Swiss Trains and The Italian Lake District

Arrive in Zürich this morning and board a train to the charming Alpine village of Zermatt, off-limits to cars. Check in to our hotel and gather for a welcome dinner tonight. The next day, take a guided walk through Zermatt village; then ride gondolas up to Glacier Paradise for a fascinating walk through the inside of a glacier. Return to Zermatt by gondola, or opt to hike back into town.

Hotel National Zermatt or Hotel Schweitzerhof (Day 1 D; day 2 B/L)

Climb aboard the Gornergrat Bahn cogwheel railway, the highest train in Europe, and ascend to a summit far above Zermatt to experience one of the best viewpoints in the Alps. Admire a gorgeous vista that includes Monte Rosa, the Matterhorn, and the Gorner Glacier. Hike down past Alpine lakes to Riffelberg, where we will catch the train back to Zermatt. Pay a visit to the Matterhorn Museum, where a local mountaineer and Alpine historian will recount stories of early attempts to conquer the Matterhorn and other climbing adventures.

Hotel National Zermatt or Hotel Schweitzerhof (B/D)

Take your first-class seat on the world-famous Glacier Express and set off on a breathtaking journey across three high-mountain passes, over 291 bridges, and through 91 tunnels. Enjoy the elegant atmosphere of the train as we soak up magnificent vistas of skyscraping, glacier-glazed peaks on our way to the Upper Engadin Valley. Disembark in St. Moritz and settle into our hotel for the evening.

Crystal Hotel St. Moritz (B/D)

This morning, take a funicular to the top of Muottas Muragl to admire breath-taking views of the valley below. After lunch on your own, venture outside the city to Atelier Segantini, a museum dedicated to Alpine artist Giovanni Segantini. Meet with a member of the Segantini family for a tour of the artist’s former home and workshop. Back in St. Moritz, visit a local patisserie to sample delectable chocolates during a private tasting.

Crystal Hotel St. Moritz (B)

Today, ride the legendary Bernina Express, the highest mountain railway in the Alps, to the heart of Italian-speaking Switzerland. Take in extraordinary views of the Morteratsch Glacier from the train’s panoramic windows as we climb to the highest point at Ospizio Bernina, 7,578 feet above sea level. Descend to the town of Poschiavo, where we meet a local guide for a tour of its charming historic centre. Return to St. Moritz via the Bernina Express late this afternoon.

Crystal Hotel St. Moritz (B/D)

A spectacular drive through Alpine valleys brings us into the Italian Lake District today. The countryside is dotted with villas in hues of terra-cotta, pink, ochre, and gold, and strewn with tropical vegetation and lush gardens. Our destination is the lovely village of Cernobbio, perched on the western shore of the vast and beautiful Lake Como. Settle into a historic 19th-century villa overlooking Lake Como.

Villa Flori (B/L/D)

Spend the day exploring the treasures of Lake Como. Board a private ferry for a picturesque ride across the lake to Varenna. Behold a panorama of colourful waterside villages and elegant estates, fringed by palms and pines and backed by soaring mountains. Learn secrets of Italian cooking during a demonstration by a local chef, followed by lunch washed down with local wine.

Villa Flori (B/L)

Soak in the beauty of Lake Como’s lakeside towns. Visit Villa del Balbianello, first founded in the 13th century as a Cistercian monastery and later owned by Italian explorer and mountaineer Guido Monzino. Continue to the delightful town of Bellagio and explore at leisure. Discover Como’s historic centre, its sunny piazzas, and the Como Cathedral on a private tour. Later, relax on the hotel’s terrace, taking in the view before we gather to celebrate our journey with a farewell dinner in the home of a local family.

Villa Flori (B/D)

After breakfast, transfer to Milan’s Malpensa Airport for your flight home. (B)