Lake Maggiore, Lake Orta & the Alps

Your holiday starts as you meet the Tour Manager at London St Pancras this morning before boarding the Eurostar service to Paris. In the French capital, we board the train to Strasbourg, arriving in this historic Alsace city in the afternoon.

Our hotel is a short walk from the station, and Strasbourg's impressive main square, Place Kléber, or the half-timbered, riverside houses of La Petite France are only a short stroll from the hotel.

This evening, our group gathers to enjoy a three-course dinner in a local restaurant.

Please Note - For departures 16th May and 3rd October we will travel out via Basel, staying at the Schweizerhof Basel hotel.

• Dinner

Walking to the station after breakfast, we board the train to Basel, continuing by rail to Stresa. Passing Swiss lakes and climbing the Alps, we then get our first glimpse of northern Italy, emerging into a verdant valley with sharp, tree-covered cliffs.

Our base for the next five nights is Stresa, a highly popular Italian resort that retains its characteristic charm. Small enough to explore on foot, its picturesque alleys and elegant promenade reward visitors with medieval buildings, opulent villas, attractive public gardens and fascinating museums.

Set beside the lake, our historic hotel has wonderful views across Lake Maggiore and the surrounding Italian Alps. We regroup for a three-course dinner in the hotel restaurant this evening.

• Breakfast, Dinner

After breakfast, we transfer by coach to San Filiberto, where we take a scenic cruise on Lake Orta to Isola San Giulio. Here, you are free to look around this tiny island village dominated by a monastery at your own pace. The inside of the basilica is worth a visit, with artwork stretching across the walls and under the domes. Alternatively, walk round the shore on the 'Way of Silence', viewing the Bishop's Palace and Benedictine abbey.

We then catch a boat to Orta San Giulio on the shores of Lake Orta. Unlike its more famous cousins Como and Garda, Orta's seclusion makes it a peaceful alternative where you can experience an authentic and relaxed Italian way of life.

This small but beautiful village has inspired poets and artists including Lord Byron. On Piazza Motta, colourful buildings look out across the lake, and the 16th-century town hall is decorated with frescoes. You are free to explore and maybe stop for lunch. From Orta San Giulio, a coach takes us back to Stresa in time for dinner.

• Breakfast, Dinner

You're at leisure in Stresa after breakfast today. The town's popularity began with the arrival of the railways as it found itself on the line connecting London, Paris and Milan. Soon, travellers and writers from Europe and beyond were drawn to its charming lakeside position. You could head out to explore the town or follow in the footsteps of historic guests such as Ernest Hemingway and Princess Margaret on a stroll along the promenade.

There are many impressive houses here, including Villa Pallavicini. With free entry, the gardens are a great place to wander around and observe giant tulip trees, Lebanese cedar and colourful flowerbeds which burst into life throughout summer. There is also a zoo with llamas, flamingos, zebras, kangaroos and other animals.

Alternatively, make the most of the hotel's comforts and spend the day relaxing. Enjoy spectacular alpine views from the sun terrace or take a dip in the pool of the sister hotel. Stresa's restaurants offer an array of fresh fish, meat and pasta dishes, which you are free to try when dining independently this evening.

• Breakfast

A holiday highlight awaits as we transfer by coach to Domodossola for a superb trip aboard the Centovalli Railway. Meaning 'Railway of 100 Valleys', this is a spectacular route through the Alps to Locarno in Switzerland.

We quickly ascend, passing the ruined tower of Creggio as our route winds up to Trontano and into majestic alpine scenery of mountains, gorges and waterfalls. After entering Switzerland, look out for the emerald Lake Palagnedra far below. Our train crosses dozens of bridges on its journey to its lakeside destination. On arrival in Locarno, on Maggiore's northern shores, you're free to choose a place to enjoy lunch and look around. You could take the funicular railway up to the Sacred Mount Madonna del Sasso or enjoy the town's lake views.

Our return journey is a cruise on Lake Maggiore, Italy's longest lake. Bordered by mountains, charming towns and villages spill out of the valleys, and you can spot the 16th-century castle island of Cannero before arriving in Stresa in time for tonight's dinner.

• Breakfast, Dinner

With a day at leisure ahead, you could relax at the hotel or go island hopping. From the jetty outside the hotel, you can board a hop on/hop off boat for a day of exploring the idyllic Borromean Islands.

The closest is pretty Isola Bella, dominated by the Borromeo Palace and its opulent gardens where you might spot one of the magnificent white peacocks. The next island is Isola dei Pescatori (Fisherman's Island), a quaint fishing settlement. Here you could stop at one of the traditional restaurants to try a local speciality - perch caught directly from the lake. You could also visit San Vittore church to see the wooden busts of apostles Peter and Andrew, the patron saints of fishermen. The largest and final island is Isola Madre, covered with gardens of rare plants and trees from around the world. The grand palazzo overlooks an ornate pond and a charming family chapel.

Tonight, you dine independently, and to accompany the tempting risottos, raviolis and fresh fish on offer, you might like to try a regional Nebbiolo wine, such as Barolo.

• Breakfast

As we depart Stresa after breakfast, we travel by train through Switzerland to Basel, continuing to Mulhouse in France.

Travelling through Switzerland, soak up spectacular views of the majestic mountains lining the Rhône Valley before passing Lake Thun and the fairytale castle at Spiez.

In the historic Alsace city of Mulhouse, the focus of the medieval centre is Place de la Réunion, where you can find the Gothic Revival Temple St-Étienne and the pink and gold decorated town hall. Constructed in 1553, this striking Renaissance building displays allegoric frescoes representing vices and virtues. Our hotel is near the station, and it is here that we gather with our group to enjoy dinner this evening.

• Breakfast, Dinner

From the gentle cruises surrounded by spectacular scenery to marvelling at the majestic Alps aboard the Centovalli Railway, it's easy to understand why lakes Maggiore and Orta have been charming visitors for centuries. Our elegant base of Stresa provided many opportunities to absorb the beautiful views on enjoyable excursions or while exploring independently.

After breakfast this morning, we take the short walk to Mulhouse station for the train to Paris. Returning to London St Pancras on the Eurostar, your holiday concludes, and you can make your way home.

• Breakfast