Rome to Zurich with Lakes by Rail | Self Guided Tour | 14 Days

DAY 1:                                   ROME 

Upon arrival into Rome, private transfer from Rome Fiumicino airport to your hotel in Rome. Enjoy the remainder of the day exploring Rome 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 – LAKE MAGGIORE 
After breakfast at the hotel, head to Milan Central station to catch a train to Stresa, Lake Maggiore. After checking in, enjoy the rest of the day exploring the charming streets and taking in the stunning lake views. Overnight in Stresa. (B) 

DAY 9:                                   LAKE MAGGIORE 
After breakfast at the hotel, spend the day exploring the renowned Borromean Islands, a small archipelago that owes its fame to its three main islands: Isola Madre, Isola dei Pescatori and Isola Bella. Begin with Isola Madre, the largest of the three, known for its 16th-century palace and beautiful English-style botanical gardens. Continue to Isola dei Pescatori, the only island permanently inhabited and open to the public. Finally, visit Isola Bella, famous for its stunning Italian garden and grand palace, a masterpiece centuries in the making. Return to the hotel in the late afternoon. Overnight in Stresa. (B) 

 
DAY 10:                                 LAKE MAGGIORE – LOCARNO – LUGANO 
After breakfast, enjoy a private transfer from Stresa to Domodossola. This comfortable drive allows you to relax and enjoy the stunning mountain landscapes as you make your way toward the Swiss border. From there, board the scenic Centovalli Train to Locarno. Once you arrive in Locarno, continue by train to Lugano. Upon arrival, the afternoon is free to explore the city at your own pace. Overnight in Lugano. (B) 

 
DAY 11:                                 LUGANO 
Start your day with breakfast at the hotel. Enjoy free time to explore Lake Lugano at your own pace-consider a scenic boat ride or visit lakeside villages (boat tickets not included). Later, explore more of Lugano or relax in one of the city’s cafés. Overnight in Lugano. (B) 

 
DAY 12:                                 LUGANO – COMO 
After breakfast, take the early morning train from Lugano to Como San Giovanni station (approx. 30 minutes), enjoying scenic views along the way. Spend the afternoon at leisure exploring the town. Overnight in Lugano. (B) 

 
DAY 13:                                 LAKE COMO 
After breakfast at the hotel, spend the day exploring the stunning stretch of Lake Como between Como and Bellagio. With your boat ticket, you can hop on and off to visit charming villages along the western shore. Don’t forget to check ferry schedules for your return to Como. Admire the lake’s changing colours as you head back in the late afternoon. Overnight in Como. (B) 

 
DAY 14:                                 COMO – MILAN
Breakfast at the hotel. Take your regional train from Como San Giovanni station to Milano Centrale Station. End of services. (B) 

ACCOMMODATION (OR SIMILAR):  

STANDARD CLASS: 

ROME: Hotel Kennedy 

FLORENCE: Hotel Corona D’Italia  

VENICE: Hotel Carlton Capri 

MILAN: Hotel Flora 

STRESA: Hotel Boston 

LUGANO: Hotel Zurigo 

COMO: Hotel Posta Design  

SUPERIOR CLASS:  

ROME: Hotel Gambrinus  

FLORENCE: Hotel Executive  

VENICE: Hotel Amadeus  

MILAN: Hotel Nyx 

STRESA: Hotel La Palma 

LUGANO: Hotel City Lugano  

COMO: Hotel Barchetta Excelsior  

INCLUDES:

• 13 night’s accommodation with daily breakfast in either 3* (standard) or 4* (superior) hotels (accommodation in standard rooms)
• Colosseum & Roman Forum Group tour – includes local guide/entrance ticket – Monolingual English or Spanish /p/up at the hotel not included
• Half day tour of Florence – includes local guide – p/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 (transfer in 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 Stresa – 2nd class without seat reservation
• One return ticket for public boat to the Borromean Islands + entrance ticket to Isola Bella and Isola Madre
• One-way private transfer by car/minivan from Hotel in Stresa to the rail station in Domodossola
• One-way Scenic Centovalli Train ticket from Domodossola to Locarno / 2nd class ticket / seat reservation included / panoramic seat not guaranteed
• One way train ticket from Locarno to Lugano / 2nd class ticket
• One way train ticket from Lugano to Como San Giovanni station / 2nd class without seat reservation
• One day free circulation ticket on the public boat on Lake Como – departure/arrival in Como
• One way train ticket from Como San Giovanni station to Milano Centrale station / 2nd class ticket without seat reservation

EXCLUDES: 

• Transfers from/to the rail stations are not included except where specifically reported
• 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^ndclass unless the optional upgrade to 1^stclass 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.