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Great Rail JourneysFrom the magnificent glaciers and lakes of the Swiss Alps to the delights of Tuscany and the Italian Riviera, Italy and Switzerland are undoubtedly some of the most beautiful and diverse holiday destinations around. Whether you’re after a sunny coastline, a cultural city, or snowy mountains, these countries offer something for everyone.

And, home to some of the most magnificent rail routes in the world, there’s no better way to experience the magic of Italy and Switzerland than aboard a scenic train.

With that said, we’ve partnered with the UK’s premier provider of rail-based holidays and river cruises, Great Rail Journeys*, to bring you nine stunning train tours in Italy and Switzerland. Great Rail Journeys’ comprehensive, all-inclusive packages make for a seamless travel experience, so you can sit back, relax, and enjoy yourself!

To browse all tours with Great Rail Journeys, you can visit their website using the button below.

1. Switzerland’s Lakes, Mountains, and the Golden Pass

Switzerland’s Lakes, Mountains, and the Golden Pass

On this tour of Switzerland’s Lakes, Mountains, and the Golden Pass*, you’ll journey through beautiful landscapes aboard one of Europe’s newest and most high-tech trains. Connecting the towns of Montreux, which sits on the shoreline of Lake Geneva, and Interlaken, not far from the summit of Jungfrau, a ride on the Golden Pass Express is an experience like no other.

With the train’s floor-to-ceiling windows framing the turquoise lakes, towering peaks, and vast meadows, you can sit back, relax, and take in your surroundings. You’ll cross over three passes and eight lakes, including Lake Lucerne and Lake Geneva – and there’ll be plenty of time to explore the unique charms of each destination, too.

Explore the medieval castle of Chateau Chillon (Switzerland’s most visited historic building) on the shores of Lake Geneva; shop for souvenirs in the quiet town of Interlaken; and take a boat ride on the lake or a cable car up Harder Kulm for more breathtaking views.

2. The Italian Riviera

The Italian Riviera

The Italian Riviera is famed for its pastel-coloured houses that sparkle beside the Mediterranean Sea. And tourists are often drawn to the region’s mild climate, laidback vibe, and unique blend of culture and natural beauty. On this Italian Riviera tour*, you can discover popular highlights like Cinque Terre, Genoa, and Portofino, as well as some of the area’s hidden gems, including the fishing village of Camogli.

Travelling through Cinque Terre’s beautiful, cascading villages by rail and boat, you’ll travel onto the picture-perfect fishing village of Portofino. Long attracting the elite and famous, from here, you can sail to the stunning cove of San Fruttuoso which, only accessible by foot or boat, is perfectly peaceful. A 10th-century Benedictine abbey dominates the bay here, and an underwater statue, ‘Christ in the Abyss’, is said to protect local sailors.

Your main base during the tour will be the historic town of Sestri Levante in the heart of the Italian Riviera, which is perched beautifully between two bays. Soak up the sun and tranquil atmosphere in the Bay of Fairytales and the Bay of Silence, and put your culinary skills to the test with a traditional Genoese pesto-making experience.

3. Lake Iseo – Italy’s Secret Lake

Lake Iseo – Italy’s Secret Lake

Italy is known for its collection of beautiful lakes. And while Lake Garda and Lake Como may be better known, the unspoilt corner of Lake Iseo* in northern Italy is just as beautiful – and significantly less busy! Lombardy’s fourth largest lake is dotted with medieval villages and, with a world-class food and drink scene, it’s a fantastic destination for foodies.

On this tour, a delightful journey on the vintage Treno dei Sapori (the ‘Train of Flavours’) will introduce you to the tastes of the region – as well as its spectacular scenery and wildlife. There’s a three-course dinner and wine-tasting at a Franciacorta winery included, too, where you can enjoy learning more about the region’s history while savouring delightful flavours.

When you’re not indulging in Lake Iseo’s exquisite cuisine, the region’s wonderful collection of towns and cities have plenty to offer. Enjoy a walking tour of the medieval city of Bergamo, perched at the foothills of the Alps; and immerse yourself in the tranquil atmosphere of car-free Monte Isola – Europe’s tallest lake island! Here, you’ll find pathways lined with olive trees and houses adorned with bright bougainvillea.

4. Classic Jungfrau Express & Swiss Alps

Classic Jungfrau Express & Swiss Alps

The Swiss Alps are famous for their otherworldly landscapes that boast magnificent glaciers, cosy chalets, and serene lakes. And this Classic Jungfrau Express and Swiss Alps tour* is a fantastic way to make the very most of this alpine paradise.

Boarding the Jungfrau Railway, the highest railway in Europe, you’ll begin an unforgettable journey through the Jungfrau mountains. Look out for the iconic mountain of Mönch in the Bernese Alps before arriving at Jungfraujoch, nicknamed the ‘Top of Europe’, only accessible by train. Here, bright blue skies contrast beautifully with crisp white snow and rugged peaks which point towards the celestial Aletsch Glacier – a UNESCO-protected natural wonder.

With the quaint village of Meiringen as your base, you can spend time touring its local museum or visit the Aare Gorge, a stunning natural formation. Other highlights include a boat cruise on Lake Brienz, a ride on the Brienz Rothorn steam train, and a cable car ride to Schilthorn’s revolving restaurant (as seen in James Bond!).

5. Puglia All Inclusive – Undiscovered Southern Italy

Puglia All Inclusive – Undiscovered Southern Italy

If you’re after a cultural break with some built-in relaxation, Great Rail Journey’s Puglia All Inclusive – Undiscovered Southern Italy tour* could be for you. This unforgettable tour journeys through the gems of less-visited Puglia, in Italy’s southern heel.

Based in a spa hotel overlooking the stunning coast on Monopoli, just metres from a white sandy beach, your days will be spent exploring Puglia’s historic ports, ancient ruins, and white-washed villages. On a guided tour of historical Lecce, learn how this charming city earned its nickname as ‘the Florence of the South’. And in Bari’s vibrant Old Town, history buffs can enjoy uncovering the area’s Roman and Byzantine links.

In the UNESCO World Heritage site of Matera, known as ‘the jewel of the Basilicata’, an intriguing collection of caves, which have been inhabited since the Palaeolithic period, awaits. And in the atmospheric fishing village of Gallipoli, the unique architecture of the ‘trulli’ cone-shaped houses of Alberobello – another UNESCO-listed site – is a must-see. When you’re not sightseeing, soak up the sunshine by the hotel pool or enjoy a drink on its private beach.

6. Wonders of Tuscany

Wonders of Tuscany

From Renaissance Florence and medieval Lucca to leaning Pisa and ancient Siena, on this Wonders of Tuscany tour* you can ride the rails between some of Tuscany’s most beautiful spots.

With the wonderful Tuscan spa town of Montecatini Terme, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, as your base, you’ll be perfectly placed for exploring this magical region. Montecatini Terme is known for its healing water, so a trip to its 18th century drinking spa is a must. Then, it’s on to Florence, where you’ll spend a day discovering the iconic art and architecture of this spectacular city. Wander its famous plazas, marvel at the magnificent cathedral, or tour some of its extensive museums.

Later, you’ll have time to experience the charm of Lucca and Pisa at your own pace; before travelling to soak up the beauty of Siena, Tuscany’s second largest city, with a guided tour. Passing Siena’s stunning cathedral and church of San Domenico, the tour ends in the city’s magnificent Piazza del Campo – one of Europe’s best-preserved medieval squares.

7. Highlights of the Glacier Express

Highlights of the Glacier Express

When travelling through the Swiss Alps, you’d be hard-pushed to find a more iconic mode of transport than the Glacier Express. And this Highlights of the Glacier Express tour* is the ideal way to experience its best bits.

Travelling at an average speed of 24mph, the ‘slowest express train’ plunges into the Rhine Gorge, offering unrivalled views of the aptly named ‘Swiss Grand Canyon’. Plus, with a journey on the Bernina Express included, you’ll ride not one but two famous rail routes on this tour. Twisting through the stunning landscape of the Engadine Valley, the Bernina Express has been listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site since 2008 – and it’s easy to see why!

When you’re not riding the rails, you’ll have time to explore more of Switzerland’s beauty. Wander the peaceful streets of Zermatt (only accessible by foot or train) under the looming peak of the mighty Matterhorn; uncover the history of Chur, Switzerland’s oldest town; and kick back in Täsch, the tour’s picturesque base.

8. Stresa and Lake Maggiore

Stresa and Lake Maggiore

Journeying through the Swiss Alps towards the sophisticated Italian town of Stresa, this Stresa and Lake Maggiore tour* follows in the footsteps of various artists, writers, and poets, for whom the area has long served as a popular retreat.

Take a magical boat cruise to the Borromean Islands on the lake’s western arm. Totalling just 50 acres, these three small islands are famous for their picturesque setting, beautiful gardens, and rich history. Enjoy a guided tour of Borromeo Palace and free time to explore the islands – including the fishing village of Isola Dei Pescatori.

Also included is a tour and tasting of Fontechiara winery, and a trip on one of Europe’s most scenic rail routes, the Centovalli Railway. Running since the 1920s, this railway is a Swiss favourite. Nicknamed ‘a hundred valleys’, this route winds over high bridges, wide gorges, gushing waterfalls, and extensive wildflower meadows on its way to the enchanting town of Locarno.

9. Lake Geneva, Chamonix, and Mont Blanc

Lake Geneva, Chamonix, and Mont Blanc

If you’re ready to immerse yourself in the picture-perfect mountain towns of the Alps, then this Lake Geneva, Chamonix, and Mont Blanc tour* could be for you.

With free time to explore the breathtaking scenery of Champery, you can get to know one of Switzerland’s oldest mountain resorts. Surrounded by the Chablais Alps and the Dents du midi (a three-kilometre-long mountain range), Champery’s main street is lined with traditional chalets and diverse shops and restaurants.

Hopping aboard the stylish Mont Blanc Express, you’ll journey across the border into Chamonix, France, passing vast forests, turquoise mountain lakes, and snow-capped peaks. On arrival, there’s time to explore this classic alpine resort, which is home to the striking Mont Blanc – western Europe’s highest peak.

The tour also includes a journey aboard the ‘Chocolate Train’ from the chic area of Montreux, on the northern shore of Lake Geneva. Enjoy insights into the world of two of Switzerland’s most esteemed products: chocolate and cheese! Then, after a wondrous journey through the Matter Valley, you can soak in the peaceful atmosphere of car-free Zermatt.

Final thoughts…

From the coastal paradise of Puglia to the stunning landscapes seen from the Glacier Express, Italy and Switzerland are home to several stunning train routes. Plus, on a Great Rail Journeys tour, with an itinerary planned for you, all you need to focus on is enjoying yourself!

Head over to the Great Rail Journeys website* to browse more holiday tours in Italy, Switzerland, and beyond.

What are your travel plans for this year? Have any of the tours on this list sparked your interest? We’d love to hear from you in the comments below.