THE LAKES & MOUNTAINS OF ITALY AND SWITZERLAND 8 DAYS

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1 THE LAKES & MOUNTAINS OF ITALY AND SWITZERLAND 8 DAYS by Melody Hagerman at Travel the Horizon

2 Summary TURIN, MILAN, MENAGGIO, GRINDELWALD From historic Turin and cosmopolitan Milan to soul-stirring alpine villages. Join us on a memory-making adventure that takes in time-honoured traditions, local culture and even some remarkable railwajourneys - all among some of the world's most enchanting scenery. Hunt for truffles and sip local wines in Langhe, northern Italy Experience two of the great apline railway journeys: the Bernina Express and the Glacier Express Savour breakfast in the fresh mountain air on a Swiss farm visit Other Dates of Travel: 10 July - 17 Jul July - 31 Jul Aug - 04 Sep Sep - 18 Sep 2017 What's included? 7 nights' accommodation in boutique hotels Experience tour leader Luxury mini-coach transportation First class rail travel through the Swiss Alps European breakfast daily (B) Four evening meals (D) Local guide in Turin Truffle hunt Wine and cheese tasting Entrance fee included to: Turin Cathedral, Casa Martini and Milan Cathedral Price and Payment Information $4270 $ per person based on double occupancy, plus your air fare. Price is subject to change until reserved. Single Supplement applies to private room. To reserve your space call or Travel the Horizon for an application form and terms and conditions. Small group people All group captivities are NON SMOKING.

3 TURIN - LANGHE On Monday, 26 June DAY 1 TURIN - LANGHE Turin is the gateway to our alpine adventure, and we get to know its stylish streets and treelined boulevards on a walking tour. A highlight is a visit to Turin Cathedral, where pilgrims have gathered for hundreds of years to see the legendary shroud. Next we step inside the hallowed halls of Casa Martini to learn the secrets behind themaking of these famous wines and vermouths followed by a tasting, of course. By afternoon, we re ready to board our luxury mini-coach, where we take the scenic route into rural Piedmont. With its endless fields and rolling hills, this bountiful region of northern Italy is renowned for its wines, cheeses and truffles. Our home for the night is a charming hotel in a local town, where we look forward to the experiences ahead over a welcome dinner. (D) LANGHE - ALBA - BAROLO - LANGHE On Tuesday, 27 June DAY 2 LANGHE - ALBA - BAROLO - LANGHE This morning takes us into the countryside near Alba, where treasure waits to be unearthed. Claiming the title of truffle capital, this is the perfect place to hunt for these gourmet delights. Learn to spot their ideal growth habitats before venturing into the woods with your expert hunter their specially trained dog running ahead to sniff out black and white truffles. After our hunt, we venture into Alba itself to wander the laidback streets of this rural town. Then we stop by Barolo, home of the king of wines and the wine of kings. You could seek out a café here to try a glass of the rich, aromatic Barolo reds, or simply saunter through the historic centre, taking in views that stretch across surrounding vineyards. Tonight we enjoy an authentic cooking experience, using local produce to prepare our own dinner. (B,D)

4 LANGHE - MILAN - LAKE COMO On Wednesday, 28 June DAY 3 LANGHE - MILAN - LAKE COMO Today we turn our attentions to the glitz and glamour of Milan and the Italian lakes. Our first stop is Milan s spectacular cathedral an ornate, marble confection covered in delicate spires. Afterwards, you can take some free time to explore the city centre. But it won t be long before we hear the clear waters and mountain vistas of Lake Como calling. Our elegant waterside base is on the Western shore, where we make ourselves at home with a group dinner. (B, D) LAKE COMO On Thursday, 29 June DAY 4 LAKE COMO With a day at leisure beside the lake, how you spend today is entirely up to you. You could follow one of the many gentle walks from Lake Como into the surrounding hills. Instead, take the ferry to Bellagio, a town known as the pearl of Lake Como, or over to Varenna, a former fishermen s village known for its beautiful villas. (B)

5 LAKE COMO - SONDRIO - TIRANO - DAVOS On Friday, 30 June DAY 5 LAKE COMO - SONDRIO - TIRANO - DAVOS Our path turns north today as we travel through the Valtellina region, our road edged with apple orchards, vineyards and mountain pastures. After pausing in Sondrio to explore its heritage, we continue on to Tirano where a highlight of our trip awaits. It s here that we board the Bernina Express to embark on one of the world s iconic railway journeys. Our train climbs steadily into the mountains, passing through tunnels where views of soaring peaks and awe-inspiring glaciers await on the other side. Our final stop is the Alpine resort of Davos, where we re welcomed to Switzerland with a warming group dinner. (B, D) DAVOS - ANDERMATT - GRINDELWALD On Saturday, 1 July DAY 6 DAVOS - ANDERMATT - GRINDELWALD We take to the rails once more today, giving us the chance to view Switzerland s most spectacular scenery from aboard the Glacier Express. This remarkable feat of engineering includes countless beautiful bridges over gorges and between mountain passes, with pine forests and wildflower meadows stretching out below you. Arriving in Andermatt, we swap the train for mini-coach and continue on to Grindelwald, where your evening is your own. (B)

6 Grindelwald, Switzerland On Sunday, 2 July DAY 7 GRINDELWALD Steep-gabled wooden chalets. Sparkling lakes and green fields. Rugged, snow-capped peaks. Grindelwald is the perfect picture of a sleepy Swiss village and it s yours to explore today. Wander through sublime valleys, take the train to the Jungfraujoch, the highest railway station in Europe, or perhaps take the cable car up to the panoramic terrace and mountain restaurant. From here, clear weather reveals panoramic views of spectacular mountains, including Eiger, Monch and Jungfrau. This evening, we come back together to share our exploits over a farewell dinner. (B, D) : GRINDELWALD - LUCERNE - ZURICH On Monday, 3 July DAY 8 GRINDELWALD - LUCERNE - ZURICH Our last breakfast together is truly something special. First, we visit a small, family-run dairy farm, where we sit down to a traditional Alpine breakfast amid unforgettable views. But our adventure isn t over just yet. We pay a visit to Lucerne, whose medieval old town and lakeside setting enchanted everyone from Goethe to Queen Victoria. Finally we reach Zurich, where we say goodbye amid the elegant buildings, grand squares and artisan chocolate houses of this heart-stealing city. (B)