Menaggio On Lake Como

London to Basel

Our journey begins today at London St Pancras International, where we 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 Swiss town of Basel, where we overnight. Later, we enjoy our first dinner together.

To Menaggio

After breakfast today, we continue our journey to Lake Como. Travelling in First Class, we take the train to Lugano. Here, we transfer by coach to Menaggio, a picturesque little town on the western shore of Lake Como. We check into the 4-Star Grand Hotel Victoria, where we stay for the next seven nights. This Art Nouveau hotel was originally built in 1890, but has been restored to provide modern comforts alongside an historic atmosphere.

Varenna and Villa Balbianello

We set out by boat this morning and cruise to Varenna, a quaint village on the opposite side of the lake. The cobbled streets and narrow alleyways give Varenna a truly medieval feel. It has remained unspoiled by tourism and has often been referred to as the 'Pearl of Lake Como.' As you approach across the lake, Varenna looks like a colourful painting, with brightly painted houses and charming buildings lining the shore and green mountains rising behind. You have some free time to relax and arrange lunch before we head by boat to the Villa del Balbianello, a sumptuous mansion built for Cardinal Angelo Maria Durini at the end of the 18th century. We enjoy a tour of the villa, which includes an interesting collection of Chinese and African art, as well as English and French furniture from the 18th century, before returning to Menaggio by boat.

At leisure by Lake Como

Today is spent as you wish, enjoying a day at leisure by Lake Como. Menaggio is a pretty resort in its own right, perfect for you to enjoy a stroll along the promenade. From the harbour, you can appreciate excellent views over glittering Lake Como with ice cream or coffee from a local café or gelateria.

Milan

Today we visit the 'fashion capital of the world', Milan. Known for its famous fashion houses and as the home of the Italian Stock Exchange, Milan is a fast-paced city with a vibrant feel.

We begin our time here with a guided tour, by coach and on foot, including a visit to the incredible Duomo - the largest Gothic cathedral in the world. We visit the world's most famous opera house, the 'Teatro alla Scala', and the beautiful 19th century glassroofed shopping arcade, the 'Galleria Vittorio Emanuele'. Later, we visit the Church of Santa Maria delle Grazie, where we see the exquisite 'Last Supper' by Leonardo da Vinci. Nestled into an adjoining wall between the refectory and the Basilica di Santa Maria, Milan's most famous mural dates back to the 15th century, yet maintains its popularity to the present day.

Over the years, 'The Last Supper' has suffered no small amount of wear and tear; most notably, Jesus lost his feet, along with a lower portion of the fresco, after building works in 1652. However, thanks to restoration, the stunning piece remains astonishing.

The most recent fixes were completed in 1999, after more than 22 years of work, allowing viewers to appreciate da Vinci's iconic masterpiece for years to come.

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. Nestled at the foot of the Alps, Bellinzona benefits from stunning views and charming architecture, dating between the 14th and 19th centuries. Afterwards, we visit the lakeside town of Lugano. With its Italianate piazzas and wide promenades lined with palm trees, Lugano is the perfect blend of Swiss efficiency and Italian flair. We enjoy some free time here to explore the area; you may like to take the funicular railway up into the mountain village of Monte Bré, to enjoy the stunning views of the Alps and the lake.

The Bernina Express

We take a fabulous excursion today on the Bernina Express line. Travelling by coach, we leave Lake Como and journey to St Moritz, where you have free time to explore at your own pace. We make the return journey in panoramic carriages 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. 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.

Villa Carlotta and Bellagio

Today we take a wonderful boat excursion to historic Villa Carlotta. Built in the early 18th century for a Milanese Count, this stunning building also belonged to the Prussian Monarchy. Villa Carlotta boasts magnificent gardens and some superb artworks, including sculptures by Canova. This afternoon we sail to picturesque Bellagio, a delightful resort located at the tip of the peninsula dividing the two 'legs' of the lake.The delightful oldworld streets wind away from the main square, the Piazza San Giacomo, a bustling hive of activity and location of the Basilica di San Giacomo, the town's historic Romanesque church. We have some free time for lunch in one of the many cafés and trattorias, before our return journey.

Lausanne

Today we leave Menaggio and the stunning shores of Lake Como. Travelling by coach, we make our way to Milan, where we connect with our train to Lausanne. We spend our final night in Lausanne, where we enjoy a farewell dinner together.

Return to London

Today we journey home, bidding a fond farewell to our adventure. Leaving Lausanne, we travel to Paris, by highspeed rail where we connect with the Eurostar back to London. On arrival, our tour concludes.