Classic Lakes & Mountains of France & Switzerland

Your holiday begins this morning at London St Pancras, meeting the Tour Manager and fellow guests before boarding the Eurostar in Plus class to Paris, enjoying a light meal at your seat. In the French capital, we switch trains to continue our journey towards the Alps, travelling in First Class through every-changing scenery to the lakeside town of Annecy, our base for the next three nights.

Nestled between crystal clear waters, lush nature reserves and dramatic Alpine peaks, Annecy is a haven for nature lovers and the perfect setting to begin our journey through the lakes and mountains of France and Switzerland.

After checking in to our hotel, we enjoy a relaxing welcome drink together before dining in the hotel restaurant this evening.

• Eurostar Light Meal
• Dinner

Waking in Annecy this morning, we set out after breakfast on a guided sightseeing tour of the Old Town. With its cobbled streets, colourful buildings and winding canals, this medieval centre invites endless exploration and rightfully earns its nickname as the 'Venice of the Alps'.

As we wander, our knowledgeable guide shares fascinating insights into the town's history. Among other sights, we admire the Palais de l'ile, which appears to be moored like a stone boat in the Thiou River, take in the views from the Pont des Amours and visit the well of Saint-Jean. After our tour, we head to the water for a relaxing lunch cruise along the lake, celebrated as one of Europe's cleanest, where we take in panoramic views of the surrounding shores and peaks, admiring the crystal-clear blue and turquoise waters.

Back on land, the rest of the afternoon and evening are free for you to continue exploring at your own pace and dine independently. The Old Town offers a wealth of inviting restaurants serving a wide range of cuisine for you to enjoy.

• Breakfast, Lunch

This morning after breakfast, we travel by coach to the medieval Château de Menthon-St-Bernard. Nestled in lush surroundings above the lake, this castle is one of the architectural jewels of Savoy and has remained in the same family for over a thousand years. On arrival, we enjoy a tour led by a knowledgeable guide who bring the château's rich history to life as we explore its ornate interiors and gardens.

Afterwards, we travel to nearby Talloires, a beautiful lakeside village often called the 'Pearl of the Lake'. Its natural beauty and mountain backdrop have inspired many artists, including Paul Cézanne, and it exudes a tranquil, luxurious atmosphere. Enjoy time to stroll along the waterfront before returning to Annecy by coach for an afternoon at leisure.

Back in Annecy, you might choose to revisit the charming Old Town or venture a little further to one of the area's lush nature reserves. The Bout du Lac offers peaceful walking trails while Le Roc de Chère provides more dramatic scenery. Dining independently tonight, Annecy boasts an excellent selection of restaurants to sample the region's cuisine.

• Breakfast

Leaving Annecy after breakfast this morning, we travel by coach towards Chamonix, with the scenery becoming ever more dramatic as we reach our destination nestled at the foot of Mont Blanc.

After checking in to our hotel, we take a short walk to the station to board the iconic red cogwheel train to the Mer de Glace. This historic mountain railway climbs steeply along the mountainside, offering spectacular views as it ascends to 1,913 metres. At the top, we are rewarded with breathtaking views of France's largest glacier, stretching deep into the Alpine landscape. For those who wish, there is an optional cable car ride included down to the glacier itself, where you can explore the famous ice caves, filled with fascinating ice sculptures.

Returning to Chamonix, the rest of the afternoon is free for you to discover this charming mountain town. With its bustling yet relaxed atmosphere, Chamonix offers a mix of cafés, scenic squares and boutique shops which you can explore before we reconvene for dinner this evening at the hotel restaurant.

• Breakfast, Dinner

Today is free to soak up the beauty of Chamonix at your own pace. Framed by vast, jagged peaks and overlooked by Mont Blanc, the scenery here is arguably the most spectacular in the French Alps. Spend time wandering at leisure, perhaps stopping for a coffee on a sunny terrace, browsing local shops or watching the world go by against a breathtaking backdrop.

If you wish, you may take the iconic cable car to the summit of Aiguille du Midi. A remarkable feat of engineering, it ascends to 3,842 metres, offering breathtaking panoramic views across Mont Blanc and, on a clear day, as far as Switzerland and Italy. At the top, a series of viewing platforms and walkways allow you to take in the spectacular scenery from every angle.

This evening is free for you to dine independently. Chamonix offers a varied choice of restaurants, from traditional Savoyard eateries serving classic dishes such as fondue and raclette to more contemporary dining spots, providing the perfect way to end your day in the Alps.

• Breakfast

After breakfast, we board the Mont Blanc Express for a remarkable journey from Chamonix into Switzerland, admiring the dramatic Alpine landscapes enroute to Martigny, where we change trains and continue to the resort town of Montreux.

On arrival, we transfer by coach to the magnificent Château de Chillon, a picturesque castle set on the shores of Lake Geneva and once home to the influential House of Savoy. Here, we enjoy a tour of its historic interior with time to soak up the lakeside setting, before we continue to the elegant spa town of Évian-les-Bains. Surrounded by the mountains and lake views, this scenic town offers a peaceful atmosphere that feels worlds away from the everyday. There's free time to find lunch and perhaps take a stroll along the lakeside promenade and visit the original spring to sample its famous mineral water.

Continuing by coach, we travel to Geneva, Switzerland's second-largest city, where we check in to our hotel for the next two nights. The rest of the day is at leisure and this evening you are free to dine independently.

• Breakfast

We get to know Geneva after breakfast this morning, where a guided tour of the Old Town awaits. Dominated by St. Peter's Cathedral, we explore the mysterious secret passages, admire its elegant mix of medieval and Renaissance architecture and visit Place Bourg-de-Four, the oldest square in the city.

After the tour, we take to the water for a cruise across the lake to the medieval village of Yvoire. Often described as one of the prettiest villages in France and nicknamed the 'Gem of the Lake', Yvoire's cobblestone, flower-lined streets invite endless exploration. Here, we visit the renowned Garden of the Five Senses, a beautifully designed botanical garden offering a unique and immersive experience through colour, scent and sound.

Later this afternoon, we return to Geneva where there is time to relax before we gather this evening for a farewell dinner in the hotel restaurant, a fitting end to our journey through the Alps and along the shores of Lake Geneva.

• Breakfast, Dinner

Throughout this stunning exploration of the lakes and mountains of France and Switzerland, we have stayed in idyllic towns, witnessed remarkable scenery on memorable railways and cruised across crystal-clear waters. From the lakeside charm of Annecy and the storybook setting of Château de Menthon-Saint-Bernard to the dramatic peaks surrounding Mont Blanc and the idyllic shores of Lake Geneva, each day revealed a new side to the region.

Leaving our hotel after breakfast this morning, we make our way to the station where we board the direct train in First Class to Paris. In the French capital, we switch trains to the Eurostar and return to London St Pancras in Plus class, where your holiday comes to an end.

• Breakfast
• Eurostar Light Meal