Swiss Alps, Italian Lakes & Milan

Day One

Our journey commences with an early departure as we head south to Dover for a ferry crossing to Calais. From here, we journey onward to our overnight accommodation in the charming city of Reims, situated in the heart of the French Champagne Region.

Day Two

We continue our journey through France and into Switzerland to the city of Chur, Switzerland's oldest town with over 5000 years of history for our second overnight stay. Relax in the peaceful surroundings and stroll through the Gothic old town with its narrow streets, high towers and ornate fountains.

Day Three

This morning, we embark on the Bernina Express, a scenic journey connecting Switzerland and Italy via the highest mountain railway in the Alps. Our adventure begins at Chur Station, travelling through Switzerland's populated areas adorned with historic castles. As the train ascends into the glacier-dominated region of Bernina, the scenery becomes increasingly breathtaking. We traverse 55 tunnels and cross 196 bridges, skillfully navigating the challenging natural terrain. Among these, the famous Landwasser Viaduct stands out as the most spectacular structure on the line. We continue past the impressive Lago Bianco, situated 2,253 metres above sea level, before descending into Italy, and concluding our journey in the charming town of Tirano. From here, we join our coach and travel along Lake Como and onto Lake Maggiore to the resort of Stresa where we stay for the next five nights at Hotel La Palma.

Day Four

Enjoy a day at leisure to unwind and explore Stresa, one of the prettiest locations in the Italian lakes and Lake Maggiore's leading resort where soaring mountains form a photogenic backdrop. The old town is peppered with historic buildings and its cobbled streets are full of pavement cafés and boutique shops. During the day, we would recommend you take a boat trip to the idyllic Borromean Islands. Located in the turquoise waters of Lake Maggiore, the Borromean Islands are named after the family who has owned them since the 16th century and consists of three lovely islands, each very different from their neighbours and are a must-see destination for every visitor to Lake Maggiore.

Day Five

Today we visit the magnificent city of Milan where a guided tour is included. One of the most important and stylish cities in Italy, cosmopolitan Milan is renowned as the world's capital of fashion and design, but is also awash with art, cultural heritage and striking historic architecture. Elegantly combining old and new, the one-time Imperial Roman capital features ultra-modern towers juxtaposed with the grand Gothic Duomo, ancient Milanese palaces and the world-famous La Scala Opera House.

Day Six

Today we cross the border into Switzerland to visit the charming town of Lugano, one of the most popular lakeside cities in Switzerland surrounded by beautiful Alpine scenery. The traffic-free historic town centre boasts Mediterranean-style squares and narrow cobblestone streets lined with boutiques and little shops. You will also be able to stroll along the promenade and admire the blooms in the parks and relax with a drink in one of the many pavement cafes that enjoy superb views out over the lake.

Day Seven

A further day at leisure to relax and explore Stresa.

Day Eight

Today we have one of the highlights of the tour, an unforgettable journey on the Gotthard Panorama Express. This morning, we travel to Bellinzona where we board our train for a journey along the historical Gotthard route, enjoying more panoramic views of some of the most attractive regions as we travel through central Switzerland through picturesque mountainscapes towards Flüelen. On arrival in Flüelen we take a boat and glide across Lake Lucerne, absorbing the picturesque scenery from the water as we cruise to the pretty lakeside city of Lucerne at the opposite end for our overnight stay. Spectacularly situated among stunning mountain views, Lucerne is often considered Switzerland's most beautiful city, full of medieval buildings, charming narrow streets, numerous pavement and many popular sights including the beautiful wooden Chapel Bridge and the impressive octagonal Water Tower.

Day Nine

We check out and bid farewell to Lucerne this morning, embarking on a journey through Switzerland and into France, arriving the charming city of Reims for an overnight stay.

Day 10

As our adventure comes to a close, we continue northward to Calais for a ferry crossing to Dover, before continuing our journey back to North Wales.

B=Breakfast Included, D=Dinner Included