Luxury Europe Tour: Venice, Florence, Rapallo, Stresa & Zürich

Day 1: Welcome to Italy!

Experience magic as soon as you arrive in Italy with a private water taxi transfer from Venice Marco Polo Airport to your hotel in the heart of Venice. What’s included: Private water taxi transfer from Venice airport to your hotel; accommodation in Venice

Day 2: VIP Venice tour and private gondola experience

On the first full day of your unique Europe tour, we have an unbelievable itinerary of treats for you. In the morning, you will experience the highlights of the Floating City with our exclusive private tour of Venice, taking you to both St Mark’s Basilica and the Doge’s Palace - two of Venice's most popular attractions, where you can marvel at the riches of Venice's decadent past. Then, in the afternoon, we will arrange a special gondola tour of Venice's most evocative canals, including the Grand Canal, allowing you to appreciate the magic of the city's unique design and see famous landmarks, such as the Rialto Bridge and the ornate Ca’ d’Oro Palace.

Day 3: Full-day excursion to the Dolomites

Venice is hard to say goodbye to – even for the day – but the Dolomites may help you forget about this magical city for a few hours. After meeting your driver-guide, you will be taken by comfortable minivan through the rustic North Italy landscape, passing through the delightful village of Pieve de Cadore, best known as the birthplace of Renaissance painter Titian. As a part of the day, you will see Lake Santa Caterina, where you'll have time to absorb the stunning mountain scenery before moving on to Lake Misurina, known as the Pearl of the Dolomites. This lake is especially picturesque with the Tre Cime di Lavaredo in the background and three distinctive peaks that tower in the distance.

Day 4: Benvenuti in Toscana!

After appreciating the romance and magic of Venice, today you will travel into the heart of Tuscany for 3 nights in the artistic city of Florence. Widely regarded as the Jewel of the Renaissance, Florence is a place where you can fully immerse yourself in art and admire classic architecture. After some time to settle in at your hotel in central Florence, we will treat you to an afternoon tour of Florence with a guided visit to the famous Uffizi Gallery, which is one of the most important art museums in the world. With a private guide by your side, you can marvel at masterpieces by Botticelli, Michelangelo, Leonardo da Vinci, Raffaello, Giotto, Cimabue, Masaccio and many other famous artists before reflecting on all the delightful things you have seen from the gallery's panoramic terrace.

Day 5 : Countryside tour of Tuscany

Treat your senses to a decadent tour through the Chianti countryside, featuring rolling hills of green, vineyards glowing in the Italian sunshine and a picturesque landscape decorated with ancient castles and quaint farmhouses. On this seven-hour driving tour, you will stop by charming villages, such as Montepulciano, and also enjoy world-famous red wine at a local estate. There will be plenty of time to discover the lush greenery that this region is known for and see enchanting architecture in several Chianti villages. This exclusive Chianti tour is truly a beautiful opportunity to capture memories to treasure from your dream Italy and Switzerland vacation.

Day 6: Leisure day

This will be a full day for you to explore Florence at leisure.

Day 7: Recline on the Italian Riviera

After fully absorbing the city vibrancy and artistic atmosphere of Florence, it is time to immerse yourself in a whole new Italian experience as today you will travel to Rapallo, which is a glorious coastal town on the Ligurian coast not far from Genoa. Here you can recline in tranquillity before stunning sea views, allowing you to fully appreciate the beauty of the Italian Riviera.

Day 8: Leisure day

This will be a full day for you to explore Rapallo at leisure or perhaps spend some time soaking up the Mediterranean sunshine.

Day 9: Cinque Terre cruise

The Cinque Terre is a sublime stretch of the Ligurian coast that is famous for its idyllic fishing villages: Monterosso al Mare, Vernazza, Corniglia, Manarola and Riomaggiore. Today, you will have the opportunity to discover this region, known as the Gulf of Poets, as well as the protected marine area of the Cinque Terre with a relaxing cruise. With this hop-on/hop-off boat service, you will have free time at each of the ports to explore the village attractions* or you can simply sit back and enjoy the spectacular scenery, featuring natural rock formations and rare sea life.

Day 10: Leisure day

This will be a full day for you to explore the Italian Riviera at leisure.

Day 11: Ciao Stresa!

From the coastal beauty of the Italian Riviera to the divine mountain scenery of the Italian Lake District. Today, you will travel by private car and high-speed train from Rapallo to Stresa, which sits on the banks of the great Lake Maggiore. This stunning lake is one of the most majestic in the region and is the second largest in Italy, stretching some 65 km from Switzerland in the north down through the Piedmont and Lombardy regions of Italy. Stresa is the main lakeside resort and boasts a pretty promenade and gardens with views of the lake, making it an idyllic place to relax and reconnect with nature.

Day 12: Borromean Islands tour

On your first full day on the banks of Lake Maggiore, you can spend a relaxing afternoon exploring the Borromean Islands as part of a small-group boat tour. As a part of this nautical experience, you will see Isola Pescatori, which features charming villas along cobbled lanes and a vibrant harbor characterized by the quaint fishing boats that bob in the water. Chiesa di S. Vittore and its dominating Bell Tower is the main attractions here - it houses a grand collection of 17th century paintings that are a joy to browse. After free time on Isola Pescatori the boat tour moves on to Isola Bella, which is perhaps the most famous of the Borromean Islands. It was once a simple fishing village but has transformed over the years into a luxurious destination characterized by the famous Palazzo and its glorious gardens. Here you will have ample free time to visit the ornate rooms of the palace or stroll through the manicured gardens. There is also an ancient amphitheater, which is an unmissable stop. After you have enjoyed an afternoon discovering the island sights you can relax on a tranquil boat ride back to Stresa.

Day 13: Leisure day

This will be a full day for you to explore Stresa at leisure.

Day 14: Welcome to Switzerland!

On this diverse Europe packaged tour, you will not only enjoy the delights of Italy but will also be treated to 3 nights in Switzerland. This package includes a high-speed train transfer from Milan to Zürich, as well as private car transfers ensuring you arrive relaxed at your idyllic alpine hotel in Interlaken.

Day 15: Excursion to Jungfraujoch

What a treat we have for you on your first full day in Switzerland! Today, you will enjoy a sensational train journey to Jungfraujoch - the highest railway station in Europe, standing at an amazing 3,454 meters above sea-level. A visit to Jungfraujoch is an unforgettable experience in an alpine wonderland of eternal ice and snow, and a true highlight of your visit to Switzerland. As a part of the experience, you will have the opportunity to admire The Sphinx, which is the highest vantage point from where you can admire ice streams, the Aletsch Glacier, and the mighty Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau massif soaring in the background. This whole area is designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site, but do dress in warm clothing as the average temperature during the summer months varies from around 16 to 35 degrees Farenheit!

Day 16: Leisure day

This will be a full day for you to explore Interlaken at leisure.

Day 17: And so your dream Italy and Switzerland vacation reaches its end

The morning sees you leaving Switzerland on your flight from Zürich Airport back home. The sights, sounds, tastes and experiences of the past days will no doubt flood over you as you enjoy the luxury of a private transfer to the airport, leading you to smile in remembrance of times past and to plan your inevitable return visit!