Lake Garda via the Swiss Alps
- 8 Days
- From £1,099
- Italy
- Travel to Lausanne on Lake Geneva for an overnight stop
- Take the train via the Simplon route through the Alps into Italy
- Five nights at Sirmione on Lake Garda
- Four full days to explore Italy’s largest lake
- Return via spectacular Brenner Pass into the Austrian Tyrol with a stop in Munich
- Decide when you would like to travel
- Adapt the route to suit your plans
- Upgrade hotels and rail journeys
- Add extra nights, destinations and/or tours
- Standard Class rail travel with seat reservations
- 7 nights’ hotel accommodation with breakfast
- Comprehensive hotel directions
- Clearly-presented wallets for your rail tickets and hotel vouchers
- All credit card surcharges and delivery of your travel documents
Suggested Itinerary
Depart London St Pancras or Ebbsfleet mid-morning today and take a Eurostar across to Paris. Your onward TGV train to Lausanne departs from the Gare de Lyon in Paris, and we provide complimentary metro tickets for the transfer between the two stations.
Sit back and relax on board the high-speed French TGV as it zooms south to Dijon, then proceeds into Switzerland where it takes a more leisurely pace through the Jura Mountains. On arrival into Lausanne, check in at the Agora Swiss Night Hotel (or similar) for an overnight stay.
This morning, board a EuroCity train that takes you directly to Lake Garda. First, you will pass Lake Geneva (pictured) and the majestic French and Swiss Alps on your right hand side, then through the Upper Rhone Valley in south-west Switzerland. After the Simplon Tunnel you emerge into northern Italy and twist your way through the valley towards Lake Maggiore, which you’ll soon be able to see on your right hand side. You stop in Milan, where you remain on board, and then the train moves more quickly across the northern Italian plains into the town of Peschiera del Garda midway through the afternoon. Here, take a taxi to the Olivi Hotel (or similar) in the heart of the medieval town of Sirmione.
With five nights and four full days to explore this majestic lake, you will doubtless want to use the regular ferry service from Sirmione, which departs a short walk away from your hotel. The pretty towns of Malcesine, Riva del Garda and Gardone Riviera are all easily accessible from here, as is the funicular up to Monte Baldo, for spectacular views across the entire region.
Sirmione’s medieval centre is one of the most charming in Italy and its 13th-century Scaliger Castle and fortifications are ever-popular tourist attractions. As you have the advantage of being based in the resort itself, you can make an early start to beat the crowds.
TMR RECOMMENDS: COMBINE WITH VENICE
Our completely flexible travel arrangements mean that you could head to Venice (or indeed anywhere else in Italy) after your time at Lake Garda. Venice is just an hour and a half from Lake Garda, on a direct line from Peschiera del Garda.
The station at Desenzano del Garda/ Sirmione also has a direct connection to Venice, Verona, Milan and Turin. Contact one of the team for details and prices.
Take a taxi back to Peschiera del Garda and jump on a regional train for the short trip into Verona. Here, you connect with an Austrian EuroCity service which runs north over the spectacular Brenner Pass, through the Tyrol region and into Munich in time for dinner. Check in at the Courtyard Munich City Centre for the night.
ALTERNATIVE ROUTE: After heading over the Brenner Pass, change at Innsbruck and take a train west over the equally stunning Arlberg Pass, arriving into Zurich for an overnight stay, before returning to London the following day.
Depart Munich on a German ICE train, north to Frankfurt, where you change for an onward journey to Brussels. Here, you board the Eurostar, which will take you back through northern France, under the tunnel and back into the UK.
Typical hotels on this itinerary
Lausanne
The Hotel Agora Swiss Night offers a delightful Swiss experience at an international 4-star standard of comfort. The hotel is located in a quiet neighbourhood, only 300 yards from the railway station and within walking distance of Lake Geneva. Breakfast is served in the panoramic room on the top floor.
Sirmione, Lake Garda
In the heart of the medieval town of Sirmione, this relaxing hotel overlooks the shore of Lake Garda, with panoramic views across the south and west of the lake. The 64 guest rooms are airy and spacious, and many have spectacular views of the lake. The spa facilities are superb, with a range of treatments to suit all budgets and tastes.
Munich
The Eurostars Book is a modern, literary-themed hotel within easy walking distance of Munich’s main station. Modern bedrooms are all dedicated to a famous book, with free Wi-Fi access, en suite bathrooms, air-conditioning and flat-screen TVs. There is also a chic lobby bar and a restaurant serving a menu of international dishes.
Upgrade your accommodation
Lausanne
The Beau-Rivage Palace has built a reputation as one of Europe’s favourite hotels both for its service and amenities. Located in 10 acres of parkland, the elegant belle époque buildings of the Beau-Rivage Palace command breathtaking views across Lake Geneva to the majestic French Alps.
Munich
Built into the southern wing of the railway station, this superb French-style property is amongst Munich’s best hotels. Relax in your spacious bedroom or in the heavenly spa and swimming pool. Enjoy a full, varied breakfast in the hotel’s fabulous restaurant.
