Experience three of Italy’s best-loved lakes, exploring historic towns, cruising to picturesque islands and visiting Lugano, a city blending Italian and Swiss charm

Your holiday begins at London St Pancras, where you meet the Tour Manager this morning, before boarding the Eurostar service to Paris. In the French capital, we change to the direct train to Turin where, after a scenic journey through the Alps, we arrive this evening.

The historic city of Turin is an important centre of business, finance and technology whose wide boulevards showcase Baroque, Renaissance and modern architecture. On arrival, a coach transfers us to our overnight hotel then, after checking in, we walk a short distance to a nearby restaurant for dinner.

Please note, if travelling by air, your holiday starts on Day 2 of the itinerary and ends on Day 8.

After breakfast in Turin, we are taken on a guided walking tour of the city with a local expert, followed by free time over lunch. You may like to relax in one of the open piazzas and sample a Turin speciality, Fetta di Polenta, a slice of polenta.

Our journey continues in the early afternoon when we travel further north by coach towards to the peaceful village of Pettenasco on the secluded shores of Lake Orta. Arriving at our idyllic base, we check in to our friendly, family run hotel. With modern facilities, and spectacular views across the lake, our hotel is perfectly positioned for a relaxing six-night stay. Unlike the more famous lakes, Garda and Como, Lake Orta's seclusion makes it a peaceful alternative, where you can experience the authentic and laid-back Italian way of life.

Tonight, and each evening of our stay at Lake Orta, we are served a three-course dinner with a glass of wine or beer and hot drinks.

Please note, if travelling by air, your holiday starts today at London Gatwick where you meet your Tour Manager and group before flying to Milan Malpensa. In Milan we are transferred directly to our hotel on Lake Orta.

Today is a highlight of our holiday, as we board a boat from our hotel's private jetty for a cruise across the lake to the pretty town of Orta San Giulio, a UNESCO World Heritage site that has attracted writers and poets since the 19th century. Here, whitewashed townhouses with terracotta roofs are set against forested mountains. There is free time to look around this scenic medieval town, and maybe enjoy a lunch of fresh perch in one of the restaurants on Piazza Motta, looking out across the lake. Or wander down to the waterfront, dotted with small fishing boats.

Our cruise continues to Isola San Giulio, a tiny island village, dominated by a fascinating ancient monastery. There is free time over lunch and into the afternoon to discover the pretty island. You could choose to walk its circular pathway known as the 'Way of Silence'. The 12th-century basilica is well worth a visit, for its frescoes and the crypt of the 4th-century Greek evangelist to whom the island owes its name. We sail back to our hotel later, and there is time to unwind or maybe to enjoy the hotel pool and spa before dinner.

We head to another breathtaking location today by coach - enchanting Lake Como, with a backdrop of the Alps and shores dotted with luxurious villas, orange trees, and sunlit village squares. Our first stop is the lakeside town of Menaggio, on the western shores of Lake Como, which has classic Italian appeal. With free time to explore here, you could wander down to Piazza Garibaldi, in the heart of the Old Town - maybe tuck into a gelato and watch the world go by.

We then cross the lake by ferry to Bellagio, a stunning location known as 'the pearl of Lake Como', on the edge of a peninsula. There's plenty of time to wander the cobbled streets independently and visit a café, or browse shops of locally produced crafts. You could also choose to visit Villa Melzi D'Eril and its gardens, just outside the compact town centre, which was commissioned by Duke Melzi D'Erlil, an assistant to Napoleon Bonaparte. Later, we drive back to Lake Orta, arriving at our hotel with time to freshen up before dinner.

This morning a full day stretches ahead of you to spend as you choose. It is market day in the nearby lakeside town of Omegna and you could hop on one of the one of the boats from our village if you feel like visiting (payable locally). There you could browse the many stalls of produce and local crafts and maybe enjoy a coffee in the square. Another option is to visit the museum in Pettenasco, dedicated to the town's wood-working industry. The Romanesque church here may also be of interest, with its two bell towers and pretty entrance.

Alternatively, with lovely lakeside views from our hotel's panoramic terrace, you might be content to linger here, and drink in the scenery. Or make the most of the inviting swimming pool while soaking up some sunshine. However you choose to spend your day, dinner will be served this evening at our hotel.

Today's excursion is a visit to the pretty Swiss city of Lugano by coach, where there's free time to explore at your own pace. Nestled on the shores of glacial Lake Lugano in the south of Switzerland, this pristine city is filled with chic boutiques, pavement cafés and bars. Maybe make the most of Lugano's mild climate and take a scenic walk along the palm-lined waterfront before finding a local spot to settle down for lunch.

For amazing views of the surrounding hills and Lake Lugano, you could ride the funicular to the top of Mount Brè. Wherever you choose to explore in Lugano, you'll find a good choice of restaurants where you can indulge in local specialities, from typical Swiss dishes such as fondue or raclette to meals with an Italian twist such as pasta and pizza.

Returning to our lakeside hotel at the end of the day, there's time to relax before dinner.

On the last full day of our tour, our explorations of the Italian Lakes continue. We drive to the sophisticated Belle-Epoque town of Stresa, overlooking Lake Maggiore, which has welcomed visitors - including the writers Lord Byron and Robert Browning - to its luxurious villas and hotels since the 19th century. There is plenty of free time to explore the town's beautiful villas, public gardens and museums. One suggestion is Villa Pallavicino, which has an English garden and a zoo.

Stroll along the promenade or maybe take a scenic boat trip to the Borromean islands, catching one of the frequent ferries from the port. The small island of Isola Bella is a popular place to visit, known for the opulent Borromeo Palace and its formal Italian Gardens. You could also take a sightseeing cruise to the nearby town of Baveno, with its pale pink granite buildings. Tonight is the last night of our tour and our final dinner.

Our Italian Lakes holiday has included visits to the renowned town of Stresa on Lake Maggiore and cruises to enchanting islands. We discovered the historic waterfront city of Lugano independently and visited the glamorous towns of Lake Como. After breakfast, our tour draws to a close and it's time to say a final goodbye to Italy.

If returning by air to London, your group will be transferred to Milan Malpensa airport this morning before your flight to London Heathrow.

If returning home by rail, we transfer by coach to Stresa for a rail connection to Paris, travelling via the lakeside city of Lausanne. On arrival in Paris, we join the Eurostar service back to London St Pancras, where you are free to make your way home.

Our Discoveries range offers everything you need at a great price so you can travel with confidence. It provides comfortable, locally run accommodation*, standard rail or economy flights and expert-led group tours. You'll be in groups with an average of 30-35 travellers and a maximum of 40. *where available

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.

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.

The 4-Star Hotel Giardinetto is a charming property set on the shores of Lake Orta. Situated near the medieval village of Orta San Guilo, in nearby Pettenasco, the hotel has wonderful views of the lake, a swimming pool and an on-site restaurant serving local specialties and international wines. The restaurant also has a panoramic terrace and wine cellar. The guest rooms are air-conditioned and equipped with a desk, free Wi-Fi, tea and coffee maker, refrigerator, kettle and a satellite television.

Your holiday begins the moment you meet your Tour Manager at St Pancras International and board the Eurostar train for mainland Europe. If you wish to get your holiday off to an extra special start, why not consider upgrading your on-board accommodation from Standard Class to Plus Class?

As well as all the amenities enjoyed in Standard Class, Plus Class travellers benefit from extra spacious, comfortable seats, complimentary newspapers and magazines and a light snack with drinks served at your seat during the journey. Before 11am, the light snack comprises breakfast pastries, yoghurt, fruit juice and tea or coffee. After 11am there is a choice of 2 main dishes and a dessert, accompanied by soft drinks, wine or beer and tea or coffee.

Prices for an upgrade from £125 each way. Please call us for more details.

Flight upgrades are available. For information regarding the types of upgrades offered by the various airlines we use, call our expert team for details.

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.