Enjoy Lake Garda at its finest, staying in a family-run lakeside hotel in Sirmione, combining First Class travel with iconic cities and unforgettable experiences

Your holiday begins at London St Pancras, where you meet the Tour Manager and group before boarding the Eurostar service to Paris, enjoying a light meal at our seats. From the French capital, we continue by First Class rail to the attractive medieval town of Chambéry, with its backdrop of the French Alps.

Officially listed as a Town of Art and History in France, Chambéry has a historic Old Town and a characterful square full of tall, colourful houses. On arrival, we take a short walk from the station to our hotel, where we check in for the night before dinner together.

After breakfast this morning, we take the train from Chambéry to Milan, passing the Vanoise National Park enroute. In Milan, we are taken by coach to the picturesque peninsula of Sirmione, on the southern shores of Lake Garda - Italy's largest lake.

The town's most distinctive feature is its handsome fortress castle and drawbridge, which guards the entrance to Sirmione's long, narrow peninsula stretching out into the shimmering lake. We arrive at the entrance to the town and get acquainted with the way of life here with a gentle walk, crossing the drawbridge and moat on the way to our well-located hotel, a short distance from the castle.

With its stunning lakeside setting, swimming pools and luxury spa whose thermal pool is fed directly by Sirmione's renowned hot springs, this family-run hotel is a favourite among our customers. After a welcome drink, you have time to settle in and soak up your idyllic surroundings before dinner in the hotel restaurant overlooking glorious Lake Garda.

After breakfast overlooking the lake, a free day stretches out ahead of you. You could get to know enchanting Sirmione, which is bursting with history and charm. The beautifully preserved medieval Scaligero Castle, which we passed through as we entered the town, is a must-visit. The castle was constructed in the 12th century by the Scaligeri, the ruling family of Verona, and it is possible to enjoy great views across the lake from the top of its fortified walls.

Sirmione's Old Town, signposted as the 'centro storico', is a pleasure to discover. Here you will find a maze of medieval churches and interesting buildings such as Palazzo Callas, home of the opera singer Maria Callas, in the 1950s. The old town also features an array of cafés, ristorantes and traditional gelaterias.

The Maria Callas Parco, a small park with a viewpoint, is a peaceful green space, just outside the 'centro storico'. Not far from our hotel is the inviting Jamaica Beach, where the lakefront feels almost sea-like. This evening, we dine together at the hotel.

Today starts with a visit to historic Verona and a guided tour. We see Juliet's famous balcony and the city's awe-inspiring Roman Arena, which predates Rome's Colosseum and is now an open-air Opera House.

With free time over lunch, you could stroll into the heart of romantic Verona to the Piazza delle Erbe, the city's oldest square. Or wander down the main shopping street where Italy's great fashion houses are represented.

Leaving Verona this afternoon, we head to a family-run agriturismo in the hills above the city to indulge in one of the high points of the holiday. This experience blends the region's renowned wine culture with authentic Italian hospitality, set against a backdrop of vineyards and olive groves. We then enjoy a dinner of homemade traditional dishes, served with three different wines.

Today you have another opportunity to explore Sirmione at leisure or make the most of the hotel facilities, including the swimming pool, spa, and peaceful garden.

If you want to learn more about local history, you could visit Grotte di Catullo, the remains of one of the largest Roman villas in Italy, set on a small hill at the tip of the peninsula with wonderful views from the top. Another popular option is a boat trip to Isola del Garda, where fragrant acacia and lemon trees frame an extraordinary neo-Gothic style villa, making it a lovely place to spend the morning.

For lunch, Sirmione has an excellent choice of eateries, from traditional osterias or trattorias to fine dining restaurants. With the famed vineyards of Lombardy and Veneto nearby, it's no surprise that the wine here is notable, too. You might choose to take it slow and indulge in an afternoon of people-watching as you soak up the atmosphere while enjoying a glass of local wine. In the evening, we return to the hotel for dinner.

Today is another highlight of the holiday, starting the day with a rail journey to Venice. Known as 'La Serenissima', the city is made up of many islands, linked by bridges and intricate canals, and set in a shimmering lagoon.

On arrival, we are taken by private boat to St Mark's Square - the epicentre of the city, surrounded by the ornate St Mark's Basilica, the delicate pink Doge's Palace, and historic cafés, once frequented by Lord Byron and Charles Dickens. From here we are taken on a guided tour through the streets to see Venice's main sights.

A standout moment of the day is a private gondola ride. Gliding through the luminous canals of Venice - beneath ancient arched bridges, passing exquisite palazzos and iconic Venetian buildings - is the perfect way to soak up the city's ethereal atmosphere. With free time after this experience, you could order an aperitif at one of the city's many bars, or relax at a café, watching the world pass by. We return by rail then transfer to Sirmione and dine at our hotel.

With a free day and evening ahead, today is an ideal time to discover some of the other picturesque towns, villas and gardens of Lake Garda, or maybe to explore a little further afield. The chance to sightsee by boat is a tempting option.

On the western coast of the Lake is Gardone Riviera, a hidden gem and one of Italy's most beautiful small towns. Surrounded by mountains, the town features the André Heller Botanic Garden, with unusual plants from all over the world - Japanese gardens, water features and grottoes - decorated with contemporary art sculptures.

If you'd like to venture further, there are frequent trains to a number of towns and cities from Desenzano station. Dining independently this evening, there are many eateries to choose from, in Gardone, or Sirmione's old town.

This morning, we travel by coach along Lake Garda's eastern shore to the medieval hamlet of Malcesine which has a striking castle and palace, overlooking the fjordlike lake and facing the dramatic mountains of Lake Garda's western shores.

With free time from late morning and over lunch, you could visit the impressive 14th-century castle, which dominates the town. There are a number of restaurants, cafés and street food stalls to choose from for lunch in this relaxed and friendly lakeside town.

We make the return journey by boat - the ideal way to experience the diverse scenery of Lake Garda from a different perspective as we cruise the length of the lake, back to Sirmione, sailing via the town of Garda. This evening we enjoy a farewell dinner, marking our final night on Lake Garda.

We bid farewell to Sirmione and Lake Garda this morning, but our journey isn't over yet. Our sightseeing continues by train as we head north to Milan - from here we travel by rail, passing Italy's northern lakes, through the Simplon tunnel which connects Italy to Switzerland.

Once we emerge from the tunnel, we travel alongside the stunning Swiss Alps, then follow the picturesque shores of Lake Geneva. We arrive in the lakeside city of Lausanne, checking in to our hotel for an overnight stay.

There is time to explore this university city - with its cobbled, car-free old town and Gothic cathedral - before we gather for the last dinner of our holiday.

From the dreamlike setting of our Lake Garda spa hotel, the timeless cities of Venice, Verona and the wonderful Valpolicella winery we dined at, to the delightful places we have stayed at enroute, this holiday has shown us the beauty of this region.

This morning, we say farewell to the lakeside city of Lausanne and continue by rail to Paris. In the French capital, we join the Eurostar and enjoy a light meal enroute to London St Pancras, where your holiday concludes.

Our Classic range is what we're known for. Enjoy curated moments with plenty of inclusions. Centrally located hotels, premium travel options and engaging group tours with a seasoned expert are included. You'll be in groups with an average of 20-25 travellers and a maximum of 30*. *Scandinavian and Worldwide tours are on average 30-35 and a maximum of 40.

Step aboard the high-speed international rail service, linking London St Pancras to Paris and Lille in France, Brussels in Belgium and Amsterdam in the Netherlands.

Eurostar's Standard Class coaches feature two seats on either side of the central aisle, most of which are arranged in an 'airline' seating configuration with drop-down tray tables. There are two tables for four per carriage. Passengers travelling in Eurostar Standard Class coaches can take advantage of the Bar-Buffet which sells a range of snacks, meals, and hot and cold drinks - including Champagne!

The highest class of Eurostar travel available for leisure customers is Plus class. In your dedicated Plus carriage you'll find a less dense seat configuration, meaning the seats are larger and you have ample space to relax and stretch out. As part of the service, you'll enjoy complimentary drinks and refreshments, served at your seat by friendly, helpful waiting staff.

For the class of travel used on your chosen tour, please refer to the 'What's Included' section of the tour page.

With a smart and futuristic appearance, and sleek interiors, the Frecciargento can zip you across the magnificent colours and landscapes of Italy in a matter of hours. In English, its title means Silver Arrow and this fine locomotive can travel up to speeds of around 160 mph on certain routes.

Originally known as the Italian Eurostar, the Frecciargento forms part of Le Frecce, a series of high speed trains operating up and down the country. These trains are operated by the Trenitalia company, and were originally introduced in 1997 as the Eurostar. By 2012, the Italian Eurostar trains were changed into different categories, with Frecciarossa being the fastest and Frecciargento being the second fastest. Each Frecciargento train offers First and Standard Class along with a restaurant for comfortable dining.

Italy's fastest train, the Frecciarossa runs up to a top speed of 190mph and offers a slick and punctual service up and down Italy. Translating to the Red Arrow in English, the Frecciarossa is Trenitalia's premier rail service, offering four different classes - each one providing comfortable seats, air-conditioning and superb staff who are helpful and professional.

Originally known as the Italian Eurostar, the Frecciarossa forms part of Le Frecce, a series of national high speed trains. These trains are operated by Trenitalia, and were originally introduce in 1997 as the Eurostar. By 2012, the Italian Eurostar trains were changed into different categories, with Frecciarossa the fastest, Frecciargento the second fastest, and Frecciablanco, the least fast. The Frecciarossa offers Executive, Business, Premium and Standard Class and a well-stocked restaurant car.

Introduced in 1981, France's TGV (Train à Grande Vitesse) was the original European high-speed train. Linking Paris with Lyon, the new service revolutionised train travel and meant that travelling by air over medium and short distances was no longer seen as the best option, even for business travel.

The network has expanded rapidly and today these sleek, stylish trains offer links to over 60 destinations throughout France. Operated by SNCF, the French national rail operator, TGV trains travel over specially constructed high-speed lines. The trains can achieve speeds of up to 186mph (300km/h) on most long-distance routes and 200mph (320km/h) on the new TGV Est line, which links Paris with Strasbourg, Luxembourg and Basel. With the exception of shorter journeys, TGVs almost always have an on-board buffet car, serving a selection of drinks and light refreshments.

Connecting the romantic splendour of Italy, crisscrossing its way through Renaissance cities, along golden coastline and around ancient volcanoes, Trenitalia is Italy's superb rail network. Featuring an excellent fleet of well-maintained and modern trains, this rail company is owned by Ferrovie dello Stato Italiane, which is run by the Italian government. Operating regional and national services, Trenitalia prides itself on its punctuality and the huge range of services provided by the operator, several of these which include railways such as the Frecciarossia, the Frecciargento and the Frecciblanco services.

Italy by rail is simply stunning. From the flowing green hills and elegant cities of the north, to the Mediterranean climes and the enchanting beaches of the south, an Italian rail journey is not only one of the easiest ways to travel, but is also one of the most panoramic and beautiful. Circumnavigating the magnificent Mt Etna, gliding down the Amalfi Coast, entering the stunning Milan railway station, these are all experiences which are hugely enhanced from the comfort of an air-conditioned Trenitalia carriage.

In a prime position overlooking the shores of Lake Garda, this family-run hotel is a favourite among our customers. It has been completely renovated yet retains traditional features, including impressive white marble staircases and chandeliers of Venetian Murano glass. It offers a restaurant and lounge bar, a garden terrace and private jetty.

Leisure facilities include two swimming pools and a well-equipped wellness and beauty centre, with a sauna, steam bath, chromo-therapy showers, and a thermal-fed pool heated naturally at 36°C. Air-conditioned guest rooms have a private balcony overlooking either the gardens or lake, and are equipped with free Wi-Fi, flatscreen TV, safety deposit box, minibar, hairdryer and complimentary toiletries.

Spending a night in London before your tour can make such a difference to the first day of your holiday - you can arrive in the capital in good time, relaxed and ready to join your Tour Manager the next morning. You may even want to take in a show on the West End or dine in one of London's famous restaurants. Perhaps on your return to London, you would like to break your journey with an overnight stay before continuing home.

We can book a wide range of hotels in central London or, for our holidays beginning with a flight, at Heathrow, Gatwick, or Manchester Airport for the night before or after your holiday. If you require a quote for single occupancy at any of the hotels, please contact us on 01904 734 805.

Buying tickets for UK train services can be a tricky business - there are so many fares to choose from, each with different rules and restrictions. As you are connecting with an international departure, we strongly recommend that you book a fully flexible ticket to ensure that should the departure times for your holiday change, your rail ticket can allow for these changes.

We can book fully-flexible UK rail tickets from your local station to join your holiday whether this be a European holiday from St Pancras or a UK holiday. The prices are competitive and tickets are not restricted to a particular train or time of day, and in most cases offer you a free choice of routes.

For an up to date quote from your local station, please ask one of our Tour Advisors.

Enjoy hassle-free travel with our return door-to-door luggage transfer service from only £199 per bag.

The service includes one 20kg bag per person which will be collected from your home before you depart and will be ready and waiting for you at your first destination hotel. Your bag will also be delivered back to your home address on your return.

If your tour involves an overnight stay enroute, you'll need to travel with an overnight bag as your luggage will be delivered direct to your first destination hotel. The luggage service is not available where you are flying to or from your destination and you will need to take your own luggage with you on the flight.