Luxury Italian & Swiss Lakes by Train - 10 Days

Day 1: Arrive in Milan (Italy), Transfer to Lake Garda, Tour Sirmione

Benvenuti in Italia! Arrive in Milan, and your driver will be waiting to whisk you to your elegant accommodation in Lake Garda, a two-hour drive east through northern Italy's picturesque Lake District. The largest of the area's lakes, Garda is bordered by Alpine mountains and the rolling hills and vineyards of the Veneto and Lombardy. Your destination is Gargnano, on the lake's northeastern shores, an idyllic stretch known for its picture-perfect villages. Settle in and unwind after your flight, then meet your driver for a trip to Sirmione, one of southern Garda's destination spots.

Perched on a peninsula jutting out from the southern shores of the lake, Sirmione has been captivating visitors for centuries thanks to its therapeutic thermal springs and wonderfully preserved medieval castle, Castillo Scaligera. Start with a visit to the vast 14th-century fortress and savor the magnificent views from the top. Your next stop is the Grotte di Catullo (Grotto of Catullus), a romantic site set among olive groves containing evocative Roman ruins that were once the stately home of the poet Catullus.

In the evening, stroll through Sirmione's colorful cobbled alleyways to Piazza Carducci, the town's main square. It's a great spot to relax with a glass of the local vino bianco and dine on freshly caught fish from the lake. After dinner you'll take a private boat transfer back to Gargnano. 

Day 2: Guided Tour of Malcesine, Cable Car to Monte Baldo

After breakfast, you'll meet your guide and board a private boat to the small town of Malcesine, perched along the lake and framed by the towering peaks of the Monte Baldo mountain range. The town encircles the striking Castello Scaligero and is filled with labyrinthine cobbled streets that weave from the lakeshore to the Old Town. Stop for coffee and a pastry before exploring the narrow alleyways, where you'll find plenty of charming family-run shops to peruse and medieval buildings to admire.

Continue your deep dive into Malcesine with a visit to the castle to learn about local history and a tour of the town's key landmarks. The highlight of your trip is a rotating cable car ride to nearby Monte Baldo, at an elevation of 5,774 feet (1,760 m). Reach the summit and take in the views of the lake, hillsides, and distant mountains before lunching at one of the nearby restaurants. Find a spot with views out to the lake and feast on typical northern Italian fare before returning with your guide to Gargano. 

Day 3: Bernina Express Train Journey Across the Alps to St. Moritz (Switzerland)

It's an early start today as you meet your driver for a 3.5-hour transfer to Tirano, a tiny town on the border with Switzerland and boarding point for the Bernina Express. This train line connects Europe from north to south and is heralded for its astonishing scenic routes that pass through the UNESCO World Heritage Site of the Rhaetian Railway, which includes the 213-foot-long (65 m) Landwasser Viaduct. 

Sit back and relax as the two-hour route passes beautiful Alpine landscapes and weaves its way through to Pontresina. Disembark, and it's a short 10-minute transfer to your hotel in glamorous St. Moritz, one of Europe's premier ski destinations. Check into your hotel, and the rest of the evening is yours to wander the town's chic streets, enjoy the crisp mountain air, and dine on Swiss classics at one of the many local restaurants. 

Day 4: Transfer to Lake Como (Italy), Local Winery Visit & Lunch 

After a leisurely breakfast, it's time to meet your driver for the two-hour transfer south to Lake Como, the smallest but arguably the most popular of Lombardy's lakes. Nestled within the foothills of the Alps, the towns and villages that dot the lake have mesmerized travelers and celebrities for decades. The area is known for its excellent vineyards, and you'll get to sample some of the region's wines, accompanied by a light lunch of delicious local produce, with a stop at a local family-run winery. 

Afterward, continue to Tremezzina, a chic town 17 miles (28 km) north of Como. Check into your luxury hotel, then spend the rest of the day exploring the cafés and boutiques along the lake. As evening falls, you'll be spoiled for choice with options ranging from local trattorias to upscale restaurants and cocktail bars. 

Day 5: Day Trip to Bellagio & Varenna by Private Boat

Today is dedicated to exploring the villages and elegant summer villas that line the lake. You'll travel in style on an iconic Riva wooden speedboat and start with a two-hour private tour along the water to see highlights, including Villa D'Este and Villa Oleandra, George Clooney's famous waterfront home. Sip Prosecco and enjoy the gorgeous views of Isola Comacina and the Roman bridge, Nesso, as you motor over to your first stop, Bellagio.

Described as "The Pearl of Lake Como," Bellagio lies between the two southernmost branches of the lake and is known for its beautiful villas and scenic shoreline. Disembark and spend the next couple of hours with a local guide for a tour of the town's highlights. Wander the cobblestone lanes that lead up from the shore and soak up the relaxed cosmopolitan vibe as you amble through colorful alleyways filled with local handicrafts, boutiques, and shady cafés. 

Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant, then hop back aboard your Riva boat to reach Varenna—a typical Italian village on the eastern shore of Lake Como. Stroll through the village until you reach Villa Monastero, a gorgeous sprawling property with impeccable landscaping and a terraced Botanic garden. It's the perfect spot to spend a peaceful afternoon in the fragrant gardens before returning to Tremezzina, where the evening is yours to spend as you wish. 

Day 6: Gotthard Panoramic Train Journey & Boat Trip to Lucerne (Switzerland)

Wave goodbye to the Italian lakes this morning and transfer an hour west to Lugano in time to board the Gotthard Panorama Train to Flüelen. You'll travel in first class with full panoramic views of the surrounding countryside, thanks to the windows that surround your compartment. Settle in for the 2.5-hour journey that travels through some of Switzerland's most beautiful regions along the famous Gotthard Route. Photography enthusiasts can catch the perfect panoramic shot from the specially designed photography coach which offers superb access to views of the surrounding landscape. 

Arrive in Flüelen, and your journey continues with a steamboat across Lake Lucerne to Lucerne (Luzern), a historic city awash with sunny plazas, candy-colored homes, and peaceful lakefront promenades. Check into your hotel, and, after a refresh, meet your guide for a tour of the city. You'll start in the well-preserved medieval Old Town to see its ancient rampart walls and towers and 15th-century buildings with painted facades. Your tour ends at Chapel Bridge, Lucerne's best-known landmark and the world's oldest covered wooden bridge (it dates all the way back to 1332.)

Later on, spend your final night dining out in style at one of the city's excellent eateries. Lucerne is a food lover's paradise with a combination of stylish new restaurants and well-loved old-world taverns on every street corner. 

Day 7: Transfer to Interlaken, Day Trip to Thun

Your overnight destination for the next two nights is Interlaken, a quiet city famous for its mountain scenery. Located in the Bernese Oberland region of Switzerland between the two turquoise lakes of Thun and Brienz, this picture-postcard town offers a breathtaking backdrop with the towering Swiss Alpine peaks of Eiger, Mönch, and Jungfrau. You'll arrive in Interlaken after a one-hour private transfer from your hotel in Lucerne.

Once you've settled in at your accommodation, it's time to explore the nearby town of Thun, a charming city at the lower end of the lake. Meet your guide and spend a couple of hours touring the local landmarks. As you stroll the cobbled streets of the Old Town, you'll spot plenty of medieval buildings centered around the Rathausplatz (Town Hall Square) and alleyways filled with independent boutiques and cafés. 

Stroll to the nearby 300-year-old Untere Schleusenbrücke, a covered wooden bridge that is awash with pink and purple flowers in summer. Take in the views of the turreted 900-year-old Schloss Thun Castle, which sits proudly on a nearby hilltop and once belonged to Duke Berchtold V of the powerful Zähringen family. At the end of the tour, you'll return to Interlaken, where the rest of the evening is yours to spend as you wish.

Day 8: Day Trip to Jungfrau Region & Trummelbach Falls 

This morning's excursion takes you into the Jungfrau Mountain Region to Männlichen, a 7,687-foot (2,345 m) mountain offering panoramic views of the Grindelwald Valley. The day begins with a transfer to Grindelwald, where you'll board Europe's longest gondola for the scenic ride to the top. Here, you'll meet your private guide and hit the trail for a hike on the Royal Walk, a route that brings you from the cableway station to the summit in around half an hour. Make sure your phone is charged for the epic panoramic views of the Eiger, Mönch, and Jungfrau mountains at the top. 

Afterward, enjoy a bite to eat at the mountaintop restaurant before returning to Grindelwald to transfer to the Lauterbrunnen Valley to see more of Switzerland's scenic wonders. Your destination is the UNESCO-designated Trümmelbach Falls, a series of 10 glacier-fed waterfalls that thunder down the mountain. The falls are accessible by tunnels, so you'll be able to get close and feel the force of 5,283 gallons (20,000 l) of water cascading down every second. You'll return to Interlaken in time for dinner and drinks, ready to make the most of your penultimate night. 

Day 9: Train to Zürich, Afternoon City Tour

It's your last full day in Switzerland, and you'll spend it in Zürich, the country's financial center and wealthiest metropolis, set amid a beautiful landscape at the confluence of the Limmat River and Lake Zürich. After a two-hour train journey, arrive in the city and check into your luxury downtown hotel. When you're ready, meet your private guide and head out to discover the town's highlights. Start with a stroll along Bahnhofstrasse, a traffic-free 19th-century boulevard designed by Arnold Bürkli with a nod to Paris' chic boulevards and known as one of Europe's most exclusive shopping areas.

Next is a wander through the Old Town, starting at the Lindenhof, one of the city's prettiest squares. From there, walk along the river to the 11th-century Fraumünster Church, decked out in beautiful stained glass windows. Learn about Zürich's past from your guide as you walk the pedestrian route, then stop to see the café-gallery that gave rise to the Dadaist art movement. Take the remainder of the day to relax or shop. It's your last night, so be sure to try a traditional dinner of Swiss fondue, washed down with a glass of the local white wine. 

Day 10: Depart Zürich

After one last coffee and pastry at breakfast, it's time to meet your driver and head to the airport for your flight home. Safe travels! 

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