DAY 1, Wednesday - Depart for Switzerland
Depart for Switzerland
DAY 2, Thursday - Arrive in Zurich, Transfer to Lucerne
Arrive in Zurich, Switzerland's financial center and home to many of the world's leading banks, and transfer to your hotel in Lucerne. Spend the rest of the day at leisure. Your tour will begin with an orientation meeting with your Tour Manager at approximately 6 PM, followed by dinner. We recommend that you select flights which arrive no later than 4 PM
Overnight: Lucerne
Meals: Dinner
DAY 3, Friday - Lucerne Walking Tour
Start the day with an orientation walking tour of Lucerne, including the inspiring Lion Monument. One of the best-known monuments in the country, the Lion of Lucerne was created in remembrance of the heroic death of Swiss guards killed during the French Revolution. View the 14th century medieval Chapel Bridge, forming the centerpiece of Lucerne's townscape. The remainder of the day is at leisure, perhaps join the optional tour to Mount Pilatus. Board a cogwheel railway* which takes you to the summit of Mt. Pilatus at nearly 7,000 feet. Later, descend by aerial cableway
*From Nov to May and in the event of adverse weather, the cogwheel railway will be replaced by the aerial cable car.
Optional: Mount Pilatus Tour (AM)
Overnight: Lucerne
Meals: Breakfast
DAY 4, Saturday - Bern, Gruyere, Travel to Lausanne
This morning, depart Lucerne and travel toward Lausanne. Head to Bern, the capital of Switzerland and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Take a stroll through the Old Town and view the late Gothic Cathedral, the Münster, with its stunning portal and depiction of the Last Judgment. Witness the hourly parade of painted figures at the Clock Tower (Zytglogge). Afterward, visit the hilltop village of Gruyere, the home of Switzerland's most famous cheese. Walk through the small medieval village with its cobbled streets and towering 13th century castle. There will be free time for shopping and lunch on your own. Continue the drive to Lausanne and check into your hotel. Stroll along the lakeside promenade and view the ancient Chateau de Ouchy and the Olympic Museum. Then, head to Lausanne's cathedral, the largest in Switzerland, followed by a visit to the old commercial center
Overnight: Lausanne
Meals: Breakfast
DAY 5, Sunday - Full Day in Lausanne
Spend the day at leisure or join the optional tour of Annecy, nestled amidst the breathtaking landscapes of the French Alps. On arrival, begin your guided walking tour and learn about Annecy's history, dating back to Roman times. Admire the picturesque canals and medieval architecture, including the iconic Palais de l'Isle. Stroll along the scenic shores of Lake Annecy, known as the Pearl of the French Alps, and marvel at the crystal-clear waters and snowy peaks of La Tournette and les Aravis Mountain ranges. Browse through the markets, artisan shops, and unwind at one of the quaint cafes, sampling local delicacies
Optional: Annecy Tour (AM)
Overnight: Lausanne
Meals: Breakfast
DAY 6, Monday - Bellinzona, Lugano
Begin the scenic journey through the majestic Swiss Alps via the famous St. Gotthard tunnel to Bellinzona in southern Switzerland's Italian-speaking Ticino region. After lunch on your own, explore the city and visit the medieval Castelgrande, Bellinzona's mightiest castle. Continue your journey to Lugano, nestled along the shores of Lake Lugano, and surrounded by the stunning peaks of the Swiss Alps. On arrival, take an orientation tour of the city with its mix of Swiss-Mediterranean cultures. Afterward, check into your hotel
Overnight: Lugano
Meals: Breakfast
DAY 7, Tuesday - Full Day in Lugano
Today is free to explore Lugano on your own, or join the optional Lake Como Tour. Take a guided walking tour of the town of Como, home to the exquisite Lake Como, one of Italy's most romantic destinations. Enjoy a private cruise of the lake, admiring the elegant villas. Spend some free time independently exploring picturesque villages before returning to your hotel in Lugano. On your last night in Switzerland, bid farewell to your Tour Manager at dinner
Optional: Lake Como Tour
Overnight: Lugano
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
DAY 8, Wednesday - Travel to Venice
Depart Lugano and travel to Venice. Arrive and check into your hotel. The remainder of the day is at leisure in this magical city built over a hundred small islands and connected by 400 bridges. Your tour will begin with an orientation meeting with your Italian Tour Manager at approximately 6 PM, followed by dinner
Overnight: Venice
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
DAY 9, Thursday - Venice City Tour
The discovery of Venice begins with a boat ride to the island of Murano, known for its artistic and colorful glassware. Visit one of the factories to witness the art of glassblowing. Afterward, continue to the main Venice island and take a walking tour with your local guide through the maze of narrow alleyways and bridges before reaching St. Mark's Square. Upon arrival, view its prominent monuments from the outside, including the Bridge of Sighs, the pink marble Doge's Palace, and the golden Basilica of San Marco, one of the city's most recognizable landmarks. It was built over several centuries in a fusion of Byzantine, Roman, and Venetian architecture. The rest of the day is yours to explore Venice at leisure, or participate in this afternoon's optional Gondola Ride, offering a different perspective of this unique city built on water
Optional: Gondola Ride (PM)
Overnight: Venice
Meals: Breakfast
DAY 10, Friday - Tuscany & Pisa en route to Florence
Depart Venice and travel through the stunning golden landscape of Tuscany, dotted with olive and fig trees. Visit a local Tuscan farm in the countryside for wine tasting paired with delectable local specialties. On to Pisa, to view the famous Piazza dei Miracoli with its Leaning Tower, among the most instantly recognizable structures on earth. The monuments on the extraordinary Piazza dei Miracoli create a unique architectural blend of Romanesque and Gothic styles. Then, travel to the lively Renaissance city of Florence, with its priceless art and architecture for overnight
Overnight: Florence
Meals: Breakfast
DAY 11, Saturday - Florence City Tour
Today, take a guided walking tour through the heart of Florence. View the magnificent Duomo, with its Brunelleschi-designed dome, the renowned "Gates of Paradise" of the Baptistery by Ghiberti, and Giotto's Bell Tower. You'll be enchanted as you walk through the open-air art museum of Signoria Square, with its Palazzo Vecchio, the first residence of the Medici family, which today houses the seat of the city government. Continue to the splendid Ponte Vecchio, also known as the "Old Bridge." Spend the afternoon at leisure in this spectacular Renaissance city to savor its unique atmosphere. Tonight, you are invited to participate in the optional Dinner at Tuscan Restaurant, which begins with a ride through the Tuscan hills and culminates with a typical dinner with wine and entertainment
Optional: Dinner at Tuscan Restaurant (PM)
Overnight: Florence
Meals: Breakfast
DAY 12, Sunday - Medieval Assisi City Tour en route to Rome
Depart Florence and venture on to the quaint medieval town of Assisi, perched high on a hill in the Umbria region with its rugged, winding streets and sacred shrines. Upon arrival, join your local guide for a walking tour of Assisi, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, renowned for its significant art and architecture and best known as the birthplace of St. Francis of Assisi, the patron saint of Italy. Its main attraction is the 13th century Basilica di San Francesco, an artistic highlight of medieval Europe containing the sacred relics of St. Francis and Giotto's frescoes. Afterward, continue to Rome, the astonishing city built on seven hills
Overnight: Rome
Meals: Breakfast
DAY 13, Monday - Tour Ancient Rome
The historic tour of ancient Rome begins at the Roman Forum, walking through the uneven surfaces of the original central area of the city from which Rome developed. View the triumphal Arch of Constantine, erected by the Roman Senate to commemorate Constantine's tenth year of leadership over the Eternal City. On to view the outside of the mighty Colosseum, the largest amphitheater built in the Roman Empire that seated over 50,000, where gladiatorial contests and public events were attended by the rich, the poor, and by the Emperor himself. Tonight, have dinner at the hotel
Overnight: Rome
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
DAY 14, Tuesday - Full Day in Rome
Spend the morning at leisure, or join the optional walking tour of the Eternal City's grand piazzas that includes the Spanish Steps, the legendary Trevi Fountain, view of the Pantheon, and the Baroque Piazza Navona. Tonight, explore on your own and choose one of the numerous restaurants offering delicious local cuisine
Optional: Piazzas of Rome (AM)
Overnight: Rome
Meals: Breakfast
DAY 15, Wednesday - Depart Italy
Transfer to the airport for your departure flight
Meals: Breakfast
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