Bernina Train & Italian Lakes Journey - 6 Days

Once you have arrived in Milan, make your way to your accommodation. After settling into your room, you will have the rest of the day at your leisure; you can choose to start exploring the city, grab a meal, or relax.

Please note: you will need to make your way to the meeting point for the days with guided sightseeing.

Milan (Italy) – St. Moritz (Switzerland) – Tirano (Italy) – Milan. Today, we will be picked up in Milan by an air-conditioned coach and set out aboard the Bernina Red Train, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, journeying through the Swiss Alps, showcasing the alpine forests as we climb to St. Moritz. In St. Moritz, you can admire the surrounding Alpine scenery, enjoy renowned Swiss hot chocolate, stroll around the lake or browse the town's luxury boutiques.

Next, you depart from St. Moritz by train, travelling through the Engadin Valley and past dramatic gorges, glaciers, soaring bridges and looping tunnels, with our guide offering insight into the history of this captivating region along the way. The route climbs to the Bernina Pass at 2,253 m before descending into Italy and crossing the famous helical stone viaduct at Brusio, where your train journey ends in Tirano. From here, we will head back to Milan by coach.

Milan – Lake Como – Bellagio – Como – Milan. We leave Milan and head to Lake Como, surrounded by Alpine scenery and picturesque lakeside villages. We begin in Tremezzina, where you can enjoy views of the lake, elegant villas and the surrounding mountains.

We take a one-hour boat ride across Lake Como, enjoying views of grand villas, luxury hotels and landmarks such as Villa Balbianello and Villa Carlotta. We then stop in Bellagio, where you have free time to explore the cobbled streets, browse the shops or enjoy a coffee or gelato at one of the local cafés.

We continue by boat to Cadenabbia before arriving in Como. Here, you have free time to explore the historic centre, browse the local boutiques and enjoy the atmosphere before we return to Milan.

Milan – Verona – Sirmione – Milan. This morning, we depart from Milan and head to Verona, where we will have a guided tour of the city. We visit Juliet's Balcony, made famous by Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet, before continuing through the historic centre to see the impressive 1st-century Roman Arena, renowned for its open-air summer opera performances, Piazza Mercato and other notable landmarks. You will then have free time to grab lunch, explore the city further or relax in one of Verona's charming cafés.

Our journey continues to Sirmione, a historic village on a narrow 4 km peninsula extending into Lake Garda, offering views across both the eastern and western shores. You have time to explore its streets before we return to Milan this evening.

Milan – Cinque Terre – Milan. Today, we depart from Milan and head to Cinque Terre, a UNESCO World Heritage Site made up of colourful cliffside villages overlooking the sea. We arrive first in Manarola, one of the most striking of the five villages, where you have free time to wander its narrow alleys and try some local specialities.

We continue by train to Monterosso al Mare, the largest of the villages and known for its ancient fortifications. With no car traffic, it keeps the charm of a true fishing village on the Italian Riviera. You have time to stroll its lively streets or unwind by the waterfront, where cafés and eateries offer a relaxed, authentic atmosphere.

We end the day with a 90-minute boat cruise along the coast, taking in views of all five villages from the sea, before our coach takes us back to Milan.

This morning, depending on your departure flight time, you may have some time for last-minute shopping, exploring or relaxing before making your way to the airport for your onward flight. Safe travels!