PRIVATE TOUR ITINERARY

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Discover the Italian Lakes & Switzerland in 10 days — enjoy this wonderful tour with your very own driver-guide. You’ll see Leonardo da Vinci's Last Supper in Milan, visit the beautiful garden islands of Lake Maggiore, explore the luxurious villas of Lake Como, enter Switzerland on a breathtaking train ride through stunning

mountain scenery, visit the painted bridges of romantic Luzern, and cruise Lake Luzern on a historic steamer. You’ll stay in serene luxury hotels with lake views, enjoy private-guided walking tours, dine in hand-picked restaurants, and cruise the lakes – some on private motorboats. Discover the Italian Lakes & Switzerland in 10 days!

 

Day 1: Arrive Milan

You’ll be met on arrival at Milan Airport and transferred to a luxurious Relais & Châteaux hotel central Milan for an overnight stay. Settle into your accommodation and take some time to relax. Welcome dinner at a nearby traditional trattoria.

 

Day 2: Milan

Today you'll experience the best of Milan on a private-guided tour to include the magnificent Gothic Duomo, the famous 19th century Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II, La Scala Opera House, the world's most prestigious opera house, and skip-the-line access to Leonardo da Vinci's Last Supper. This afternoon, depart Milan for a 3-night stay at a palatial hotel by the shores of Lake Maggiore with opulent interiors featuring marble columns, crystal chandeliers, and fabulous lake views.

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Day 3: Lake Maggiore

This morning, depart from the hotel's dock on your private motorboat to Pallanza for a visit to Villa Tarranto with lovingly planted and superbly maintained gardens. Next, continue by boat to the lakeside town of Stresa where there will be an opportunity for lunch, and to explore the town. You'll have the afternoon to relax and admire the stunning views of Lake Maggiore from your magnificent hotel.

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Day 4: Borromean Islands

Today, depart from the hotel's dock on your private motorboat to the Borromean Islands where you'll wander through the exotic gardens and elaborate villas built by the wealthy Borromeo family, who lovingly turned several of the lake's islands into retreats. You'll visit the fabulous gardens and tropical plants of Isola Madre, enjoy lunch on the picturesque fishing island of Isola dei Pescatori, and this afternoon tour the family's vast baroque palace of Isola Belloa, built from the island’s rock, and surrounded by terraced gardens inspired by the ‘Hanging Gardens of Babylon’.

 

Day 5: Lake Orta

This morning, depart for the romantic atmosphere of Lake Orta and the 17th century sacred parkland of Sacro Monte di Orta. Enveloped by thick woodland, backed by tall mountains and occasionally hidden by misty fog, the medieval car-free village of Orta is captivating.  This afternoon, cross Lake Maggiore by ferry and drive through Lugano in Switzerland to Griante in Italy for a 3-night stay at a luxurious villa hotel by the shores of Lake Como with fabulous lake views.

 

​Day 6: Bellagio

Leave by ferry for the self-proclaimed "Pearl of the Lake" – Bellagio, Lake Como's most famous town. Serenely situated, Bellagio enjoys spectacular views towards the Alps, boutique shops and cobblestoned alleyways. You';ll have time to browse the shops prior to lunch at the highly exclusive Villa Serbelloni. This afternoon, visit the beautifully landscaped English Garden of Villa Melzi d’Eril.

 

Day 7: Lake Como

Depart from the hotel on your private motorboat to Villa del Balbianello for a private-guided tour – perched on a promontory near the village of Lenno, the villa was featured in the James Bond movie, Casino Royale. Built at the end of the 18th century on the remains of an old Franciscan church, the villa reflects the exotic vision of its last owner, explorer Guido Monzino. The real masterpiece here is the terraced garden and splendid loggia, where the land fits the architecture and landscaping in a particularly lovely way. Next, continue by private motorboat to Menaggio for lunch, another favorite lakeside town. This afternoon, tour the picturesque 18th century Villa Carlotta with beautiful gardens, statutory, fountains and lemon-scented terraces.

 

Day 8: Swiss Alps

This morning, depart Lake Como for Tirano by the border with Switzerland. Here, you'll board the Bernina Express in first-class, and depart on a breath-taking narrow-gauge train journey through stunning mountain scenery of glaciers and snow-capped mountains to St. Moritz in Switzerland. where your chauffeur-guide will be waiting for you. Next, continue your journey across the Julier Pass to Weggis, on the shores of Lake Luzern, for a 2-night stay at a luxurious lakeside hotel enjoying fabulous views of the mountains and lake.

 

Day 9: Luzern

Today, you'll board a classic Lake Luzern ferry to the city itself. On arrival in Luzern, you'll be met by your guide for a with a private walking tour, learning how a village grew to become a bustling center of trade in medieval times, and one of Europe's must-see destinations on the "Grand Tour" a century ago. Your private-guided walk will take you through the city's restored medieval core and over its famously colorful pedestrian bridges. The afternoon, a cruise along Lake Luzern intertwining between fabulous mountain scenery. 

 

Day 10: Zurich

This morning, depart for Zurich, where you'll enjoy an original, entertaining and deliciously sweet walking tour around  Zürich's charming Old Town. You'll learn about the history of the city, visit some of the city's most irresistible sweet corners, including traditional confectionaries, enjoying some samplings along the way. This afternoon, leave for Zurich Airport where the tour ends.