Travel by high-speed Eurostar and French TGV rail services to Annecy, one of the most charming and attractive towns in the Haute-Savoie region of France, built on a maze of canals, with cobbled streets and old stone bridges. The old town is lined with cafés and restaurants, and cruises on the lake offer wonderful views of the Alps.
DAY 1 UK/Annecy
Depart from London St Pancras or Ebbsfleet on the morning Eurostar scheduled to Lille. Here we change to a French TGV high-speed train for the southward journey to Lyon. Sit back, relax and enjoy the scenery as the TGV cruises effortlessly at up to 186mph! From Lyon we go by ‘ordinary’ train via Aix-les Bains towards the Alps and Annecy. Enjoy a welcome drink before dinner at the hotel this evening.
DAY 2 Annecy & Thônes
This morning we include an introductory walking tour of Annecy, with an optional boat trip on the lake. This afternoon our included excursion takes us to visit to the pretty market town of Thônes and the picturesque alpine resort of La Clusaz.
DAY 3 - Chamonix & Mont Blanc
Today you are free to relax or join our optional full day tour to the mountain grandeur of Chamonix. This stylish town is the historic capital of Alpine skiing and attracts visitors all year round thanks to its superb location under the awe-inspiring gaze of western Europe’s highest mountain, Mont Blanc. You can take a spectacular cable car ride for magnificent views (at extra cost).
DAY 4 Lake Geneva
At leisure or why not join our optional full day excursion to explore the walled town of Yvoire situated on Lake Geneva in France, where we can stroll through the narrow streets lined with medieval houses. From here we enjoy a boat trip across the lake to the Swiss city of Geneva with free time to browse in the elegant shops and perhaps photograph the city’s famous landmark fountain, Le Jet d’Eau. Enjoy a farewell get-together and dinner at a local restaurant this evening.
DAY 5 Annecy/UK
Depart after breakfast for the return journey via Lyon to Lille arriving in Ebbsfleet and London in the early evening.