London to Lake Garda by Rail

You’ll take the slow, scenic route on this rail journey from London to Lake Garda. Stop off at Grand Tour favourites such as Paris and Milan, before spending a few days in "La Serenissima" Venice and the natural beauty that is Lake Garda. Verona, the setting of Romeo and Juliet, is the grand finale.

At a glance

8-day suggested rail itinerary
Cruise down the Grand Canal in Venice
Relax by Lake Garda
Travel through the Italian Alps

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Suggested Trip Itinerary

Day 1 : London - Paris

You’ll step on a Eurostar train at London St Pancras and step off in Paris. You’ll spend a night at a hotel in Paris before embarking on your journey to Italy.

Day 2 : Paris - Milan - Venice

The journey takes a scenic turn today. You’ll catch a train south, travelling over the French border and into northern Italy. After a change of trains in Milan, it’s straight on to Venice, where you’ll stay for three nights.

Where you could stay

Hotel City

Italian Cities, Milan

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Sina De La Ville

Italian Cities, Milan

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Day 3-4 : Venice

Make the most of Venice – catch a vaporetto down the Grand Canal, see the glass workshops on Murano island, dig in to squid-ink risotto by the water, or see a show at the gilded Teatro La Fenice.
The palazzos of St. Mark’s Square are must-sees, too. The Doge’s Palace and St. Mark’s Basilica bookend the piazza, while centuries-old restaurants occupy the framing arches.

Points of interest:

St. Mark's Square

Where you could stay

Hotel Bel Sito

Italian Cities, Venice

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Hotel Bonvecchiati

Italian Cities, Venice

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Starhotels Splendid Venice

Italian Cities, Venice

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Day 5 : Venice - Lake Garda

It’s full speed ahead today as you hop on a fast train to the Lake Garda station of Desenzano del Garda. Check in to your chosen hotel, then head down to the lakefront for a stroll beside the water.

Where you could stay

Grand Hotel Gardone

Italian Lakes, Lake Garda

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Hotel Caesius Thermae and Spa Resort

Italian Lakes, Lake Garda

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Hotel Corte Valier

Italian Lakes, Lake Garda

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Day 6-7 : Lake Garda

The next two days are yours to explore the biggest lake in Italy. Lake Garda is a holiday hotspot, so expect lots of gelateria-sprinkled towns, waterside castles and theme parks. Boats circuit the lake, putting the mountainous north shore in easy reach. One of our favourite towns is Riva del Garda. It sits right up top, laying out lemon and pink mansions and castles along the shore.

Where you could stay

Grand Hotel Gardone

Italian Lakes, Lake Garda

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Hotel Caesius Thermae and Spa Resort

Italian Lakes, Lake Garda

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Hotel Corte Valier

Italian Lakes, Lake Garda

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Day 8 : Lake Garda - Verona

Grab breakfast at your hotel before hopping on a 20-minute train to Verona. Spend a few hours – or an extra night or two – in this romantic riverside city, before catching a flight back home.

8 days from £1,399 per person

Practical Information

Flight Information

Direct flights to Venice Marco Polo airport (VCE) are available from Birmingham, Bristol, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Leeds Bradford, London City, London Gatwick, London Heathrow, London Luton, Manchester, Newcastle and Southend and take approximately 2 hours. Transfers from the airport are by water taxi or water bus and take approximately 40 minutes to reach the centre of Venice.

Direct flights to Venice Treviso airport (TSF) depart from London Stansted, Leeds Bradford, Bristol and East Midlands and take approximately 2 hours.

Visa Information

At the current time, British citizens do not require a visa to visit Italy.

Tipping

You don’t have to leave a tip in Italy – most Italians don’t tip for restaurant meals, bar drinks, taxi rides or hair and beauty treatments. However if you do leave a tip, you might receive quicker service.