Family Trip to Italy and Switzerland

Program:

Day 1: Milan – Lake Como

Private transfer from Airport to the Milan very centre with famous cathedral and Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II.

1-hour introductory guided tour of Milan with main attractions: The Duomo Cathedral, Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II, the Scala Theatre Opera House (from the outside), Piazza dei Mercanti, and more.

If available at the time of booking (limited amount of tickets per day): Special part of the tour will be Last Supper and Santa Maria delle Grazie Church. Inside the refectory of the Dominican convent close to the church of Santa Maria delle Grazie, you can admire one of the world’s most celebrated works: The Last Supper by Leonardo da Vinci, painted between 1494 and 1498 under the dukedom of Ludovico il Moro. Important: To ensure that the fresco be kept at room temperature, a maximum of 25 people is admitted every 15 minutes.

If you want you will have a chance to go for a trendy shopping in one of the world’s most renowned fashion cities in the world, what Milan definitely is.

Afterwards, enjoy great lunch in Milan before heading to Lake Como. In late afternoon, private transfer to Lake Como, to Bellagio, check-in at hotel and at leisure.

Overnight: Lake Como

Day 2: Lake Como

Day at leisure to relax.

Optionally you can add to this day:

• Guided tour of Lake Como: Lake Como is situated in Lombardy, in the north of Italy. It has the shape of an inverted Y and comprises many villages and villas which are definitely worth a visit: Villa del Balbianello, Duomo of Como, Basilica of Sant’Abbondio, Museum Moto Guzzi, The Botanic Gardens as a part of the Hotel Villa Cipressi.

OR

• Cruise on Lake Como and dinner. Experience the best of magical Lake Como: Watch the sunset over Lake Como on a 1-hour cruise with dinner at a lakeside restaurant. Cruise past quiet bays and elegant villas with the backdrop of the Rhaetian Alps, see the first few stars appear above the lake, then return to shore for a delicious dinner and wine. Dinner is payable on the spot.

Overnight: Lake Como

Day 3: Lake Como area

OPTION 1: Tour of Borromean islands on Lake Maggiore. Visit Lake Maggiore’s islands by boat to explore beautiful Isola Bella, the most famous of the Borromeo islands, and Fishermen’s island (Pescatori) from Pallanza, Baveno or Stresa, accompanied by a personal English-speaking tour guide. Discover an incredible island – Isola Bella – where art, history, architecture and exotic and Mediterranean species make this place at the foot of the Alps something unique in the world. Stroll through the quaint fishermen’s village on Isola Pescatori to discover the old island’s activities.

OPTION 2: Monte Brè, whose distinctive cone rises at the north end of Lugano (Switzerland), can be reached by a narrow road, walking trails, or by a funicular to its 933-meter-high summit. Along with a scenic terrace, you’ll find two restaurants. On the eastern slope is the village of Brè, a tiny settlement of traditional Ticinostyle houses that’s a favorite of artists. Monte Brè is said to be Switzerland’s sunniest spot with views as far as the Valais Alps.

Overnight: Lake Como

Day 4: Lake Como – Zermatt

Check-out from hotel in Bellagio and private transfer to Zermatt (around 4 h driving). Check-in hotel in Zermatt and at leisure.

Ascend by cable car to the famous top of Matterhorn glacier, set on a high plateau and surrounded by mountains 13,124 feet high. Fantastic highest viewing platform in Europe (3883 m) – one of the best views I have ever seen in my life! During Summer you can hike or during Winter ski on the glacier.

Rest of the day at leisure in Zermatt, famous because of the best view of the impressive Matterhorn. The rural village with the dark sun-burned wooden houses is inviting for shopping and fine eating.

Overnight: Zermatt

Tip of the day – SOME RESTAURANT SUGGESTIONS IN ZERMATT: Zermatt is widely regarded as having the best mountain restaurants in Europe.

• THE «SPYCHER»; flambé and grill restaurant with traditional dishes of Switzerland, as well as exquisite meat dishes of the finest quality
• CHEZ VRONY (on Sunnegga – only for lunch); large terrace which boasts stunning view of Matterhorn. Vrony’s 100 years of family traditional serving of food is based only from organic sources or meat that has grazed on alpine grass, so get into real mountain experience.

Day 5: Zermatt

Walk or mountain bike tour around five lakes: The hiking trails around Zermatt snake around the mountains at impressive altitudes. But these heights are easily accessible: Cable cars and mountain railways take hikers up to Blauherd upper station, situated at 2,500 m above sea level. There start the hike.

Each of the five lakes has its own unique shape, colour and character. The tour has no ascents or descents of note and offers phenomenal mountain panoramas as well as plenty of places to stop for a bite to eat.

Overnight: Zermatt

Day 6: Lucerne – Zermatt

Private transfer from Zermatt to Lucerne, check-in at the hotel.

Mt. Pilatus Golden round trip: On the top of Pilatus you’ll find several bars and restaurants, as well as a terrace to enjoy the views of Lake Lucerne and the Alps. Also there’s a ‘Dragon Path’ about the myths around this mountain, and several hiking trails to viewing points.

From May to October experience the assorted delights of Lucerne’s landmark mountain courtesy of the Golden Round Trip – a half-day or whole-day excursion involving a boat trip, the cogwheel railway, aerial cable way and panorama gondolas.

After your return to Lucerne, enjoy an exclusive tasting in lively boutique in Lucerne. It is a feast for all your senses. Chocolate experts will take you on a journey into the world of cocoa and share their knowledge about the quality and ingredients of their chocolate treats with you. During a chocolate tasting, you will enjoy 6 – 7 seasonal treats and you will be able to ask everything you ever wanted to know about chocolate. Duration: 45 min

At leisure. Lucerne ranks amongst the world’s prettiest cities, and there is so much to see. Contributing to Lucerne’s cityscape alongside the world-famous Chapel Bridge and Water Tower are the Musegg Wall, the Jesuit Church, the Mill Bridge, the Lion Monument, the KKL culture and convention centre, and a host of other sites of interest.

GREAT CONCLUSION OF YOUR TRIP: Dinner Swiss Folklore Show in Stadtkeller Lucerne.

Restaurant: With outstandingly good food and the unique Stadtkeller atmosphere, you can enjoy carefree hours in the midst of original Swiss folklore. Traditional Swiss customs and usages, with alphorns, cowbells, national costumes, flag throwing and yodelling will make your visit to the Stadtkeller an unforgettable experience. The unique combination of good food, homemade beer, music and fun.

Overnight: Lucerne

Day 7: Lucerne – Zurich

Some free time to enjoy Lucerne. Depending on the hour of your flight we will arrange private transfer from Lucerne to Zurich Airport.