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 the 'Pearl of the Swiss Riviera'. While we're here you might enjoy a stroll along the palm and cypress tree-lined promenade, which runs to neighbouring Montreux and 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, the route is lined with pretty daffodil fields. At the summit, we stop for lunch and sample traditional Swiss rösti, a dish of shredded potato that's fried until crisp and golden. You are free to visit the open-air exhibition at the mountain 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 tractor-pulled road train that winds through the terraced vineyards and surrounding villages. Back at the winery, we enjoy a talk from the owner before tasting the excellent locally-produced wines with refreshments.

• Breakfast

We join the GoldenPass train to Interlaken, travelling in Belle Époque style, for a journey filled with views of vineyards and orchards, traditional chalets and dramatic peaks. Along the route we see the Giessbach Falls, the Brünig Pass and the serene 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 with chocolate and cheese tastings - two of Switzerland's most popular, and delicious, exports.

• Breakfast, Dinner

With a free day, you may like to explore Lucerne or the local area using your Swiss Travel Card. Set on the shores of Lake Lucerne at the foot of the Swiss Alps, Lucerne is the gateway to central Switzerland and there are spectacular views from every area of the city. With its ornate churches, cobbled streets, and charming Old Town, Lucerne is rich in history. Decorated houses with frescoes surround the picturesque town squares, circled by remnants of the old town walls. The 17th century Jesuit church 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 vast lakes and mountaintops. The scenery here is world-renowned and the 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 climbs into stunning Swiss countryside, and we view the passing scenery from our panoramic windows. As we travel, frosty mountains are replaced by the pretty promenades of the Italian Lake District. After emerging from the Gotthard tunnel we arrive in Lugano in Southern Switzerland, where we continue by rail to Baveno, on Lake Maggiore, home for the next four nights. This evening we enjoy dinner in our hotel.

• Breakfast, Dinner

We enjoy a day at leisure in Baveno. From this delightful village there are wonderful lakeside walks, and buildings to see such as the Parish Church of Santi Gervasio as well as the opulent villas dotted among the lakeside. Our hotel has an indoor and outdoor swimming pool with a spa and wellness centre, and pleasant grounds to relax in.

• Breakfast

Today we discover Stresa and the Borromean Islands. After free time to explore the town of Stresa, we travel by boat to Isola dei Pescatore, and then continue to Isola Bella where we arrive in the early evening in time for a private visit to this magnificent villa, followed by an aperitif on the terrace as the sun sets over the lake. We return to Baveno for dinner.

• Breakfast, Dinner

Today we relax on board the Centovalli Railway and drink in the wonderful views of the '100 Valleys' as we travel to Locarno by rail. On arrival in Locarno, we take a leisurely cruise along the length of the lake back to Baveno.

• Breakfast, Dinner

Departing Baveno and Lake Maggiore, we travel through the Alps to Dijon, via Lausanne, where we spend the night.

• Breakfast, Dinner

This morning 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