Essential Italy and Switzerland

Essential Italy and Switzerland

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10 Days From

$2152

$2044

Essential Italy and Switzerland

10 Days Starting in Rome and ending in Zurich

Visiting: Austria, Italy, Liechtenstein, Switzerland

Tour operator:

Indus Travels

Guide Type:

Fully Guided

Group size:

1 - 35

Physical rating:

Easy

From:
$2152
$2044 (USD) The Big ADVENTURE Sale: -$108

This tour is no longer available, please see similar tours below or send an enquiry

Tour Overview

Get ready to see the best of South Central Europe with this tour of Italy and Switzerland! Your journey will begin in Rome, the capital of Italy home to the world-famous Colosseum. Explore Venice Square and Capitoline Hill before you visit Vatican City, the principal center of Christianity in the world. From there you will travel to Florence, the Birthplace of the Renaissance, home to many masterpieces of Italian art. Your next stop will be in Venice, the City of Canals home to St. Marks Square, followed by Verona, where you can learn about the story of Romeo and Juliet. Cross the border into Switzerland to visit Lugano, known for its beautiful lake, before you travel to Zurich, to get a taste of the extravagant city life. Take the cable car up to Grindelwald Mountain to walk over the famous bridge, followed by a scenic trip to Lucerne, a colorful city with a fascinating medieval core with a breathtaking backdrop of mountains. Discover the most important pilgrimage center in Switzerland in Einsiedeln, visit Heidis House in Maienfeld, and explore Vaduz, the capital of Liechtenstein. Get a taste of Austria with a trip to Feldkirch, before you explore Mainau Island and head on over to the Rhine Falls to see the largest waterfall in Europe. From there you will make your way back to Zurich, where your tour of Italy and Switzerland will come to an end!

Highlights

  • Travel to Rome, the breathtaking capital of Italy, where you will see the Colosseum

  • Explore Vatican City and visit St. Peters Basilica, the largest cathedral in the world

  • See the shimmering lakes and snow-capped mountains of Switzerland in Zurich

  • Visit Verona, the City of Romeo and Juliet, and learn about Italian art in Florence

  • Take the cable car up to Grindelwald Mountain, a famous ski resort in Switzerland

  • Pay a visit to the Rhine Falls, the largest waterfall in Europe, by width and flow rate

Itinerary

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Day 1: Rome Arrival

Welcome to Rome! Upon arrival at the Rome International Airport, you will transfer to your hotel. Spend the rest of the day at leisure.




Overnight in Rome

Day 2: Rome & Vatican – Full Day Tour (B/-/-)

In the morning, after breakfast, In the morning, we have a scenic tour, which will be a great introduction to “The Eternal City”. We will visit the tiny state of the Vatican, the epicenter of Christianity in the world. You will be able to visit St. Peters Basilica. We include the entrance to the Imperial Forums, an impressive architectural complex formed by monumental buildings and squares, the center of the political activity of Imperial Rome. At the end of the evening, we arrange a transfer to the Trastevere area for a stroll in the narrow-cobbled streets of the district with hidden treasures, such as some modest medieval churches, small shops with the most peculiar of objects or scenes of daily life. Many trattorias (informal Italian eating establishments) and osterias (inns) imbued with the Italian spirit will be ready to serve your local dishes. Other restaurants serving Indian, Chinese, and international food can be found in this area. Return to hotel. Note: On many occasions during the low season, as well as on some specific dates of the rest of the year, instead of the entrance to the Imperial Forums, we will enter the Roman Colosseum, a symbol of Rome.




Overnight in Rome

Day 3: Rome – Florence (B/-/-)

Today you will head on a beautifully landscaped to Florence, the Birthplace of the Renaissance. Upon arrival tour with a local expert from Florence. View from Piazzale Michelangelo. Today we will leave Rome, heading north. This route has beautiful landscapes. Arriving in Florence, we head straight to the impressive Piazzale Michelangelo. In the evening we take a tour with a local expert, walking through the historic center, taking in places such as the Ponte Vecchio, the Duomo, and Plaza della Signoria. This city is truly an outdoor museum. Enjoy some leisure time to explore. In the evening you will have time for dinner, as, in this district you can find many restaurants serving international cuisine.




Overnight in Florence

Day 4: Florence – Venice (B/-/-)

Today we enjoyed stunning mountain landscapes while crossing the Apennine Mountains. We will arrive in Venice, take the boat, and cross the Giudecca to the Island of Venice. With a local guide, we will visit the marvelous St. Mark´s Square and enter the Basilica (entrance included). Afterward, we will visit the Murano Glass Factory. It is fascinating to see the technique of how this ancient glass is made. Enjoy some time at leisure to explore. Accommodation in the Mestre district.




Overnight in Venice

Day 5: Venice – Innsbruck – Zurich (B/-/-)

After a delicious breakfast, we will depart Venice and head to Austria. Arrival in Innsbruck, time to take a stroll in its historic town center and to have lunch. Next, we will continue our journey through the wonderful Tyrolean scenery as we cross into Switzerland. Arrival in Zurich. Free time in the historic city center which sits right by the lake. There is a wide variety of local and international restaurants where you can have dinner.




Overnight in Zurich

Day 6: Zurich – Grindelwald - Lucerne (B/L/-)

Today´s journey has beautiful landscapes with high mountains and lakes. Breathtaking scenery in the region of Interlaken. We will stop in Grindelwald where we will have time for a coffee before taking the cable car up to mountain. We will walk along the winding path which will lead us to the “footbridge over the empty”. Dare to walk along the bridge amongst the fantastic scenery enjoying glaciers all around us. We will take lunch up the mountain (included) before heading back down. We continue to Lucerne, one of the most beautiful cities in Switzerland. In the evening we have time to stroll around, enjoying the city.




Overnight in Lucerne

Day 7: Lucerne – Einsiedeln – Heididorf - Vaduz – Feldkirch (B/-/-)

In the morning, we leave Lucerne driving along the Four Cantons Lake towards Einsiedeln, its immense baroque abbey is the most important pilgrimage center in Switzerland. After that we continue towards the East of Switzerland. Maienfeld is the village which inspired Heidis story. In Heididorf we will be visiting Heidis House (ticket not included. Entry to the facility is free), a picturesque place with beautiful landscapes that we will reach through a pedestrian path. Then we enter into the independent country of Liechtenstein, and its capital city Vaduz with its impressive castle. Time to stroll and have lunch. Subsequently, we go to the neighbor city of Feldkirch, in Austria, located next to the borders of Switzerland, Liechtenstein and Germany: charming walled city with a genuine historic city center and a castle.




Overnight in Feldkirch

Day 8: Feldkirch – St. Gallen - Constance – Stein And Rhein - Rhine Falls – Zurich (B/-/-)

After a delicious breakfast, we start our day heading to St. Gallen, whose center is part of the World Heritage List by UNESCO with a wonderful cathedral and its historic center. Afterwards we will continue by Constance Lake, between Germany and Switzerland. We will have time for a walk at Constances center before visiting Mainau Island (access by pedestrian bridge) with its stunning botanic garden (entry included). Then, again in Switzerland, we will take a stroll in Stein Am Rhein, a typical village on the Rhine River with precious houses with painted walls. We will also visit Rhine Waterfalls (entry included), the waterfalls with the most abundant flow in Europe. Arrival in Zurich at the end of the day.


Overnight in Zurich

Day 9: Zurich – Rapperswill - Zurich (B/-/-)

In the morning, you will head on a guided tour of Zurich, a beautiful Swiss city, and the financial and cultural capital of Switzerland. Zurich has twice been declared one of the best cities to live in the world. You will continue your day with a two-hour cruise on Lake Zurich. The boat will make brief stops along the way to give you a glimpse of the Swiss villages. You get off the boat in Rapperswil, a picturesque village overlooked by its medieval castle. Your tour will take you back to the city center in Zurich. With a local train, you will get the opportunity to ride on the Swiss Railways.

Note: Depending on the number of travelers, at this stage, the transfers to the center and from the station may be made by public transit.




Overnight in Zurich

Day 10: Zurich – Usa/Canada (B/-/-)

After breakfast, make your own way to the Zurich International Airport to board your flight back home.

What's Included

  • 09 Nights accommodation at listed superior hotels or similar

  • Daily buffet breakfast

  • 01 Lunch in Lucerne

  • Airport arrival transfer in Rome

  • Transportation in a modern AC motor coach

  • Service of Bilingual/English-speaking tour guide

  • All sightseeing as per the detailed itinerary

  • City tours in Rome, Florence and Venice

  • Boat to the island of Venice and Zurich Lake

  • Evening transfer: Trastevere in Rome, Via Cavour in Rome and Piazzale Michelangelo in Florence

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What's Not Included

  • Items of a personal nature, tips, and gratuities

  • Departure airport transfer in Zurich

  • Travel insurance

  • Visa fees if applicable

  • Items not mentioned as included

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Check out our Q&As

  • Can I join the tour once it has departed?

    Yes, but only in case it was previously agreed by both sides and arranged by us.

  • What documents will I receive before I travel?

    Our e-document package includes all local contact details, daily itinerary, airline e-ticket information, service vouchers, and travel tips which should be everything you require to go on your trip.

  • If I need one, who is responsible to obtain my visa?

    You are responsible for obtaining the proper travel documents for the destinations on your itinerary, including having a passport that is valid for at least 6 months before the date of departure and a visa if required. Please check the Visa section in the Know Before You Go document for the countries you will be visiting.

  • Do you operate a “single share” option and how does it work?

    No, not as standard. Solo travellers can book and occupy their own room for a supplement.

  • How long has the tour company been trading?

    We have been organizing unforgettable trips since 2001.

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

    Yes.

  • What happens if I need to change my holiday date once I’ve booked?

    Changes to an existing reservation up to the Final Payment Date, whatever the cause, will incur a $100 per person amendment fee, potential loss of any supplier fees (such as non-refundable event tickets, park permits, and sea cruise reservations) plus any costs for replacement services. On/ after the Final Payment Date, the $100 change fee is no longer valid, instead cancellations terms apply.

Reviews of this Operator

Joyce Elyse Baumbach  

The tour organized by Indus Travels ...

16-Dec-2022

The tour organized by Indus Travels was flawless. Hotels, tours, and transportation all impressed me. We had a very relaxing time knowing what was happening at each stage. The scenery and activities were fantastic and did not disappoint. The highlight of the trip was definitely Galapagos Islands.

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Neeraj Nauhwaar (Google Reviewer)  

Booked Mystical Egypt tour with...

07-Dec-2023

Booked Mystical Egypt tour with them visiting Cairo and a 03 Nights Cruise from Luxor to Aswan in May. All services were perfect since the time we arrived at the airport, we were met by a hospitable Indus Representative who helped us with the purchase of local SIM and currency exchange. He was always there in time to assist for transfers. The Amwaj Cruise which we took from Luxor to Aswan was a Gem. We had great guides and all sightseeing worked like a clockwork. We enjoyed visiting Karnak Temples, Temples of Edfu, Kom Ombo and the boat ride to see Phillae Temple. Evening entertainment on cruise were great and engaging. In Cairo and Aswan, we had ample leisure time to explore on own, the Pyramids were impressive and visiting Khan e Khalili was fun. Overall and impressive and enjoyable tour, Thanks to Indus Travels!

Gloria Parra (Google Reviewer)  

Indus Travel runs a highly...

04-Mar-2024

Indus Travel runs a highly professional organization. From customer service to brochures, bookings, tour guides, etc. and the consideration for their customers is superb. This was the first time I had travelled with Indus Travels. We took the Taste of Portugal Tour. Group numbers are small, accommodation comfortable and food excellent. The expert guide who accompanied us was outstanding - passionate, informative, engaging, and entertaining. This company is obviously at the heart of the itinerary planning, and attention to detail is second to none. I would highly recommend this company to anyone wanting a fun, relaxed, educational vacation with fine food - they will deliver! We will never forget this trip and we are already planning for another one to Wonders of Italy, Vienna, Budapest, and Prague.

Olivia  

Best of Italy

16-Nov-2022

Indus Travels did an excellent job planning the trip to Italy. We were on Best of Italy in Oct 2022. The tour was 5 stars all the way. The hotel accommodations were comfortable and clean & guides were top-notch.

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DJWalter Capote (Google Reviewer)  

We were looking for a...

07-Oct-2023

We were looking for a customized, small group tour. We took a chance on Indus without knowing much about the company. We just returned from our trip to Greece and are more than highly please and satisfied with our experience. They planned an amazing itinerary, booked amazing hotels, hired knowledgeable tour guides and arranged high quality transportation services. Everyone went above and beyond to please us. We are already planning a trip for next year (2024) and will definitely use Indus to do so.

Joe Kang (Google Reviewer)  

My wife and I along...

07-Mar-2024

My wife and I along with three friends signed up the tour to Mexico from Indus Travel. The total 12-day Maya Culture trip really gave us opportunities to learn Mexico indigenous cultures thoroughly. We have seen a lot of ruins and pyramids, each of them has different representations and can tell the history of what was happening atthat time. We also had chances to visit the indigenous families toexperence the real Mexican people's life inthe rural area. The views of volcanoes, villages and canyons are also unforgettable. This is a small group with total 7 tourists, our driver/tour guide is a very experienced guide, he explained the history in sequence of events in and out. Most of all with 2500km driving he made us fell safe with his skills. All in all, this trip worths a 5+ star. I was so surprised that Indus Travel assigned a tour coordinator dedicated to our group, Kathlene helped a lot to make the arrangement for the whole trip and made us worry free.

Jeannie Ruiz (Google Reviewer)  

My partner and I planned...

13-Oct-2023

My partner and I planned a trip to Greece with a small group. Indus and their representatives went above and beyond to curate an amazing trip that felt very exclusive. We just returned a couple of weeks ago and are already planning another trip.

JoAnne Van De Wiele-Kimura (Google Reviewer)  

I booked a trip with...

13-Nov-2023

I booked a trip with Indus to South Africa and had a fabulous time! It was easy to book the trip online and any questions I had were answered very quickly by Sabine. The hotels we stayed at were very nice and in good locations. Our tours were well organized and our safari in Kruger National park was definitely a highlight. A few mornings had a bright and early start, but this allowed us to accomplish quite a lot in a day. The hotel restaurants had decent food, which was convenient if we had a longer day and didn't want to go out to eat. Overall, I was very happy with the trip and I felt the price for my tour was excellent value. I would definitely use Indus again!

Natalia (Google Reviewer)  

Exploring Bogota was fantastic -...

04-Jan-2024

Exploring Bogota was fantastic - a lively city with so much to see. The Gold Museum was a highlight, taking us on a journey through centuries of history. We spent hours there, fascinated by the detailed exhibits showcasing the rich culture. After Bogota, we flew to St. Andres, a Caribbean paradise. Despite some rain during the 'rainy season,' the island's charm and our packed sightseeing schedule made every moment unforgettable. Activities like mangrove kayaking, snorkeling, and island hopping showcased St. Andres' natural beauty. WE even rescued a sick blue heron during our tour and transferred it to rescue services. The food was another standout. Local cuisine was not only delicious but also budget-friendly, offering a unique blend of flavors. I love seafood especially seviche, and I was trully impress by quality and diversity. But what really made our trip special was the people. Friendliness was everywhere, whether chatting with locals or getting tips on hidden gems. The genuine hospitality added an extra layer of joy to an already amazing journey. Bogota and St. Andres left a lasting impression, going beyond sightseeing to truly experience the heart and soul of these incredible destinations. Big thank you to Indus team, who put together this trip for me. I am looking forward to exploring other South American countries with Indus.

Carole Pollack (Google Reviewer)  

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11-Jul-2023

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Sunday - Tuesday

Apr 28, 2024 - May 07, 2024
$2309 $2194 (USD)

The Big ADVENTURE Sale: -$115 (USD)

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May 05, 2024 - May 14, 2024
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The Big ADVENTURE Sale: -$115 (USD)

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The Big ADVENTURE Sale: -$110 (USD)

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Mar 23, 2025 - Apr 01, 2025
$2257 $2144 (USD)

The Big ADVENTURE Sale: -$113 (USD)

Book with Confidence

  • Low Deposit

    Indus Travels requires a minimum deposit of 25% or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 45 days before departure.

  • Cancellation Policy

    We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of indus travels charges.

    Up to 75 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.

    At 74 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.

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