DAY 1: Arrive in Milan from Boston. Pick -up at the airport and transfer to Lake Maggior in Stresa. Check-in and rest of the day at leisure. Dinner and overnight at the hotel REGINA PALACE OR SIMILAR IN STRESA.
DAY 2: This morning we wil take a short boat ride to the BORROMEE ISLANDS and visit the beautiful palace of Borromeo family. Then go to the fisherman island for time for lunch on your own. In the afternoon go by private boat to the monastery of santa Caterina del sasso to celebrate mass. Return to the hotel in Stresa for dinner and overnight.
DAY 3: Today we dedicate our day to the city of Milan. Guided tour of the city including the beautiful Cathedral with possibility of celebrating mass in it and visit of the famous LAST SUPPER by Leonardo da Vinci. Litlle free time for lunch and exploring. Return to Stresa for dinner and overnight.
DAY 4: Today we go to lake como for a leisure day.. we will do the navigation of beautiful lake Como and we stop in the famous little town of Menaggio. Time on your own to explore , have lunch and some shopping. Possibility of stopping at Villa Carlotta to visit its beautiful gardens. Return to the hotel in Stresa for our last dinner and overnight in Italy.
Day 5: Today we leave Italy and we go to Switzerland . Long beautiful traveling day and we arrive in Switzerland in Zurich area. Rest of the day at leisure. Dinner and overnight.
Day 6: Excursion by bus to Einsiedeln and Stoos mountain
Einsiedeln is the most important place of pilgrimage dedicated to the Virgin Mary in Switzerland. The high valley of Einsiedeln located in the heart of Central Switzerland is characterised by moors and Lake Sihl, the biggest reservoir in Switzerland in terms of area. Imposing centre of Einsiedeln and destination for countless pilgrims is the baroque monastery dating from the 18th century. The Benedictine monastery has a history of just over one thousand years. Since the Middle Ages Einsiedeln with its «Black Madonna» has been one of the most important places of pilgrimage in Europe. The Jakobsweg (St. James Path) also runs through the Einsiedeln area. Afternoon visit of Mt Stoos . is now even more spectacular. The new funicular climbs at a gradient of up to 110%. A special new car was developed for the demanding route: it adapts to the terrain so that the floor always stays orizontal for passengers. Lunch in the restaurant on Fronalpstock. Overnight and dinner at the hotel.
Day 7: Excursion to Stein and Rhine falls
Leave Zurich and drive through typical farming country to the medieval village of Stein on the Rhine river. Walk through the narrow streets and see the picturesque frescoed adorned houses. See the enchanting gilt and wrought iron trade signs at the shops, their pictorial devices dating from the time when few people could read. Continue along the Rhine river to Schaffhausen for a stop at the Rhinefalls, Europe’s largest waterfalls before returning to Zurich. In the afternoon enjoy a guided city tour in Zürich. We have included the lunch at Rhinefall. Overnight and dinner at the hotel.
Day 8: Excursion to Disentis Monastery and Wine tasting.
Founded around the year 720 as an hermitage, Disentis Monastery was often the site of hard-fought battles – due to its location at the foot of the Lukmanier Pass. The foundation walls of two churches from the 8th century are preserved to this day. The monastery school was first mentioned in the annals of 1285, the baroque monastery complex was built between 1683 and 1704. The museum documents the history of the monastery as well as sacred art and Christian tradition. Its natural history exposition displays crystals and minerals found in the region. The Benedictine monks welcome visitors at their hourly prayers and at the celebration of the Eucharist. On the way back to Zurich we will visit the vineyard in the region of Chur for a tasting of the local wine Overnight and dinner at the hotel.
DAY 9: Excursion to chocolat factory and St. Gallen.
From Zurich we drive via Winterthur to Flawil to visit the Schoggiland Maestrani Swiss chocolate factory. Would you like to know how chocolate is made, where the ingredients come from, and how they are used? We can organize a visit and your questions will be answered by an expert guide and you will discover the secrets of the art of Swiss chocolate. After the visit we continue to St. Gallen. After a short city tour admiring the famous Abbey, we enjoy time at leisure. The abbey district is UNESCSO world heritage sight and attracts a lot of people from all over the world Return to Zurich late afternoon. Overnight and dinner at the hotel.
DAY 10: Excursion to Mt Rigi and Lucerne.
Leave Zurich along the scenic route via Sihltal and lake Zoug to central Switzerland and Weggis, a charming resort on the lake. Board the cable car for Mt. Rigi-Kaltbad (4’750 ft) for time at leisure. Enjoy the spectacular alpine panorama from end to end of a tremendous backcloth of mountains. Descend by rack-railway, Europe’s first mountain railway built in 1871, to Vitznau. Drive along the lakeshore to Lucerne. Walking sightseeing tour of Lucerne, including the Old Town with its quaint streets and squares, busy market places and decorated houses. Walk across the wooden Chapel Bridge with its unique historical paintings. See the Old Town Hall, the Jesuit church and the Lion Monument. Time at leisure. Return to Zurich late afternoon. For the city tour in Lucerne we can include a guide for 2 hrs Optional. Possible Boat ride from Vitznau to Lucerne. Overnight and dinner at teh hotel.
DAY 11: Excursion to Engelberg The “mountain of angels”.
as it was named in 1120 by the founders of the imposing Benedictine monastery, Engelberg is located in the heart of Central Switzerland. You can see the church with the biggest organ in Switzerland and walk through the picturesque village. We can organize a guided tour through the monastery duration approx. 1 hr per group. Group has to be divided into 15 pax each group After the visit of the monastery we have an guided visit at the cheese factory with a guided tour followed by a cheese tasting with cheese, bread and small warm cheesecakes, white wine, mineral water. Overnight and dinner at the Hotel
DAY 12: breakfast buffet Free day in Zürich for own program and discovery of the city Overnight and dinner in Geroldswil at Hotel Geroldswil.
DAY 13: breakfast buffet and departure
