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Vistas of Italy and Switzerland

9 Days

from $8,479 pp

SMALL GROUP HOSTED JOURNEY

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From the grand elegance of Venice to the soul-stirring alpine villages of Switzerland – join us on a memory-making adventure that takes in time-honoured traditions, fascinating local culture and breathtaking railway journeys through some of the world's most enchanting scenery.

Tour Highlights:

  • Learn the traditions of authentic Italian cuisine with a cooking class in the Franciacorta region

  •  Experience scenic train journeys on two of the great alpine railways: the Bernina Express and the Glacier Express

  •  Observe a traditional mask-decorating demonstration in the magnificent floating city of Venice

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What's Included:

  • 8 nights in hand-picked accommodation

  • Experienced Tour Leader and Driver

  • Premium mini-coach transportation

  • Meals: 8 Breakfasts, 2 Lunches, 2 Dinners

What's Not Included:

  • Airfares

  • Items of a personal nature

  • Travel insurance (mandatory)

  • Visas (if applicable)

  • Optional activities

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Your Itinerary:

DAY

VENICE (ITALY)

01

Welcome to Venice - the magnificent floating city boasting unparalleled elegance, grandeur and romance. Meet your travel companions and Tour Leader at the hotel, before settling into a delicious welcome meal at a local restaurant. Salute!

 

Accommodation: Hotel Pesaro (or similar)

MEALS: Dinner

DAY

VENICE – SIRMIONE

02

After breakfast, we’ll acquaint ourselves with Venice’s maze-like backstreets on an orientation tour with our Tour Leader, before meeting with a local artisan for a traditional mask-making demonstration. Enjoy some free time to indulge in la dolce vita (the sweet life) along the canal-lined streets and lavish piazzas before we continue onwards to the resort town of Sirmione. Located on the southern bank of Lake Garda, we’ll have the evening to explore at our leisure.

 

Accommodation: Hotel Ideal (or similar)

MEALS: Breakfast

DAY

SIRMIONE – BORGHETTO – SIRMIONE

03

This morning we’ll make our way to a local farmhouse – where we’ll be treated to a light lunch filled with fresh regional produce. Then: we’ll learn a fact or two on a walking tour of the quaint village of Borghetto. Running through the heart of this picturesque destination is the mighty Mincio River – along which you’ll find many ancient watermills and riverside restaurants dishing up delicious tortellini. Upon returning to Sirmione, the evening is ours to spend relaxing at the hotel, enjoying the local hot springs or seeking out a waterfront restaurant for some fresh local cuisine.

 

Accommodation: Hotel Ideal (or similar)

MEALS: Breakfast Lunch

DAY

SIRMIONE – MONTE ISOLA – LAKE ISEO

04

Today, our road will carry us to the Port of Sulzano where we’ll embark on a boat tour across Lake Iseo – docking at picturesque Carzano on the mountain island of Monte Isola. Enjoy some free time to explore this charming village and its lakeside cafes. Later, we’ll round off the day with a relaxing evening at our hotel or seeking out some gastronomic delicacies in town.

 

Accommodation: Hotel Capovilla (or similar)

MEALS: Breakfast

DAY

LAKE ISEO

05

Rolling hills, charming vineyards and authentic Italian cuisine are on the cards today. Our first stop will be a local farmhouse in the Franciacorta region, where a guided tour of a traditional wine cellar awaits. Continuing our gastronomic discovery, we’ll roll up our sleeves and get stuck into a rustic cooking class – where we’ll learn some regional culinary secrets. And then? It’s time to savour our creations and enjoy a wine tasting over lunch – before returning to Iseo for an evening spent relaxing at the hotel or exploring the array of local eateries.

 

Accommodation: Hotel Capovilla (or similar)

MEALS: Breakfast Lunch

DAY

LAKE ISEO – TIRANO – ENGADIN VALLEY (SWITZERLAND)

06

Today our path will lead us to Tirano, one of the prettiest towns along the Switzerland-Italy boundary. We'll enjoy some free time to explore before embarking on a spectacular tour highlight: the Bernina Express. One of the world's most iconic railway journeys, our train will climb steadily into the Swiss Alps, with spectacular views of soaring mountain peaks and awe-inspiring glaciers in every direction. Our final stop of the day will be the Engadin Valley, where we'll be welcomed into Switzerland with an outlook of pristine scenery and warming local cuisine.

Accommodation: Reine Victoria Hotel (or similar)

MEALS: Breakfast

DAY

ENGADIN VALLEY – ANDERMATT – INTERLAKEN

07

After feasting on a hearty breakfast, we’ll board the famous Glacier Express train to Andermatt. Prepare for an experience unlike any other! Sit back and relax as we leisurely make our way through spiral tunnels, alpine villages and the Rhine Gorge – soaking up breathtaking panoramic views as we go. Upon arriving in Andermatt, we’ll board the mini-coach once again for the short journey to Interlaken. For dinner tonight, we’ll have an abundance of sumptuous local menus to choose from.

 

Accommodation: Hotel Krebs (or similar)

MEALS: Breakfast

DAY

INTERLAKEN – BRIENZ – INTERLAKEN

08

This morning we’ll continue to Brienz – where we’ll take a memorable journey along one of the oldest railways in Switzerland. Step back in time as we ride the chugging steam train to the top of the Brienzer Rothorn. From the top of the mountain, we’ll enjoy a light refreshment overlooking panoramic views over the Emmental Alps. Following that, we’ll travel back to Interlaken on a scenic paddle steamer cruise – before clinking glasses over one final dinner together. What a trip it’s been! Please note: During the summer season (June-October), we will visit the Brienzer Rothorn and enjoy a paddle steamer cruise as listed in the itinerary. In spring (March-May), we will take a cable car from Mürren to Schilthorn instead – with some free time to explore Mürren before we return to Interlaken.

 

Accommodation: Hotel Krebs (or similar)

MEALS: Breakfast Dinner

DAY

INTERLAKEN – LUCERNE – ZURICH

09

For our last day together, we’ll continue to Lucerne – where an indulgent chocolate tasting awaits. We’ll have some free time to explore this lakeside city and enjoy lunch at our leisure – before moving on to our final destination of the tour: Zurich. We’ll go our separate ways upon arriving later this afternoon.

 

MEALS: Breakfast

Geography

Highlights:

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