Itinerary - 7 Night Holiday by Rail

Day 1

London to Zurich

Travel on the Eurostar to Paris, where you transfer onto the famous TGV Lyria train to Zurich. Speed through the French countryside at speeds of up to 320kph and arrive into Zurich in time for dinner.

Once in Zurich check in at the Hotel du Théâtre which is situated less than a 5 minute walk from the station.

The most cosmopolitan of Switzerland’s cities, Zurich enjoys a superb position on the River Limmat at the northwestern tip of Lake Zurich. Go shopping along the Bahnhofstrasse, check out one of the exhibitions at the Kunsthaus (museum of fine arts), or have a drink at one of the lakeside bars in the trendy Niederdorf district.

Day 2

Zurich to Rapallo

Take the train from Zurich to Milan (journey time approximately 3 hours 40 minutes). The route of this spectacular journey follows the shores of Lake Lucerne before plunging through the Gotthard Pass and across the Italian border. At Milan, change on to the Intercity service to Santa Margherita Ligure, travelling in first class.

Once in Santa Margherita Ligure check in at the peaceful L'Approdo Hotel Rapallo for a 4 night stay. All rooms have a wonderful view of the ocean! Despite officially being in Rapallo the hotel is in fact closer to Santa Margherita Ligure and therefore you can enjoy the best of both of these attractive resort towns.

Rapallo is a pretty seaside resort on the Riviera di Levante and a great base for exploring the peninsula of Portofino. The large harbour is dominated by the Castello sul Mare (castle-on-the-sea), built in the 16th century to protect the town from pirates. Nowadays the boats entering the harbour are more likely to belong to famous footballers or fashion designers as the resorts along this coast are a haven for the rich and famous.

Santa Margherita Ligure is also a great place to spend an afternoon. Walk along the palm fringed esplanade and enjoy a drink in one of the many cafés and bars along the seafront. Or pay a visit to the 17th century Villa Durazzo whose grand garden terraces are a public park.

Days 3 to 6

Rapallo

Spend three full days exploring the wonderful coast of Liguria.

Not far away are the five villages of the famous Cinque Terre - Monterosso al Mare, Vernazza, Corniglia, Manarola and Riomaggiore. Perched on sheer cliffs above the sea, these beautiful villages and the area around them are a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Walk the Sentiero Azzurro (blue trail) along the stunning coastline or take a boat between the villages.

You could also visit the most exclusive resort along this stretch of the Italian Riviera, Portofino, with its sherbet coloured houses and designer boutiques. Alternatively, take a boat around the Portofino peninsula to the beautiful resort of Camogli or to see the lovely San Fruttuoso monastery with its amazing bronze statue of ‘Christ of the Abyss’ buried offshore, 15 metres under the sea.

Day 7

Rapallo to Turin

After a final morning on the coast, take the train in first class through along the coast and then through farmland to the beautiful Piemont city of Turin. On arrival in Turin, check in for an overnight stay at the Town House 70 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 8

Turin to London

Take the train to Paris which travels through the D'Aosta Valley (look out for glimpses of Mont Blanc). On arrival in Paris transfer onto the Eurostar to London.