Over eight days, you'll traverse three of Europe's most captivating destinations—yet most travelers only scratch the surface of what this region truly offers. The Lake Como, St Moritz & Bernina Express tour has become a phenomenon among UK holidaymakers, consistently ranking as one of Newmarket Holidays' bestselling packages. This escorted tour represents a masterclass in destination pairing—combining the romantic, sun-drenched shores of Italy's most glamorous lake with the dramatic, snow-capped peaks of the Swiss Alps.

What sets this journey apart from countless other European tours is the centerpiece: the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Bernina Express, a railway journey that's become legendary among travel enthusiasts. The combination of serene lakeside relaxation and Alpine adventure creates an experience that feels both indulgent and thrilling in equal measure. Most travelers arrive expecting a typical coach tour; they leave transformed by the orchestration of it all.

Discover your complete Lake Como and Bernina Express experience with Newmarket Holidays today.

The Lake Como Experience: Why This Alpine Lake Captivates Millions

Lake Como has enchanted artists, writers, and travelers for centuries—and stepping onto its shores reveals why almost immediately. The seven-night accommodation places you directly on the picturesque lakeside, with options for bed-and-breakfast or half-board arrangements. Rather than staying in a distant hotel and commuting to attractions, you'll wake to mountain vistas and Alpine air each morning.

Seven Nights of Lakeside Living

Your base offers the rare luxury of unhurried time. Unlike typical coach tours that barrel through destinations, this itinerary trusts that slowing down reveals more. You'll have mornings to wander quiet lakeside promenades, afternoons to settle into waterfront cafés, and evenings to watch the light change across the water. Half-board options mean dinner is handled, leaving your evenings free for spontaneity—a walk through illuminated villages, or simply standing on your balcony watching swans glide past.

Bellagio: Italy's Most Beautiful Town

An included excursion takes you to Bellagio, a destination so visually perfect it feels almost fictional. Perched at the meeting point of three arms of Lake Como, this elegant town is famous for its villas and meticulously manicured gardens. Villa d'Este and Villa Balbianello have hosted royalty and celebrities for generations. Walking Bellagio's narrow cobbled streets, you're surrounded by bougainvillea, lemon trees, and the kind of architecture that appears in luxury travel magazines.

The Boat Excursion and Villa del Balbianello

One of the tour's most memorable moments comes during the scenic boat trip across Lake Como's crystalline waters. This included excursion often features a visit to the stunning gardens of Villa del Balbianello, where terraced lawns descend toward the water in a cascade of Mediterranean flora. The boat journey itself becomes the attraction—water so clear you can see details on the lakebed, mountains rising dramatically on all sides, and perhaps a glimpse of the villas where film crews once shot scenes from James Bond productions.

Bernina Express Railway: The Heart-Stopping Journey Through Alpine Passes

The Bernina Express represents one of the world's great railway experiences—and it's included in your tour package. This isn't a journey you'll take and immediately forget; it's the kind of memory that resurfaces unexpectedly years later, still capable of raising your pulse.

UNESCO World Heritage Engineering Marvel

The route earned UNESCO World Heritage status for good reason. The engineering required to construct this railway through the Alps represents Victorian-era ingenuity at its finest. Surveyors and builders faced terrain that seemed impossible—steep gradients, exposed mountainsides, and weather that would challenge any construction effort. They responded with a solution that remains breathtaking: rather than boring through mountains with endless tunnels, the Bernina Express uses dramatic viaducts and spiral sections that allow the route to gain elevation while maintaining passenger comfort.

Viaducts and Spiral Tunnels

As your train climbs higher, you'll experience the famous Landwasser Viaduct—a red-brick masterpiece that feels suspended above the landscape. The structure arcs gracefully across a deep valley, and passengers instinctively lean toward windows to capture the moment. Subsequently, spiral tunnels twist through mountainsides in a feat of engineering that feels almost impossible when you realize the train is quite literally spiraling upward through solid rock. These aren't gimmicks added for tourism; they're functional elements that solve genuine engineering challenges, yet they create an experience that's simultaneously educational and thrilling.

The Bernina Pass Crossing

The journey culminates at Bernina Pass, where you transition from Italian to Swiss landscape. The elevation gain is gradual enough that you don't feel rushed, but dramatic enough that the landscape transformation is unmistakable. Valleys that contained cypress trees and Mediterranean vegetation give way to Alpine meadows and mountain peaks. You're not crossing a border so much as entering a different world entirely—higher, cooler, wilder.

Reserve your Bernina Express journey now and experience this UNESCO heritage railway firsthand.

St Moritz: From Mountain Resort to Exclusive Alpine Destination

After descending from Bernina Pass, the train arrives in St Moritz—a destination that needs no introduction to serious skiers, but often surprises visitors with its year-round appeal.

Arrival and First Impressions

Your arrival in St Moritz marks a clear shift in the tour's rhythm. The leisure pace of Lake Como gives way to the energy of a world-class Alpine resort. The town itself is elegant without being pretentious—designer shops and Michelin-starred restaurants exist alongside genuine mountain-town character. Cable cars carry visitors toward peaks, and every direction offers views of snow-capped summits or pristine valleys.

Beyond Winter: Summer and Autumn Adventures

While St Moritz is legendary as a winter sports destination, most tour participants visit during warmer months when the mountains reveal themselves fully. Summer hiking trails crisscross the region, ranging from leisurely lakeside walks to challenging Alpine ridge traverses. Mountain biking attracts enthusiasts from across Europe, with trails that range from gentle valley routes to technical downhill challenges. The Alpine lakes that surround St Moritz—including the famous St Moritz lake itself—offer swimming, paddleboarding, and the surreal experience of bathing in mountain water with peaks reflected in the surface.

What's Included vs. What Costs Extra: Breaking Down the 2026 Package

Understanding the pricing structure helps you make informed decisions about where to invest additional funds.

Base Price and What It Covers

The 2026 tour starts from £1,598 per person, though this figure fluctuates based on departure dates, chosen hotel tier, and current promotions. Newmarket Holidays frequently offers discounts—15% off early bookings isn't uncommon. This base price includes return flights from multiple UK airports to Milan, a significant component when calculated independently.

Ground Transportation and Transfers

Coach transfers throughout the itinerary are included, eliminating the uncertainty of arranging connections between airports, hotels, and activity starting points. Your tour manager meets you at Milan airport and remains with the group throughout, managing logistics while providing context and local knowledge. This infrastructure removes decision fatigue—you simply board the coach and know you'll arrive where you need to be.

Flights and Accommodation

Seven nights of accommodation on Lake Como's shores is included, with the flexibility to choose bed-and-breakfast or half-board arrangements. Some travelers opt for half-board to simplify evening planning, while others prefer the independence of bed-and-breakfast. Your accommodation choice affects the final cost but provides genuine flexibility.

Optional Excursions Worth Considering

Beyond included excursions to Bellagio and the boat trip featuring Villa del Balbianello, optional additions become available. Milan, with its extraordinary cathedral and art collections, attracts many participants. Bergamo's medieval old town captivates others. Lugano, the Swiss lakeside town, appeals to those seeking mountain scenery combined with cultural attractions. These aren't necessary to enjoy the tour, but they provide opportunities for deeper exploration if your interests align.

Your Alpine Adventure Awaits

The Lake Como, St Moritz & Bernina Express tour represents something increasingly rare in modern travel: a genuinely well-crafted itinerary that honors both relaxation and discovery. You're not ticking boxes on a map—you're experiencing the serene Italian lakeside lifestyle, then pivoting to the dramatic Alpine grandeur of Switzerland, all connected by one of the world's most spectacular train journeys.

What resonates most in traveler feedback isn't the luxury or prestige, but the seamless orchestration. Flights are sorted, transfers are handled, expert guides are waiting, and the Bernina Express ticket already rests in your pocket. This frees you to actually inhabit these moments rather than frantically organizing them. The 2026 departures are already generating interest, and early-booking discounts won't last indefinitely.

If you've been contemplating a European escape that combines natural beauty, cultural richness, and genuine adventure without the headache of solo planning, this tour deserves serious consideration. Contact Newmarket Holidays and align this experience with your travel aspirations.

Book your Lake Como, St Moritz & Bernina Express adventure with Newmarket Holidays today.