The Ultimate Ladies Tour to Switzerland and Italy - Itinerary
DAY ONE
Monday 2 September 2024
The tour begins as we arrive at Zurich International Airport.
From the airport, we will be transferred to Lucerne by coach. An English speaking assistant will be there to accompany us.
Arriving in Lucerne, we will check into the Hotel Astoria where we will stay for the next three days. Who wants to join me at the rooftop bar? Lucerne is a compact, picture-perfect city situated on Lake Lucerne. It will be our starting point to venture outwards.
DAY TWO
Tuesday 3 September 2024
Today we will be picked up by our private bus ~ something like the one pictured here. Our bus will be with us for the I’m really stoked we’ve been able to secure this service.
Starting from our hotel, our bus will take us to Interlaken. We’ll have a short stop there.
Before heading to Lauterbrunnen. Here we’ll begin our mind blowing train experience to the highest train station in Europe.
The panorama will take your breath away. On one side we’ll see the Swiss Plateau and on the other side, the Aletsch Glacier lined with four thousand metre peaks. Standing on the Jungfrauloch, almost 3.5km above sea level, this is a different world and one you simply must experience.
Our return journey will see us alight at Grindelwald where we’ll have some time before our coach returns us to Lucerne.
LUCERNE
We’re staying in Lucerne for 3 nights. All our stays on the tour will be for multiple nights and many for 3. We’re not about rushing from place to place and living out of a suitcase. We aim for experiences and immersion into our destinations, not a passing glance.
DAY THREE
Wednesday 4 September 2024
Today after breakfast our private coach will pick us up from our beautiful hotel and take us to the pier. From there we will have a boat crtuise on Lake Lucerne to Kehrsiten Burgenstock.
Then we will take the funicular up to Burgenstock Resort. Spanning over 60 hectares, the Burgenstock Resort is a luxury destination hosting guests from around the world
Nope, we won’t get to lay our pretty heads here, but we will get to enjoy a 2 course lunch and take a stroll on the panoramic cliff walk.
After lunch, we’ll head back to Lucerne by boat and be met by our bus and driver. From there we will transfer to an indulgent private chocolate tasting session with a Chocolatier.
This evening is at leisure or join me as we discover Lucerne by night.
DAY FOUR
Thursday 5 September 2024
After breakfast, our driver and private coach will be waiting outside the hotel ready to take us to Lugano. We will take a break from our journey with a stop-off in the village of Amdermatt.
We will wind our way across the Swiss Alps and down to the beautiful lakes that border Switzerland and Italy. En-route we’ll travel through St Gotthard Pass for a photo stop.
On arrival in Lugano, we’ll check into our hotel, Suitenhotel Parco Paradiso for the next three nights.
Lugano is a beautiful city located on the northern shore of the glacial Lake Lugano. It has a population of around 63,000 people. The mix of Swiss-Mediterranean cultures is reflected in the architecture and cuisine.
After we have unpacked we’ll have some free time in the afternoon to explore or laze around the pool as we wish.
Tonight dinner will be in our hotel.
DAY FIVE
Friday 6 September 2024
After breakfast, our awaiting coach will transfer us along the very picturesque route to Bellagio, on the shore of Lake Como.
We’ll have time to wander the streets of Bellagio, before enjoying a 2 course lunch at a local restaurant.
Bellagio is know for its cobbled lanes, elegant buildings, and beautiful gardens.
After lunch, we’ll wander down to the pier to commence our boat cruise to Como. Don’t forget to wave to George Clooney as we go past his house. I’m sure he’ll be looking out for us!
Our visit to Como will include a walking tour and Villa Olmo will be one of the highlights we will see. Among the beautiful halls of the villa is a theatre which dates back to 1883 and provides perfect acoustics.
The Italian garden in the front of Villa Olmo features perfectly cared for, symmetrical flower beds, in addition to a large fountain and several statues. Behind the villa is a typical English garden with ancient trees.
DAY SIX
Saturday 7 September 2024
Today is at leisure, but that doesn’t mean you’ll be left by yourself (unless you want to be!). Whether its shopping, sightseeing or cocktails by the pool with your fellow travellers, Marie will have something planned.
DAY SEVEN
Sunday 8 September 2024
Feeling rested from our day of leisure yesterday, today we start the Italy part of our tour. After breakfast, we’ll board our coach for the journey to Verona. We’ll check into our hotel Crowne Plaza Verona Fiera before stepping out on a guided walking tour.
Verona is a city with a medieval old town built between the meandering Adige River. It is famous as the setting of Shakespeare’s Romeo & Juliet. Our walking tour will include a visit to Juliet’s house and other main sights.
In the evening, we’ll freshen up and head out for a 3 course restaurant dinner. A perfect way to end our first week together.
DAY EIGHT
Monday 9 September 2024
What a fun day we have instore today with a full-day bike tour from Verona to Lake Garda. Don’t worry, we’ll be on e-bikes and it will be a leisurely ride to Bardolino. Here we’ll enjoy lunch at a local restaurant before transferring back to Verona by coach.
DAY NINE
Tuesday 10 September 2024
We’ll depart early this morning as the Cinque Terra awaits. We will visit Manarola and enjoy lunch at a local restaurant. After lunch we’ll visit Porto di Manarola and Piazza Daria before transferring to the hotel in La Spezia. For those who are feeling a little adventurous, you might like to walk from Manarola to the neighbouring village of Riomaggiore (1.8km) and then take the train to La Spezia where our hotel is located across the road from the train station. Marie will happily guide you on this walk, if required.
After checking in to our hotel, Hotel Firenze e Continentale, we will have the evening at leisure. The pedestrian main street Via Prione is 5 minutes walk from our hotel. Here you will find a great range of restaurants, bars and outdoor coffee shops.
DAY TEN
Wednesday 11 September 2024
After breakfast we’ll travel by coach to Riomaggiore and, after visiting the main sites, we’ll take the train to Monterosso.
We’ll visit Santa Margherita Ligure and enjoy a 2-course lunch at a local restaurant before taking the local public boat to Portofino. This beautiful port village is a popular tourist destination for A- Listers so keep your eyes peeled. Return to Santa Margherita Ligure by boat and then transfer back to La Spezia by coach.
DAY ELEVEN
Thursday 12 September 2024
Florence is our destination today and we’ll travel by coach via Pisa for a photo opportunity of The Leaning Tower of Pisa.
On arrival in Florence, we’ll take a guided walking tour of the city visiting the Ponte Vecchio, Piazza del Duomo and visit the Galleria dell ‘Academia. Here we’ll see the Statue of David.
Our evening will be at leisure.
DAY TWELVE
Friday 13
September 2024
Today we’ll venture into the Tuscan countryside. We’ll take a guided tour of the wine cellar at Castello di Radda in Chianti and enjoy a wine tasting before enjoying lunch at a local restaurant.
In the afternoon, we’ll attend an outdoor cooking class in the Tuscan countryside. Return to Florence and evening at leisure.
DAY THIRTEEN
Saturday 14
September 2024
Today is our last day in Italy as our tour is coming to an end.
We have the whole day to do as we please. Maybe shopping for a new handbag, a piece of jewelery, picking up last minute gifts to take home, or a long, lazy lunch.
A free day to catch up and pack up.
DAY FOURTEEN
Sunday 15
September 2024
Today we say goodbye to our newfound friends. After breakfast, we will be transferred to Florence Airport for our flights home or on to our next destination.
Hi, I’m Marie (like Calamari) and I will be your host on this fully escorted tour.
As you can see from the itinerary, this tour is going to be incredible.
I’m so excited to share it with you.
Please email me if you have questions or want to check on the next step..
You can download a printable copy of the itinerary here.
Talk soon, Marie x