Italy & Swiss Lakes by Rail | Self Guided Tour | 14 Days

DAY 1:                                   ROME 

Arrival at Rome Fiumicino airport and transfer to the hotel by a private car. Enjoy the rest of the day exploring at your own pace. Overnight in Rome. 

DAY 2:                                   ROME 

Breakfast at the hotel, then another day dedicated to discovering the city. Today you join our Imperial Tour of Rome, to closely admire the monuments of the Roman Forum, enter the Colosseum and listen to our guide’s presentation of the evocative history of ancient Rome and the gladiators’ fights that took place there. In the afternoon, free time to continue exploring the Eternal City. Overnight in Rome. (B)  

DAY 3:                                   ROME – FLORENCE 

After breakfast at the hotel, head to Rome Termini station to board the high-speed train to Florence, a journey of about 1.5 hours. Upon arrival, check in to your hotel and enjoy the rest of the day at leisure. Overnight in Florence. (B) 

DAY 4:                                   FLORENCE 

Breakfast at the hotel. Today you will discover two thousand years of history of the cradle of the Renaissance through the eyes of an expert local guide, who will take you in an unforgettable journey to discover the most beautiful squares and monuments of Florence. The remainder of the day is free to continue exploring Florence at your own pace or take an optional excursion to the surrounding areas. Overnight in Florence. (B) 

DAY 5:                                   FLORENCE – VENICE 

After breakfast at the hotel, board a high-speed train to Venice S. Lucia, a journey of approximately 2 hours and 15 minutes. Upon arrival, check in to your hotel. In the afternoon, enjoy a 30-minute gondola ride with audio commentary via an app on your phone. Overnight in Venice. (B) 

DAY 6:                                   VENICE 

After breakfast at the hotel, enjoy a full day to explore Venice or its lagoon. Choose to discover the city’s iconic landmarks or take a boat trip to the islands of Murano, Burano, and Torcello (tours not included). Overnight in Venice. (B) 

DAY 7:                                   VENICE – MILAN 

After breakfast at your hotel, make your way to Santa Lucia Station to board the high-speed train to Milan. Upon arrival, enjoy free time to explore the city at your own pace. Overnight in Milan. (B) 

DAY 8:                                   MILAN – COMO 

After breakfast, take a local train from Milan to Lake Como. Explore the town’s highlights, including its cathedral, lakeside promenade, and scenic funicular. Enjoy free time in the afternoon before returning to your hotel. Overnight in Como. (B) 

DAY 9:                                   COMO 

Breakfast at the hotel. Today we will dedicate the day to discovering the beauty of Lake Como, on the stretch of the lake that leads from Como to Bellagio. Our ticket allows you to get off at each stop and visit the various villages on the western shore. Visit the romantic town of Bellagio, known for its cobbled streets and stunning lakeside views. Be sure to check ferry times for your return to Como, where you’ll enjoy the beauty of the lake in the afternoon light. Overnight in Como. (B) 

DAY 10:                                 COMO – LUGANO 

Take the early morning train from Como San Giovanni to Lugano (approx. 30 minutes), enjoying scenic views along the way. After dropping off your luggage at the hotel, explore Lugano’s historic centre at your own pace. Overnight in Lugano. (B) 

DAY 11:                                  LUGANO 

After breakfast, use your Swiss Travel Pass to explore Lake Lugano by boat, stopping at villages you may have missed the day before. In the afternoon, take the funicular to Monte Brè or Monte San Salvatore (discounted rate when using your Swiss Travel Pass) for stunning views and optional walks or lunch at a mountaintop restaurant. Later, enjoy free time in Lugano. Overnight in Lugano. (B) 

DAY 12:                                 LUGANO – LUCERNE 

After breakfast, board the Gotthard Panorama Express from Lugano for a scenic journey through the Swiss Alps, including the historic Gotthard Tunnel. From Flüelen, continue by boat across Lake Lucerne, enjoying stunning views. Upon arrival in Lucerne, check in at your hotel and spend the rest of the day exploring the city. Overnight in Lucerne. (B) 

DAY 13:                                 LUCERNE – INTERLAKEN – LUCERNE 

After breakfast, board the Interlaken Express for a scenic ride from Lucerne to Interlaken, passing lakes, valleys, and mountain views. Enjoy the day exploring Interlaken. In the evening, return by train to Lucerne. Overnight in Lucerne. (B) 

DAY 14:                                 LUCERNE – ZURICH 

Breakfast at the hotel. Board a scenic train from Lucerne to Zurich. The trip offers stunning views of the Swiss countryside. Trains from Lucerne to Zurich run frequently, providing a comfortable and convenient way to travel. Arrival in Zurich and end of our services. (B) 

ACCOMMODATION (OR SIMILAR): 

STANDARD CLASS: 

ROME: Hotel Kennedy 

FLORENCE: Hotel Corona D’Italia 

VENICE: Hotel Carlton Capri 

MILAN: Hotel Flora 

COMO: Hotel Posta Design 

LUGANO: Hotel Zurigo 

LUCERNE: Waldstaetterhof Hotel 

SUPERIOR CLASS: 

ROME: Hotel Gambrinus 

FLORENCE: Hotel Executive 

VENICE: Hotel Amadeus 

MILAN: Hotel NYX 

COMO: Hotel Barchetta Excelsior 

LUGANO: Hotel City Lugano 

LUCERNE: Hotel Wilden Mann 

INCLUDES: 

• 13 night’s accommodation with daily breakfast in 3* (standard) or 4* (superior) hotels (accommodation is in standard rooms)
• Colosseum & Roman Forum Group tour* – includes local guide/entrance ticket, Monolingual English or Spanish, pick-up at the hotel not included
• Half day tour of Florence* – includes local guide – pick-up at the hotel not included (group tour)
• 30 minutes Gondola ride* with commentary on app to be downloaded on your smart phone (English/Spanish/Russian/French) – gondola shared with other passengers
• Arrival private transfer from Rome Fiumicino Airport to hotel in Rome city centre (arrival transfer only)
• 2nd class high speed train ticket from Roma Termini to Firenze Santa Maria Novella station
• 2nd class high speed train ticket from Firenze Santa Maria Novella station to Venezia St. Lucia station
• 2nd class high speed train ticket from Venezia St. Lucia Station to Milano Centrale Rail Station
• One-way regional train ticket from Milano Centrale to Como Centrale – 2nd class without seat reservation
• One day free circulation ticket on the public boat on Lake Como – departure/arrival in Como
• One-way regional train tickets from Como to Lugano – 2nd class without seat reservation
• Swiss Travel Pass 4 consecutive days (one per guest) – valid on day 10-11-12-13**
• Gotthard Panorama Express Train from Lugano to Lucerne / one way ticket / 2nd class / seat reservation included (panoramic seats not guaranteed)
• One way train ticket from Lucerne to Zurich / 2nd class ticket

SWISS TRAVEL PASS** 

Discover Switzerland with just a single ticket: The Swiss Travel Pass takes international guests to the most beautiful places in the country on flexible and affordable public transport. The Swiss Travel Pass gives you unlimited travel by train, bus and boat, as well as many other advantages: 

• Unlimited travel by train, bus and boat (thematic tours not included)
• Unlimited travel on premium panorama trains (seat reservation fees and/or surcharges apply)
• Unlimited use of public transport in more than 90 towns and cities
• Free admission to more than 500 museums.
• Mountain excursions included: Rigi, Stanserhorn and Stoos
• Discount of up to 50% on other mountain excursions
• The Swiss Travel Pass has been developed for guests from abroad. It is available to persons permanently resident outside Switzerland and the Principality of Liechtenstein.

PLEASE NOTE: Please check the inclusions of this package carefully. The Swiss Travel Pass includes transportation and discounts on activities and excursions. Some excursions are not included in the package but only suggested in the itinerary. Customers can book them independently using their Swiss Travel Pass code to get the discount. 

EXCLUDES: 

• Transfers from/to the rail stations unless specified. Note: The hotels are located walking distance from the rail stations
• Transfers (pick up and drop off) from hotel to tour meeting point as indicated on tours with a star listed above (*)
• Tourist city tax, to be paid on the spot
• Lunches and dinners
• Optional tours and experiences
• Extras, tips, porterage, and everything not expressly listed as inclusion is not included and to be paid on the spot

THINGS TO NOTE: 

• Accommodation is subject to change without notice.
• Hotel rooms may not be available for check-in before 2:00 p.m.
• City taxes are not included and are to be paid directly to the hotel.
• Class of rail ticket is based on 2^nd class unless the optional upgrade to 1^st class has been selected at the time of booking.
• The itinerary of the tour and the days of excursions may be modified for technical reasons. In any case, all visits and excursions mentioned on the itinerary will be guaranteed or replaced by similar ones.
• Name changes are not permitted for these itineraries. A name change may result in the loss of ticket availability and/or other services and/or an increase in fares.