Lakes and Mountains of Switzerland and Italy

From London St Pancras, we take the Eurostar to Paris, continuing by rail to Vevey for three nights. Set on the shores of Lake Geneva and surrounded by mountains, Vevey is considered a 'Pearl of the Swiss Riviera'. While you're here, perhaps enjoy a stroll down the palm and cypress tree-lined promenade, which runs to neighbouring Montreux, for a visit to Château de Chillon

• Dinner
• Eurostar Meal

Today takes us by cog railway to Les Pléiades, also known as the Seven Sisters, a peak in the country's Prealp mountain range. During springtime, keep an eye out for the famous daffodil fields that line the route. Then, at the summit, we stop for lunch, allowing us to sample some traditional Swiss rösti, a dish made of shredded potato which is then fried until crisp and golden. With some free time afterwards, you may like to visit the open-air exhibition at the mountain's top which celebrates the wonders of our solar system.

• Breakfast, Lunch

We travel to Cully, in the well-known Lavaux wine-growing region, where verdant vineyards rise from the lake. We enjoy a tour of the grape vines from aboard the charming Lavaux Express, a local tractor-pulled road train that winds through the vineyards and surrounding villages. Back at the winery, we enjoy a talk from the owner before a tasting of the excellent locally-produced wines, accompanied by some tasty nibbles.

• Breakfast

We join the GoldenPass train to Interlaken, which recreates the Belle Époque style of the 1930s, for a journey filled with views of rolling vineyards and orchards, traditional chalets and dramatic peaks. Particular points of interest along the route include the Giessbach Falls, the Brünig Pass and the serene waters of Alpnachersee. We transfer to Lucerne for three nights, a German-speaking town famous for its frescoed Kapellbrücke. On arrival, we set out on a walking tour that includes plenty of chocolate and cheese tastings - two of Switzerland's most popular, and delicious, exports.

• Breakfast, Dinner

With a free day, you may like to explore of Lucerne or explore the local area using you Swiss Travel Card. The gateway to central Switzerland, situated on the shores of Lake Lucerne at the foot of the Swiss Alps, there's spectacular views of the surrounding mountains wherever in the city you find yourself. With its ornate churches, cobbled streets, and charming Old Town, Lucerne is rich in history. Decorated houses with frescoes line the picturesque town squares, along with remnants of the old town walls. The Jesuit church dating from the 17th century is regarded as Switzerland's first baroque building and the twin towers of the Hofkirche form an integral part of the townscape.

• Breakfast

We board a boat for a scenic sailing to Vitznau. From here, we join the Mount Rigi Mountain Railway, the first mountain railway in Europe. We travel to Rigi Kulm, the highest point of Mount Rigi, where we're rewarded with views of sprawling lakes and endless mountaintops. The scenery here is so world-renowned that famous British painter, J.M.W Turner, was inspired to produce over 30 sketches of the mountain's idyllic location, nestled between Lakes Zug, Lucerne and Lauerz.

• Breakfast, Dinner

We sail across Lake Lucerne by steam boat to Fluelen, where we board the William Tell Express. The train winds, curls and climbs along some stunning Swiss countryside, allowing us to enjoy the passing scenery from panoramic windows, as frosty mountains are replaced by the floral-filled promenades of the Italian lake district. Burrowing under the Gotthard tunnel before arriving in Lugano in Southern Switzerland, we disembark, transferring by coach to Cadenabbia by Lake Como, our home for the next four nights.

• Breakfast, Dinner

Enjoy a free day to get to know the area around Cabenabbia a little better. Located in the foothills of the Italian and Swiss Alps, beautiful Lake Como is Italy's deepest lake. Set within picturesque, almost fjord-like, scenery - where towering mountains fall steeply to the water's edge - the region has, for centuries, been a popular destination for Italians escaping the heat of the cities, and as a result there are many historic and beautiful villas lining the shores, such as the Villa Carlotta and the Villa D'Este. After a morning of exploration, you might like to take a break to try some of Italy's famous cuisine. Alongside fantastic pizza and pasta, you'll find plenty of local specialities in the cosy cafés here.

• Breakfast

Cruising to Lenno, we visit Villa Balbianello for a guided tour of this elegant 18th-century mansion. Star of the silver screen, this cinematic villa has been used in the Star Wars and James Bond films, thanks to its sophisticated façade and beautiful terraced gardens. We see the sumptuous interiors and beautiful Italianate grounds ahead of some free time for you to explore Lenno, where you'll find charming cafés and historic churches in abundance.

• Breakfast, Dinner

We enjoy a trip on the Bernina Express to glamorous St Moritz. Connecting northern and southern Europe, this narrow-gauge train travels from pretty northern Italy to the majestic snow-capped Alps and rushing mountain streams of Switzerland, so keep your eyes peeled for the ancient Palu Glacier, just on the Swiss-Italian border, and soak in the views from the Birsio Circular Viaduct before we cross the Bernina Pass just before arriving in St Moritz. Here, there's free time to to grab a coffee in a chic café or browse the shopping boutiques. We make the return journey by coach, pausing in the beautiful mountain town of Chiavenna along the way.

• Breakfast, Dinner

Departing Cabenabbia, we travel by coach to Milan, continuing by rail to Turin for an overnight stay.

• Breakfast, Dinner

We catch the train to Paris after a final breakfast together. In the French capital, we join the Eurostar service back to London St Pancras.

• Breakfast
• Eurostar Meal