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Grand Tour of Northern Italy & Swiss Alps

11 days6 cities
ItalySwitzerland2 countries
Tour rating: 4.89 / 5, Based on 78 Reviews
Private tour to Italy, Switzerland

Crave to see incredible European landscapes? Get your cameras ready as you set off on a private exploration of outstanding destinations in Italy and Switzerland from glorious lake towns, including Como, Stresa, and Lugano, to the Alpine wonders of St. Mortiz and Zermatt. Visit the gorgeous Isola Bella and ride the famous Bernina Express!

11 days6 cities
ItalySwitzerland2 countries
From
 $7,189 
Milan, Italy
2
days
Italy

The world's fashion capital, Milan, is one of the most visited cities in Northern Italy and in the world.

Day by day
Hotel
Day-by-day program
1
day
Arrival in Milan

Welcome to fabulous Milan! Upon arrival, you are met by your private driver at the airport, who transfers you to the hotel for check-in. The rest of the day is at your own leisure to relax after the trip.

No meals included.

2
day
Milan Sightseeing Tour

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 a visit to the 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 to the 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. Afterward, 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.

After the tour you return to your hotel and have the day free.

Breakfast is included.

Your choice of hotels

We carefully select hotels to ensure your amazing stay. We will recommend the best available properties for your travel dates.

Hotel Milano Scala, Milan

Nestled in the heart of Milan within a walking distance from the magnificent La Scala Opera House and the Milan Cathedral, the Milano Scala boasts excellent service and top-notch facilities. The decor of all guestrooms reflects the famous opera.

train
Milan
Sirmione
1 h 15 min

Enjoy a fast rail connection onboard a modern Italian train from Milan to the charming town of Desenzano Del Garda. Upon arrival, your driver meets you at the train station and takes you to Sirmione to your hotel.

Sirmione, Italy
2
days
Italy

Situated on the southern bank of the beautiful Lake Garda, Sirmione is one of the most picturesque petite towns in northern Italy, boasting breathtaking picturesque views and historic architecture.

Day by day
Hotel
Day-by-day program
3
day
Enjoying Lake Garda

Today you check-out from the hotel in Milan and your driver transfers you to the rail station for your quick train ride to Desenzano Del Garda from where you are taken to Sirmione, a gorgeous destination of Lake Garda. Upon arrival you check-in your hotel in charming Sirmione, you have the remaining part of the day free.

Breakfast is included.

4
day
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.

Your first site on your list today is 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 and have the evening at leisure.

Breakfast is included.

Your choice of hotels

We carefully select hotels to ensure your amazing stay. We will recommend the best available properties for your travel dates.

Hotel Olivi Thermae, Sirmione

Hidden in the olive groves, the beautiful property is just a couple of minutes away from the magnificent Lake Garda. All rooms are air-conditioned and have LCD TVs, free Wi-Fi and minibars. The hotel’s famous Thermae & Natural Spa services.

train
Sirmione
Saint Moritz
4 h 30 min

Begin your trip from Sirmione to the northern Italian city of Tirano. From there, board the renown Swiss train, called the Bernina Express, taking you to the lovely city of St. Moritz in Switzerland via one of the most picturesque routes in the world.

St Moritz, Switzerland
1
day
Switzerland

The host of the Winter Olympic Games of 1928 and 1948, one of the richest places in the world, a must-visit resort for any skiing enthusiast, St. Moritz is a fantastic place, the bridge between tradition and innovation, and one of the cities you can’t miss during your Switzerland itinerary.

Day by day
Hotel
Day-by-day program
5
day
Trip to Saint Moritz & Bernina Express

After breakfast you check out from the Sirmione hotel, your driver transfers you to the charming Italian city of Tirano, located not far from Switzerland. During the trip, you have a stop at a panoramic viewpoint of d'Iseo Lake. Upon arrival to the city, you luckily have some free time to check out the top town highlights on your own before boarding the train.

As a highlight of the day, you board the famous Bernina Express, taking you to Switzerland via the stunning railway line that's listed as part of UNESCO's World Heritage. Upon arrival to Saint Moritz, you walk to the hotel located nearby for check-in. The evening is free, so you can enjoy the magnificent mountain landscapes.

Breakfast is included.

Your choice of hotels

We carefully select hotels to ensure your amazing stay. We will recommend the best available properties for your travel dates.

4-star hotel

Enhance your travel with staying in a remarkable 4-star property. As always, the location near all top landmarks, excellent quality service, and top-notch amenities are an indispensable part of your stay. The gallery demonstrates the examples of 4-star hotels we offer to our guests.

train
Saint Moritz
Zermatt
8 hrs

Get ready for one of the Swiss tour highlights! A Glacier Express ride is a feast for any visualist. On your way to Zermatt, you will cross 291 bridges (some at head-spinning height!), the Oberalp mountain pass at 2033 m (6667 ft) altitude, run through the 91 tunnels, and have plenty of time to take in the unique beauty of Switzerland's countryside.  

Zermatt, Switzerland gallery
2
days
Switzerland

Set gracefully just at the foot of the highest summit of the Alps, majestic Matterhorn, the city of Zermatt, Switzerland is a popular ski resort that's all about gorgeous natural panoramas.

Day by day
Hotel
Day-by-day program
6
day
Glacier Express to Zermatt

Following breakfast, you check out from the Saint Moritz hotel. Today you enjoy a once-in-a-lifetime railway journey to Zermatt on board the iconic Glacier Express that presents you with fantastic views of the picturesque Swiss Alps taking you through lots of tunnels and over several hundred bridges. The so-called 'slowest express train in the world' snakes its way through valleys, mountains and even canyon.

  • Please note: there are no Glacier Express trains running mid-October to mid-December.

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.

Breakfast is included.

7
day
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 in 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.

Breakfast is included.

Your choice of hotels

We carefully select hotels to ensure your amazing stay. We will recommend the best available properties for your travel dates.

Wellness Alpenhof Hotel, Zermatt

Located right next to the Sunnegga Cable Car Station and near the Gornergrat Railway, the family-run Wellness Alpenhof Hotel offers comfortable guestrooms with great amenities, such as cable TV, free Wi-Fi, minibars, and safes.

train
Zermatt
Stresa
3 h 20 min
Take in fabulous views of the Swiss and Italian countryside as your modern high-comfort train takes you from mountainous Zermatt to the glorious lakeside city of Stresa. You driver meets you at the station upon arrival.
Stresa, Italy
2
days
Italy

Welcome to beautiful Stresa, nestled on the shores of the breathtaking Lake Maggiore. Stresa is a perfect place to have a brief break from the bursting with life and noise favored Italian cities, taking in the unique beauty of Italian nature in all its vast variety.

Day by day
Hotel
Day-by-day program
8
day
Arrival in Stresa & Islands Tour

In the morning after breakfast, you check out from the hotel, walk to the railway station, and depart from Zermatt. In about three hours, your driver meets you upon arrival at the station and takes you to the Stresa 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 and are the showpiece of Stresa! 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, and 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.

Breakfast is included.

9
day
Botanical Gardens of Villa Taranto

After breakfast at the hotel, meet your private driver and have a short transfer to the gorgeous 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.

Breakfast is included.

Your choice of hotels

We carefully select hotels to ensure your amazing stay. We will recommend the best available properties for your travel dates.

Hotel Regina Palace, Stresa

The luxurious Hotel Regina Palace is a perfect property for anyone who appreciates unparalleled comfort and flawless service. All 224 rooms are exquisitely decorated in the eclectic style and are fitted with a Jacuzzi, minibar, Wi-Fi, and en-suite modern bathroom.

car
Stresa
Como
2 h 20 min

Have an enjoyable time as your experienced driver takes you along Italy's most picturesque lakes. As you make your way from Stresa, you have a stop in the nearby Swiss town of Lugano before continuing to your final destination, Como.

Como, Italy
2
days
Italy

Located on the Italian-Swiss border, lovely Como is the most important town on the Lake Como, attracting more and more people with its outstanding historic heritage and natural beauty.

Day by day
Hotel
Day-by-day program
10
day
Stop in Lugano & Como City Tour

After breakfast, you check-out from the Stresa hotel and your driver transfers you to Como, located on the shores of a stunningly beautiful lake - Lake Como. As a highlight of your trip, you make a stop in the marvelous Swiss town of Lugano where you have some free time (about 1 hour) to check out the top city highlights before proceeding to Como.

Como town boasts several artistic monuments from different historical periods. After you check-in at the hotel, you meet your local guide who shows you around. 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. During the tour, you enjoy public boat tour as well as a Como-Brunate funicular ride.

The highlight of the tour is a 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.

Breakfast is included.

11
day
Departure

This is the last day of your amazing tour to 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!

Breakfast is included.

Your choice of hotels

We carefully select hotels to ensure your amazing stay. We will recommend the best available properties for your travel dates.

Palace Hotel, Como

Set on the shores of the breathtaking Lake Como, the impressive Palace Hotel is housed in an Art Nouveau Palace near the beautiful Teatro Sociale and the stunning Como Cathedral. Guests are invited to stay in the comfortable air-conditioned rooms.

What's included

  • Accommodation at remarkable centrally located 4-star hotels in Milan, Sirmione, Saint Moritz, Zermatt and Stresa;
  • Delicious breakfasts at your hotels;
  • Airport transfers and all transportation according to the itinerary;
  • Private transfers: Sirmione - Tirano, Stresa - Como;
  • 1st class train tickets Milan - Desenzano del Garda, Tirano - St. Moritz, St. Moritz - Zermatt, Zermatt - Stresa
  • Sightseeing tours with private professional English-speaking guides;
  • Funicular and public boat ride in Como;
  • Support line during the trip.

Note: we include 1 vehicle for your arrival and departure transfers. If multiple vehicles are required additional transfer costs will apply.

Not included: international flights, multiple arrival/departure transfers, other meals not mentioned in the program, optional tours and services, all personal expenses, as well as all tourist fees & taxes.

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Tour Highlights

  • Fully tailor-made program according to your interest;
  • Your own professional local guides and drivers;
  • Convenient private transfers between cities throughout the program;
  • Full flexibility of hotel options;
  • Bernina Express & Glacier Express rides;
  • Touring Milan and Sirmione;
  • Exploring Isola Bella and Isola dei Pescatori in Stresa;
  • Funicuar ride Como-Brunate to the panoramic observation platform over Como town and lake;
  • Leisurely scenic boat trip on the famous Italian lake Como;

What To Know

  • You can expect to find some shops and restaurants closed from 1-4 p.m. as it is "Riposo" time, Italy's midday siesta. Most places will be also closed on Sundays, most restaurants won't open until 7 p.m. or later
  • Tipping in restaurants is included in the bill, the cover charge is called "coperto". A charge from $1 to $3 will be noted on the menu.
  • Make sure you have coins, in Italy you will be typically charged from 1 to 2 Euros to enter a public restroom
  • Communication equipment in Switzerland takes 230 volts, you will need an adapter plug (type J) to make your plug fit into the socket
  • You can safely drink Swiss tap water, the quality of it is often measured as purer than that of bottled mineral water