Grand Tour of Northern Italy and Swiss Alps

Arrival
Welcome to Milan, the fashion capital of Italy! Upon arrival to Milan you are met by your driver and taken to your downtown hotel.

There are no planned activities for you for today day, so you can relax and recover after the flight. If you would like to do some looking around, we suggest visiting the world famous shopping and fashion avenue, Quadrilatero della Moda.

Milan Sightseeing  
Following breakfast you meet your guide at the hotel lobby and have a 3-hour walking tour of Milan to learn more about the city’s history and reputation as a fashion capital.

You start with visiting to world-known Milan Duomo, the Gothic cathedral and the highest sight in the city which took about six centuries to build. Then you walk through nearby-located Galleria Vittorio Emanuele and reach La Scala Theatre. Prepare to be wowed by the prestigious Milan opera house (no entrance is included).

You continue with picturesque Brera district to feel the historical atmosphere of the city. Explore the public areas, with stories of its 15th-century owners ringing in your ears. After all you make a stop at Castello Sforzesco to see history and style combined with Milanese flair.

*Please note: Milan Cathedral is a sacred religious site thus the dress code for visiting it is applied just as when you visit any church in Italy: no shorts – no uncovered knees and shoulders, no backpacks.

*Note: The unique treasure of Milan - Leonardo da Vinci’s legendary fresco “The Last Supper” located in the church of Santa Maria delle Grazie is not included in the city tour due to its limited availability. Please, ask your travel specialist about available tickets for your tour date.

Departure to Lake Garda
Following breakfast at your hotel and check-out, you meet your private driver who transfers you to the train station. 

Arrival in Sirmione
Upon arrival in Desenzano Del Garda you have a transfer to the hotel in Sirmione. Following check-in you have a day at leisure. 

Sirmione Sightseeing 
Following breakfast in the hotel, meet your private guide at the lobby and embark on a 3-hour walking tour of Sirmione, the "pearl" of Lake Garda with its history dating back to the Roman times.

The first on your list today is visit to the Scaliger Castle, which is the symbol of Sirmione. The views of the castle completely surrounded by water are breathtaking. You also have a chance to admire churches dating back to the 15th century: the small Sant'Anna della Rocca, and the Church of Santa Maria Maggiore, as well as a church dating back to the 8th century: Church of St Peter in Mavinas. 

During the tour, you get to walk along the shores of Lake Garda and visit a viewing point that offers the best photo opportunities with amazing scenery of Lake Garda and Monte Baldo. 

As a highlight of the tour you visit the Grottoes of Catullus, an archeological park housing remains of an ancient Roman villa, built between the end of the 1st century B.C. and the beginning of the 1st century A.D. This grand villa belonged to the family of Catullus, the neoteric poet of the late Roman Republic.

You also learn about the local thermal spas, known for its amazing preventive and therapeutic properties, that you have a chance to visit.

After the tour, you return back to the hotel.

Departure
Following breakfast in your hotel, you check out and meet your private driver for the transfer. 

Arrival in St. Moritz
Upon arrival, you walk to your hotel and check-in. The rest of the day is free to enjoy the magnificent mountain landscape on your own. 

Departure
In the morning you check out and depart from St Moritz. 

Arrival in Zermatt
Zermatt is famous not only for being a popular ski resort. This lovely village is located in the southern canton of Valais which is home to some of the world's most spectacular mountains, including Matterhorn.

Upon arrival, you walk to your hotel for check-in and have the rest of the day at leisure.

Day Trip to Gornegrat 
After breakfast you walk to the railway station, where you board a cogwheel train equipped with large windows which allow you to enjoy a journey across the highest open-air railway in Europe. The Gornergrat Bahn is the cog railway which was the first in the world to be fully electrified. Nowadays regenerative braking system of this eco-friendly railway generates electricity on the descent and so saves energy.

After about 45 minutes you reach the station of Gornergrat which is considered to be the highest open-air railway station of Europe at an altitude of 3, 090 m (10,135 ft). Gornergrat observation platform is accessible all year round and offers one of the finest panoramas in Switzerland. From there you have a glorious view of more than 20 four-thousand m (13,123 ft) peaks, one of which is Matterhorn. A truly unforgettable experience you cannot miss!

Please, note: It is important to wear something warm and wind/rain protective when going to Gornergrat. The temperature there is usually lower than in the cities even in summer. In case you feel too cold you can always go inside the restaurant which is close to the observation platform. The trains to/from Gornergrat are heated well.

After some free time in Gornergrat you have a train ride back to Zermatt. The rest of the day is free.

Departure 
In the morning after breakfast you check out from the hotel, walk to the railway station and depart from Zermatt. 

Arrival in Stresa and Islands Tour
Upon arrival in Stresa, meet your driver who takes you to the hotel for check-in. 

In the afternoon meet your private guide at the hotel lobby to take a ferry and explore two stunning Borromean Islands – Isola Bella and Isola dei Pescatori. 

The Islands are jaw-droppingly beautiful. Loved by Ernest Hemingway and, in more recent times, by the English Royals, this Archipelago is made up of the monumental Isola Bella, with its 17th-Century Palazzo Borromeo, surrounded by scenic gardens, the picturesque Isola dei Pescatori (Fishermen’s Island).  Admire the beautiful scenery of the lake and visit the superb sights on the islands.

After the tour you return to the hotel and have the rest of the evening at leisure.

Botanical Gardens of Villa Taranto
Following breakfast at the hotel, meet your private driver and have a short transfer to Villa Taranto. 

The lakeside garden was created in the 1930s with thousands of species of trees and flowers from all over the world. 

Meet your private guide and enjoy a 2-hour walking tour inside gardens. 

From spring to autumn there are always flowers in bloom, with “special events” for certain species which are particularly spectacular in their season: the tulip week is in April, dahlias are at their best between July and October. 

After the tour, you are taken back to the hotel in Stresa and the rest of the day is at your leisure.

Departure from Stresa
Following breakfast at the hotel, meet your private driver for a transfer. 

Arrival in Como and Sightseeing Tour
Upon arrival in Como, you meet with your local guide in the hotel lobby and start your Como tour. Como town boasts several artistic monuments from different historical periods.

During the city tour you see the medieval walls surrounding the historic center, stroll through the ancient streets in the heart of the town, and admire beautiful Romanesque and Baroque churches. You see the Piazza Volta and Piazza Duomo with its charming old Town Hall building and its characteristic bell tower. You also enjoy public boat tour as well as a Como-Brunate funicular ride.

The highlight of the tour is visit of the superb 600-year old Como Cathedral. Nearby is the Palazzo Terragni, an example of the modern rationalist architecture.

After the tour you are guided back to the hotel and have the rest of the day free.

Departure 
This is the last day of your amazing grand tour in Northern Italy and Switzerland! After breakfast your driver meets you at the hotel lobby and takes you to the airport for your flight back home. We wish you a safe flight and hope to work on your future vacations!