Swiss Trains & Italian Treasures with An Extra Night in Rome

Check into your hotel. The rest of the day is free for you to explore Zurich with the help of the CosmosGO app. Tonight, meet your Tour Director and travel companions. (D)

Board the train for your journey from Zurich to Lucerne. Lucerne is one of Switzerland's most idyllic medieval cities, surrounded by a beautiful lake and nestled amidst snow-capped Alps. The rest of the day is at leisure to discover the delights of this charming city such as the famous wooden bridge or the picturesque town centre. Today's Distance: 37 mi/ 60 km (B)

Depart Lucerne on the Lucerne-Interlaken Express. Cross Brunig Pass en route to Interlaken and spend some time strolling through the quaint streets or aim a little higher with an optional excursion by funicular to the Harder Kulm for lunch and magnificent views of the legendary Eiger, Mönch, and Jungfrau peaks. From Interlaken, take the Golden Pass panoramic train for your unforgettable journey to Montreux, then continue to Lausanne. Today's Distance: 155 mi/ 250 km (B)

Discover the delightful Swiss mountain region of Zermatt. En route, stop to visit the town of Montreux, situated on the shores of Lake Geneva, surrounded by vineyards against the breathtaking backdrop of snow-covered Alps. Enjoy some free time or consider an optional guided excursion to Chillon Castle. standing as solid as its rocky island on which it has endured on the water's edge for nearly four centuries. Enjoy a wine tasting of local wine before continuing by train to Zermatt. Today's Distance: 109 mi/ 175 km (B/D)

An included excursion takes you to the famous Gornergrat, traveling on board Europe's highest rack railway. The views of the Matterhorn from its summit are nothing short of spectacular. The rest of the day is at leisure in Zermatt—with a variety of interesting shops, cafés, bars, and picturesque streets to explore. (B)

The train journey today aboard the spectacular Glacier Express is without a doubt one of the main highlights of the tour. Enjoy unforgettable views as you make your way through the unspoiled natural beauty of the Alps on the direct route to the world-famous mountain resort of St. Moritz. This picture-perfect town is more than just a holiday resort. It was also the birthplace of Alpine winter tourism (in 1864) and has twice hosted the Winter Olympics. Stretch your legs this evening, and admire the beautiful chalets decorated with gorgeous geraniums. Today's Distance: 174 mi/ 280 km (B/D)

Take the Bernina Express train (a UNESCO World Heritage Site) to Tirano and back for one of Europe's most spectacular and breathtaking train rides. Travel across the lofty Bernina Pass via the Swiss Poschiavo area to Tirano in the Italian Valtellina, witnessing an array of beautiful mountain streams, glaciers, and alpine scenery along the way. Today's Distance: 75 mi/ 120 km (B)

Leave St. Moritz for the journey back to Zurich. Enjoy some time at leisure and take a stroll around the city center. Perhaps indulge in some chocolate tasting or follow the course of the river Limmat until it reaches the banks of Lake Zurich. Tonight enjoy a farewell drink at your hotel to say goodbye to your travelling companions. Today's Distance: 137 mi/ 220 km (B)

Leave Swirtzerland toward sunny Italy, ready for new adventures (B)

Today is free for you to explore this ancient capital with the help of the CosmosGO app.

The “Eternal City” is steeped in history, vibrantly alive and exciting, and absolutely unique! Start the included introduction to Rome's landmarks from St. Peter's Square with a Local Guide. Enjoy a drive along the iconic landmarks of the city: the Tiber River, the Caius Cestius Pyramid, the Aurelian Walls, and the Caracalla Baths. Complete the experience with a walk back in time from the Circus Maximus to the Arch of Constantine and to the fascinating Colosseum, symbol of the Roman Empire. (B)

Vistas of rolling hills, rows of cypress trees, terraced vineyards, olive groves, and rural villages form the backdrop of your journey through beautiful Tuscany. Stop in Pisa and take a mini-train ride to the Square of Miracles with the amazing Leaning Tower. Arrive in Montecatini. Everything tastes better in Tuscany! See for yourself with an optional culinary experience in the Tuscan countryside to indulge in authentic traditional dishes—with wine, of course! Today's Distance: 273 mi/ 440 (B)

Today, enjoy an included excursion to Florence. Your Local Guide will show you the city highlights on the walking tour. You will see Piazza Santa Croce; beautiful Piazza Signoria; Palazzo Vecchio and its courtyard and Loggia dei Lanzi. To top it all, marvel at the Piazza del Duomo and the Cathedral with the Giotto Campanile, and the magnificent East Doors of the Baptistry, known as the “Gates of Paradise.” Today's Distance: 81 mi/ 130 km (B/D)

Reach La Spezia and hop aboard a train that travels by the Cinque Terre villages. The beauty of these rugged cliffs and romantic fishing villages once inspired the poet, Lord Byron. Enjoy spectacular views from the train, plus a stop with free time to discover one of the villages. Later, re-join the coach and head towards Genoa, birthplace of explorer Christopher Columbus. Today's Distance by coach: 149 mi/ 240 km (B)

Today's included guided tour is an excellent introduction to Genoa. A maze of squares and alleys, the city grew around the port, a natural inlet, and boasts the largest medieval historical district in Europe. Next, head north into the plains of Lombardy, and stop in Milan, where fashion, history, and culture converge in Northern Italy's vibrant heart. Then, continue to Lake Maggiore. Today's Distance: 186mi/ 300 km (B)

Time to relax and get to know Lake Maggiore, one of Italy's largest lakes, located on the very edge of Alpine Switzerland. On clear days, you can see the peaks of the Alps. Take advantage of the included excursion to visit Lugano in the Italian-speaking Swiss Canton Ticino. Today's Distance: 56mi/ 90 km (B)

Travel across the fertile Po River plain. Stop in the romantic city of Verona for some time at leisure. Admire the Roman Arena, perfectly preserved and still hosting concerts and festivals during the summer, shop, or taste some of the excellent local wines. Continue to the Venice area. Do you believe in magic? An optional evening boat ride on Giudecca Canal, dinner in a local restaurant, and St. Mark's square at night will remove all doubt! Today's Distance: 242mi/ 390 km (B)

Venice is more like a romantic film set than a real-life city, with its crisscrossing canals, gondolas and water buses, arched bridges, palaces, and piazzas. The included orientation starts with a boat ride to St. Mark's Square and is followed by time at leisure and a chance to watch Venetian glassblowers fashion their delicate objects as they did centuries ago. O Sole Mio! Don't miss out on the optional gondola trip, gliding along the picturesque canals with a local troubadour to serenade you. (B/D)

Enjoy an interesting drive southward right across the Po Delta, through the Emilia-Romagna region to Assisi, enclosed by ramparts and little changed since the Middle Ages. This is the town of the deeply mystical and poetic St. Francis. See the Basilica of St. Francis with its famous frescoes by Giotto, with history brought to life by a Local Guide. Overnight in Foligno, a town in the green heart of the Umbria region. Today's Distance: 261mi/ 420 km (B/D)

Travel to Pompeii, where time stopped for the rich, aristocratic town with the terrible eruption of Vesuvius in 79 AD. On the included guided visit of the archaeological site, see the remains of luxurious villas, temples, theatre, and forum. Carry on to Sorrento, set on a plateau above the waters of the Bay of Naples. Wander the winding streets lined with shops and stalls and relax absorbing the easy-going lifestyle of this charming resort. Today's Distance: 258mi/ 415 km (B)

Enjoy a day trip to the legendary island, surrounded by a rocky coastline where the crashing sea has formed awe-inspiring caves. The town with its pretty “piazzetta,” maze of streets, fashionable boutiques, and inviting restaurants, is a mecca for the jet set. Explore on your own or take an optional island tour. (B/D)

Today, enjoy time at leisure or step into a picture-perfect postcard with an optional excursion to Positano to be amazed at the Amalfi Coast as it follows the curves of the coastline, dotted with colorful clifftop villages. Return to Rome. Today's Distance: 168 mi/ 270 km (B)

Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning. (B)