Art at the Belvedere Palace in Vienna
Vienna is a delightfully graceful and elegant city with some of the most spectacular palaces
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Enjoy the abundance of exotic flowers and plants, fascinating contrasts between northern Italy and southern Switzerland, and the enchanting Borromean Islands. From the delightful Swiss town of Locarno journey south along the crystal lake to the pretty town of Stresa, stay in Switzerland to visit pretty Ascona, historic Bellinzona and lakeside Lugano, enjoy the scenic journey westwards aboard the Centovalli railway to Domodossola. You can relax and unwind or experience some of Switzerland and Italy’s most wonderful history, culture, scenery and gastronomy.
7 night / 8 day holiday by First Class rail including 2 nights in a double room at the Grand Hotel Suisse Majestic in Montreux (4 star superior), 4 nights in a comfort chic lake view room at the highly-rated, stylish Hotel Belvedere (4 star) in Locarno and 1 night in a double room at the Grand Hotel Sitea (5 star) in Turin from £1,595 per person (based on 2 people travelling together in low season).
Your journey to the Lake Maggiore begins as you make your way to the wonderfully restored London St. Pancras station. Take a moment to admire the impressive Victorian styled glass roof, before you make your way through Eurostar check-in and board your Eurostar service.
Relax in the comfort of your spacious Standard Premier Class seat as you enjoy your complimentary light meal and selection of beverages, whilst being whisked to Paris at speeds of nearly 300km/h.
You arrive into the Gare du Nord to be met by your private taxi transfer, which will swiftly transport you across central Paris to your connecting TGV Lyria service at the Gare de Lyon.
Watch the French countryside fly by before you arrive into Lausanne and again change trains for the next stage of your journey through Switzerland, alongside sparkling Lake Geneva, to the quaint lakeside town of Montreux.
The Grand Hotel Suisse Majestic (4 star superior) is a beautiful hotel offering fabulous views across Lake Geneva, ideally located opposite the train station and your hotel for the next two nights.
You have a full day in the cosmopolitan resort of Montreux in the centre of the Swiss Riviera. The town is best explored on foot, just a short walk from your hotel. Take advantage of the stunning lakeside promenade, flourishing with cypresses, magnolias and palm trees due to the mild year-round climate. You might like to take the opportunity to visit the famous Château de Chillon, an architectural jewel located in the most beautiful setting imaginable and one of the best preserved medieval castles in Europe.
Montreux is an ideal base to explore the summits of the surrounding region. Why not take the cogwheel train up Rochers-de-Naye to visit Marmots’ paradise and enjoy glorious panoramic views from a height of 2,042m? Alternatively take the unforgettable journeys aboard the Golden Panoramic Express towards Interlaken or on the mountain train to ‘Glacier 3000’ via Aigle to Les Diablerets. For a view of Montreux and the surrounding lakeside resorts from a different perspective, you might like to try a relaxing cruise by steamboat on Lake Geneva.
This morning you have some time to enjoy the elegant lakeside town of Montreux.
Then make your way back to Montreux station for the scenic rail journey along the Simplon Pass to Domodossola. Here you board the narrow gauge Centovalli Railway for a truly unforgettable journey from Italy back into Switzerland into Italy, across viaducts and bridges, through a hundred different valleys.
After your attractive rail journey you arrive in the delightful town of Locarno, where warmer climes nurture more exotic plants and palm tree lined promenades on the northern shore of Lake Maggiore, Italy’s second largest lake.
Your hotel for the next 4 nights is the elegant Hotel Belvedere (4 star superior).
Enjoy a truly unforgettable day as you head south by ferry (payable locally) to the charming Italian resort of Stresa. Why not visit Lake Maggiore’s stunning islands, including Isola Bella, on a relaxing lake cruise (payable locally). You might choose to visit Isola Bella and the gorgeous Borromeo Palace with its lovely Italian gardens and perhaps one of the other islands on this spectacular lake.
When you are ready to return to Locarno rejoin the ferry to cruise back up the stunning lake into Switzerland. NB – When you leave Locarno you might also be tempted to experience the westbound journey along the narrow gauge Centovalli Railway for a stunning, unique, slow journey between villages and nature, crossing bridges, viaducts and valleys. Then onwards from Domodossola to Stresa.
Alternatively spend some time relaxing in and around your hotel and make the most of its excellent facilities, including the indoor and outdoor pools.
You have two further days to explore the pretty lakeside town of Locarno with its charming mix of Swiss and Italian cultures or venture further along Lake Maggiore to the charming town of Ascona with its lakeside promenade. Use your Ticino Ticket to travel free on public transport (buses and trains) throughout the canton of Ticino. Perhaps head to Bellinzona, arguably the most Italian city in Switzerland with its eclectic mix of grandeur and coziness. Stroll through the alleyways of old town, visit the church of Santa Maria delle Grazie with its impressive Renaissance fresco or head for the UNESCO World Heritage Fortress of Bellinzona with fabulous views of the city and surrounding valleys. Why not try out Bissoli – Bellinzona’s famous sweet chestnut treat – over a cappuccino as you watch the world go by.
Make your way south-east to the delightful Ticinese lakeside city of Lugano with its sunny, Mediterranean feel. Here you can explore its historic city centre, the Piazza della Riforma with its pavement cafés and bistros, the surrounding mountains, such as Monte Brè or Monte San Salvatore or head out on a Lake Lugano cruise to the charming villages of Gandria or Morcote.
For a slice of culture visit the Hermann Hesse museum in nearby Montagnola to see where the celebrated German-Swiss poet and writer created some of his most memorable works.
This morning after breakfast make your way to Locarno station. Here you join the regional service to Milan, where you change trains and travel on the comfortable Eurostar Italia service directly to the vibrant city of Turin. On arrival at Turin’s Porta Nuova station make your own way the short distance to the charming Grand Hotel Sitea (5 star), your hotel for your overnight stay.
This afternoon you have time to discover the delights of Turin, made famous by the classic British movie, The Italian Job. The principal attractions of the city include the Mole Antonelliana, possibly the tallest museum in the world, the Palatine Towers, The Turin Cathedral, The Palazzo Reale, The Residences of the Royal House of Savoy and the Botanical Gardens of Turin University. The city enjoys an attractive setting on the banks of the River Po with the wonderful backdrop of the Alps and is home to attractive galleried shopping arcades. This evening choose from a wide selection of restaurants for dinner.
Today after enjoying a leisurely breakfast you are making your own way by taxi or public transport (payable locally) to Turin Porta Susa station, where you join the TGV train for the first-class journey back to Paris. Sit back and reminisce on some of your holiday highlights as you journey north-west through the Alps, past the imposing sight of Mont Blanc, as you cross back into France.
As you arrive into the Gare de Lyon you are greeted by your taxi driver for the comfortable connecting journey across Paris to the Gare du Nord, where you join your final journey on board the Eurostar service.
Let the train take the strain as you tuck into your light meal and sit back with a hot drink whilst you look out across the changing landscape. All too soon you pass into the UK and arrive back into London St Pancras International station for the final stage of your journey home.
MONTREUX
The Grand Hotel Suisse Majestic (4-star superior) is a traditional Belle-Époque hotel, originally built in 1870 and located right in the centre of Montreux, just a few steps from the railway station. The hotel has 140 rooms and benefits from fabulous views of Lake Geneva and the Alps from its summer terrace. All the comfortable en-suite rooms in this stylish hotel feature air conditioning, TV, minibar, radio and telephone.
LOCARNO
The Hotel Belvedere (4-star superior) is situated in a privileged position on a beautiful sunny slope above Locarno and offers spectacular views of Lake Maggiore and the surrounding mountains. All of the hotel’s 81 comfortable ensuite rooms & suites are all generously equipped, decorated in warm colours and furnished with attention to detail. The hotel benefits several restaurants and a bar, including alfresco dining on the garden terraces next to the outdoor pool. Facilities include a splendid indoor pool with open air section, surrounded by a luxurious garden with table tennis, pétanque, badminton, huge chess game and a small, but well-equipped gym centre. This stylish hotel boasts a brand new spa, L’Oasi Belvedere with herbal sauna, Finnish sauna, steam bath, frigidarium and a Kneipp path and a complete program of massages & cosmetic treatments.
TURIN
The Grand Hotel Sitea (5 star) is a stylish, highly-rated hotel located in the centre of Turin, close to both main stations, right behind Piazza San Carlo and a 10-minute walk from Piazza Castello. All of the 120 en-suite rooms at this smart hotel are elegantly furnished and come with parquet or carpeted floors, marble bathrooms, a TV with satellite channels and free internet access. The hotel benefits from its own American Bar and a restaurant, specialising in classic Italian cuisine. Breakfast is served in the hotel’s garden during the warmer months.
Throughout the year and tailor-made to suit your holiday needs
For information and booking Tel: 01347 825292 or email info@planetrail.co.uk
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