We will meet at the airport at 10.15am for our KM Malta Airlines flight departing at 12.45pm and arriving in Milan Linate airport at 2.45pm. We shall proceed to our 4-star Hotel Atlantic Arona in Arona to check-in. Later, we can join the tour leader for a familiarisation walk.

After an early breakfast, we head for a full-day optional excursion, taking us for quite a long and rewarding scenic drive to Zermatt, a ski resort in Switzerland at the foot of Switzerland’s most famous mountain, the Matterhorn. We will first stop in Täsch where we take the train (compulsory extra) to Zermatt (a car free zone). Upon arrival, we can see the main square and street which are full of shops. You can also opt to experience to go on top of one of the surrounding mountains (optional extra).

After breakfast, we go for an optional full-day excursion to Como where we can visit the cathedral and stroll along the lake shore, or may even take a relaxing short boat ride (optional extra) on Lake Como. In the early afternoon, we leave for Lecco, the second largest city situated on the shores of Lake Como.

On our full-day optional excursion to Macugnaga we will first make a short stop to admire the statue of St Charles Borromeo. Then, we continue to drive up the Anzasca Valley, plunged between the rugged mountains. Macugnaga nestles in the foothills of Monte Rosa. The village itself is a cluster of typical alpine buildings. One can opt to go up on one of the surroundings mountains (extra) at the foot of Monte Rosa to view the Alps and a fantastic view of the valley, a truly unforgettable experience.

This morning, we will drive to Switzerland for a full-day optional excursion, heading to Lugano. During our visit in Lugano we will see the Church of Santa Maria degli Angioli and we will walk through Via Nassa which is one of Lugano’s historical streets. It is mostly well known for its sophisticated shops. One may also opt to go for a boat ride around Lake Lugano (optional extra). We will have free time for sightseeing and shopping.

Breakfast and free time, or one can visit the local market in Arona near the hotel. Later in the morning, one can join the leader for a half-day optional excursion to one of the most beautiful lakes in Northern Italy, Lake Orta. We shall drive towards Pella, taking a boat ride (compulsory extra) to Orta. We will have some free time for personal sightseeing to roam around the narrow-cobbled streets, and we have time for lunch (extra). The boat will take us back to Pella, and the coach will take us to Verbania – a beautiful village along the coast of Lago Maggiore. Here, we will take a chu chu train (compulsory extra) for an approximately 1-hour ride around this village.

Today we will have a full-day optional excursion to Stresa on Lago Maggiore where we will take a boat (included) to explore the islands of Isola Bella and Isola dei Pescatori. We will start from Isola Bella for a visit to the sumptuous Borromeo Palace and its Italian-style gardens. We will then make a short stop at Isola dei Pescatori, a tiny, quiet island with an old church dedicated to San Vittore. Finally, we will cruise only around Isola Madre, the largest island on the lake dominated by Villa Borromeo, an aristocratic place surrounded by beautiful gardens. Then we will return to Stresa, have time for lunch (extra) and some personal sightseeing.

After check-out, we will head to Milan, the capital of Lombardia. We will proceed to see the Duomo and see the Teatro Della Scala from the exterior, and we will walk through the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele. We will have some free time for personal shopping and sightseeing. We will then make our way to Milan Linate airport for our KM Malta Airlines flight departing at 3.35pm arriving in Malta at 5.35pm.