Scenic Italy & Switzerland

Scenic Italy & Switzerland

Visiting:

Arona, Macugnaga, Monte Rosa, Zermatt-Matterhorn, Orta, Lugano, Bellinzona, Como, Bellagio, Lago Maggiore, Stresa, Isola Bella, Isola dei Pescatori & Milan

Dates:

Group 1       2 – 9 July

Group 2       9 – 16 July

Group 3       30 July – 6 August

Group 4       6 – 13 August

Group 5      13 – 20 August (15 August – Public Holiday)

Group 6       20 – 27 August

Group 7       27 August – 3 September

SATURDAY

We will meet at the airport at 10.30am for our Air Malta flight departing at 1.00pm and arriving in Milan Linate airport at 2.50pm. We shall proceed to our 4-star Hotel Atlantic in Arona to check-in. Later, we can join the tour leader for a familiarization walk.

SUNDAY

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. Upon arrival, we will take the Belvedere Chairlift (extra & weather permitting) at the foot of Monte Rosa to view the Alps and a fantastic view of the valley, a truly unforgettable experience.

MONDAY

Today, we will leave early for our full-day optional excursion taking us to a long but extremely rewarding scenic drive to Zermatt, Switzerland. We will stop at Tasch, where we shall take the train (extra) to Zermatt (it is not possible to visit Zermatt by coach because it is a car-free zone). The climax in Zermatt will be the fantastic, breathtaking panoramic views of the world-famous mountain, The Matterhorn. The views can be enjoyed by the 2-tier system of cable cars which will take us high up on the Klein Matterhorn on an elevation of 3,883m above sea level, including also the Glacier Paradise (extra & weather permitting). This is definitely highlighted as an amazing experience not to be missed!

TUESDAY

Today is market day in Arona. We suggest you indulge yourself to some shopping by visiting the stalls along the main road edging the lake. Early in the afternoon, we will go on an optional excursion to the quaint village of Orta, situated on Lago d’Orta. We will first go to Pella from where we will take a boat (extra) to Orta; there will be time for lunch (extra) and to roam around the narrow-cobbled streets. We will then take the boat to make a short visit on the Island of San Giulio, and then continue our boat trip to Pella. From Pella, we can take a chu chu train (extra) to the Balcony of Lake Orta at a height of 638m, where the Sanctuary of Our Lady of the Rock (Madonna del Sasso) is situated.

WEDNESDAY

This morning, we will drive once more to Switzerland for a full-day optional excursion, heading to Lugano, where we shall board a boat to go on a Lake Cruise trip (extra), after which we have some free time. In the early afternoon, we will proceed to Bellinzona, the capital city of southern Switzerland’s Ticino canton. It is known for its 3 medieval castles, including the hilltop Castelgrande, where we will have the opportunity to take an elevator to the top and enjoy views of the city and the surrounding Alps.

THURSDAY

Today’s full-day optional excursion takes us to Como. We will stop and admire the Duomo and also enjoy a boat trip (extra) on the world-famous Lago. In the afternoon, we shall proceed towards the village of Tremezzo located on the western shore of Lake Como from where we will board a boat (extra) to Bellagio, one of the most attractive lake resorts. Bellagio is a small village at the tip of a long hilly promontory between the two southern branches of Lake Como. We will have lunch (extra) and spend a relaxing afternoon in this tiny town with lovely views and classy boutiques.

FRIDAY

Lago Maggiore is on today’s programme for our optional full-day relaxing excursion to explore the islands on the lake. Our coach will take us to Stresa where we will go by boat (included) with the tour leader to Isola Bella for a visit to the sumptuous Borromeo Palace and its Italian-style gardens. We will then make a short stop to Isola dei Pescatori, a tiny, quiet island with an old church dedicated to San Vittore. Finally, we will cruise around Isola Madre, the largest island on the lake dominated by Villa Borromeo, an aristocratic place surrounded by beautiful gardens. We shall then return to Stresa for lunch (extra) and have some free time for shopping and sightseeing.

SATURDAY

After check-out, we will head to Milan, the capital of Lombardia. We will proceed to Castello Sforzesco where we leave the coach to visit the Duomo, the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele and see the Teatro Della Scala from the exterior. We will then make our way to Milan Linate airport for our Air Malta flight departing at 3.40pm arriving in Malta at 5.30pm.

PRICE PER PERSON

GROUP 1 & 7

*€499 / €599 Adult in triple

*€579 / €679 Adult in twin

*€739/ €839 Adult in single

*€249 / €349 Child sharing W 2 adults

Supplement Lake view room €91

Half board €109

*Special Price applies when half board and all excursions are taken

PRICE PER PERSON

GROUP 2 -6

*€529 / €629 Adult in triple

*€609 / €709 Adult in twin

*€769/ €869 Adult in single

*€279 / €379 Child sharing W 2 adults

Supplement Lake view room €91

Half board €109

*Special Price applies when half board and all excursions are taken

PRICE INCLUDES

Air Malta return direct flights to Milan Linate airport

7 nights in 4-star Hotel Atlantic in Arona or similar

Rooms with private facilities, TV & A/C

Daily buffet breakfast

Welcome cocktail

Free visit to Milan

Return airport transfers

Services of tour leader

Airport taxes & service charge

Insolvency fund

EXCURSIONS

Adult/Child

€45 / €23 Macugnaga

€50 / €25 Zermatt-Matterhorn

€47 / €24 Orta/Lago D’Orta

€44 / €22 Lugano/Bellinzona

€43 / €22 Como/Bellagio

€46  /€23  Stresa/Borromean Islands (boat & Borromeo Palace entrance included)

NOT INCLUDED IN PRICE

City tax of €2.10 per person per night (from 6 years upwards) is to be paid directly at hotel

Macugnaga Belvedere chairlift €12 per adult/€7 per child 4-14 yrs/€1 per child under 3yrs

Train Tasch – Zermatt €16 per adult/€10 per child under 12 yrs

Klein Matterhorn cable car* €80 per adult/€40 per child 9-15 yrs *(applicable group rate when more than 10 persons)

Orta Chu Chu Train & Lago D’Orta boat trip €22 per adult/€15 per child under 12 yrs

Lago di Lugano cruise €27 per adult/€15 per child under 12 yrs

Lago di Como boat trip €12 per adult/€8 per child under 12 yrs

Bellagio boat trip €12 per adult/€8 per child under 12 yrs