Switzerland and Italy Highlights

On arrival in Zurich, we will transfer you to your hotel where you can settle in at your leisure. In the afternoon, information about the tour's start will be available on the notice boards at the hotel reception, helping you prepare for the days ahead. You will have free time to relax or explore the local area independently.
Please note: This tour may have travellers joining or departing at various points along the route, meaning group composition can change during the tour.

We begin the day with a guided tour of Zurich, Switzerland's largest city and its financial and cultural centre. Known for its banking sector, Zurich has twice been ranked as the city with the highest quality of life worldwide. Following the city tour, we embark on a scenic cruise of nearly two hours across Lake Zurich. Along the way, we make brief stops to appreciate some of the charming lakeside villages. We disembark at Rapperswil, a picturesque town famed for its medieval castle. From there, we return to Zurich by train, giving you the chance to experience the renowned Swiss railway system. Depending on the group size, transfers to and from the city centre may be by public transport.

Today we travel through some of Switzerland's most striking scenery, from lakes to towering mountains. We begin in Grindelwald, where there is time for a coffee before taking a cable car up the mountain. At the top, we'll follow a winding path leading to a suspended bridge that offers spectacular views of nearby glaciers - crossing the bridge is optional but rewarding for those who are adventurous. Lunch is included on the mountain before we descend. Our journey continues to Lucerne, one of Switzerland's most picturesque cities, where you'll have free time to explore its charming streets at your own pace. Later we return to Zurich. For those interested, the guide will propose a full-day optional excursion starting in the morning, including a cable car ride to the summit of Mount Titlis. At over 3,000 metres, the alpine views of glaciers and the surrounding Alps are breathtaking.

We depart Zurich early, crossing the Alps to reach Bellinzona, in the Italian-speaking region of Switzerland. Here, we visit the town famous for its three medieval castles, a UNESCO World Heritage Site that underlines Bellinzona's historical role as a key alpine fortress. You'll have some free time to explore the charming streets at your own pace. Next, we cross into Italy and stop in the delightful town of Como for lunch. Known as the jewel of Lombardy, Como is celebrated for its beautiful lakeside gardens and impressive cathedral. After lunch, we continue to Milan. Our guide will lead us to the striking Piazza del Duomo, where you'll have some time to wander before we transfer you to the hotel.

We continue our journey today with a visit to Pisa. We'll take a short tourist train ride to Piazza dei Miracoli, where you'll have time to admire this remarkable complex of medieval architecture, including the famous Leaning Tower. Later, we travel on to Rome, arriving in the evening to prepare for the next phase of your Italian experience.

In the morning, we'll take a three-hour guided tour of Rome, combining a walking route through Imperial Rome with a panoramic bus ride. You'll see some of the city's most iconic sights, including the Arch of Constantine, the exterior of the Colosseum and Imperial Forums, the Circus Maximus, the Baths of Caracalla, the Basilica of Saint Mary Major, the Pyramid of Cestius, and Castel Sant-Angelo. The tour concludes at Vatican City around 11:00 a.m. Afterward, there is an optional visit to explore the Vatican Museums and the Sistine Chapel. Later, we'll transfer you to the vibrant Trastevere district, famous for its charming restaurants and lively atmosphere. We'll return to the hotel around 8:30 p.m.

After breakfast, your tour concludes, leaving you with wonderful memories to take home.