6-Day The Italian Lakes & Swiss Alps Explorer Small-Group Tour from Milan

Overview

Day by day itinerary

1. 1Milan - Lake Como - Lenno - Lugano⌄

   You travel directly from the metropolis of Milan to Lake Como, the most stunning lake in the region. Framed by the Rhaetian Alps, this Italian slice of heaven’s crystal-clear waters seduced the most famous writers of the 18th and 19th centuries. Admire the mountainous vistas and colourful villas from the unique perspective of the water, as you hop on an included boat trip across to Lenno.

   Once you’re on dry land, you can grab lunch in Lenno. The town boasts an 11th-century octagonal baptistry, a Romanesque-style crypt, and enough lovely lakeside views to last a lifetime.

   You then cross the border into Switzerland and visit Lugano. You have a couple of hours here to explore however you please. People watch over a coffee in Piazza della Riforma, pour over the frescos at the Church of S. Maria degli Angioli, or feast your eyes on more waterside scenes on the shores of Lake Lugano. You travel to the quaint and cultural town of Locarno for your evening and overnight stay.

   Overnight: Overnight stay in Locarno with breakfast

2. 2Locarno - Stresa⌄

   You first travel to elegant Stresa. Here you have the option to take a boat ride to Isola Bella. This island sits in Lake Maggiore and offers visitors a chance to wander through gorgeous gardens and admire the exuberant extravagancies of a wealthy 17th-century family in Palazzo Borromeo.

   In the afternoon, you venture to Sacro Monte of Ghiffa. This evocative sanctuary comprises of a trinity of stunning chapels set in a luscious nature reserve with views across Lake Maggiore. Enjoy a stroll through the gardens as you ponder its history.

   You travel via the lush Campo dei Fiori landscapes back to Locarno for your second night on the shores of Lake Maggiore.

   Overnight: Overnight stay in Locarno with breakfast

3. 3Santa Maria Maggiore - Täsch - Lausanne⌄

   We set off early this morning and for good reason! We drive straight into the Alps and your first stop of the day, the alpine village of Re. You have time to grab a coffee and snap a few pictures before taking the winding roads up to the Simplon Pass. The Simplon Pass is a high mountain pass between the Pennine Alps and the Lepontine Alps in Switzerland. This is a historic location that's been used as a key route through the Alps by Stone Age dwellers, Romans, and smugglers of the Middle Ages. You make a brief stop here but it's worthwhile for the views and the incredible photos you will capture. You will also have time to grab a snack and comfort break if required.

   Now, it’s time to discover one of the most admired peaks in all of Europe, the Matterhorn. You arrive in Täsch and take a round trip on a train to car-free Zermatt, a “base camp” for aspiring mountaineers, to enjoy the views and grab lunch.

   Back on our coach, you travel to Lausanne. Overlooking Lake Geneva, this town is home to the Olympic Museum, grand mountain views, and your bed for the next two nights.

   Overnight: Overnight stay in Lausanne with breakfast

4. 4Gruyères - Gstaad - Chillon Castle⌄

   We hope you have an appetite, because your first stop of the day is the home of Gruyère cheese, Gruyères. You have time here to go beyond the dairy delights and discover the Medieval town and its views of the Saane Valley.

   You then travel alongside Alpine peaks to Gstaad. This glamourous Alpine village is a favourite hangout spot for ski-loving celebrities; see who you can spot.

   Near Montreux, you have the option to visit Chillon Castle, an unbelievably idyllic stronghold that deserves its claim as Switzerland’s most visited castle.

   Overnight: Overnight stay in Lausanne with breakfast

5. 5Lauterbrunnen - free day⌄

   The valley of 72 waterfalls, an outdoor pursuits paradise, and your first stop today. You spend time in Lauterbrunnen any way you choose today. There are lovely walks, trains to mountain peaks, and more. You’re spoilt for choice, so ask your guide for advice on what you should do. Once you’ve gratified your senses with Lauterbrunnen’s imposing mountain views and pastoral Swiss splendours, you travel to Interlaken. This small resort town, nestled snug between the mountains, is your home for the evening

   Overnight: Overnight stay in Interlaken with breakfast

6. 6Interlaken - UNESCO Biosphere Entlebuch - Altdorf - Bellinzona - Milan⌄

   You leave Interlaken and follow a scenic drive along Lake Brienz, one of the country’s most striking alpine lakes. Stare in wonder at its intensely turquoise waters fed by glacial streams as you travel past steep mountains and charming villages.

   You then descend from the heights of the Alps to Bellinzona. Since Roman times, grand castles, now UNESCO World Heritage Sites, have stoically guarded the gateway to northern Italy.

   Enjoy free time in picturesque Bellinzona with the option to explore its historic castles. Or simply relax and stroll through its historic center full of pastel-colored facades, lively piazzas, and bustling markets. After an impressive 6 days you will be returning back to Milan late in the afternoon with stories to share and memories that will stay with you forever, of majestic mountains, roaring waterfalls, of lakes and villages lunches and all the people you have met along the way.