Insight > Scenic Italy and Amazing Switzerland

Scenic Italy and Amazing Switzerland
14 Days starting from $3,099

Countries Visited:
Italy, Switzerland

 

Length: 14 Days
Type: First Class Tour
Category:
Operator: Insight
Tour Code: E963
   
 
About This Tour


This tour features two-night stays throughout, except for Lugano. This means plenty of free time to explore at your own pace.

 
  • What's Included
  • Itinerary
  • Dates & Prices
  • Sightseeing
  • SPECIALS

Insight's First Class Services

  • Escorted by a professional Tour Director
  • Luxury air-conditioned 40 seat coach with onboard toilet
  • Insight Hotels include all service charges, taxes and porterage
  • Insight Traveler document wallet, map book journal and information pack
  • Complimentary arrival transfer on Day 2 and departure transfer on Day 14

Quality Dining

  • Highlight Dinner of typical Swiss cuisine in Zermatt (HD)
  • 12 Buffet Breakfasts (BB) and 4 three-course table d’hôte Dinners, or Buffets, plus tea or coffee (D)

14 Days ~ Italy ~ Switzerland

Tour Pace
Leisurely. This tour features two-night stays throughout, except for Lugano. This means plenty of free time to explore at your own pace. Can be combined with a relaxing river cruise to create a ‘Scenic Grand Tour’.

DAY 1 – DEPART USA
Overnight flight to Rome.

DAY 2 – TUE – ROME
Welcome to Rome - the ‘Eternal City’. At the height of its power, it was said that all roads led to Rome. Take advantage of this now with your complimentary transfers to your tour hotel. This evening, join your Tour Director and fellow passengers for a Welcome Drink.
Hotel: Ritz.

DAY 3 – WED – ROME SIGHTSEEING
Begin your guided sightseeing tour with a visit to the Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel. Afterwards, visit St Peter's Basilica, built around the tomb of St Peter, and designed by some of history's greatest architects including Bramante, Bernini and Michelangelo. Later, enter the Colosseum, where gladiators fought against wild beasts. Then overlook the Roman Forum, once the bustling centre of commerce, law and religion. (BB)

DAY 4 – THU – ROME – FLORENCE
Travel northwards along the Tiber Valley. Stop in beautiful Montepulciano, one of Tuscany’s highest hill towns, it’s fortifications offering fine views over Umbria and southern Tuscany. Continue through Chianti vineyards to Piazza Michelangelo overlooking Florence and the Ponte Vecchio, spanning the River Arno.
Hotel: Palazzo Ricasoli. (BB,D)

DAY 5 – FRI – FLORENCE SIGHTSEEING
This morning your walking tour includes the magnificent cathedral, Ghiberti's ‘Gates of Paradise’, and Signoria Square. Experience more artistic wealth of this great city with a visit to the Academy Gallery, to see the most controversial sculpture in Italy - Michelangelo's David. The rest of the day is at leisure to relax, shop or explore. (BB)

DAY 6 – SAT – FLORENCE – LA SPEZIA
After a leisurely morning, your first stop is at the Leaning Tower of Pisa, from where Galileo conducted experiments on velocity and gravity. See also the splendid Cathedral and Baptistry, decorated with mosaics and designs in solid marble. Now onwards, past the quarries at Carrara, its milky white stone attracting everyone from Michelangelo to Mussolini. Stay tonight in La Spezia at the eastern end of the enchanting Italian Riviera.
Hotel: Jolly. (BB,D)

DAY 7 – SUN – CINQUE TERRE EXCURSION
Today is devoted to the Cinque Terre, or ‘five villages’, which were for years only accessible by donkey. Luckily, today you can take the train! A local expert will guide you around two of these villages, which both retain their charm and reputation for producing one of Italy’s most sought after and exclusive wines. (BB)

DAY 8 – MON – LA SPEZIA – LUGANO
Drive to the vibrant commercial city of Milan where sightseeing includes the magnificent Gothic Milan Cathedral, its marble facade bristling with 135 pinnacles and over 2000 statues! Also see the massive Sforza Castle and world famous La Scala Theatre too before continuing to Lugano, an elegant Swiss resort with a decidedly Italian ambiance. Your hotel is surrounded by a large park, less than 10 minutes drive from Lugano city centre.
Hotel: La Perla. (BB)

DAY 9 – TUE – LUGANO – ZERMATT
A beautiful drive along the shores of Lake Maggiore takes you past splendid villas set amid luxuriant gardens, with views over the exotic Borromean Islands. Now climb the spectacular Simplon Pass (2005m) into the Swiss Alps, and follow the narrow valley to Tasch. Here you must abandon your coach to board mini-buses and electric taxis which takes you to Zermatt - a traffic free haven at the foot of the Matterhorn! Enjoy a Highlight Dinner of Swiss cuisine tonight.
Hotel: Alpen Resort. (BB,HD)

DAY 10 – WED – ZERMATT AT LEISURE
A whole day to relax in the clean mountain air of this charming resort, dominated by the craggy pinnacle of the Matterhorn. Perhaps take an excursion on the Gornergrat rack railway, (highest in Europe), or conquer a mountain by cable car? (BB)

DAY 11 – THU – ZERMATT – GRINDELWALD
A scenic symphony awaits you today! Rejoin your coach to follow the ever narrowing gorge of the Upper Rhone almost to its glacial source. Now climb the winding hairpin bends of the Furka Pass (2431m), enjoying spectacular views across the Bernese Oberland before commencing your descent via the resort of Andermatt. Continue over the Susten Pass, (2224m) admiring the glaciers and rocky peaks of the Steingletscher in the late afternoon light. Stay tonight in the delightful glacier village of Grindelwald.
Hotel: Sunstar Hotel. (BB,D)

DAY 12 – FRI – VALLEY OF THE WATERFALLS EXCURSION
After a leisurely breakfast, embark on a glorious day out filled with snow capped peaks, rushing torrents and sunlit alpine meadows bright with flowers! First marvel at the Wetterhorn Peaks rising above the Firn Snowfield as you travel back down the valley. Then follow the sparkling Lutschine River to Lauterbrunnen village at the head of the ‘Valley of Waterfalls’. See the Staubbach Falls, a torrent plunging 300 metres. Then there is the option to take the funicular ride up to the tumbling Trummelbach Falls! (BB)

DAY 13 – SAT – GRINDELWALD – ZURICH
A delightful drive along the shores of Lake Brienz brings you to a wood-carving workshop. Continue over the Brunig Pass, to the beautiful 14th century city of Lucerne. Explore the covered wooden bridges, painted gables, emotive Lion Monument, lakeside walks and maybe even spend some time in the excellent shops. Finally, continue to thriving Zurich.
Hotel: Moevenpick Airport. (BB,D)

DAY 14 – SUN – RETURN TO USA
There are transfers to the airport today. (BB)


OPTIONAL CASTLES ALONG THE RHINE CRUISE

DAY 14 – SUN – EMBARK CRUISE IN BASEL
Transfer to Basel to embark your cruise. (BB,D)

DAY 15 – MON – CRUISE TO STRASBOURG
Alsace Wine Route sightseeing excursion. (B,L,D)

DAY 16 – TUE – STRASBOURG
See the sights of Strasbourg on a delightful canal cruise. (B,L,D)

DAY 17 – WED – CRUISE TO SPEYER
Guided walking tour of medieval Speyer. (B,L,D)

DAY 17 – THU – CRUISE TO RüDESHEIM
Visit Castle Vollrads for a wine tasting. (B,L,D)

DAY 19 – FRI – CRUISE TO KOBLENZ
Rhine Gorge cruise to Koblenz for a walking tour. (B,L,D)

DAY 20 – SAT – CRUISE TO COLOGNE
Cologne walking tour & Cathedral visit. (B,L,D)

DAY 21 – SUN – CRUISE TO AMSTERDAM
Disembark and transfer to Amsterdam airport. (B)

Includes

  • 7-nights in an outside stateroomon River Ambassador
  • All meals onboard
  • 6 shore excursions with English speaking guides
  • Captain’s Welcome & Farewell Dinners
  • Exciting onboard entertainment and lectures
  • Transfers; Zurich to Basel & Cruise to Amsterdam Airport

Note: triple cabins or twin shares are not available


To speak to one of our live, experienced travel consultants, Call us now at 1-800-942-3301.

Airfare Disclaimer
A NOTE ABOUT AIRFARE: We encourage you to buy your airfare from the tour operator, because if your tour cancels then your airlines tickets will be covered. Purchasing flights separately at a lesser rate and incorporating it with a Non-Guaranteed Departure Date can result in loss of total cost of your flight investment. Depending on the fare rules, flights may be Non-Refundable and/or Non-Transferable. Neither the tour operator and/or Atlas Cruises & Tours will be held responsible for loss if a tour is cancelled for Lack of Participation. If you would like to check for discounted fares on Guaranteed Departures or for competitive pricing on air and hotel packages, we invite you to follow this link.

Documents
TRAVEL DOCUMENTS: Necessary Travel Documents such as Passports and Visas is the responsibility of the traveler. Passports must be valid six months from your return travel date.

         
Touring Date
Land Only
Land + Air
Single
(Land Only)
Single
(Land + Air)
5/12/2008 - 5/25/2008
$3,150
Call Us
Call Us
Call Us
6/2/2008 - 6/15/2008
$3,175
Call Us
Call Us
Call Us
6/16/2008 - 6/29/2008
$3,299
Call Us
Call Us
Call Us
8/4/2008 - 8/17/2008
$3,125
Call Us
Call Us
Call Us
8/11/2008 - 8/24/2008
$3,125
Call Us
Call Us
Call Us
8/18/2008 - 8/31/2008
$3,099
Call Us
Call Us
Call Us
8/25/2008 - 9/7/2008
$3,099
Call Us
Call Us
Call Us
9/1/2008 - 9/14/2008
$3,199
Call Us
Call Us
Call Us
9/8/2008 - 9/21/2008
$3,199
Call Us
Call Us
Call Us
9/15/2008 - 9/28/2008
$3,199
Call Us
Call Us
Call Us
9/22/2008 - 10/5/2008
$3,199
Call Us
Call Us
Call Us
9/29/2008 - 10/12/2008
$3,199
Call Us
Call Us
Call Us
         

Hotels
A fine selection of both modern & traditional hotels, ranging from the Grand Hotel Ritz, situated in the fashionable Parioli district of Rome, to the chalet style Alpen Resort in Zermatt and the prestigious Palazzo Ricasoli in Florence.

Fellow Passengers
Romantics, history enthusiasts, nature lovers and photographers are all catered for here. As this tour can be combined with a river cruise it also appeals to those looking for a relaxing, stylish and comfortable ‘Grand Tour’.

Highlights
Designed specifically to showcase the finest scenery these two countries have to offer, you’ll experience Tuscan hilltop towns, the chic Italian Lake District, the rustic Cinque Terre and sparkling Swiss Alpine panoramas.

Enjoy our Premium Highlights plus these extra tour features

Excursions & Sights

  • Guided visit to St Peter’s Basilica in the Vatican City
  • Stop in beautiful Montepulciano, one of Tuscany’s highest hill towns
  • Enjoy the view from Piazza Michelangelo over Florence and the River Arno
  • See the Cathedral, ‘Gates of Paradise’ & open-air gallery of Signoria Square in Florence
  • See the Leaning Tower of Pisa
  • See the Cathedral, Sforza Castle & La Scala Opera house in Milan
  • Visit the elegant Swiss lakeside resort of Lugano
  • Transfer to traffic-free Zermatt aboard mini-buses and electric taxis
  • See the majestic peak of the Matterhorn from the resort of Zermatt (weather permitting)
  • Enjoy spectacular views across the Bernese Oberland on the Furka Pass
  • *See the glaciers and rocky peaks of the Steingletscher in all their scenic splendor
  • *See the Wetterhorn group in the Grindelwald Valley, visit Lauterbrunnen and the Staubbach Falls
  • Visit a wood carving workshop in Brienz
  • See Lucerne’s Lion Monument and the reconstructed Chapel Bridge
  • Scenic drives – Tuscany, Valley of the Waterfalls, Simplon, Furka*& Susten* Passes

(*If Alpine passes are closed due to adverse weather conditions, alternative routes will be taken via Martigny & Berne)

Guided City Tours

  • In-depth sightseeing tours with audio headsets where appropriate in Rome, Florence & the Cinque Terre
  • Orientation tours in Montepulciano, Lugano, Zermatt and Lucerne

Insight's First Class Services

  • Escorted by a professional Tour Director
  • Luxury air-conditioned 40 seat coach with onboard toilet
  • Insight Hotels include all service charges, taxes and porterage
  • Insight Traveler document wallet, map book journal and information pack
  • Complimentary arrival transfer on Day 2 and departure transfer on Day 14

Quality Dining

  • Highlight Dinner of typical Swiss cuisine in Zermatt (HD)
  • 12 Buffet Breakfasts (BB) and 4 three-course table d’hôte Dinners, or Buffets, plus tea or coffee (D)

CURRENT SPECIALS:

Great Savings and Discounts

EARLY PAYMENT DISCOUNTS

SAVE UP TO 10%: Insight sells its tours in many countries worldwide so the most popular tours fill very quickly. Don’t be disappointed, book early! You’ll be assured of the tours you want, andthe earlier you pay, the more you SAVE!

Here’s how...

Pay 4 months prior to tour departure date to SAVE 2.5%

Pay 7 months prior to tour departure date to SAVE 5%

Pay 10 months prior to tour departure date to SAVE 7.5%

Pay 12 months prior to tour departure date to SAVE 10%

Tours must be paid in full for this discount to apply. Discounts apply to the land-only portion of your tour. Tour prices may change in future brochures. Exceptions: 1. Does not apply to additional accommodation, airfares or flight supplements, Easy Pace London & Countryside, Easy Pace London & Paris, Easy Pace London, Paris & Rome, Egypt tours, Israel tours, Jordan tours, the 3 Night Greek Island Cruise & Athens Extension, and Greek tours which include a Mediterranean cruise. 2. Does not apply to tours with River Cruises.

FAMILY SAVINGS

YOUNG TRAVELLERS SAVE 10% AGED 5-17 YEARS :Travel broadens the mind and enhances those special relationships. Insight offers you the opportunity of

sharing your happy holiday memories with your children or grandchildren. This discount applies to the Land Only portion of your tour. Young Travellers must be under the age of 18 years old on the tour departure date, and MUST be accompanied by an adult (limit of one Young Traveller Discount per room). On all escorted tours, children under 5 years old are NOT accepted. The Young Traveller must be the specified age at the time of travel to be eligible for this discount. This discount cannot be combined with our Groups Discount. Exceptions: 1. Does not apply to additional accommodation, airfares or flight supplements, Easy Pace London & Countryside, Easy Pace London & Paris, Easy Pace London, Paris & Rome, Egypt tours, Israel tours, Jordan tours, the 3 Night Greek Island Cruise & Athens Extension,

and Greek tours which include a Mediterranean cruise. 2. Does not apply to tours with River Cruises.

GROUP DISCOUNTS

5 OR MORE – SAVE 5%: If a group of 5 to 8 people travel together a discount of 5% per person applies to the Land Only portion of your tour. So it pays to get together with your family and friends!

SAVE $$$ FOR 9 OR MORE : If you have a group of 9 or more people travelling together on the same scheduled tour, then you automatically qualify for big savings! Your savings will be determined by the number of people travelling so ask call for details. You may also reserve a tour departure exclusively for your group! Some restrictions apply. Please contact our Groups Department 1-866-475-7023.

These discounts cannot be combined with Frequent Traveller, Family Savings or Triple Room Discounts. To qualify, names of all passengers travelling must be advised to Insight at the time of booking. Exceptions: 1. Does not apply to additional accommodation, airfares or flight supplements, Easy Pace London & Countryside, Easy Pace London & Paris, Easy Pace London, Paris & Rome, Egypt tours, Israel tours, Jordan tours, the 3 Night Greek Island Cruise & Athens Extension,

and Greek tours which include a Mediterranean cruise. 2. Does not apply to tours with River Cruises.  

SINGLE TRAVELLER SAVING

SAVE UP TO $2850 PER PERSON with Insight’s Room Mate Matching service Insight believes travelling solo should not cost you more! That’s why for people travelling alone on an Insight coach tour, we'll match you with someone of the same gender, so you don't have to pay the single room supplement. If we fail to match you, we'll provide a single room at no extra cost. Please note there is a no-smoking policy in all shared rooms. Exceptions: 1. Does not apply to additional accommodation, airfares or flight supplements, Easy Pace London & Countryside, Easy Pace London & Paris, Easy Pace London, Paris & Rome, Egypt tours, Israel tours, Jordan tours, the 3 Night Greek Island Cruise & Athens Extension, and Greek tours which include a Mediterranean cruise. 2. Does not apply to tours with River Cruises. 3. Does not apply to Irish Elegance.

TRIPLE ROOM DISCOUNTS: When three people travel together and share one room,

each of the three enjoys a discount off the tour price. See the Triple Room Reductions on the itinerary of your choice. This discount only applies to tours featuring the “Share a Triple Room” reduction on the itinerary pages. Note the third bed will, on occasions, be a foldaway.

FREQUENT TRAVELLER SAVING

SAVE 5% OFF YOUR NEXT TOUR: Most first-time travellers go on vacation with Insight again and again. In recognition of our loyal customers, Insight now extends to all clients automatic membership into our Premier Plus Club, as well as a 5% Discount off the Land portion of their next Insight trip. Insight’s Premier Plus Club & 5% Discount is not available retroactively. Only one voucher is available per person, per tour, per year and only one voucher can be redeemed against each further tour

booking. This discount cannot be combined with our Groups Discount.  Exceptions: 1. Does not apply to additional accommodation, airfares or flight supplements, Easy Pace London & Countryside, Easy Pace London & Paris, Easy Pace London, Paris & Rome, Egypt tours, Israel tours, Jordan tours, the 3 Night Greek Island Cruise & Athens Extension, and Greek tours which include a Mediterranean cruise.

EXTRA TOUR DISCOUNTS

SAVE $$$ON YOUR 2ND TOUR: Book two Insight vacations, each 7 days or longer and you will receive a reduction of 5%off the cheaper of the two tours. Both tours must be booked at the same time. This discount is per person.

COMPLIMENTARY TRANSFERS: Save up to $135 per couple on LONDON taxi fares

FREE LONDON RETURN : Passengers taking the 'Land only' option on our Discovery

tours may return to London by Insight motorcoach at NO EXTRA CHARGE, instead of departing from Paris. Offer applies to the final day of the following Discovery tours:  E920, E910, E933, E914, E912, E913, E916 & G916. Accommodations will be

required, as arrival in London is late afternoon/early evening.

SMALL GROUPS ADVANTAGE : Many tour operators fill their tours with up to 53 passengers. This means more congestion and less leg room on the coach as seats are configured more closely. At Insight we have a

maximum of only 40 guests per tour.

INSIGHT'S GUARANTEES

PRICE GUARANTEE: With Insight, you don’t need to worry about currency fluctuations. Once we receive your full deposit, your land tour price is guaranteed and protected against any increases. (Excludes pre-registration for tours in future brochures and any imposed fuel surcharges or Government Taxes.

TOUR GUARANTEE FOR LAND TRAVEL: To assist you when booking our airline offers and taking our great early payment savings, Insight has designated a large number of tours which we guarantee will operate on the scheduled date, unless circumstances occur beyond our control. Look for Tour Guarantee (TG symbol) on the itinerary of your choice indicating applicable dates. All other featured departures are planned to operate however, for operational reasons, may be subject to re- scheduling with at least 50 days notice (between May 1st & September 30th).


   
Send This Tour to a Friend:
   
Your Name: Required.
Your E-Mail Address: Required.Invalid format.
   
Your Friend's Name: Required.
Your Friend's E-Mail Address: Required.Invalid format.
   
Comments:  
Required.