The more time you spend with your kids, the more your imagination runs wild. You picture snow white peacocks roaming an opulent garden, men dressed in traditional Swiss outfits playing the alphorn against the backdrop of rugged snowcapped mountains, or the tip of the Matterhorn visible from the enchanting town on the foothills. On this 8-day active family vacation to Italy and the Swiss Alps, neither you, nor your children, will have to imagine any longer.
Customizable Itinerary
Day 1
Lakeside Palace
Stresa is a town that feels like a village on the banks of alpine Lake Maggiore. An unmistakable elegance sweeps through the streets and across the water. Nineteenth century buildings string along the waterfront and blossom against the surrounding mountainsides. Cobblestone streets create a hive around the historic center, culminating in the shade of Piazza Cadorna.
Our Italy tour agents arrange a private transfer to meet you at the airport in Milan. You and your family will then be whisked away into the mountains. Jade trees and the rugged mountainside encircle you until the scenery opens up to the marvelous charm of Lake Maggiore. The lake has a width of over six miles and an average depth of 580 feet. The rugged, rolling mountain peaks on the far side of the lake frame the water. The air is crisp with the fragrance of fern trees. You can see the outline of Isola Bella in the water, the small island near the shores of town, housing a grand palazzo and its lavish gardens.
You step into your elegant hotel located near the water’s edge. The kids say they feel like they have entered into a storybook. Even the lobby looks like it’s made for royalty. The beauty of the past comes to life in your hotel and along the quaint streets of Stresa.
What's Included:
Day 2
Island Opulence
Day 3
A Taste of the Alps
Day 4
Watching the Matterhorn
Day 5
Taking in the Swiss Alps
Day 6
Fairytale Town
Day 7
Electrifying Alps
Day 8
Active Farewell
Trip Highlights
- Experience the joy of cooking as a family with a private cooking course in Lake Como and create traditional, local dishes
- Soar through the alpine trees on a ropes course and zipline in view of the celebrated Matterhorn
- Enjoy a family bike ride outing at your own pace along the banks of royal blue waters of Lake Lucerne
- Spend family time on a private cruise to the small island of Isola Bella, filled with stunning garden terraces and an opulent palace
- Take in the panoramic splendor of a scenic train ride around the inspiring summit of the Matterhorn
- Indulge in the various flavors of Switzerland where you can watch your kids try new foods, like fondue, and enjoy them
Detailed Description
On this active family vacation to Italy and the Swiss Alps, you will traverse a mountainside fortress once said to never have existed. Discover the grandeur of a terraced garden on a private island. Savor decadent chocolates and dip a piece of bread into a creamy pot of cheese fondue. Whether in an Italian villa overlooking a palace set on a small island in the lake, or relishing the comforts of a Swiss chalet underneath the marvelous summit of the Matterhorn, your custom tailored time will be filled with family fun activities bringing everyone closer together.
The Italy tours part of your journey begins upon your arrival in Milan, where your private transfer greets you at the airport. Soon you find yourself along the banks of Lake Maggiore in the town of Stresa settling into your luxurious, regal-like accommodations. The following day, you venture out to Isola Bella on a private cruise, visiting the Baroque palace and gardens encompassing the entirety of the island. Follow your visit to Isola Bella with a wine tasting tour in Stresa, traversing the streets with splendid flavors in mind, with grape juice and cookies for the kids to sample along the way.
Spend the day in Lake Como, home to stunning buildings over four centuries old and Romanesque basilicas. Take part in a private cooking lesson to teach the family the traditions of the region and the flavors of Como. Then, take a scenic boat cruise around Como while enjoying the alpine silhouette.
After breakfast, you venture through Simplon Pass on a scenic drive to Zermatt, Switzerland. Taste the decadent cuisine of the mountains with a traditional fondue lunch before checking into your hotel in Zermatt. The next day you journey into the woods for a day of family fun at a zipline and ropes course.
Swing through the trees and traverse the canopy before your mountainous train journey on the Gornergrat Cogwheel offering unique views of the Matterhorn. Once in Lucerne, you can explore the city at your leisure with bicycles, roaming around the antique ramparts. Continue your discovery of the charming cityscape with a morning boat cruise on Lake Lucerne. Visit the small town of Vitznau fresh with mountainside restaurants and wander around the alpine trails where you may come across a World War II fortress. On your final morning in Switzerland, your private transfer meets you at the hotel after breakfast escorting you to the international airport in Zurich for your flight home.
Starting Price
$4,400 per person (excluding international flights)
Your Zicasso trip is fully customizable, and this sample itinerary is a starting place for your travel plans. Actual costs are dynamic, and your selection of accommodations and activities, your season of travel, and other such variables will bring this budget guideline up or down. Throughout your planning experience with your Zicasso specialist, your itinerary is designed around your budget. You can book your trip when you are satisfied with every detail. Planning your trip with a Zicasso travel specialist is a free service.
What's Included
- Accommodations
- In-country transportation
- Some or all activities and tours
- Expert trip planning
- 24x7 support during your trip
Your final trip cost will vary based on your selected accommodations, activities, meals, and other trip elements that you opt to include.
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