The Italian Lakes - Como, Maggiore, Garda - are among the most beautiful landscapes in Europe. They're also reachable from London by train in around 10-12 hours.
The Eurostar to Paris, TGV to Milan, and regional train to whichever lake you're visiting makes for a genuinely comfortable journey with good connections. The scenery from the train through the Alps is, by itself, worth the journey.
London to Milan: Eurostar to Paris (2h15), TGV to Milan (around 7 hours). Total around 10-11 hours with connections. From Milan, Lake Como is 40 minutes by regional train, Lake Maggiore around 50 minutes, Lake Garda requires a further connection.
Carbon comparison: a return flight from London to Milan produces around 0.25 tonnes of CO₂. The train produces around 0.02 tonnes - a 92% reduction.
Book Eurostar at eurostar.com, the TGV at sncf-connect.com or trainline.com. Book well in advance for best prices - TGV tickets from Paris to Milan can be £30-60 return booked early.
The most dramatic of the three major lakes - steep forested hills dropping directly to the water, elegant lakeside villages connected by ferry. Bellagio is the classic stop (justifiably). Varenna is quieter and equally charming. The ferry network is excellent and the best way to get around.
Walking: the Greenway del Lago is a 10km path along the western shore, largely flat and extremely beautiful. The hills above offer more challenging routes with extraordinary views.
Larger and less crowded than Como. The Borromean Islands in the middle of the lake are the highlight - Isola Bella with its baroque palace and gardens is genuinely extraordinary. Stresa is the main town and a good base. The lake extends into Switzerland; a day trip to Locarno by ferry is easy and rewarding.
The largest Italian lake. The southern shores are flatter and more touristy; the northern end around Riva del Garda is dramatic and less crowded. Good for cycling - the Garda by Bike route circumnavigates the lake. Sirmione at the southern tip has a medieval castle on a peninsula and is worth visiting early morning before the crowds arrive.
May and June for warmth, flowers and fewer crowds. September and October are ideal - warm water, beautiful light, significantly quieter. July and August are busy and hot; manageable but book everything well ahead.
The train journey through the Alps is genuinely spectacular, particularly the section between Lausanne and Milan via the Simplon tunnel. Crossing into Italy by rail through the mountains is one of those travel experiences that stays with you.
