Italian Lakes and Bernina Express Tour with a Mediterranean Cruise

Our nationwide shared chauffeur service collects you from home for your flight to Milan. On arrival we transfer to Lake Maggiore - the most tranquil and undiscovered of Italy’s lakes.

Meals: Dinner

Lake Maggiore is edged by charming towns with twisting cobbled streets and family-run trattoria. It’s backed by prominent snow-capped peaks in every direction. Its wind-ruffled waters are dotted with three tiny islands, the Borromean Islands, and today we’ll explore each of them.

Isola Bella (beautiful island) lives up to its name with the dominating 17th-century Palazzo Borromeo and sprawling gardens. Isola Madre is noted for its beautiful botanical gardens, rich in rare plants. Then we’ll enjoy some free time on picturesque Isola dei Pescatori.

Meals: Breakfast

We leave Italy behind and head for the soaring alpine peaks and timber villages of Switzerland. We’ll learn about the sweetest of Swiss traditions at a chocolate factory - there’ll be plenty of opportunity for a tasting, too.

We arrive at lakeside Lugano, where the maze of cobblestoned streets untangle by the tranquil lakeshore to reveal a long, flowery promenade fringed with waterside eateries and cafés. The Mediterranean-style squares and vast parkland are a delight to explore. We then continue to Celerina this afternoon, set in beautiful Swiss Alpine scenery.

Meals: Breakfast

An ‘express’ train ride doesn’t usually conjure images of gentle journeys through snow-covered peaks, admired through panoramic windows. But the Bernina Express is not your usual express train journey. You’ll wind through the magnificent Swiss Alps, from St Moritz to Tirano in Italy, crossing 196 bridges and climbing the incredible Brusio Spiral Viaduct. On arrival in Tirano, we transfer to our hotel in Lake Garda and our hotel for the next two nights.

Meals: Breakfast

Visitors have been captivated by the beauty of Lake Garda for centuries - and it’s easy to see why. The largest of Italy’s lakes, the north offers mesmerising views of the Alps tumbling into the lake’s waters and its shoreline is a mix of waterside towns and cliff-hanging villages. The south is splendid with sprawling vineyards and olive groves - and some of the lake’s prettiest towns, not least of which is Sirmione.

We’ll take to the crystal-clear waters this morning for a cruise on the lake and spend some time exploring Sirmione. Here, the medieval Rocca Scaligera looms over the charming twists of the old town. It was originally a Roman fortification, but it was rebuilt in the 13th century and affords beautiful views of Sirmione from the tower.

Meals: Breakfast

We journey to the port city of Trieste to embark our ship, with time to settle in and familiarise with your splendid surroundings on board before dinner this evening.

Meals: Breakfast and Dinner

From Rijeka you can reach a number of Croatian gems, including the town of Pula, where you’ll find over 3,000 years of history including its impressive 1st-century Roman amphitheatre. Or maybe head to the island of Krk often called the Golden Island for its sparkling sandy beaches. If you’d prefer to enjoy Rijeka itself, this bustling port city has many streets and avenues to explore, lined with 18th-century homes and several beautiful churches.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Croatia’s second-biggest city oozes small-town charm, thanks to its quaint, narrow streets and the easygoing lifestyle that the Dalmatians are known for. Much of Split’s atmospheric old town lies inside the walls of Diocletian's Palace, a 1,700-year-old UNESCO-listed fortress on the Adriatic seafront. Roman Emperor Diocletian built it as his retirement home on the sea and through the centuries many conquerors have taken refuge within its thick walls.

Today Split is home to some 200,000 residents and - unlikely as it may sound - you can find lively cafés and shops tucked into what were once corridors in the ancient palace, or venture beyond it to discover busy squares and markets, quiet trails and beautiful beaches.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

A day at leisure to explore all the facilities on board.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

The jewel in the crown of the Cyclades islands, Santorini is world famous for its whitewashed towns and breathtaking sunsets. You can choose to explore its archaeological treasures at ancient Akrotiri, spend time swimming in the crystal-clear waters of Perissa Beach, or for stunning views do a bit of volcano hiking. Ship to shore tender service.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Set on Turkey's Aegean coast, Bodrum is known for its whitewashed houses, attractive marina and the impressive Castle of St. Peter, which overlooks the harbour. Stroll through the old town's narrow streets, browse local shops and markets, or stop at a waterfront café to sample Turkish specialities.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Ephesus is one of the most Ephesus is one of the most legendary cities of the ancient world. It is the grandest and best-preserved of Turkey’s ancient cities. St Paul preached in its Great Theatre and even today the façade of the Celsus Library still stands, as a testament to the city’s one-time role as a centre of learning and culture.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

We sail into Turkey’s capital to discover the sights and sounds of this magnificent city. Travel back thousands of years at the Sultanahmet Meydani, once the sporting and social heart of Constantinople; admire the incredible tiles adorning the Blue Mosque; and gaze up at the domes and minarets of UNESCO-listed Hagia Sophia.

The colourful Grand Bazaar is also a must-see. With almost 4,000 shops of antiques, carpets, jewellery and more, it’s the biggest souk in the world. After all the browsing, perhaps call in at one of the bazaar’s historic coffee roasters for a cup of authentic Turkish coffee, prepared and poured the traditional way. We’ll dock overnight, so there’s plenty of time to explore.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

On the far northwest coast of Turkey, the 60km-long Dardanelles divides the continents of Europe and Asia. This historic waterway once acted as a strategic gateway for both shipping trade and military to Istanbul and the Black Sea region. We’ll depart Istanbul to enjoy an afternoon of scenic cruising.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

A day at leisure to explore all the facilities on board.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

This morning, arrive in Piraeus. Disembark and continue to the airport for your return flight to the UK. Upon arrival, your vehicle will be waiting for the journey home.

Meals: Breakfast