Lake Garda via the Bernina Express

Lake Garda via the Bernina Express

Head for the Italian Lakes via one of the most beautiful and varied rail lines in Europe – if not the world. Leaving London by rail and staying overnight in the heart of the Alps, before taking the spectacular Bernina Express down from the Swiss peaks to the palm trees of verdant north Italy and onwards for a week-long stay on Lake Garda for some well-deserved R&R.

What's Included:

• 7 nights’ 4-star accommodation including breakfast on Lake Garda
• Overnight 4-star accommodation in Chur with breakfast
• Overnight 4-star accommodation in Chambéry with breakfast
• Standard Class rail travel for the duration of your trip
• Spectacular rail journey on the Bernina Express
• ABTA and ATOL bonded for your financial protection

Operator: Fred Holidays

Day 1 - London > Chur Forest

Leaving London in the morning on the Eurostar, you’ll change trains at Paris and head to Zurich, where one more quick change will see you on board your last rail service of the day, which will skirt Lake Zurich and its beautiful lake-side homes, along past Lake Wellensee and into the Alps to spend the night in the pretty and ancient city of Chur; tiny streets and a dramatic backdrop form your home for the evening.

Day 2 - Bernina Express > Italy

Today you will enjoy a full length rail journey on the Bernina Express. Leaving Chur you are surrounded on all sides by gentle slopes peppered with castles. Not content with boasting some of the most glorious scenery the world of rail has to offer, from Thusis onwards the Bernina Express travels along the Albula and Bernina Lines; two masterpieces of engineering. Both completed in the early 1900s, each railway line has UNESCO World Heritage status, successfully and inconspicuously blending the practicality of rail travel into the surrounding awe-inspiring backdrop. You’ll cross the world-famous Landwasser viaduct, an undoubted highlight of the journey towards St. Moritz, from where the train glides on the Bernina Railway through the Bernina Pass. Before the train starts its descent to the palm trees and warmer climate of Italy, it first climbs to the highest point on the journey at 2328m, to skirt the edge of the turquoise Lago Bianco (White Lake) and takes a moment to pause in front of the glacier at Alp Grüm. Then, a meander down towards verdant Italy, over the viaduct at Brusio, affording some great opportunities for some photographs of the train as it winds around the 360-degree spiral. There is plenty of time to admire more incredible views as you arrive into Italy - you’ll be there just in time for lunch! You’ll then take a connecting train journey on to Lake Garda, via Milan. Make your way to your hotel in Desenzano del Garda (if you prefer to stay in a different resort, please ask for details) where you will stay for the next seven nights.

Days 3-8 - Lake Garda

You’ll have a full week to relax and enjoy the lakeside resort at your leisure. But if you would like to do a little more with your week in Italy, we can arrange day trips for you to other connecting towns and cities, such as Venice, Verona or Milan – or perhaps you would prefer a trip into the impressive Dolomites mountain range, or a sunset cruise on the lake? Just ask our friendly team of travel specialists to help you create the right balance of sight-seeing and recharging.

Day 9 - Desenzano del Garda > Chambéry

It’s time to leave the lakes and journey into France, where you’ll have an overnight stay in charming Chambéry.

Day 10 - Chambéry > London

Time to say "au revoir" and make your way back to London by rail.