After arriving in Zurich you will transfer to Lucerne, the heart of Central Switzerland, and enjoy a brief tour of the Lion Monument, the 14th century Chapel Bridge and the lakeshore drive. With time at leisure, shop for chocolate, watches and cuckoo clocks, or venture out on one of the lake’s paddle steamers. Discover the woodcarving village of Brienz, the mountain resort town of Interlaken, and Berne, the capital of Switzerland and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Continue south through scenic dairy farmlands to Gruyeres, where you will visit a typical cheese dairy and sample some local manufactured cheeses.

In Geneva we’ll drive along the shores of Lake Geneva to the 9th century landmark castle of Chillon and explore the turrets, corridors, and vaulted dungeons on a guided tour. Then we’ll journey the final stretch up the Alps by train, right into the heart of the mountain resort of Zermatt. Enjoy a full day at leisure in this traffic free, quaint Swiss village, shopping in the fashionable boutiques or taking one of the many alpine cars, gondolas or cog railways to have further stunning views of glaciers and summits.

Next, board one of the grandest and most scenic train rides in Europe, the Glacier Express, where you will pass magnificent mountain scenery, waterfalls and rivers. Arrive in Lugano, the Italian speaking part of Switzerland, and take a boat cruise and dive into the magic atmosphere of Lake Lugano. You will stop in Gandria, an unspoiled, picturesque lakeside village at the foot of Monte Brè.

The we travel to Venice to begin the Italy tour portion of the Switzerland and Italy tour package.

Switzerland and Italy Travel Itinerary:

DAY 1, Thursday – Depart the USA
Depart the USA for Switzerland. Your flight includes meals, drinks, and in-flight entertainment for the journey

DAY 2, Friday – Arrive in Zurich, Transfer to Lucerne
Arrive in Zurich and transfer to your hotel in Lucerne. The balance of the day is at leisure. This evening, enjoy an orientation meeting with your tour escort, followed by a welcome dinner
Overnight: Lucerne
Meals: Dinner

DAY 3, Saturday – Lucerne City Tour
Enjoy a full day in the heart of Central Switzerland beginning with a brief tour of the Lion Monument, the 14th century Chapel Bridge and the lakeshore drive. Shop for chocolate, watches and cuckoo clocks, or venture out on one of the lake’s paddle steamers
Optional: Mount Pilatus Tour
Overnight: Lucerne
Meals: Breakfast

DAY 4, Sunday – Travel to Geneva via Brienz, Interlaken, Berne & Gruyeres
This morning take a short ride over the Bruenig Pass, then along the shores of the lakes through the woodcarving town of Brienz where you have the opportunity to discover the village and the craft of wood carving. Continue to Interlaken, a mountain resort presided over by the three mighty mountains: the Eiger, the Mönch and the Jungfrau. Time for taking pictures then head to Berne, the capital of Switzerland and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Enjoy a stroll through the old town and marvel at the late Gothic Cathedral, the Muenster, with its stunning portal and its depiction of the Last Judgment. Witness the hourly parade of painted figures at the Clock Tower (Zytglogge) and visit the Bear Park, the symbol of the city. Enjoy some time at leisure, then head south through scenic dairy farmlands to Gruyeres, where you will visit a typical cheese dairy and sample some local manufactured cheeses. Continue through scenic vineyards to Geneva
Overnight: Geneva
Meals: Breakfast

DAY 5, Monday – Geneva City Tour
Your morning orientation tour of Geneva shows you the Jet D’Eau, Floral Clock and Reformation Monument. Enjoy the rest of the day at leisure to explore this city, situated where the Rhone river flows out of the huge lake. Take a walk along the lively streets in the old town, stroll the mile-long promenade around the lake or just relax in one of Geneva’s many parks and enjoy the beautiful scenery
Optional: Lake Geneva Cruise & Yvoire
Overnight: Geneva
Meals: Breakfast

DAY 6, Tuesday – Tour of Chillon Castle Enroute to Zermatt
Drive along the shores of Lake Geneva past the towns of Lausanne and Montreux and through the beautiful vineyard region to the landmark castle of Chillon. Originally built in the 9th century to protect one of the main roads to the Great St. Bernard pass to Italy, its rich history and distinctive appearance has served as inspiration to such literary greats as Lord Byron and Victor Hugo. Explore the turrets, corridors, and vaulted dungeons on a guided tour. See the majestic Simplon Pass as you travel through the Alps. Leave the coach behind in Taesch and journey the final stretch by train, right into the heart of the world-renowned mountain resort of Zermatt
Overnight: Zermatt
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

DAY 7, Wednesday – Full Day in Zermatt
Enjoy at full day at leisure in this traffic free, quaint Swiss village. Situated at the foot of the Matterhorn and in the middle of an enormous hiking and ski region makes it one of the world’s most attractive alpine all-year destination. Enjoy a leisurely stroll through the traffic-free village and explore the bountiful gift shops and fashionable boutiques. Or take one of the many alpine cars, gondolas or cog railways to have further stunning views of glaciers and summits. Don’t forget to visit the English church, built in 1877 and its cemetery, with the graves of many mountaineers who have lost their lives on these majestic mountains
Overnight: Zermatt
Meals: Breakfast

DAY 8, Thursday – Glacier Express to Andermatt, Drive to Lugano
This morning, board one of the grandest and most scenic train rides in Europe, the Glacier Express. From Zermatt, the three hour train ride to Andermatt will transport you past magnificent mountain scenery, waterfalls and rivers, where with each turn, tunnel or bridge a new breathtaking picture is presented. Re-board your coach in Andermatt and head south to Lugano in the Italian speaking part of Switzerland, Ticino. Enjoy stunning views and a dramatic change of scene as you continue to travel from ice-age glaciers to palm trees
Overnight: Lugano
Meals: Breakfast

DAY 9, Friday – Lake Lugano Cruise to Gandria
Take a boat cruise this morning and dive into the magic atmosphere of Lake Lugano. Surrounded by beautiful hills and mountains, the area experiences a climate close to that of the Mediterranean climate. Stop in Gandria, an unspoiled, picturesque lakeside village at the foot of Monte Brè. Perched on the steep mountainside it is a community of narrow streets, inaccessible to cars, with a delightful surprise around every corner. Return to Lugano and enjoy the afternoon at leisure to explore this lakeside town on your own. Tonight, join in for a farewell dinner with your tour director and fellow travelers
Overnight: Lugano
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

DAY 10, Saturday – Transfer to Venice
This morning, depart Lugano and transfer to Venice Lido. Balance of the day at leisure. This evening, enjoy an orientation meeting with your tour escort, followed by a dinner
Overnight: Venice
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

DAY 11, Sunday – Venice City Tour
Today begins with a boat ride to the Island of Murano, known throughout the world for its glass manufacturing industry. Visit St. Mark’s Square to begin a guided walking tour of romantic Venice. View the Golden Basilica of San Marco, the Bridge of Sighs and visit the Doge’s Palace, whose facade features a massive late-Gothic gate, known as the Porta della Carta. Take the remainder of the day to explore Venice on your own. Transportation is included for your return to the hotel
Optional: Gondola Ride with Music (PM)
Overnight: Venice
Meals: Breakfast

DAY 12, Monday – Pisa Sightseeing En Route to Florence
Travel through the stunning panorama of Tuscany to Pisa. On arrival, view the famous Piazza del Miracoli with its Leaning Tower, the Baptistery, the Duomo, and the Monumental Cemetery. The four monuments of this extraordinary piazza make for a unique architectural blend of Romanesque and Gothic styles. En route to Florence, visit a local Tuscan farm in the countryside for a wine tasting with local specialties. Evening at leisure
Overnight: Florence
Meals: Breakfast

DAY 13, Tuesday – Florence City Tour
Today’s morning tour begins with a visit to the Accademia of Fine Arts, where Michelangelo’s David is housed. Walk to the Duomo, celebrated for its magnificent dome designed by Brunelleschi, and view the Baptistery’s renowned “Gates of Paradise” by Ghiberti. Continue to explore the open air art museum of Signoria Square ending at Ponte Vecchio, known as the “Old Bridge”. Enjoy the afternoon at leisure in Florence. This evening, dine in an authentic Tuscan restaurant in the countryside
(Optional Uffizi Gallery Tour PM, $65): **available for purchase Only in Italy from your tour escort. **
Florence and the fine arts are synonymous. This guided tour of the Uffizi Gallery provides insight to the history of the structure and its collections. Originally the private collection of the Medici family, the palazzo was opened to the public in 1765. Your tour highlights exceptional examples of Florentine painting with an aim to help you better understand the works of masters including Giotto, Botticelli and Leonardo da Vinci. Following the tour, enjoy a refreshment break and complimentary beverage at the museum’s cafe, which features a breathtaking view of the city. Tour participation guarantees immediate entry to the Gallery, with no lengthy waits in oftentimes two-three hour queues. ** Important: Please note that the Museum has a limited maximum capacity and therefore reserves the right to restrict admission. In this case we may not be able to offer the tour. Price is based on minimum number of passengers.
Overnight: Florence
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

DAY 14, Wednesday – Sun Route Via Assisi to Rome
Today travel along the famous “Sun Route” motorway to the medieval the city of Assisi, renowned for its 13th century Basilica of St. Francis and Giotto’s frescoes. Continue to your hotel in Rome
Overnight: Rome
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

DAY 15, Thursday – Vatican Museum & Sistine Chapel
Today begins with the visit to the Vatican Museums and Michelangelo’s breathtaking Sistine Chapel. Stroll through St. Peter’s Square, passing Bernini’s famous colonnade, to visit St. Peter’s Basilica, where you will view Michelangelo’s Pieta. This highly-finished marble sculpture depicts the body of Jesus in the arms of Mary after the Crucifixion and is considered to be among the most compelling of all works of art in the Western world. The remainder of the day is at leisure
Optional: Piazzas of Rome (PM)
Overnight: Rome
Meals: Breakfast

DAY 16, Friday – Tour Ancient Rome
This morning, a historic tour of “ancient Rome” takes you to the Roman Forum, the political center during the Roman Republic, the triumphal Arch of Constantine, the Arch of Titus and the Colosseum, the largest amphitheater built in the Roman Empire. Afternoon at leisure. Tonight, dine in a typical Roman restaurant with wine and music, then enjoy an illuminated tour of the city
Overnight: Rome
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

DAY 17, Saturday – Depart for the USA
Transfer to the airport for your departure flight
Meals: Breakfast

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