Italian Lakes Holidays by Rail

T he Italian Lakes were formed at the end of the last Ice Age and have been attracting holidaymakers since the height of the Roman Empire. It’s not hard to see why. The lakes feature colourful gardens, ancient hillside villas, harbours full of fishing boats and grand 19th century hotels all set against the backdrop of distant alpine peaks and azure blue water. Getting to the Italian Lakes by train is easy and the Alps offer fabulous scenery en route.

Itineraries in Italian Lakes

Tailor Made Rail
Offer
11 Days
  • Strasbourg
  • Zermatt
  • St Moritz
  • Como
  • Basel
  • Brussels
Combine a visit to Italy's best loved lake resort with some of the world's most stunning rail journeys on this holiday to Switzerland and Lake Como, taking in the Glacier Express, Bernina Express and Gornergrat Mountain Railway. Enjoy a 3-night stay on lovely Lake Como before returning via Basel and the Rhine Gorge.
From £2,099
14 Days
  • Lausanne
  • Stresa
  • Positano
  • Siena
  • Venice
Enjoy luxurious stays in stunning destinations including Lake Maggiore, Tuscany and Amalfi Coast. Then round off your holiday in style with a homeward journey aboard the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express from Venice back to London.
From £6,399
Offer
11 Days
  • Dijon
  • Stresa
  • Minori
  • Bolzano
  • Zurich
Combine two of Italy's most popular and picturesque holiday regions. Travel via Dijon to Lake Maggiore and then continue by train down the spine of Italy en route to the magnificent Amalfi Coast. Return via the Italian Dolomites with stops in the Tyrollean city of Bolzano and lovely Zurich.
From £1,599
Offer
7 Days
  • Dijon
  • Stresa
  • Strasbourg
Take a stunning rail journey through the Jura Mountains and the Simplon Pass to Stresa on Lake Maggiore and then return via the beautiful French city of Strasbourg.
From £1,099
Offer
8 Days
  • Lausanne
  • Sirmione
  • Munich
Italy's largest lake is waiting to be explored. Travel south via the stunning Simplon Route high in the Alps and spend 5 nights at beautiful Sirmione on the lake shore, before returning via the Brenner Pass and Munich.
From £1,099
Offer
8 Days
  • Turin
  • Desenzano
  • Venice
  • Zurich
Combine the unique city of Venice on the Adriatic, with a stay on the shores of Italy's largest and most popular lake on this essential Italian holiday by rail. Stop en route in the historic city of Turin and then return via Zurich.
From £1,299
Offer
8 Days
  • Chur
  • Como
  • Freiburg
Travel out to one of Italy's most sought-after holiday regions, majestic Lake Como. Take the train via Paris to Chur in Switzerland, then make your entrance in style via the Bernina Express and boat.
From £1,149

Our Recommended Hotels in the Italian Lakes

Scenic Switzerland and Lake Como
Como
Barchetta Excelsior Hotel

Overlooking Piazza Cavour on the shore of Lake Como, this modern hotel offers elegant rooms with free Wi-Fi, flat-screen TVs and minibars. Some rooms have lake views and/or balconies. Guests can enjoy fine regional cuisine at the in-house restaurant, Bistro.

Stresa
Grand Hotel des Iles Borromees

Grand Hotel Des Iles Borromees occupies an elegant Art Nouveau building and offers elegant bedrooms with marble bathrooms complete with spa bath. The wellness centre features an indoor and outdoor swimming pool as well as hot tubs and saunas. The restaurant has a terrace where guests can dine in summer. There is also a stylish piano bar. The hotel is on Stresa’s main street.

Pettenasco
Hotel Giardinetto

Located directly on the shores of Lake Orta, the Hotel Giardinetto is a friendly, family run hotel boasting a rooftop bar and lakefront restaurant, both with panoramic views. The comfortable and welcoming bedrooms all come with free WI-FI internet access and there is also an outdoor swimming pool for those who don’t want to swim in the lake.

Stresa
Regina Palace

Hotel Regina Palace is a majestic Art Nouveau building offering refined classic-style interiors and a large garden with pool. It is right on the shore of Lake Maggiore, in Stresa. Rooms and common lounges are all decorated with antique furniture giving a sense of history and nobility.

Desenzano
Villa Rosa Hotel

The Hotel Villa Rosa is situated directly on the lakefront in Desenzano del Garda, a 10-minute walk from the town centre. The hotel boasts light and modern bedrooms with tea & coffee making facilities, as well as a restaurant, an outdoor pool and hot tub.

Sirmione, Lake Garda
Olivi Hotel and Spa

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.

Blogs About the Italian Lakes

15 Jun, 2020
The largest lake in Italy, Lake Garda sits to the west of the beautiful city of Verona and lies within the states of Veneto and Lombardy.  It is a popular destination with visitors from across the world thanks to the scenery, cuisine and culture. 
28 Apr, 2020
Why choose a spa holiday? A spa holiday offers a huge range of benefits. Not only does it provide a place to completely rest and recharge, but many spas are connected to thermal springs containing mineral and medicinal properties which are great for body repair and physical health. Here are some of our favourite spa hotels.