Itinerary - 4 Night Holiday by Air + Rail

Day 1

Lausanne

Travel on Eurostar from London to Paris, where you transfer onto the TGV Lyria train service to Lausanne. On arrival in Lausanne, check in at the Alpha Palmiers.

Stretching across five hills, one of which is crowned by the gothic cathedral, Lausanne is a great city destination in its own right. Explore the car free cobbled streets of the old town, take a cruise on Lake Geneva on a paddlewheel steamer or go and visit the stunning Château de Chillon.

Day 2

Travel through the Swiss Alps

Take the train from Lausanne around Lake Geneva, to Brig and then down through the Swiss and Italian Alps to Stresa. You will travel through snowy passes, over vast viaducts, and past mountain villages where cows graze with their distinctive tinkling cloche bells.

On arrival in Stresa, check in at the La Palma Hotel.

Like other northern Italian lakes, Lake Maggiore’s credentials as a tourist destination go back hundreds of years. This idyllic spot has attracted visitors since the beginning of the 18th century, who come to soak up the sun, relax and enjoy the many attractions the area has to offer. Lakeside gardens bloom with a profusion of camelias, azaleas and rhodedendrons and the lake’s azure waters are home to numerous species of freshwater fish, some of which can be sampled in the local restaurants.

Days 3 to 4

Stresa

On the shores of the Borromean Gulf, Stresa is ideally situated as a base to explore the lake’s villages, islands and natural beauty. A regular ferry runs from the town around the lake and the Isola Bella, the most well known of the Borromean Islands, is only 10 minutes away by boat.

Stresa itself is a lovely little lakeside town with many markets, churches and botanical gardens to explore. Take the cable car up to Monte Mottarone for stunning views of the alps and glimpses of the other lakes in the region. Stroll along the lake front to the Villa Pallavicino, a 19th century villa surrounded by landscaped parkland with beautiful plants, flowers and trees and a small zoo. Or just sit and relax in a café on the waterfront.

Day 5

Stresa to London

Take the shuttle bus directly from Stresa to Milan Maplensa airport (payable locally). Fly with British Airways from Milan to London in Euro Traveller Class.

Itinerary - 5 Night Holiday by Rail

Day 1

Lausanne

Travel on Eurostar from London to Paris, where you transfer onto the TGV Lyria train service to Lausanne. On arrival in Lausanne check-in at the Alpha Palmiers.

Stretching across five hills, one of which is crowned by the gothic cathedral, Lausanne is a great city destination in its own right. Explore the car free cobbled streets of the old town, take a cruise on Lake Geneva on a paddlewheel steamer or go and visit the stunning Château de Chillon.

Day 2

Travel through the Swiss Alps

Take the train from Lausanne around Lake Geneva, to Brig and then down through the Swiss and Italian Alps to Stresa. You will travel through snowy passes, over vast viaducts, and past mountain villages where cows graze with their distinctive tinkling cloche bells.

On arrival in Stresa, check in at the La Palma Hotel.

Like other northerm Italian lakes, Lake Maggiore’s credentials as a tourist destination go back hundreds of years. This idyllic spot has attracted visitors since the beginning of the 18th century, who come to soak up the sun, relax and enjoy the many attractions the area has to offer. Lakeside gardens bloom with a profusion of camelias, azaleas and rhodedendrons and the lake’s azure waters are home to numerous species of freshwater fish, some of which can be sampled in the local restaurants.

Days 3 and 4

Stresa

On the shores of the Borromean Gulf, Stresa is ideally situated as a base to explore the lake’s villages, islands and natural beauty. A regular ferry runs from the town around the lake and the Isola Bella, the most well known of the Borromean Islands, is only ten minutes away by boat.

Stresa itself is a lovely little lakeside town with many markets, churches and botanical gardens to explore. Take the cable car up to Monte Mottarone for stunning views of the alps and glimpses of the other lakes in the region. Stroll along the lake front to the Villa Pallavicino, a 19th century villa surrounded by landscaped parkland with beautiful plants, flowers and trees and a small zoo. Or just sit and relax in a café on the waterfront

Day 5

Turin

Travel from Stresa to Milan where you can make a short stop to look around or get straight on to a connecting service to Turin. On arrival in Turin, check in at the Starhotels Majestic Turin.

Famous for chocolate, Fiat, football, shopping and the Turin Shroud amongst other things, Turin offers something for everyone! Piazza Castello in the centre of the city is home to grand palaces such as the Palazzo Reale and the Palazzo Madama, as well as being the centre of café culture, a very important part of Turin life. There are excellent museums such as the Egyptian Museum and the Museum of Cinema and the historical arcades provide a haven for all-weather shopping.

Day 6

Turin to London

The next day take the train from Turin across the Alps to Paris (approximately 5 hours 20 minutes). On arrival in Paris transfer onto the Eurostar to London.