Lake Como & the Swiss Alps - 6 days

Lake Como & the Swiss Alps - 6 days

110 Views
6 Days From

$2815

$2196

Lake Como & the Swiss Alps - 6 days

6 Days Starting in Milan and ending in Interlaken

Visiting: Milan, Como, Lugano, Stresa, Locarno, Zermatt, Lausanne, Gruyère District, Gstaad, Lauterbrunnen, Interlaken, Bellinzona, Entlebuch

Tour operator:

On The Go Tours

Specialist Group:

Family/Kids

Guide Type:

Fully Guided

Group size:

2 - 16

Age range:

Minimum age 15, escorted by an adult

Interests:

Cultural, History

From:
$2815
$2196 (USD) Operator discount: -$619 -22%

NB: Prices correct on 20-May-2024 but subject to change.

Tour Overview

SMALL GROUP TOUR: Explore picturesque northern Italy and the Swiss Alps on this 6-day small group tour from Milan. Enjoy an included boat trip on beautiful Lake Como, explore the cultural melting pot of Lugano, and wander around the ‘Garden City’ of Varese. Marvel at the famous Matterhorn peak on a train ride, discover the stunning town of Lauterbrunnen, journey through the picturesque UNESCO Biosphere Entlebuch, and experience the historic castles of Bellinzona.

Highlights

  • Lake Como - Cruise on this famous Italian lake to Lenno, an idyllic lakeside village

  • Isola Bella - Wander through the picturesque gardens and impressive palace on this historic island

  • Lugano - Explore this fascinating, cultural melting pot of a city

  • Varese - Enjoy a guided walk around the old town centre of the 'Garden City'

  • Gruyeres - Visit this charming medieval town and the home of Gruyere cheese

  • Zermatt (Matterhorn) - Marvel at one of the most famous and recognisable peaks in the world, the Matterhorn

  • Chillon Castle - Discover the most visited castle in all of Switzerland

  • Lauterbrunnen - Spend time doing scenic walks, taking mountain peak train rides, and much more

  • Biosphere Entlebuch - Journey through this UNESCO listed site that looks straight out of "The Sound of Music"

  • Bellinzona - Relax in this charming town or explore one of the many incredible UNESCO listed ancient castles independently

Itinerary

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Day 1: Milan

Location: Milan, Como, Lugano

Milan - Como - Lugano (Switzerland) - Locarno. Welcome to Italy! Starting the day in Milan, we begin by travelling to stunning Lake Como. Marvel at the panoramic mountain views and picturesque villas as we glide across the lake on an included boat trip to the town of Lenno. After enjoying the views and lunch in Lenno, we cross the border into Switzerland and visit the city of Lugano where we have a couple of hours to explore this melting pot of Swiss, Italian, and Mediterranean cultures. Following an hour-long drive, we arrive in the small and sunny town of Locarno, where we spend the night.



Please note: Pick up point for this tour is at 8:15 on day 1 (tour departs at 8:30) - Milan Pick Up, Business Palace Milan, Milan.

Day 2: Locarno

Location: Lugano, Stresa, Locarno

Meals Included: Breakfast

Locarno - Stresa (Italy) - Locarno (Switzerland). After breakfast we travel back across the border to the Italian lakeside town of Stresa. Here there is an optional tour to Isola Bella where we wander through picturesque gardens and explore Palazzo Borromeo, a 17th century palace of the influential House of Borromeo.



In the afternoon we continue to the ‘Garden City’ of Varese. Enjoy a guided walk through the old town centre to learn about how this town earned its nickname. Returning to the shores of Lake Maggiore we spend our second night in the town of Locarno.

Day 3: Locarno

Location: Locarno, Zermatt, Lausanne

Meals Included: Breakfast

Locarno - Lausanne. Leaving Locarno, our first stop of the day is Santa Maria Maggiore. After this quick stop that gives you time to take some pictures of this stunning town, we head up to the Simplon Pass. This is a historic location that has been a major route through the Alps since the Stone Age. Arriving in the village of Tasch we take a round-trip train journey to Zermatt where we admire the panoramic views of the surrounding mountains and the world-famous Matterhorn peak. Returning to the mini-coach, we head to our overnight accommodation in the city of Lausanne, overlooking the shore of Lake Geneva.

Day 4: Lausanne

Location: Lausanne, Gruyère District, Gstaad, Lausanne

Meals Included: Breakfast

Lausanne - Gruyeres - Gstaad - Lausanne. We begin our day in Gruyeres, the birthplace of Gruyere cheese. Explore the charming medieval town and enjoy panoramic views of the Saane Valley. Next, we'll journey alongside majestic Alpine peaks to Gstaad, a renowned Alpine village frequented by skiing enthusiasts and celebrities alike. Following this, there is an optional excursion to Chillon Castle near Montreux. This captivating castle is the most famous and visited in all of Switzerland. Returning to Lausanne in time for dinner, we spend our second night here.

Day 5: Lausanne

Location: Lausanne, Lauterbrunnen, Interlaken

Meals Included: Breakfast

Lausanne - Lauterbrunnen - Interlaken. Welcome to the "Valley of 72 Waterfalls," a haven for outdoor enthusiasts and our first destination today. We have the entire day to explore Lauterbrunnen at our leisure. Take a pick from scenic walks, mountain peak train rides, and much more. If suggestions are needed, feel free to ask the guide for recommendations. After immersing ourselves in Lauterbrunnen's breath-taking mountain views and picturesque Swiss landscapes, we journey to Interlaken. This charming resort town, nestled snugly amidst the mountains, is our home for the night.

Day 6: Interlaken

Location: Interlaken, Bellinzona, Entlebuch, Milan

Meals Included: Breakfast

Interlaken - Bellinzona - Milan (Italy). Leaving Interlaken, we journey through the picturesque UNESCO Biosphere Entlebuch, a landscape straight out of a "Sound of Music" scene, with cows grazing in lush green fields and awe-inspiring views. While nature rejuvenates the soul, it won't satisfy your hunger. Your guide will locate an excellent lunch spot, possibly in Altdorf, however, we're flexible and may explore other fantastic dining options.



Descending from the Alpine heights, we arrive in Bellinzona, where ancient castles, now UNESCO heritage sites, have guarded the northern Italian access since Roman times. You can choose to explore these impressive castles or simply relax in the town.



We arrive in Milan in the evening where the tour comes to an end.



Please note: This tour finishes at 18:30 - Milan Drop Off, Business Palace Milan, Milan.

What's Included

  • Accommodation
    3 star hotels

  • 5 breakfasts

  • 5 nights in 3 star hotels

  • Escorted by an English-speaking guide

  • Transportation in an air-conditioned luxury mini-coach with a local driver

  • Boat trip across Lake Como

  • Return train tickets from Tasch to Zermatt with views of the Matterhorn

  • 20kg luggage - see Trip Notes for details

  • Note: This tour is operated in conjunction with our trusted partner and you will join travellers from different operators, not solely On The Go.

What's Not Included

  • International flights & visas

  • Airport transfers

  • Meals not specified in itinerary

  • Tipping - an entirely personal gesture!

  • Entry fees unless specified

Check out our Q&As

  • What Ethical Travel credentials does the tour company have?

    Ensuring our footprint is light and that the benefits of travelling reach the local communities you visit is paramount to us. We’re proud to say that when travelling with us, the large majority of your holiday funds remain within the countries you visit, supporting local economies at a grass roots level.

  • How long has the tour company been trading?

    Since 1998

  • Who will be my travelling companions on the tour?

    With English-speaking tours, it's not a huge surprise that most on our travellers are from English-speaking countries or have English as their second language. Our group tours cater for everyone from 18 years old to 70+

  • Will the accommodation included meet local health and safety regulations?

    Yes

Reviews of this operator

Nicola Hodgkinson (Google Reviewer)  

Recently returned from Greece, a...

07-May-2024

Recently returned from Greece, a 5 day tour with OTG. Unfortunately, I had a negative experience on day 2 where I needed local support to get me out of a tricky situation. Thank you to Alexandra Z from Hetco Tours in Athens for helping me continue on with the trip, to the Hotel Zafolia staffing team and to Danielle and team here in the UK for supporting me with the aftermath. Your kindness will not be forgotten and I will pay it forward. I've now booked 3 trips with yourselves and will continue to go back. Thank you all. Honestly, I am SO grateful. Blessings to you all. Nicola

Calvin  

Wonderful experience

05-Jan-2023

Jamal is our tour guide. Right from the start, he created a group chat in whatsapp and if any issues to make sure we contact him. He was on the ball with every issue thrown at him. Luggage being left behind, stragglers wondered off in a different path, hotel room etc. He explains the various site along our route to give us a better understanding of the local cultures. We had a great time, thanks to Jamal.

Trustpilot
Norma Sullivan  

Land of the Northern Lights 5 day tour of Iceland

10-Sep-2021

The Land of Northern Lights tour was a triumph! My tour of Southern Iceland was absolutely wonderful. The venues chosen, the timing allotted at each venue and the variety of things to experience was nearly perfect. Our guide, "Thor", was smart, amusing, full of history and anecdotal stories as well as being incredibly hospitable and helpful. This small group experience was my first, but not my last thanks to On the Go.

Trawls (Google Reviewer)  

On The Go Tours Sri...

05-Feb-2024

On The Go Tours Sri Lanka was an incredible experience that was made even better by our tour guide Akthar. He was incredibly knowledgeable about his country and he loved sharing it with us. The tour covers a wide range of activities so you can truly experience what Sri Lanka is all about. The beautiful 4-5 star hotels at the end of every day was an absolute bonus. Thanks for a great trip OTGT I’m sure this won’t be my last

Xtreme Floor Care (Google Reviewer)  

Traveled through Egypt with On...

30-Nov-2023

Traveled through Egypt with On the Go Tours, professional service, very informative and helpful tour guides. The choice of hotels was excellent... Definitely recommend this company

Gavin Harrigan  

King Tutankhamun 10 day tour of Egypt

16-Sep-2021

I have just returned from my tour with On The Go and it was an amazing trip! From arriving at the airport and meeting the OTG representative, everything was well organised and hassle free.  Our tour guide was Amir. He is awesome!! From the beginning he was so friendly and enthusiastic about showing us around Egypt, giving us loads of information at each place and time to explore ourselves. Learnt so much from him about this fascinating place, and he was always happy to answer more questions.   The trip itself was amazing. There's lots of travelling on this trip, but it's really not too bad, and the sights you see when you get to where you are going are worth it. I'm not a big fan of boats, but the Felluca ride across the Nile was pretty fun too.  On the first day I also did the optional tour of Cairo with Ahmed Helal - another excellent guide from OTG. It's worth doing this add on as you don't spend much time in Cairo, and you go to three very different places.  I'm so glad that I decided to do this trip. It was just ace.  If you're thinking about it too, you should probably just book it. And hopefully you get Amir as your guide.

Paul Kelly (Google Reviewer)  

TOTALLY MOROCCO We booked a 9...

26-Feb-2023

TOTALLY MOROCCO We booked a 9 day tour of Morocco visiting many main cities and places of interest. The coach was very comfortable and we felt safe with the driver Suliman. The guide was Hicham Touraouine and he was fantastic. He spoke perfect English as well as French, Arabic and Berber. He was so kind and considerate and made a good tour great. We particularly enjoyed ‘glamming in the Sahara Desert. So much to see and do and great food and company. We would definitely use On The Go Tours again, especially if Hicham was the guide. Paul & Penny

Joyce Heitler (Google Reviewer)  

I would give this tour...

09-May-2024

I would give this tour group no stars if possible. The tour was not guaranteed but they did not inform me when I booked and they did not have enough people. Way after I booked they said I needed a doctors letter because I was over 70. Also way after booking I was informed I needed travel insurance. They knew my age when I booked. They would not refund my tour even though it was 4 months away.

Sarah Paterson (Google Reviewer)  

Terrible tour of India. For...

27-Dec-2023

Terrible tour of India. For some reason On the Go hadn't realised that my room mate had booked her own room for the first night of tour. So the hotel in Delhi had tried to put me in her room after midnight, by wheeling in an extra bed. She went Crazy!! I then had to sit in hotel reception for hours. While the tour guide said he couldn't find me a room. Throughout the tour the guide consistently ask me and my room mate for money for my room, causing more friction between us. Don't book with this company had the worst experience ever. Go with Intrepid or G Adventure

brandy hoffman (Google Reviewer)  

I had used them once...

09-Aug-2023

I had used them once before and loved them. I decided to try them again for a Baltic tour not knowing that they put me on another Tour group- Baltic vision. Loved that tour but was not impressed they marked up the cost for me over 100%. I understand taking some for yourself because of paperwork, but over double the cost everyone else paid on the tour. Just double check before you book with them that you’re not over paying.

Dates & Availability

Instant Booking Available

Monday - Saturday

Jun 24, 2024 - Jun 29, 2024
$2965 $2313 (USD)

Operator discount: -$652 (USD)

Instant Booking Available

Monday - Saturday

Jul 15, 2024 - Jul 20, 2024
$2815 $2196 (USD)

Operator discount: -$619 (USD)

Instant Booking Available

Monday - Saturday

Jul 22, 2024 - Jul 27, 2024
$2815 $2196 (USD)

Operator discount: -$619 (USD)

Instant Booking Available

Monday - Saturday

Aug 12, 2024 - Aug 17, 2024
$2815 $2196 (USD)

Operator discount: -$619 (USD)

Instant Booking Available

Monday - Saturday

Aug 19, 2024 - Aug 24, 2024
$2815 $2196 (USD)

Operator discount: -$619 (USD)

Instant Booking Available

Monday - Saturday

Oct 07, 2024 - Oct 12, 2024
$2815 $2196 (USD)

Operator discount: -$619 (USD)

Instant Booking Available

Monday - Saturday

Oct 14, 2024 - Oct 19, 2024
$2815 $2196 (USD)

Operator discount: -$619 (USD)

Instant Booking Available

Monday - Saturday

Nov 04, 2024 - Nov 09, 2024
$2815 $2196 (USD)

Operator discount: -$619 (USD)

Instant Booking Available

Monday - Saturday

Nov 11, 2024 - Nov 16, 2024
$2815 $2196 (USD)

Operator discount: -$619 (USD)

Prices last published on 19-May-2024

Book with Confidence

  • Transfer as credit to Future Tours

    On The Go Tours allows you to transfer existing payments to a future tour to avoid cancellation fees if you can't travel and inform on the go tours, 60 days before departure.

  • Low Deposit

    On The Go Tours requires a minimum deposit of 300 GBP per person or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 60 days before departure.

  • Cancellation Policy

    We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of on the go tours charges.

    Up to 60 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.

    At 59 days before tour starts: Forfeit 50% of booking price.

    At 30 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.

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