Vistas of Italy and Switzerland

Welcome to Venice – the magnificent floating city boasting unparalleled elegance, grandeur and romance. Meet your travel companions and Tour Leader at the hotel, before settling into a delicious welcome meal at a local restaurant. Salute! Stay: Hotel Pesaro (or similar) (D)

After breakfast, we'll acquaint ourselves with Venice's maze-like backstreets on an orientation tour with our Tour Leader, before meeting with a local artisan for a traditional mask-making demonstration. Enjoy some free time to indulge in la dolce vita (the sweet life) along the canal-lined streets and lavish piazzas before we continue onwards to the resort town of Sirmione. Located on the southern bank of Lake Garda, we'll have the evening to explore at our leisure. Stay: Hotel Ideal (or similar) (B)

This morning we'll make our way to a local farmhouse – where we'll be treated to a light lunch filled with fresh regional produce. Then: we'll learn a fact or two on a walking tour of the quaint village of Borghetto. Running through the heart of this picturesque destination is the mighty Mincio River – along which you'll find many ancient watermills and riverside restaurants dishing up delicious tortellini. Upon returning to Sirmione, the evening is ours to spend relaxing at the hotel, enjoying the local hot springs or seeking out a waterfront restaurant for some fresh local cuisine. Stay: Hotel Ideal (or similar) (B/L)

Today, our road will carry us to the Port of Sulzano where we'll embark on a boat tour across Lake Iseo – docking at picturesque Carzano on the mountain island of Monte Isola. Enjoy some free time to explore this charming village and its lakeside cafes. Later, we'll round off the day with a relaxing evening at our hotel or seeking out some gastronomic delicacies in town. Stay: Hotel Capovilla (or similar) (B)

Rolling hills, charming vineyards and authentic Italian cuisine are on the cards today. Our first stop will be a local farmhouse in the Franciacorta region, where a guided tour of a traditional wine cellar awaits. Continuing our gastronomic discovery, we'll roll up our sleeves and get stuck into a rustic cooking class – where we'll learn some regional culinary secrets. And then? It's time to savour our creations and enjoy a wine tasting over lunch – before returning to Iseo for an evening spent relaxing at the hotel or exploring the array of local eateries. Stay: Hotel Capovilla (or similar)

Today our path will lead us to Tirano, one of the prettiest towns along the Switzerland-Italy boundary. We'll enjoy some free time to explore before embarking on a spectacular tour highlight: the Bernina Express. One of the world's most iconic railway journeys, our train will climb steadily into the Swiss Alps, with spectacular views of soaring mountain peaks and awe-inspiring glaciers in every direction. Our final stop of the day will be the Engadin Valley, where we'll be welcomed into Switzerland with an outlook of pristine scenery and warming local cuisine. Stay: Hotel Reine Victoria (or similar) (B)

After feasting on a hearty breakfast, we'll board the famous Glacier Express train to Andermatt. Prepare for an experience unlike any other! Sit back and relax as we leisurely make our way through spiral tunnels, alpine villages and the Rhine Gorge – soaking up breathtaking panoramic views as we go. Upon arriving in Andermatt, we'll board the minicoach once again for the short journey to Interlaken. For dinner tonight, we'll have an abundance of sumptuous local menus to choose from. Stay: Hotel Krebs (or similar)

This morning we'll continue to Brienz – where we'll take a memorable journey along one of the oldest railways in Switzerland. Step back in time as we ride the chugging steam train to the top of the Brienzer Rothorn. Following that, we'll travel back to Interlaken on a scenic paddle steamer cruise – before clinking glasses over one final dinner together at the hotel restaurant. What a trip it's been!

Please note: During the summer season (June-October), we will visit the Brienzer Rothorn and enjoy a paddle steamer cruise as listed in the itinerary. In spring (March-May), we will take a cable car from Mürren to Schilthorn instead – with some free time to explore Mürren before we return to Interlaken. Stay: Hotel Krebs (or similar) (B/D)

For our last day together, we'll continue to Lucerne – where an indulgent chocolate tasting awaits. We'll have some free time to explore this lakeside city and enjoy lunch at our leisure – before moving on to our final destination of the tour: Zurich. We'll go our separate ways upon arriving later this afternoon. (B)