Family Vacation to Switzerland and Italy

The charm of Stresa derives from its position on the shores of Lake Maggiore where the cobbled lanes wind alongside elegant historical mansions and beneath the soaring peaks of the Italian Alps. Your private transfer will meet your family at Milan’s Malpensa Airport and escort you to the beauty of Stresa’s Belle Époque streets overlooking the tranquil waters of the alpine lake. The scent of nutmeg and cream may drift out of a gelateria as locals sip espresso in Piazza Cadorna as you settle into the comforts of your family-friendly hotel in the town’s historic center.

Your private driver will take the family to Como after breakfast to explore the eponymous town that has enchanted visitors from around the world since the 12th century. Boutique shops showcase locally-made silk garments along cobblestone lanes and the lakeside promenade. You will meet your cooking instructor at a vintage home and feel immediately like family as you use typical ingredients of Northern Italian cuisine to make a family-friendly meal, such as risotto and polenta cooked with cheese and butter. After class, you will cruise the lake for a panorama of Neocasslica villas and Baroque palaces lining the illustrious shoreline.

Your family will have a bicycle tour around Lake Maggiore in the morning for an exciting view of the alpine landscape reflected in the glassy waters and in view of the Borromean Islands. You may view the cable car rising to the top of Mattarone before you board the ferry to Isola dei Pescatori. The church punctuates the skyline above narrow alleyways and restaurants serving freshly caught fish. The family can listen to stories of seasoned fishers who continue sailing the lake before you visit a family-owned wine shop. You can sample Piedmont wines paired with savory and sweet dishes.

You will have a scenic drive with a private transfer through the Simplon Pass to Zermatt in the morning. The winding and mountains roadway has connected Italy and Switzerland since the Stone Age. The narrow switchbacks offer stunning views of the thrilling mixture of alpine forest, steep slopes, and jagged peaks. Once in Zermatt, you can bask in the dramatic mountains and lush greenery. In a cozy restaurant filled with the aroma of melting cheese, you will learn about the history and diverse flavors of fondue by dipping skewers of bread, meat, and vegetables into the bubbling pot of cheese.

The views of the valley will fill the dining room at breakfast before you enjoy the family-friendly adventure of a ropes course and zip-lining excursion. You can travel along 95 obstacles and 31 lines upwards of 40 feet above the floor for an exhilarating ride beneath the surrounding peaks and vast grasslands set beneath the Matterhorn. After your adventure, you will board the Gornergrat Cogwheel Train for a scenic train riad up the mountainous terrain. The windows will open to a view of the Matterhorn’s peak glittering with snow and ice from Gorner Glacier and the Monte Rosa massif.

The family will embrace the pastoral landscape of the Urseren Valley after breakfast as you find cows grazing on the grassland at the foot of Gotthard Pass. The tranquil village of Andermatt acts as the meeting point for four different passes and shines with storybook charm along the main avenue. Once in Lucerne, you can embrace the preserved medieval streets and unique covered wooden bridges that highlight the city’s history and artistry. Your guide will take you on a chocolate tour where a history of regional confections will lead to stunning aromas and luscious flavors represented in various ways.

Your adventure in Lucerne takes you out of Old Town where the Swiss-style architecture lines the cobbled lanes. You can ride the cable car to the top of Mount Titlis for a panoramic view of the rugged mountains, shimmering lakes, and glistening glaciers. The cold and smooth surface of the glacial cave may lure your family deeper into the crevice where turquoise colors glint within the ice leading to views of the fluctuating wave of ice. In Engelberg village, you can visit a cheese factory to learn how to craft handmade alpine cheese offering tangy aromas and rich creamy flavors.

Your family can take one last walk through the historic streets of Old Town in the morning to enjoy the scent of crisp alpine air and hot chocolate spreading from the local cafes. You may wish to visit the distinctive Lion Monument near Lowenplatz to view the lion lying over a broken shield. Your private transfer will meet you at the hotel when you are ready and transfer the family to Zurich Airport for your flight home.