Luxury Cunard Mediterranean Voyage with Scenic Swiss Rail & Italian Lakes Trio

Your holiday begins as you fly from New Zealand to your destination.

On arrival, transfer to Lake Maggiore for three unhurried nights. Settle into your hotel and let the gentle rhythm of the lakes ease away the journey from home, leaving you refreshed and ready for the adventures ahead.

Enjoy a free day on Maggiore’s shores. Wander the waterfront gardens, browse the local shops, or take to the water by boat for a different view of the surrounding peaks, the day unfolding at whatever pace you choose.

A standout day on board the Centovalli Railway. The line threads a hundred valleys of chestnut woods and mountain streams, carrying you from Italy into Switzerland with the Alps rising on every side in glorious panoramic splendour.

Travel south, pausing for a guided visit to Lake Como and its elegant lakeside villas. Carry on to mountain-ringed Lake Garda, your base for the next two nights and a wonderful spot from which to explore the region.

Explore Lake Garda by hop-on, hop-off ferry, calling at charming harbour towns around the shore. Step off to explore wherever takes your fancy, lingering over lunch or a stroll, before returning to your hotel for the evening.

Transfer to Trieste to embark Cunard’s Queen Elizabeth, settling in as the ship prepares to sail. Explore her elegant decks and lounges, then find a comfortable spot to watch the Adriatic open up before you.

Rising golden above the Adriatic, walled Dubrovnik rewards exploration on foot. Walk the ancient ramparts, lose yourself in the marble-paved old town, and admire its terracotta rooftops, with sweeping sea views around every fortified turn and tower.

Lush and graceful, Corfu mixes Venetian heritage with Ionian beauty. Discover its historic old town and hilltop fortresses, browse the elegant arcaded streets, or settle on a sun-warmed beach for a leisurely Mediterranean afternoon by the sea.

The largest of the Ionian islands, Cephalonia delights with rugged scenery and clear turquoise bays. Explore its picturesque harbour villages, sample the local wines, or seek out a quiet cove to call your own for the afternoon.

Glide through the Strait of Messina, the narrow stretch of water separating Sicily from the toe of Italy, with both coastlines in view as you sail. Settle on deck and let the dramatic scenery slip slowly past.

From Naples, choose your adventure. Sail across the bay to glamorous Capri, or perhaps step back two thousand years among the haunting ruins of Pompeii, preserved in remarkable detail beneath the brooding shadow of Mount Vesuvius.

Civitavecchia places the treasures of Rome within reach. Spend an unforgettable day among ancient ruins, baroque fountains, and Renaissance art, from the Colosseum to the Trevi Fountain, before returning aboard with memories of the Eternal City.

From La Spezia, the cities of Tuscany beckon. Lose yourself in Florence’s Renaissance splendour, with its galleries and domed cathedral, or perhaps make for Pisa and its celebrated leaning tower, both an easy journey from the port.

Genoa, a proud maritime city, blends grand palaces with a labyrinth of medieval lanes. Explore its UNESCO-listed historic centre, stroll the revitalised old harbour, and sample the fine local seafood for which this Ligurian port is known.

Set on a beautiful bay, Villefranche opens the French Riviera to you. Visit chic Nice with its seafront promenade, try your luck in glamorous Monaco, or simply soak up the colourful harbourside charm of the town itself.

Birthplace of Napoleon, Ajaccio combines French sophistication with Corsican warmth. Stroll the atmospheric old town and lively markets, visit the emperor’s childhood home, or unwind on the sweep of golden sand that fringes this handsome Mediterranean bay.

Your holiday complete, today you’ll head to the airport for your flight home.