Art at the Belvedere Palace in Vienna
Vienna is a delightfully graceful and elegant city with some of the most spectacular palaces
Menu
Stunning Italy
Majestic Lake Maggiore by First Class Rail
★★★★★ 5/5
Enjoy the best of Lake Maggiore's sparkling waters and fabulous Alpine scenery
First Class Rail travel throughout your journey
7 nights / 8 days
Inc. 2 nights in Montreux , 4 nights in Stresa on Lake Maggiore & an overnight stay in Turin
High-quality accommodation throughout your holiday
Lake Maggiore via Montreux & Turin by First Class Rail
call us now on
request a quote
British Travel Award winners
Specialists in luxury rail holidays
tailor-made
just for you
Lake Maggiore by First Class Rail
Holiday Highlights
- First Class rail travel
- Scenic rail journey through the Simplon Pass in Switzerland
- Lakeside Montreux and Lake Geneva
- Stresa & Lake Maggiore
- Lively Turin
Majestic Lake Maggiore provides a stunning holiday setting with its sparkling waters and fabulous Alpine scenery.
Enjoy the abundance of exotic flowers and plants, fascinating contrasts between northern Italy and southern Switzerland, and the enchanting Borromean Islands. From the lovely town of Stresa journey north aboard the Centovalli railway to Locarno or south to magnificent Milan. You can relax and unwind or embrace some of Italy’s most wonderful history, culture, scenery and gastronomy.
7 night / 8 day holiday by First Class including an 2 nights in a double room at the Grand Hotel Suisse Majestic in Montreux (4 star superior), 4 nights in a side lake view Junior Suite at the highly-rated Residence La Luna nel Porto (3 star) and 1 night in a double room at the Grand Hotel Sitea (5 star) in Turin from £1,595 per person (based on 2 people travelling together in low season).
Lake Maggiore by First Class rail: Holiday Itinerary
Day 1 – By rail to Switzerland
Your journey to the Lake Maggiore begins as you make your way to the wonderfully restored London St. Pancras station. Take a moment to admire the impressive Victorian styled glass roof, before you make your way through Eurostar check-in and board your Eurostar service.
Relax in the comfort of your spacious Standard Premier Class seat as you enjoy your complimentary light meal and selection of beverages, whilst being whisked to Paris at speeds of nearly 300km/h.
You arrive into the Gare du Nord to be met by your private taxi transfer, which will swiftly transport you across central Paris to your connecting TGV Lyria service at the Gare de Lyon.
Watch the French countryside fly by before you arrive into Lausanne and again change trains for the next stage of your journey through Switzerland, alongside sparkling Lake Geneva, to the quaint lakeside town of Montreux.
The Grand Hotel Suisse Majestic (4 star superior) is a beautiful hotel offering fabulous views across Lake Geneva, ideally located opposite the train station and your hotel for the next two nights.
Day 2 – Montreux and the surrounding area
You have a full day in the cosmopolitan resort of Montreux in the centre of the Swiss Riviera. The town is best explored on foot, just a short walk from your hotel. Take advantage of the stunning lakeside promenade, flourishing with cypresses, magnolias and palm trees due to the mild year-round climate. You might like to take the opportunity to visit the famous Château de Chillon, an architectural jewel located in the most beautiful setting imaginable and one of the best preserved medieval castles in Europe.
Montreux is an ideal base to explore the summits of the surrounding region. Why not take the cogwheel train up Rochers-de-Naye to visit Marmots’ paradise and enjoy glorious panoramic views from a height of 2,042m? Alternatively take the unforgettable journeys aboard the Golden Panoramic Express towards Interlaken or on the mountain train to ‘Glacier 3000’ via Aigle to Les Diablerets. For a view of Montreux and the surrounding lakeside resorts from a different perspective, you might like to try a relaxing cruise by steamboat on Lake Geneva.
Day 3 – Lake Geneva to Lake Maggiore
This morning you have time to further explore Montreux and enjoy lunch overlooking the sparkling lake.
Then make your way back to Montreux station and board the Euro City service for the direct journey south to Stresa.
You arrive in the afternoon for a four-night stay at the comfortable and highly-rates Hotel La Luna nel Porto (3 star). The evening is yours to relax or explore this wonderful part of the world.
Days 4 - 6 - Lake Maggiore, Lake Orta, Centovalli Railway, Locarno & Milan
Allow yourself to unwind and soak up the unique atmosphere of Lake Maggiore and the pretty town of Stresa.
You might fancy a visit to the old town to wend your way along the narrow streets and picturesque waterfront or hop on a ferry to discover more of sparkling Lake Maggiore.
The ideal way to enjoy Lake Maggiore at its best and visit its stunning islands, including Isola Bella, is on a relaxing lake cruise (payable locally). The ferry departs just a short walk from your hotel and you can choose to visit Isola Bella and the gorgeous Borromeo Palace with its lovely Italian gardens and perhaps one of the other islands on this spectacular lake.
For a truly unforgettable day why not travel by train to Domodossola to join the narrow gauge Centovalli railway from Italy into Switzerland, across viaducts and bridges, through a hundred different valleys and onto to the pretty Swiss town of Locarno with its lush plants, picturesque lakeside setting and mild climate.
After lunch or a relaxing drink in Locarno you can continue by lake cruise back to Stresa to round off your stunning round trip. You could travel west to lesser known Lake Orta, tranquil, utterly charming and picturesque. Alternatively relax in the comfortable surroundings of your hotel.
Day 7 – Lake Maggiore to Turin
This morning after a short walk to Stresa station join the Euro City train for the short journey to Milan, where you change trains and travel on the comfortable Eurostar Italia service directly to the vibrant city of Turin. On arrival at Turin’s Porta Nuova station make your own way the short distance to the charming Grand Hotel Sitea (5 star), your hotel for your overnight stay.
This afternoon you have time to discover the delights of Turin, made famous by the classic British movie, The Italian Job. The principal attractions of the city include the Mole Antonelliana, possibly the tallest museum in the world, the Palatine Towers, The Turin Cathedral, The Palazzo Reale, The Residences of the Royal House of Savoy and the Botanical Gardens of Turin University. The city enjoys an attractive setting on the banks of the River Po with the wonderful backdrop of the Alps and is home to attractive galleried shopping arcades. This evening choose from a wide selection of restaurants for dinner.
Day 8 - Turin to London - Homeward bound
Today after enjoying a leisurely breakfast you are making your own way by taxi or public transport (payable locally) to Turin Porta Susa station, where you join the TGV train for the first-class journey back to Paris. Sit back and reminisce on some of your holiday highlights as you journey north-west through the Alps, past the imposing sight of Mont Blanc, as you cross back into France.
As you arrive into the Gare de Lyon you are greeted by your taxi driver for the comfortable connecting journey across Paris to the Gare du Nord, where you join your final journey on board the Eurostar service.
Let the train take the strain as you tuck into your light meal and sit back with a hot drink whilst you look out across the changing landscape. All too soon you pass into the UK and arrive back into London St Pancras International station for the final stage of your journey home.
Further information
Your recommended hotels
MONTREUX
The Grand Hotel Suisse Majestic (4-star superior) is a traditional Belle-Époque hotel, originally built in 1870 and located right in the centre of Montreux, just a few steps from the railway station. The hotel has 140 rooms and benefits from fabulous views of Lake Geneva and the Alps from its summer terrace. All the comfortable en-suite rooms in this stylish hotel feature air conditioning, TV, minibar, radio and telephone.
STRESA, LAKE MAGGIORE
The highly rated, welcoming lakefront apartment Hotel La Luna Nel Porto (3 star) is a short walk from both Stresa railway station and the boat landing for the Borromean Islands. The 12 elegant, airy suites offer free Wi-Fi, satellite TV, kitchenettes and living rooms with sofas. They also feature private gardens and terraces or balconies with panoramic views. Amenities include a common area, a lake-view terrace, a garden and an arcade.
TURIN
The Grand Hotel Sitea (5 star) is a stylish, highly-rated hotel located in the centre of Turin, close to both main stations, right behind Piazza San Carlo and a 10-minute walk from Piazza Castello. All of the 120 en-suite rooms at this smart hotel are elegantly furnished and come with parquet or carpeted floors, marble bathrooms, a TV with satellite channels and free internet access. The hotel benefits from its own American Bar and a restaurant, specialising in classic Italian cuisine. Breakfast is served in the hotel’s garden during the warmer months.
Departure dates
Throughout the year and tailor-made to suit your holiday needs
Holiday duration is 8 days
For information and booking Tel: 01347 825292 or email info@planetrail.co.uk
Call us on 01347 82 52 92 to enquire about our tailor made holidays by rail
FURTHER INFORMATION
ARTICLES
The Giant’s Causeway
Nestled on the coast of Northern Ireland is a natural wonder so phenomenal it is
Two iconic cities to explore
London and Paris two of the most iconic cities in the world, known for their
SIGN UP FOR THE PLANET RAIL NEWSLETTER
© 2023 Planet Rail. All rights reserved.
