Italy and Switzerland Journey

Welcome to Rome. Upon arrival, we'll transfer you to your hotel where a guide will meet you to provide all the essential information for your stay. You'll also find useful details on the information board in the hotel reception area. This evening, we'll take you to Via Cavour, a vibrant street offering a range of dining options including Italian, Indian, Chinese and international cuisines - an excellent way to begin your experience of the city.
Please note: This tour may have travellers joining or departing at various points along the route, meaning group composition can change during the tour.

This morning, we embark on a three-hour guided tour of Rome, blending a walking exploration of Imperial Rome with a panoramic coach ride to appreciate the city's rich history. We visit iconic landmarks including the Arch of Constantine, the exterior of the Colosseum, the Imperial Forums, Circus Maximus, Baths of Caracalla, Basilica of Saint Mary Major, Pyramid of Cestius, and Castel Sant-Angelo. The tour concludes at Vatican City around 11:00 a.m., where the guide will offer an optional visit to the Vatican Museums and the Sistine Chapel. Later, we transfer you to the lively Trastevere neighbourhood, famed for its charming restaurants and vibrant atmosphere. The day wraps up with a return to the hotel at approximately 8:30 p.m.

Today we leave Rome and travel north, enjoying the changing landscapes along the way. On arrival in Florence, we head straight to Piazzale Michelangelo for stunning panoramic views of the city. We then walk down to the historic centre, where after some time for lunch, we take a guided walking tour with a local expert. Highlights include the Ponte Vecchio, the Duomo and Piazza della Signoria. Florence truly feels like an open-air museum. You'll then have free time to explore at your own pace. In the evening, the district offers a wide selection of restaurants with various international cuisines for you to choose from.

Today we travel from Florence to Venice, crossing the scenic Apennine Mountains. Upon arrival in Venice, we'll take a boat across the Giudecca Canal to the island itself. With a local guide, we'll explore the stunning St. Mark's Square before visiting the Murano Glass Factory, where you'll see traditional glassmaking techniques in action. After the tour, you'll have some free time to explore Venice independently. Tonight, we stay in the Mestre district, just a short distance from the city centre.

We depart Venice and travel north towards Austria. Upon arrival in Innsbruck, you'll have time to explore the historic town centre and enjoy lunch at your leisure. Afterwards, we continue through the scenic Tyrolean landscape before crossing into Switzerland and arriving in Zurich for the evening.

Today's journey showcases some of Switzerland's most stunning mountain and lake scenery in the Interlaken region. Our first stop is Grindelwald, where we'll pause for a coffee before taking a cable car up the mountain. From there, we'll walk along a winding path to a suspended bridge, which offers spectacular views of the surrounding glaciers for those who wish to cross it. Lunch is included on the mountain before we descend and continue to Lucerne, widely regarded as one of Switzerland's most picturesque cities. You'll have free time to explore Lucerne's charming streets and waterfront before we return to Zurich. There is also an optional full-day excursion available, beginning in the morning, where after some free time in Lucerne, we take a rotating cable car to the summit of Mount Titlis. At over 3,000 metres above sea level, the alpine views of the glacier and the Alps are truly breathtaking.

We depart Zurich early, crossing the Alps into Switzerland's Italian-speaking region. Our first stop is Bellinzona, famous for its trio of medieval castles, which are recognised as UNESCO World Heritage Sites. These hilltop fortifications reflect Bellinzona's historic role as a key alpine stronghold. You'll have some free time to explore the charming old town before we continue into Italy. In Como, known as the jewel of Lombardy, we pause for lunch amid its beautiful lakeside gardens and impressive cathedral. Afterwards, we travel to Milan where our guide will lead us to the striking Piazza del Duomo. You'll then have some free time to explore before we transfer you to your hotel.

We leave Milan today and travel to Pisa, where we'll take a short ride on a tourist train to reach the Piazza dei Miracoli - the Square of Miracles. Here, you'll have time to admire this remarkable complex, including the famous Leaning Tower of Pisa, a highlight of Italian art and architecture. Later, we continue to Rome, arriving in the evening.