Lake Maggiore

You meet at London St Pancras and take the Eurostar to Paris. Here, you change trains and continue to the city of Strasbourg, where you spend the night in a local hotel.

• Dinner

Continue to Italy, taking the train to the small and pretty town of Stresa, one of the most popular resorts on the shores of Lake Maggiore. Although a highly popular Italian resort, Stresa is small enough to explore on foot, rewarding its visitors with medieval buildings, opulent and historic villas, delightful public gardens and several fascinating museums. You check into your hotel for the next five nights, which enjoys superb views overlooking the lake and the surrounding Italian Alps.

• Breakfast, Dinner

Cruise to picturesque Isola Bella, a small island in the middle of the lake. Transformed by the aristocratic Borromeo family in the 16th and 17th centuries, today it's dominated by the sumptuous Borromean Palace. You visit the palace before free time to explore the Italian gardens, which are equally as opulent as the interiors. Continue by boat to Isola dei Pescatore, also known as Fisherman's Island, another of the Borromean Islands and home to a quaint fishing village which has only 50 or so permanent residents. While here, you could sample one of the traditional fish restaurants, the local speciality being perch from the lake.

• Breakfast, Dinner

Today you're free to relax in Stresa. Perhaps take the time to head out and explore the delightful town and all that it has to offer. You could follow in the footsteps of prestigious guests to the area including Ernest Hemingway and Princess Margaret as you enjoy a scenic stroll along the pretty lakeside promenade. Alternatively, take advantage of the hotel's comforts and enjoy a relaxing day. Lounge on the hotel's sun terrace, drinking in the spectacular Alpine views that spread out into the distance, or enjoy the nearby pool at your hotel's sister hotel.

• Breakfast, Dinner

Enjoy a journey on the Centovalli Railway. With a name meaning "One Hundred Valleys", the railway connects Locarno in Switzerland to Domodossola in Italy. The line opened in 1923 and has remained popular ever since, with its beautiful bridges crossing over incredible lakeside and valley scenery. You wind through valleys and past deep ravines, over bridges and through tunnels, between Domodossola and lakeside Locarno. On arrival in Locarno, you're free to grab lunch and explore. Perhaps visit the Sacred Mount Madonna del Sasso, a historical site perched above the village, where you'll be treated to fantastic views over Locarno and the lake. Later, take the scenic route back to the hotel, with a pleasant cruise across the lake to Stresa.

• Breakfast, Dinner

Travel by coach to tranquil Lake Orta, an unspoiled lake with an enchanting atmosphere that's one of Italy's quieter lakes. Situated on the lake is the charming town of Orta San Giulio, where you have some free time to explore. Perhaps admire the paintings in the UNESCO-listed Sacro Monte di Orta here. You also enjoy a boat ride to the Isola San Giulio, a tiny yet delightful island topped with a Benedictine monastery, Basilica di San Giulio.

• Breakfast, Dinner

You begin your journey home today. You travel first to Basel, where you change trains and continue to Mulhouse. You spend the night here in a local hotel.

• Breakfast, Dinner

Leaving Mulhouse, you travel by high-speed rail to Paris. Here, you connect with the Eurostar service to London St Pancras.

• Breakfast