Discover Swiss gems from our five-star hotel base in Lausanne and aboard the Mont Blanc Express before exploring Provence on a seven-night cruise along the Rhône

Your holiday begins as we meet at London St Pancras to board the Eurostar to Paris. In the French capital, we change trains for a journey by rail through French and Swiss countryside to Lake Geneva in Switzerland.

On arrival in Lausanne, we check into our luxurious hotel for the next three nights. Settling in, unwind and enjoy the serene beauty of our new surroundings as we gather for our first dinner together.

You have a free morning at leisure to explore our base. This afternoon, we visit the elegant Château de Chillon. The castle rises dramatically from Lake Geneva against a backdrop of breathtaking mountain scenery.

Crossing the wooden drawbridge, we meet our guide for a tour of this 13th-century château. For nearly four centuries Chillon was the residence and profitable toll station of the Counts of Savoy. On our tour we view its 14th-century painting, the subterranean vaults, parade halls and the bedroom, which has been preserved in its original form from the time of Bernese rule.

We then take a scenic boat cruise across Lake Geneva to Montreux, before returning to our hotel. The evening is free for you to unwind or continue discovering our beautiful setting.

Today we take the train in standard class to Martigny where we join the Mont Blanc Express - a highlight of the holiday. The line takes us across the French border up to Chamonix, meandering through rows of vineyards before entering France. Passing through the magical Trient Valley, the train climbs high into the mountains, among sparkling snow-capped peaks before reaching the Trient Gorge.

On our approach to the Chamonix Valley, we're welcomed by glaciers and Mont Blanc. You are free to enjoy lunch in Chamonix with an afternoon to explore before our return journey.

This morning we board our train in Lausanne, travelling to Geneva and then on to Lyon, France's third largest city. On arrival in this elegant city, we are transferred by coach to board our ship*.

There is time to settle in with a welcome cocktail, allowing you to relax and take in the stunning surroundings. You could sip your drink while lounging on the sun deck with a view of Lyon's townhouses, narrow streets, and scenic rooftops. Later, we have our first dinner on board before setting sail for Tournon sur Rhône, where new adventures await.

*Please note: the sundeck may be closed at times during your cruise due to safety reasons or weather conditions.

Early this morning, we travel by coach to Tournon sur Rhône's railway station to board the Train de l'Ardèche. This historic steam train takes us on a panoramic journey through the Gorges du Doux region, winding up foothills and into valleys which populate the landscape.

Several stone bridges criss-cross the brooks and rivers which snake under the trees, and our locomotive takes us to sections of the gorges which no other form of transport can access. Later, we rejoin our ship and continue sailing to the Provençal city of Avignon.

Today we explore the medieval city of Avignon on a guided tour. We visit the Gothic Palais des Papes, which was the seat of the Pope during the 14th century. Inside, we see its spectacular interiors and religious artefacts before we experience other highlights of the city as we walk through the boulevards and squares of Avignon's historic centre.

After lunch, you are free until early evening to discover the city at your own pace. After dinner tonight, our ship sets sail for Arles.

We begin our day with a guided tour of Arles, whose streets were the inspiration for many of Vincent Van Gogh's most famous paintings. Van Gogh produced more than 180 pieces during his time in Arles, including 'Starry Night over the Rhone' and 'Café Terrace at Night', the location of which can be found in the Place du Forum.

This afternoon, you have the choice of two excursions. Your first option is a visit to the beautiful Camargue Delta, where the Rhône opens out into the Mediterranean. This is a true treat for nature lovers, as the wetlands and park area are home to nearly 400 species of bird species, including pink flamingos. Also of note are the wild horses which roam freely, the Camarguais.

Your second excursion option takes you to the iconic arches of the Pont du Gard, an ancient Roman aqueduct of astonishing size which spans the Gardon river. Another UNESCO World Heritage site, the Pont du Gard is considered a feat of engineering.

Later, we return to our ship which sets sail before dinner for an overnight sailing to Chateauneuf du Rhône.

Our ship moors in Chateauneuf du Rhône this morning, and we set out on an excursion to the stunning Ardèche Gorge, regarded as the European Grand Canyon. Nearly 19 miles in length and made up of a series of breathtaking gorges, emerald rivers and deep green forests. On our tour, we see many sights including the natural arch of the Pont d'Arc.

We rejoin our ship at Le Pouzin, then begin our return sailing to Lyon.

Arriving in Lyon during the night, we disembark after breakfast for a guided tour. One of France's iconic cities, Lyon sits on the meeting point of the Rhône and the Saône rivers. The beautiful pinks, oranges, reds and whites of the elegant buildings are reflected on Lyon's riverfront. Our tour explores some of the city's highlights and history. The Old Town is a World Heritage site, and the small shops and traditional businesses lend a French flair.

Returning to our ship, the afternoon is at leisure as we cruise to Tournon sur Rhône. This is one of the most scenic and panoramic sections of the river, and it's well worth taking the time to admire the scenery from the sun deck. Rolling hills and verdant vineyards rise and fall, overlooked by châteaux and stately homes. We rejoin our ship and this evening we continue cruising towards Chalon-sur-Saône.

We moor the city of Chalon-sur-Saône this morning and take a coach excursion to Beaune, deep in the heart of the wine region of Burgundy. Beaune is a classic French medieval town with impressive walls, terracotta roofs and historical buildings.

On a sightseeing tour, we discover the sights and enjoy a tasting of some of the wines that make this town, and the Burgundy region, so famous. Beaune is one of the most important of France's wine centres and is surrounded by fields bedecked by vineyards growing Pinot Noir, Pinot Blanc and Chardonnay grapes. This evening is our final night onboard, marked by a Gala dinner.

It is time to disembark this morning and bid farewell to our wonderful crew. We transfer to the station and travel by rail to Paris. From here, we board the Eurostar back to London where your holiday comes to an end.

Making your way home, you can look back on the historic Château de Chillon and our time cruising Lake Geneva's stunning waters to Montreux. We traversed the Alps aboard the Mont Blanc Express to Chamonix and savoured Burgundy's wine in Beaune. After exploring Lyon's gastronomic delights we sailed to Avignon, Arles, and the Ardèche Gorge, immersing in history and natural beauty.

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.

Designed to make the most of the beautiful scenery and wonderful mountain vistas, the superb Mont Blanc Express offers one of the best railway journeys on offer in the Alps. Our journey on the tourist line begins in the small Swiss town of Martigny. On departure, the line begins a gentle ascent, passing through the neat rows of vineyards which line the fields running down to the tracks.

We continue into France through the charming landscape of the pretty Rhône Valley, and then our train begins to ascend in earnest - here it makes use of the rack-and-pinion mechanism to climb higher into the mountains. The views in this section are outstanding with snow-capped mountains towering over the sloping valley below. Our electric train then reaches the dramatic Trient Gorge, crossing the wild rocky canyon using a series of bridges. Soon we catch our first glimpse of the mighty Mont Blanc - France's highest mountain - as we approach the Chamonix Valley.

After a final climb along one of the line's steepest sections, the Mont Blanc Express arrives in the resort town on Chamonix, a wonderfully popular holiday destination due to its amazing mountain panoramas and picturesque location.

It's all aboard for a heritage rail journey with a difference. We often say that trains take you to places you couldn't see otherwise, and that is exactly the case with The Train des Gorges which traverses a particularly striking natural wonder, the Gorges du Doux. Inaccessible by every other mode of transport, you'll be able to marvel at dense forested landscapes and impressive limestone cliffs as you travel by nostalgic steam train. 

Weaving its way alongside the Rhône river in south-eastern France, the Train des Gorges near the Ardèche mountains reveals the tapestry of marvellous woodland scenery for which this part of the country is known. Journey through the Doux Valley, this railway is made up from various beautiful bridges which are cast over babbling brooks and the titular stone gorges. A charming steam locomotive hauls a line of blue carriages on an enchanting journey alongside mountains and rivers.

This elegant Belle Époque hotel at the heart of vibrant Lausanne has been providing luxury for more than a century. The hotel offers a choice of restaurants, including the Michelin-starred La Table with panoramic views over the city, mountain and Lake Geneva. With a number of bars, a spa and a fitness centre, the Lausanne Palace creates a welcoming, relaxing yet luxurious atmosphere. Each guest room is individually decorated with its own distinct charm and features a comfortable seating area, as well as free Wi-Fi, minibar, safe, complimentary toiletries and tea & coffee-making facilities. 

Discover unparalleled levels of luxury, elegance and tranquillity on board the Amadeus Provence. With a wonderful blend of modern fittings, luxurious finishes, and comfortable cabins, the Amadeus Provence offers a wonderful cruising experience. Sailing exclusively along France's beautiful rivers, you can soak up divine views as you enjoy attentive service and facilities including a swimming pool and elegant bar. You'll never find yourself at a loss whilst on board.

The ship has capacity for 140 passengers and will be crewed by approximately 40 members of staff. Featuring 62 cabins and 8 suites across 4 decks, the ship offers a comfortable, stylish base from which to explore France's waterways.

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.