Soak up the splendours of the Italian Lakes and Alps on this enchanting eight-day break, visiting idyllic garden islands, dizzying mountain passes, fashionable Como, a ride on the Bernina Express, and more.
Holiday Highlights
Guided tour of Isola Bella
Lake Maggiore
Zermatt
Matterhorn
Guided tour of Milan
Guided tour of Lake Como
Bellagio
Tirano
St. Moritz & Bernina Express
What’s included
Return flights
Seven night’s three-star minimum half-board accommodation
Visits and tours as outlined in the itinerary
Porterage (for one suitcase per person)
Transfers
All local and airport taxes/service charges
Escorted by a Tour Manager
Itinerary
8 days – Escorted Tours :-
Day1: Milan – Lake Maggiore Area.
Fly to Milan where you will be met by our representative and transferred to your hotel near Lake Maggiore.
Day 2: Lake Maggiore Area – Isola Bella.
After breakfast, catch a boat for your full day excursion to the famous Borromean Islands sitting on the lake. Your first stop is the small Isola Bella for a fascinating guided tour of its magnificent Baroque-style Palace and gardens, which are terraced and overflow with exotic plants, statues, basins and fountains. After a stroll through the gardens, cruise on to tiny Isola Pescatori, home to a small fishing community for over 1,000 years, to see its narrow cobbled streets, pretty harbour and charming houses. This afternoon, visit Isola Madre, the biggest of the group, and enjoy a tour of its Palace and glorious, flower-filled gardens.
DAY 3: Lake Maggiore Area – Zermatt – Matterhorn.
Today brings a scenic road journey across the Simplon Pass in the Alps. Follow the Ossola Valley as its ascends through the Alps away from Lake Maggiore and to the Simplon Pass. Here, stop at the highest point – the Belvedere viewpoint – to enjoy epic, 360° views over the Swiss and Italian Alps. Then, drive upwards to the Swiss town of Brig and visit Stockalper Castle, a stunning 17th century palace. Delve deeper into the Alps along the Matter Valley and at Tasch, ride the rack-and-pinion railway to Zermatt. Situated at 4,478 metres above sea level, pedestrianised Zermatt is ringed by famous peaks, including the mighty Matterhorn, Monte Rosa and the Gornergrat. Once here, perhaps choose between an optional cable car ride into the mountains or an optional horse-drawn carriage ride through the town. Alternatively, explore on your own and just bask in the views and location.
DAY 4: Lake Maggiore Area – Milan.
Bid farewell to Lake Maggiore this morning and travel to Milan. Meet your local guide and enjoy a fascinating half-day panoramic tour of this vibrant city, one of the world’s fashion capitals. Witness the magnificent Duomo, the world’s largest Gothic cathedral; the glass-roofed Galleria Vittorio Emanuel, and other landmarks, and admire the historic Castello Sforzesco. Later, enjoy time free in the city to shop, relax or explore before continuing to your hotel in Lake Como.
DAY 5: Lake Como Area – Boat Tour – Bellagio.
Lake Como awaits you today on this not-to-to be missed full day tour. A favourite of Shelley and Wordsworth, the delights of Lake Como are many and varied and this morning you can enjoy a private boat tour of the beautiful 18th century Villa del Balbianello, one of the finest villas surrounding the lake. It features a renowned collection of art as well as stunning gardens with a series of manicured terraces full of fragrant roses and colourful borders. The boat then moves on to the elegant and exclusive resort of Bellagio which, with its idyllic location on a promontory on the lake, is often described as the most beautiful town in Italy. Once the haunt of European monarchs, today the attractive pastel-coloured buildings, line the lake shore and narrow cobbled streets and lanes climb their way to the hilly centre. Awash with colourful flowers Bellagio cannot be bettered for a long lazy lunch in one of the many lakeside restaurants, followed by a stroll amongst the many typically formal Italian gardens. Spend the afternoon exploring at your own pace before returning by boat.
DAY 6: Lake Como Area – Tirano – St Moritz .
Be prepared for a day of spectacular scenery and extraordinary Swiss engineering. Ascend the Valtellina, a classic alpine valley with soaring peaks rising steeply on both sides, to Tirano to board the famous Bernina Express. One of the slowest ‘express’ trains in the world, this remarkable Swiss train twists upwards in an amazing sequence of spirals, loops and tunnels to the summit at Ospizio Bernina, the highest station in Europe. Here, you are surrounded by stunning vistas over snow-clad peaks and ice-cold glacias. Your descent is through the pretty pastures and dense pine forests to the chic resort of St Moritz, home of the famous Cresta Run toboggan track. You’ll have time for a spot of window shopping or perhaps afternoon tea and cake. Listen carefully to the locals and you may notice them speaking an unusual language, Romansch, an ancient and little known Latin tongue. Your return journey takes you through yet more spectacular scenery to Lake Como in time for dinner.
DAY 7: Lake Como Area at Leisure.
Today is for you to choose what you do, you could enjoy the local towns that surround this gorgeous environment or you could visit the lake side for its restaurants and host of activities
DAY 8: Lake Como Area – Milan.
Transfer to Milan airport for your flight.
Accommodation
The hotels used on our tours will meet the standard of a good, three-star hotel. Rooms will have private bathrooms, telephones and TV. The vast majority will also have tea/coffee-making facilities….
RK AIR services 