Europe is a coveted destination for its well-preserved history, vibrant culture, captivating art, and enchanting cuisine. Your custom tailored tour takes you on an incredible journey through Italy, Switzerland, and France to immerse you in picture perfect panoramas and fairy tale towns. The aroma of Swiss chocolate winds along cobblestone streets as the characters of da Vinci’s Last Supper stare down at you from their position on the wall. The stained glass windows of a 13th-century French Gothic...
Customizable Itinerary
Day 1
Milan – Arrive in the Vibrant and Chic Italian City for an Introductory Tour
Milan has a reputation for its fashion and its nightclubs, both always on the cutting edge of their distinct worlds. The splendor of the city runs much deeper than just chic garments and enthusiastic beats, as encapsulated by the remarkable architecture and stunning art museums found all around the city. You will land at Malpensa Airport where your private transfer meets you and settle you into your luxurious hotel near the heart of the city. With a view of the spectacular Gothic façade of the Cathedral of Santa Maira Nascente, your guide will meet you in the lobby and escort you through the city to explore the history and beauty of Milan that visitors to Italy often overlook.
The Cathedral was erected in the 14th-century but was not complete until the 19th-century under the rule of Napoleon. 135 stone pinnacles top the façade with more than 2,200 marble statues that glint in the sunlight. 15th and 16th-century stained glass windows line the walls of the nave. The tomb of Gian Giacomo Medici was erected in the 16th-century and contains black marble statues that stand beside ornate pillars. The luxury shops and cafes of along the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II frame the Piazza del Duomo. The gallery was erected in the 19th-century and remains the largest shopping arcade in Europe, with a dome rising nearly 160 feet above the mosaic floor.
What's Included:
Day 2
Milan – Explore the Grandeur In and Around Italy’s Second Largest City
Day 3
Stresa – Discover the Charm of the Borromeo Islands in Lake Maggiore
Day 4
Lucerne – Full Day Tour of the Medieval Splendors of Lucerne, Switzerland
Day 5
Lucerne – Venture to the Summit of Rigi Mountain to Pilatus Peak
Day 6
Interlaken – Relish Enchanting Swiss Landscape on a Scenic Train Ride
Day 7
Interlaken – Delight in a Panorama while Touring the Jungfraujoch Massif
Day 8
Beaune – Visit Switzerland’s Capital City en route to Beaune, France
Day 9
Reims – Enjoy a Half-Day Wine Tour before Reaching Reims in Champagne
Day 10
Paris – Travel to Paris and Depart for Home
Trip Highlights
- Witness the stunning artistry and giant proportions of Leonardo da Vinci’s The Last Supper in Milan
- Discover the natural wonder of glacial waterfalls that cascade down massive granite cliffs in the Lauterbrunnen Valley, Switzerland
- Travel along Switzerland’s steepest cogwheel train to the vista of Jungfraujoch at 11,000 feet above sea level for a pristine view of the Alps
- Relish the charm and beauty of the medieval bridges, walls, and architecture of Lucerne, Switzerland
- Relax with an enchanting exploration of the wine trails along the Route des Grands Cru outside of Beaune, France
- Immerse yourself in the majesty of French kings as you visit the lavish Cathedrale Notre-Dame de Reims
- Wander through the grandiose gardens and opulent 17th-century villa of the Borromeo family on a series of private islands in Lake Maggiore
- Gain new perspective on opera and the operatic composer Richard Wagner during your visit to his holiday villa outside Lucerne
Detailed Description
The histories and cultures of Italy, Switzerland, and France share common borders and unique connections that span the Alps. Your 10-day tour encompasses the beauty of the mountain scenery and the vast vineyards, along with the splendor of unique art and architecture that pepper the cities and countryside. Your tour begins with your arrival in the fast-paced city of Milan, Italy. Your private transfer will escort you to your luxurious hotel where your guide will meet you for an introductory tour that follows the fashion icons and stylish cafes down the streets until you reach the Gothic cathedral. Next day, your guide will take you on an exploration of Milan, from the fortresses and castles in and around the city to witnessing the da Vinci’s masterpiece, The Last Supper, in an unassuming 15th-century church.
Venture next into the mountains on the shores of Lake Maggiore as this beautiful body of water crosses the border into Switzerland. Enjoy a cruise around the lake and a visit to the luxurious villas on the Borromeo Islands, home to colorful gardens and ornately decorated galleries. Then, wave goodbye to Italy and cross into Switzerland for the medieval city of Lucerne. Discover the character of the streets on a walking tour to find defensive walls and preserved antique wood bridges. Follow the trails around the lakeshore the following day to visit Richard Wagner’s former villa and current museum before traveling by cogwheel train to the peak of Mount Pilatus.
Move on to a scenic train ride across the Swiss Alps to Central Switzerland in the Berner Oberland region. Relax in the gorgeous town of Interlaken and explore the Valley of 72 Waterfalls to witness the natural beauty around the Lauterbrunnen Valley. Visit the tranquil villages set amidst the rolling mountain peaks before you travel to the Jungfraujoch, a vista that offers a view of an expansive glacier and the mountains of Switzerland. Cross the border into France and stop in the capital city of Bern, Switzerland en route for a tour of the old streets and storybook ambiance.
In the afternoon you will stroll along the cobblestone walkways of Beaune in Burgundy, France for a spectacular introduction to the region and its culture. Begin with a fabulous exploration of the Route des Grands Cru, the famous wine trail of Burgundy. When you reach Reims in Champagne, take the remainder of the day to discover the opulence and wonder of the city, including the Cathedral at which former French monarchs received coronation. To conclude, your private transfer will escort you to Paris and the Charles de Gaulle Airport for your flight home. Extend your vacation in Europe and spend extra time indulging in the splendor of Paris or the history of Normandy.
Starting Price
$5,200 per person (excluding international flights)
Your Zicasso trip is fully customizable, and this sample itinerary is a starting place for your travel plans. Actual costs are dynamic, and your selection of accommodations and activities, your season of travel, and other such variables will bring this budget guideline up or down. Throughout your planning experience with your Zicasso specialist, your itinerary is designed around your budget. You can book your trip when you are satisfied with every detail. Planning your trip with a Zicasso travel specialist is a free service.
What's Included
- Accommodations
- In-country transportation
- Some or all activities and tours
- Expert trip planning
- 24x7 support during your trip
Your final trip cost will vary based on your selected accommodations, activities, meals, and other trip elements that you opt to include.
Reviews of Zicasso's Referral Service
4.89 stars based on 7291 reviews.
Zicasso’s travel company was wonderful in planning our trip on short notice and in line with our requests and preferences. Their suggestions of what to do and where to stay were perfect. And when we accidentally got off on the wrong island, the travel company quickly got us new ferry tickets to get to the right place. It was all seamless.
Reviewed By Sherry G.
This trip was the greatest week of our lives! Everything planned was better than I could have imagined. The private drivers being coordinated behind the scenes made the trip so easy and removed all the stress of trying to navigate a new country. Every driver and our tour guide was so nice and I feel like we made friends with all of them.
My favorite part of the trip was definitely the cooking classes and that every tour was private and intimate for my wife and I. The connections Zicasso’s travel agent hooked us up with made the trip the most memorable experience. Our travel agent and the travel company took special care of all the tiny details of the trip; our hotel knew it was my birthday and had a special surprise for me! I’m beyond thankful for the perfect honeymoon they provided my wife and I.
Reviewed By Branson S.
The accommodations and private tours were worth the extra money. Our drivers were professional and helpful.
Reviewed By Claudia R.
We were connected with an amazing travel agent at Zicasso's travel company for our honeymoon in France. Our agent planned the perfect trip for us after our initial phone call. She booked small and private tours for us that were amazing experiences. She was available 24/7 while we were in France and was able to assist immediately when we had train delays and a canceled dinner reservation. We would absolutely book with this travel company again.
Reviewed By Patrick R.
The overall trip was great. The weather was terrific and the countries we visited had so much to see. Zicasso's tour company did a good job of balancing relaxation with fun. Each of the guides we had was so pleasant and shared so much information with us. They were very attentive to our needs.
Reviewed By Nisha V.
Wow, where to begin. This trip was an absolute dream.
When I first spoke to Zicasso’s travel consultant, I told her my main travel concern: traveling with nine- and 15-year-old boys as a single mom in Italy. I was excited to take the trip with them, but I really needed something that was meticulously planned to take away the nerves of having to navigate alone with two kids. She listened and executed the most beautiful trip.
She planned activities that captured the attention and imagination of a fourth grader and a teenager. And the experiences were unique. Probably the highlight of the trip was a truffle hunt with the hunter and his dog in the countryside outside of Florence. My oldest wants to move to Florence and start hunting! We had a personalized cooking class, a private Vespa tour of Rome, and a delicious and informative art and food tour, among other amazing experiences. As we were sending photos back home, I got so many requests for our itinerary because it was so special and unique. Both boys were hard-pressed to choose which part they liked best.
The hotels she selected were beautiful, comfortable, and right in the heart of the cities and attractions we wanted to see. When we encountered a small hiccup (by our hotel, not our travel agent), I contacted her and she responded right away, getting us a free room upgrade and free dinner! We felt very taken care of.
Aside from the amazing activities and locations we saw, the trip was fantastic because everything was so seamless. We always had a private driver arranged, pre-booked train tickets, and even someone to make sure we made it on time for our flight home. I never had to worry about a thing. It was also telling that every tour guide we interacted with had only glowing things to say about our travel agent and her keen attention to detail and organization.
If you're planning on visiting Italy, this travel company is the travel agency you need to select. It takes any of the stress and guesswork out of the travel process, and all you have to do is show up and enjoy.
Thank you so much! You helped us make some amazing memories!
Stephanie
Reviewed By Stephanie S.