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Best of Switzerland & Italy

10 Days

Overview:

There is nothing more beautiful in nature than seeing the allure of the Alps and the picturesque Lake Lucerne in Switzerland and Lake Como in Italy in person. This 10 day journey will take you on cogwheel trains, boats, and rails to see the best that Switzerland and Northern Italy has to offer. With a private guide to assist you throughout your trip, the only thing you will have to get ready for is to have the time of your life exploring world renowned mountain tops of Jungfraujoch, the clear waters of Lake Como and lakeside village of Belagio, and a trip back to the city of Milan to fulfill those shopping desires. There’s no better time to get lost through the charming streets of Lucerne, look at the storybook views of Interlaken, and eat delicious Swiss and Italian food. This trip will take you on both an adventurous journey and relaxing vacation, and there’s no time to waste.

1 Day in Zurich

2 Days in Lucerne

3 Days in Interlaken

1 Day in Lugano

2 Days in Como

1 Day in Milan

The Plan:

Day 1 Zurich - ½ Day Guided Walking Tour

Your first day in Zurich starts with a private airport transfer to your hotel and a representative to answer any questions and assist you through a speedy check in where you’ll also receive a welcome package. Then, you’ll go on your walking tour of Zurich to see the business district, window shop through the shopping district, visit the Old Town, and relax along the lake.

Day 2 Zurich - Lucerne (45 Minutes) ½ Day Walking Tour

Your guide will take you to your 45 minute train ride to Lucerne where your journey begins with a stroll across the Chapel Bridge and Mill Bridge to see the “Dance of Death” paintings. Then, you’ll have time to see the famous Musegg Wall, visit Town Hall, and revel the Lion Monument. You will also have the option to visit the Swiss Transport Museum for all things transportation.

Day 3 Lucerne - 6 Hour Mount Pilatus Tour

Get ready for the first day of getting in touch with nature on your boat ride on Lake Lucerne to Alpnachstad. From there, board a cogwheel train to take in the spectacular views atop Mount Pilatus, the highest point in Europe. Then, you’ll descend aboard an aerial cable car to Fraenkmuentegg to view the pine forests and mountain meadows to the village of Kriens.

Day 4 Lucerne - Interlaken (2 Hours) 1 Hour Horse Carriage Tour

Depart from Lucerne and board a train for 3 hours to Interlaken. You’ll then be greeted by your guide to go enjoy a one hour horse and carriage ride, the perfect way to enjoy the charm of this quaint city. Then, you will head to your hotel by private transfer.

Day 5 Interlaken - 8 Hour Excursion to Jungfraujoch

Get ready for a self-guided excursion to the Bernese Alps. Walk to Interlaken Ost station and board a train to Waterfall Valley of Lauterbrunnen to transfer 2.5 hours to Jungfraujoch surrounded by stunning scenery. Then, you can visit the Ice palace and Sphinx Terraces to overlook the gorgeous Aletsch Glacier. After a meal, return down to Grindelwald, a village known for winter sports.

Day 6 Interlaken - Lugano (5 hours) ½ Day Walking City Tour

Depart Interlaken to Lugano where you’ll go on a 2 hour guided tour of a city known as the “Little Rio de Janeiro” and stroll through the cobble-stoned Old Town and marvel at the numerous piazzas you’ll pass on the way. Landmarks to be sure to hit are the Monument of Independence, the Piazza Riforma, and the Santa Maria degli Angioli.

Day 7 Lugano - Como (45 Minutes) ½ Day Walking Tour

After a quick ride to Como, you’ll receive a welcome package for Italy and begin your journey on a 2 hour walking tour of the town. This gem of a city is steeped with Roman history which is clear from the villas and squares teeming with famous works of art. You’ll be able to see the Gothic and Renaissance Cathedral as you walk alongside the breathtaking lake.

Day 8 Como - ½ Day Bellagio & Lakeside Villages Boat Tour

Your day will start with an enjoyable boat ride on a Venetian style boat heading towards Bellagio at which time you can gaze at ancient villas and churches. This strip of the Laglio has the perfect view of Villa Erba, Villa D’Este, Villa Pizzo, and Villa Fontanelle. Then, you’ll visit the gardens of Villa Melzi where you can capture the beauty of the flowers with a backdrop of the Alps.

Day 9 Como - Milan (1 Hour) ½ Day City Tour with Last Supper

After a transfer to Milan, you’ll set out on a tour of the phenomenal city of Milan. Begin with a stop at the grand Cathedral of Milan. Then, you’ll visit Sforza Castle, a palace built for a Duke, and La Scala, a world renowned opera house. Your last stop will be the Santa Maria delle Grazie Church to see the Last Supper painted by da Vinci. This day will be full of postcard moments.

Day 10 Milan

Enjoy a last lovely breakfast in Milan before you meet your private driver to head to the airport to conclude this magnificent journey through Switzerland and Northern Italy.

Must See:

Zurich:

Lake Zurich, Old Town (Altstadt), Museum of Art (Kunsthaus Zurich), Uetliberg Mountain, Zoo Zurich, Lindenhofplatz, Bahnhofstrasse, Grossmunster, Church of Our Lady (Fraumunster), Rietberg Museum

Lucerne:

Explore the Old Town, Walk the Medieval Wooden Covered Bridges, Hike Mt Rigi or Mt Pilatus, Walk the Fortress Walls, Cruise on the Lake by boat, Visit the Lion Monument, Visit Jesuit Church, Visit the many Museums, Check out the Glacier Garden, take some pictures at the Bourbaki Panorama

Como:

Bellagio, Como, Villa Serbelloni, Villa Carlotta, Villa d`Este, Villa del Balbianello, Menaggio, Varenna

Milan:

The Last Supper by Michelangelo, The Duomo, Pinacoteca di Brera, Quadrilatero d'Oro, Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II, Scala museum and theatre, Piazza Fontana. Arco della Pace, the churches of Santa Maria delle Grazie and San Lorenzo, Corso Venezia and Piazza San Babila and Sforzesco Castle

Memory Makers:

Zurich

Small-Group Chocolate and Sweets Walking Tour of Zurich’s Old Town

This special way to tour Old Town is the perfect balance of history and cuisine. Enjoy an intimate 2.5 hour walking tour of Zurich chocolate shops and become an expert on why Swiss confections are what the country is famous for.

Switzerland Mountains, Cheese and Chocolate Tour from Zurich

This full day tour of the countryside is a perfect day trip to see the fine cultural traditions this Swiss city has to offer with a guided coach tour to a cheese factory in Stein and a visit to the world class chocolate maker Lindt, and top it off with an aerial cable car to Mount Hoher Kasten for breathtaking views of the Rhine Valley.

Lucerne

Chocolate factory visit & create your own chocolate bar, with private tour guide

Chocolate is one of those things we love to eat but never really know how it’s made. Now is the perfect opportunity to change that with this 3 to 4 hour tour on the art of chocolatiering to a visit to Aeschbach Chocolatier where you can enjoy samples and even make your very own chocolate creation.

Interlaken

Tandem Paragliding Experience from Interlaken

There’s just nothing that can compare to an aerial view of snow capped mountains and after going on this 1.5 hour paragliding experience, you can believe in that too. The alpine landscape is a sight to behold and flying over the Swiss Alps is the perfect way to do that.

Helicopter Skydive in Interlaken

For the thrill seekers out there, skydiving is surely a bucket list item and there truly is no better place to skydive than over the Swiss Alps. For 2.5 hours, you can take a helicopter tour of the Eiger, the Monch, and the Jungfrau, and then leap from 14,000 feet for an experience you’ll never forget.

Milan

Milan Food Walking Tour of Brera

This 3 hour guided tour of Brera takes you through the streets of Brera with six different stops to indulge in the best of local delicacies like cheese, prosciutto, craft beer, and Milanese dishes. For the foodies out there, there’s no better way to personally experience Milanese cuisine.

Italian Cooking Class in Milan

Italian cuisine is among the tastiest in the world. What better place to learn how to cook authentic Italian food than in Milan with professional chefs. Here, in 4 hours, they will teach you how to make a four course meal of risotto, gnocchi, ravioli, tiramisu, and panna cotta. After all that hard work, you’ll be able to taste the fruits of your labor with a complimentary glass of local wine for an unforgettable learning and dining experience.

Italian Wine Tasting in Milan

Among other famous things that Italy is known for, wine is definitely one that tops the list. In Lombardy, sit down for a 1.5 hour Italian wine tasting with a professional sommelier to learn about the wine from the region and taste three different Italian wines with cheese and cold cuts.

Weather and climate

Italy

Weather in Italy depends on the region. Temperatures in the south are generally hotter than in the north. You can usually rely on the sun between May and September with the hottest temperatures in July and August. Beaches along the coast are at their busiest in August. During spring (April to June) and early autumn (September and October), weather is generally good without much rain.

Switzerland

The Alps cause many climatic variations throughout Switzerland. In the higher Alpine regions temperatures tend to be low, while the lower land of the northern area has higher temperatures and warm summers. Overall the hottest months are July and August, though these are also the busiest. Those looking to ski should visit Switzerland between December and April, when snow is good in the Alps. The months of May and September are great times to visit for those looking for sunny and mild days, but without the throngs of tourists.