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Italian Lakes and Swiss Mountains (2024|25) - 10 days

A scenic, nature-inspired journey delivering the best of Italy and Switzerland’s stunning lakes, intimate lakeside villages and beautiful mountains. Experience the crystal-clear waters of glacial lakes framed by green mountains and snow-capped peaks that have lured the elite over the last millennia. This unique tour covers 6 panoramic lakes and their villages, from Italy’s Lake Como, Lake Orta and Lake Iseo; Switzerland’s Lake St Moritz and Lake Lugano; and beautiful Lake Maggiore from the shores of both Italy and Switzerland. With deluxe transport including by train on the iconic Bernina Express and boasting the finest 5-star lakeside hotels, a comfortable, special and relaxing experience is assured.

Highlights and Inclusions

  • Visit Italy and Switzerland’s ‘must see’ lakes, lakeside villages and Alpine peaks.
  • 9 nights in exquisite 4-star premium & 5-star hotels.
  • 9 breakfasts (B), 4 lunches (L).
  • Guided sightseeing in Lake Como, St Moritz, Lugano, Lake Maggiore and Lake Orta.
  • Lunch and wine tasting in Franciacorta.
  • Lake Como private cruise with access to Villa del Balbianello.
  • Train journey on the iconic Bernina Express.
  • Iconic cogwheel train to Lugano’s Monte Generoso for lunch, served with spectacular views.
  • Visit 6 panoramic lakes of Iseo, Como, St Moritz, Lugano, Maggiore and Orta.
  • Visit beautiful lakeside towns including Bellagio, Menaggio, Ascona, Stresa and Orta San Giulio.
  • Entrance to Villa Carlotta, Villa del Balbianello and Palais Borromée.
  • Deluxe VIP transport and boat excursions on Lake Como, Lake Maggiore and Lake Orta. Arrival and departure transfers on first and last day.
  • Arrival and departure transfers on first and last day.
  • Note: hotel city taxes, if applicable, are not included.

Upcoming Departures

CommencesConcludesPrice (twin share per person)Price (single supplement)
MilanMilan
4 May 202513 May 2025$10,490 AUD$5,200 AUD Popular Departure
1 June 202510 June 2025$10,490 AUD$5,200 AUD SOLD OUT
6 July 202515 July 2025$10,490 AUD$5,200 AUD On Request
31 August 20259 September 2025$10,490 AUD$5,200 AUD On Request
28 September 20257 October 2025$10,490 AUD$5,200 AUD
Commences: Milan Conclude: Milan Prices (twin share): Prices (single): Availability:
Commences: 4 May 2025 Conclude: 13 May 2025 Prices (twin share): $10,490 AUD Prices (single): $5,200 AUD Availability: Popular Departure
Commences: 1 June 2025 Conclude: 10 June 2025 Prices (twin share): $10,490 AUD Prices (single): $5,200 AUD Availability: SOLD OUT
Commences: 6 July 2025 Conclude: 15 July 2025 Prices (twin share): $10,490 AUD Prices (single): $5,200 AUD Availability: On Request
Commences: 31 August 2025 Conclude: 9 September 2025 Prices (twin share): $10,490 AUD Prices (single): $5,200 AUD Availability: On Request
Commences: 28 September 2025 Conclude: 7 October 2025 Prices (twin share): $10,490 AUD Prices (single): $5,200 AUD Availability:
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Day: 1 Milan

Welcome to Milan for the start of an unforgettable adventure covering Italy and Switzerland’s beautiful lakes and mountains. On arrival, transfer to your centrally located hotel to freshen up, before enjoying the rest of the day at leisure.

Overnight: Italy, Milan - SINA De La Ville Rating 4   or similar

Day: 2 Milan – Franciacorta – Lake Iseo – Lake Como

B, L

Visit the Franciacorta region, characterised by rolling hills and perfect soil for the cultivation of grapes. Enjoy a tasting of the area’s most famous export, Franciacorta sparkling wine, followed by a light lunch. Afterward, enjoy leisure time in Lake Iseo to perhaps cruise the crystal-clear waters of Lake Iseo, surrounded by lush green mountains with time to stroll the Lake’s stunning Island. Monte Isola is the largest lake island in Italy and with a peak of 600 metres above sea level, is one of the highest in Europe. Afterward, continue to Lake Como for an evening at leisure in your amazing hotel.

Overnight: Italy, Lake Como (Menaggio) - The Grand Hotel Victoria Rating 5   or similar

Day: 3 Lake Como

B, L

Explore magnificent Lake Como, a popular retreat for aristocrats and the wealthy since Roman times. The Lake is of glacial origin and has been voted one of the 20 most beautiful lakes in the world. Your full day guided excursion commences with a visit to Villa Carlotta. The Villa boasts luxurious interiors and an exquisite 17-acre garden decorated with sculptures, stairs, fountains and over 500 species of plants. Afterward, private cruise to Villa Balbianello Gardens for a visit and to Bellagio for panoramic lunch.

Overnight: Italy, Lake Como (Menaggio) - The Grand Hotel Victoria Rating 5   or similar

Day: 4 Lake Como

B

Enjoy the entire day at your leisure. Options may include a visit to Como, lunch at the exclusive Villa d’Este in Cernobbio, a visit to the village of Varenna or relax and enjoy the wonderful facilities at your 5-star lakeside hotel.

Overnight: Italy, Lake Como (Menaggio) - The Grand Hotel Victoria Rating 5   or similar

Day: 5 Lake Como – Tirano – St Moritz – Lugano

B

Depart for a train ride aboard the iconic Bernina Express. The stunning journey twists, turns and loops through incredible landscapes and across amazing bridges, following the historic Rhaetian Railway which is UNESCO World Heritage Listed. On arrival in St Moritz, enjoy a guided tour of this Alpine resort that stands at a crisp 5,910 feet above sea level. Afterward, have time for lunch and to browse St Moritz’s cute shops, before departing to your Lugano hotel with a stunning view.

Overnight: Switzerland, Lugano - Hotel Splendide Royal Rating 5   or similar

Day: 6 Lugano

B

The entire day is yours to explore this beautiful Italian speaking Swiss town. Stroll the pedestrian streets and piazzas littered with designer stores; people watch in Piazza della Riforma ringed with pastel coloured, neo classical palazzi; or stroll Lake Lugano’s scenic promenade.

Overnight: Switzerland, Lugano - Hotel Splendide Royal Rating 5   or similar

Day: 7 Lugano

B, L

Enjoy an escorted excursion by train including its 1890 cogwheel railway up the 1,701-metre-high Monte Generoso for breathtaking panoramic views of the Lakes, the city of Lugano, the Matterhorn and Jungfrau. After absorbing the mountain and lake scenery, enjoy a wonderful lunch in the clouds at the Monte Generoso restaurant before returning to Lugano.

Overnight: Switzerland, Lugano - Hotel Splendide Royal Rating 5   or similar

Day: 8 Lugano – Bellinzona – Ascona – Stresa

B

Our Swiss discovery continues with a quick stop in Bellinzona to view the outside of its UNESCO World Heritage Listed Castles. The Castles of Bellinzona are a set of three medieval fortifications and the only remaining examples of heavy military architecture dating from the late Middle Ages. The castles guarded the town and the nearby strategic alpine passes. Continue to the quaint neighbouring villages of Locarno and Ascona on the Swiss shores of Lake Maggiore. Enjoy time for an independent lunch at one of its many lake-side café’s before crossing back to Italy along a panoramic route. On arrival, experience Lake Maggiore from a different perspective with a relaxing evening at leisure.

Overnight: Italy, Stresa - Grand Hotel Des Iles Borromees Rating 5   or similar

Day: 9 Stresa – Isola Bella – Stresa

B

Enjoy a morning guided tour to learn about Lake Maggiore, Stresa and its nearby villages. The tour includes the ferry to Isola Bella, one of the Borromean Islands for a visit to the fishing village and the beautiful Palazzo Palais Borromée with its Italianate Gardens. Afterward, return to Stresa for an afternoon at leisure.

Overnight: Italy, Stresa - Grand Hotel Des Iles Borromees Rating 5   or similar

Day: 10 Stresa – Lake Orta – Milan

B, L

Visit Lake Orta which features the beautiful Island, Isola San Giulio and many lakeside villages. Enjoy an escorted visit the villages of Omegna and Orta San Giulio and Isola San Giulio before celebrating with a memorable closing lunch. Afterward, if not extending your stay with us on our back-to-back small group journey through Piedmont or a post-tour extension, transfer to a Milan airport or Milan centre.

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