Lake Maggiore

You meet your group at Rail Discoveries' dedicated Departure Office today, leaving London St Pancras International on the Eurostar for Paris. From here, you travel on the high-speed TGV service to Strasbourg, where you overnight.

• Dinner

Return to the railway station this morning and continue your journey to Italy. Arriving at Stresa railway station, you transfer to your home for the next five nights, the 4* Milan Speranza Hotel au Lac. Located in the centre of Stresa, the hotel benefits from a superb position overlooking the lake and the surrounding Italian Alps.

• Breakfast, Dinner

This morning, enjoy an excursion by boat, cruising to picturesque Isola Bella, a small island only a few minutes' sailing from Stresa. The island was transformed by the aristocratic Borromeo family in the 16th and 17th centuries, and is dominated by the sumptuous Borromean Palace. Set amidst beautiful Italian gardens, this ornate structure was started in the 17th century, but only saw completion in 1959. The fabulous rooms often have mythological themes, and the stuccoed ceilings, Murano chandeliers, fine paintings and rich tapestries lend the villa a fanciful feel. You visit the palace before free time to explore the gardens, which are equally as opulent as the magnificent 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 year-round residents. While here, it's highly recommended to sample one of the traditional fish restaurants, the local speciality being perch from the lake. You could also visit San Vittore Church to see the wooden busts of apostles Peter and Andrew, the patron saints of fishermen.

• Breakfast, Dinner

Today you are free to relax in Stresa. Perhaps take the time to head out and explore the town. 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. Follow in the footsteps of prestigious guests to the area including George Bernard Shaw, Ernest Hemingway and Princess Margaret as you enjoy a walk 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 some truly incredible lakeside and valley scenery. You wind through valleys and past deep ravines, over bridges and through tunnels, on a marvellous route between Domodossola and the lakeside town of Locarno. On arrival in Locarno, you are free to grab some lunch and to explore. Perhaps visit the beautiful Sacred Mount Madonna del Sasso, a stunning historical and religious site perched above the village, where you'll be treated to fantastic views over Locarno and the lake. Later, you 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. Situated on the lake is the charming village of Orta San Giulio, where you have some free time. Popular with writers since the 19th century, Orta San Giulio's elegant streets have welcomed the likes of Lord Byron and Robert Browning. 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.

• Breakfast, Dinner

Start your journey home today. Travelling via Basel, you arrive in Mulhouse for the night. 

• Day 7 - Breakfast, Dinner

On Day 8, travel by TGV to Paris. Here, you join the Eurostar to London St Pancras, where you tour ends.

• Day 8 - Breakfast