurants in the lakeside towns serving up traditional lake fish, such as stuffed tench, battered perch and marinated char, while modern cuisine includes trout tartare and pike ravioli.

• Breakfast

Today is a highlight of our visit to Lake Iseo as we embark on a gastronomic exploration of the area aboard the 'Treno dei Sapori', or the Train of Flavours, as we delight in the scenery and tastes of the region. Meeting in Iseo, we are given a guided tour of this picturesque village before we board modern carriages hauled by a vintage locomotive for a journey to Pisogne at the northern edge of the lake. On arrival in this colourful village, we are given a guided tour of the Santa Maria della Neve church which contains frescoes by Renaissance artist Girolamo Romanino depicting scenes from the Passion of the Christ.

The next leg of our journey sees us travel the full length of the lake to Provaglio d'Iseo. Along the way we bask in beautiful views of the lake from our windows, while being served fresh, local food throughout the journey, including cheeses, meat and sparkling Franciacorta wines. The air-conditioned carriages are equipped with audio-visual systems to ensure we don't miss a thing.

The village of Provaglio d'Iseo is dominated by the nearby Torbiere del Sebino, a large wetland nature reserve known for its wildlife including purple herons, black kites and great bitterns. These large peatbog marshes called 'lame' gave their name to the beautiful monastery we visit. Founded in 1083 and donated to the Benedictine order of Cluny, the Monastery of San Pietro in Lamosa overlooks the atmospheric wetlands. Recently restored to its original condition, the idyllic Romanesque monastery contains historic frescoes and provides excellent views over the Torbiere del Sebino.

We return to Sulzano via Iseo and have a free evening to head out independently to a local trattoria or admire the sunset over the lake from our hotel.

• Breakfast, Lunch

After a leisurely morning we walk to the nearby pier from where we sail across to Monte Isola. This short boat ride affords delightful panoramic views of the lake and its hilly shores as we make our way to the imposing island. With a summit nearly 2,000-feet above sea level, Monte Isola is the tallest lake island in Europe.

Disembarking on the car-free island in Peschiera Maraglio, we have free time to explore independently. Small boats bob gently on the water under the watchful eye of lakefront houses and cafés, many bedecked with bougainvillea. The Church of San Michele Arcangelo can be found amid the labyrinthine alleyways and rewards the visitor with an impressive stucco interior decorated with Baroque frescoes. The shoreline path between Peschiera Maraglio and Sensole has attracted artists for centuries due to its thick olive groves. Known as the 'road of olive trees', this mile-long walkway also boasts wonderful views of the lake and the attractive small island of San Paolo.

The lake has understandably played a crucial role in the life of islanders, many of whom made wooden boats and nets for its fishermen. Near the shore, you may see racks of lake fish being dried in the sun, while the interior is renowned for its salami. Due to this heritage, the characterful trattorias abound with delicious food - look out for sundried lake sardines with polenta, a traditional speciality and an example of 'slow food'.

You can return to Sulzano at your leisure today, ready for our three-course dinner in the hotel restaurant this evening.

• Breakfast, Dinner

A full free day today presents many opportunities to enjoy the beauty of Lake Iseo and beyond. You could opt to take a boat to one of the lake's other villages, soaking up the amazing views of the surrounding mountains. The ancient fishing village of Clusane is renowned for its gastronomy, particular Franciacorta wine, saffron and baked tench - the villagers celebrate this culinary speciality each July with a festival called 'Tench Week'.

From the train station in Sulzano, you could travel further afield to explore some of Italy's most famous cities. Milan, the 'style capital of the world, and Verona, the setting for Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet, can be reached in less than 90 minutes via Brescia.

The underrated city of Brescia is a delight to visit in its own right. Bursting with history, this ancient Celtic city aligned with Rome in the 2nd-century BC during the Carthaginian Wars. The most important Roman remains in northern Italy can be found here, including the remarkable Capitolium, a former temple and part of a UNESCO World Heritage site that also contains the neighbouring amphitheatre. Overlooking these evocative ruins is the sprawling medieval fortress, while the expansive Old City contains many attractive historic streets and squares. In the Piazza Paolo VI, you can find the old and new cathedrals next door to one another. The circular Romanesque 12th-century Duomo Vecchio is towered over by the grand Baroque façade of the Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta.

The heart of historic Brescia is the Piazza della Loggia and is a good place to sit and people-watch, perhaps enjoying delicacies of this city that was the Italian Capital of Culture in 2023. Look out for casoncelli bresciani, a delicious stuffed pasta that can be paired with a Franciacorta Brut, or perhaps sip on Brescia's signature apéritif, the pirlo, similar to Aperol spritz.

• Breakfast

This morning we travel by coach to the gorgeous city of Bergamo at the foothills of the Alps between Lake Iseo and Lake Como. After meeting our guide, we board a funicular to the historic Upper Town, viewing the Lower Town spreading out on the plain below us.

We embark on a walking tour of this captivating historic town surrounded by 16th-century Venetian walls. The spellbinding Piazza Duomo is a wonderland of magnificent buildings. The Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore was founded in 1137 and its small but not understated entrance to is guarded by two red and white marble lions. Adjoining it is the decorative Colleoni Chapel. This eye-catching structure with a red, white and grey façade is dedicated to a renowned Italian general from the 15th century. Everywhere you turn there is another fantastic sight, including the neoclassical cathedral and the octagonal 14th-century baptistery. The large Piazza Vecchia, lined with characterful buildings, can be reached under the large arched arcade of the 12th-century Palazzo della Ragione, formerly the town hall.

After our sightseeing tour, there is a free afternoon to continue exploring. You might like to head down into the airy and modern Lower Town, where wide boulevards are lined by chestnut trees. Perhaps you could find a trattoria to savour some local flavours including casconcelli, a variety of filled ravioli. Wandering the streets, you may be tempted into some retail therapy in the stylish boutiques, while the monumental twin neoclassical gates at the Porta Nuova frame great views of the Upper Town. Another option is to relax in one of the small squares, sampling a coffee or an apéritif, or indulge in a stracciatella, a variety of ice-cream with dark chocolate flakes that was invented in Bergamo.

We return to Sulzano this afternoon and have some time to unwind before we sit down for a three-course dinner this evening.

• Breakfast, Dinner

After a free morning and afternoon to unwind in Sulzano, we embark on a highlight of our trip as we travel by coach to a Franciacorta winery. Franciacorta is a famed sparking wine produced in the small region around the southern edge of Lake Iseo. Renowned for their gleaming, straw-like colour and delicate bubbles, these wines are differentiated from other Italian sparkling wines by their rich bouquet and dense, balanced flavours. The smooth and refined character also separates it from the familiar minerality of champagne.

At a vineyard in Franciacorta, we enjoy a guided tour of a winery to learn about the history and flavour of these acclaimed wines, before sampling a number of varieties. Dinner this evening is at the winery as we sit down for a three-course meal of local specialities in idyllic surroundings.

• Breakfast, Dinner

After a leisurely morning to drink in our final views of beautiful Lake Iseo, we transfer by coach to Brescia train station, from where we travel in First Class to Milan. Here, we continue by First Class rail across the Alps to Chambéry in France. Following the course of the Dora Ripiara valley from Turin, we pass rolling hills and snow-capped mountains. Emerging from the Fréjus rail tunnel, we are welcomed into France by impressive alpine scenery.

Chambéry is the former seat of the Dukes of Savoy and impressive château still dominates the picturesque town centre. The town has a handsome cathedral, and its central square - Place Saint-Leger - is surrounded by historic monuments, colourful tall houses and several outdoor restaurants.

After checking in to our central 4-Star hotel, we have our final evening meal together, a three-course dinner in the hotel restaurant.

For departure 09/06/2024 - Day 9 -  From the Alps to Alsace

This morning we bid farewell to beautiful Lake Iseo and transfer to Milan, from where we travel by First Class rail through the Simplon Tunnel into Switzerland. Passing the emerald waters of Lake Thu, we make our way to Basel. From here, we continue in First Class along the Rhine to the delightful French city of Strasbourg for an overnight stay.

In the Alsace region bordering Germany, Strasbourg has an attractive Old Town. With some free time after we check in to our hotel, you might like to explore the large Place Kléber, the striking Gothic Cathedral of Notre Dame or the pretty half-timbered buildings of La Petite France. We enjoy our final evening meal together in a local restaurant.

• Breakfast, Dinner

This morning we board the direct train from Chambéry to Paris, enjoying the gentle French scenery from our First Class seats. As rustic villages and rolling fields flash past our windows, we can recall our wonderful holiday of discovery to Lake Iseo. We have uncovered the rare beauty of Italy's secret lake which has offered up many unforgettable experiences, from the views of imposing Monte Isola and its idyllic olive-lined paths to the delightful flavours of its produce on the 'Train of Flavours' and Franciacorta winery.

In Paris, we change to the Eurostar, enjoying a light meal in our seats in Standard Premier Class. On arrival back at London St Pancras, we say farewell to our fellow travelling companions, with whom we have shared these fantastic memories.

For departure 09/06/2024 - Day 10 - Homeward Bound

This morning we board the direct train from Strasbourg to Paris, enjoying the gentle French scenery from our First Class seats. As rustic villages and rolling hills flash past our windows, we can recall our wonderful holiday of discovery to Lake Iseo. We have uncovered the rare beauty of Italy's secret lake which has offered up many unforgettable experiences, from the views of imposing Monte Isola and its idyllic olive-lined paths to the delightful flavours of its produce on the 'Train of Flavours' and Franciacorta winery.

In Paris, we change to the Eurostar, enjoying a light meal in our seats in Standard Premier Class. On arrival back at London St Pancras, we say farewell to our fellow travelling companions, with whom we have shared these fantastic memories.

• Breakfast
• Eurostar Light Meal