21 DAY TOUR STARTS 06 JULY 2021

This tour is focusing on some of the most beautiful landscapes and picturesque small cities and towns of the Alps, the Dolomites and the Appennini Mountain Range.
Our relaxed approach with easy gradient short optional walks and a number of chairlift/cable cars makes it suitable for everyone.
The picturesque small cities and towns selected in our itinerary for the 4 night stops are located at altitudes between 400 and 1,200m to maximise your comfort and avoid possible hot spells typical of the month of July.

INCLUDED IN THE PRICE

• Eight gastronomic dinners with 1/4 bottle of wine and 1/2 bottle of mineral water included!
• Three and four star hotel accommodation (bed and breakfast). Some hotels are set in high spectacular positions and offer excellent panoramic views of the surrounding areas.
• Modern air conditioned mini coach with English-speaking tour manager.
• A wide range of local excursions available daily from all the major centres of the itinerary. These tours, provided at no extra cost, are on an optional basis.
• Spectacular scenic train across Italian and Swiss Alps to Locarno, Northern Lake Maggiore.
• Spectacular Swiss train to Zermatt (Switzerland) at the foot of the Matterhorn (peak of 4,478m).

AT YOUR OWN COST

• Meals, other than those included in the package. (Optional group dinners in picturesque restaurants will be arranged at special reduced prices).
• Entry tickets into: museums, fortresses and castles.
• Cable cars, chairlifts and cog train to the Matterhorn.
• Single accommodation supplement.
• Travel Insurance.

PROGRAM

Tue 6 Jul 15.00 – Transfer from Bologna Airport to Gorizia.
17.00 – Arrival in Gorizia.
19.30 – Dinner in local restaurant (included).

Ways of getting to Bologna Airport
a) Emirates Airlines flies daily from Dubai to Bologna.
b) Alitalia Airlines has many daily flights from Rome to Bologna.
c) Railway from Rome to Bologna and transfer to Bologna Airport.

Wed 07 Jul 08.30 – Two hour orientation in Gorizia, covering the main architectural highlights. Late morning at leisure.
13.30 – Short drive to Miramare Castle, a sumptuous castle developed by Maximilian of Hapsburg, heir to the throne of Austria in the 19th century. Local visit to the castle and its park.
17.00 – Departure from Miramare.
18.00 – Arrival back in Gorizia.
19.30 – Optional dinner.

Thu 08 Jul 08.30 – Scenic drive to Lake Predil (at 1,100m).
10.30 – Arrival at the lake and local refreshment in lovely panoramic spot.

Continuation on a spectacular road to Malga Montasio, a high altitude summer cattle station (at 1,700m) where visitors can enjoy artisan cheese and Alpine specialties. Local lunch/snack and optional scenic walks.
15.00 – Departure from Malga Montasio.
17.00 – Arrival back in Gorizia.
19.30 – Optional dinner.

Fri 09 Jul 08.30 – Scenic drive through the Eastern Alps.
10.30 – Arrival at the foot of Mt. Lussari. The local cable car climbs to the top of the mountain (at 1,790m). Local sightseeing and time for lunch.

13.30 – Short drive to Lake Fusine : two small lakes, next to each other with a most spectacular background of high rising peaks. Local sightseeing and short panoramic walks.
15.30 – Departure from Lake Fusine.
18.00 – Arrival back in Gorizia.
19.30 – Optional dinner.

Sat 10 Jul 08.30 – Scenic drive to Sappada (at 1.200m) in the spectacular mountain range of the Dolomites which are unique to Italy and also listed by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site.
10.00 – On the way to Sappada we stop at Villa Manin : the most splendid of the Venetian Villas, built by the last Dodge of Venice and dating back to the 17th century when the North East of Italy was part of the Republic of Venice. Local visit and lunch in nearby picturesque country restaurant.
13.30 – Departure from the country restaurant.
16.30 – Arrival in Sappada.
19.30 – Dinner in local restaurant (included).

Sun 11 Jul 08.30 – Scenic drive to Tolmezzo (at 320m), the main town in the Eastern Alps.
09.15 – Arrival and brief local orientation. Optional visit to the Museum of Life and Traditions in the Eastern Alps.

11.00 – Scenic drive to Forni di Sopra (at 900m).
12.00 – Arrival and optional chairlift to a panoramic chalet at 1750m or time at leisure.
14.00 – Departure from Forni di Sopra and return to Sappada via the spectacular Pesarina Valley. On the way back we stop at the village of Pesariis, famous for its artisan clocks (mostly activated by water streams) which embellish its alleys.
18.30 – Arrival back in Sappada.
19.30 – Optional dinner.

Mon 12 Jul 08.30 – Brief scenic walk through the picturesque old district of Sappada, followed by a panoramic drive to the spectacular village of Collina (at 1,250m) at the foot of the highest peaks in the Friuli Region (almost 3,000m) which mark the boundary between Italy and Austria. Return to Sappada by lunch time.
15.00 – Easy local scenic walk on the banks of a clear water stream, flanked by the impressive vertical peaks of the Dolomites.
19.30 – Optional dinner.

Tue 13 Jul 08.30 – Super spectacular drive into the heart of the Dolomites. At Mt. Cristallo a chairlift + cable car will take you to a chalet at 2,900m with breathtaking views. After descending from the chalet we continue to Cortina d’Ampezzo, the “Pearl of the Dolomites” at 1,200m for some sightseeing and lunch.

13.30 – Departure from Cortina and scenic climb to Lake Misurina (at 1,800m), one of the most prominent hall-marks of the Dolomites. Local short walk to a panoramic lookout where you can also enjoy a refreshment in picturesque setting. Continuation to the nearby tiny Lake Antorno (at 1,900m) which boasts a unique beautiful series of high rising peaks. After a brief local stop we drive downhill along another scenic road flanked by high dolomitic peaks until we reach another beautiful lake: Lake Dobbiaco (at 1,200m) which features a very pristine Alpine setting. The lake is graced by a picturesque chalet on the water edge where we stop for refreshment before returning to Sappada via a different scenic road.
17.00 – Arrival in Sappada.
19.30 – Optional dinner.

Wed 14 Jul 08.30 – Departure for Domodossola, an historic town set amongst high Alpine peaks. Porticos and picturesque alleys give this town a special “old fashion“ charm. This is an easy freeway journey.
17.00 – Arrival in Domodossola.
19.30 – Dinner at the hotel (included).

Thu 15 Jul 09.30 – Departure from Domodossola, boarding a scenic train travelling across Italian and Swiss Alps to reach Locarno on the banks of the Swiss northern part of Lake Maggiore.
11.20 – Arrival, guided orientation and time at leisure. Optional cable car.
14.50 – Departure from Locarno.
16.40 – Arrival in Domodossola.
19.30 – Optional dinner.

Fri 16 Jul 08.30 – Departure by train for Zermatt (at 1,600m) in Switzerland. Train connection in Brig and arrival in Zermatt at 11.00. Time at leisure in this famous resort and three very scenic options:
1 ) Cog-train to Cornergrat (at 3,089m) at the foot of the Matterhorn (peak of 4,478m);
2 ) Cable car to Matterhorn Glacier (at 3,883m);
3 ) Funicular to Sunnega (at 2,300m).
16.00 – Departure from Zermatt by train to Brig, connecting to Domodossola.
19.30 – Arrival in Domodossola.
20.00 – Optional dinner.

Sat 17 Jul 08.30 – Very spectacular drive to Macugnaga (1,330m) at the foot of Mt. Rosa (4,670m), the second highest peak in Europe after Mt. Blanc (4,810m).
10.00 – Arrival in Macugnaga. Brief local sightseeing to be followed by an optional easy scenic walk (45 min) to the enchanting Lago delle Fate (Fairy Lake), a tiny lake set in a small side valley surrounded by high rising snowy peaks. A local panoramic chalet provides comfort and relaxation. Return to Macugnaga for lunch.
14.00 – Spectacular chairlift to Mount Rosa Glacier.
15.30 – Departure from Macugnaga.
17.00 – Arrival back in Domodossola.
19.30 – Optional dinner.

Sun 18 Jul 08.30 – Departure for Orta San Giulio, a picturesque village on the banks of Lake Orta.
10.30 – Arrival at Orta and time at leisure. Relax and enjoy in the picturesque downtown district. We also recommend a scenic walk on a pedestrian path-way, right on the edge of the lake, flanked by beautiful villas and gardens. Another option is a boat trip to the island of Orta San Giulio which boasts an imposing basilica.
13.30 – Departure from Orta and continuation to Aosta (at 600m) which is an historic city of ancient Roman origins and it’s the capital of the Region of Valle d’ Aosta.
17.30 – Arrival in Aosta.
19.30 – Dinner in local restaurant (included).

Mon 19 Jul 09.30 – Sightseeing orientation in Aosta, covering the main architectural highlights of this historic city. Afternoon at leisure.
19.30 – Optional dinner.

Tue 20 Jul 09.30 – Departure for Courmayeur (1,200m) at the foot of Mount Blanc, the highest peak in Europe (4,810m). From nearby Courmayeur a series of three cable cars will take you through one of the most fantastic journeys you could ever dream of, “ flying “ high above spectacular glaciers and immaculate white peaks at more than 3,500 m all the way into France to the peak of Aiguille du Midi at 3,843m !
17.00 – Arrival back in Aosta.
19.30 – Optional dinner.

Wed 21 Jul 08.30 – Spectacular drive, climbing to the Pass of Gran San Bernardo (at 2,500m) which marks the boundary between Italy and Switzerland. Local sightseeing and refreshment at the pass. Continuation downhill to the Swiss resort of Champex (at 1,450m) which has earned the nickname of “Little Canada“ due to the natural beauty of its setting, graced by a magnificent little lake.
11.30 – Arrival in Champex. Local sightseeing and time at leisure.
15.00 – Departure from Champex and return to Aosta.
17.30 – Arrival back in Aosta.
19.30 – Optional dinner.

Thu 22 Jul 08.30 – Departure for St. Stefano d’Aveto (at 1,000m) on the Appennini Mountain Range which, in this area borders on the shores of the Italian Riviera for its entire length. St. Stefano d’Aveto is a winter and summer resort with excellent facilities and historic features as well.
16.00 – Arrival in St. Stefano d’Aveto.
19.30 – Dinner at the hotel (included).

Fri 23 Jul 08.30 – Departure for a scenic drive, north of St. Stefano d’Aveto, in the province of Parma, which before the unification of Italy in 1861, was a wealthy independent Grand Duchy with quite a few outstanding castles and luxurious residences. We have selected two of the most prominent castles in the district. First we visit the Bardi Castle which represents one of the most significant examples of military architecture in Northern Italy. After lunch in Bardi we drive to the Castle of Compiano which is most impressive not just for its powerful and imposing architecture but also for its elaborate inner decorations, frescoes and classic furniture.
17.00 – Arrival back at the hotel.
19.30 – Dinner at the hotel (included).

Sat 24 Jul 08.30 – Scenic drive to Grazzano Visconti.
10.30 – Arrival and brief local orientation. Time at leisure. Grazzano Visconti is an impeccable medieval village featuring a charming architecture, a 13th century castle and a beautiful park.
14.00 – Return to St. Stefano d’Aveto.
19.30 – Dinner at the hotel (included).

Sun 25 Jul 08.30 – Optional local chair lift to a panoramic chalet at 1,600m. From the chalet you can enjoy – if you so wish – an easy scenic walk. Afternoon: enjoy downtown folklore music performances.
19.30 – Dinner at the hotel (included).

Mon 26 Jul 08.30 – Departure for Bologna Airport. This is a comfortable freeway journey, except for the initial sector across the Appennini Mountain Range.
15.00 – Arrival at Bologna Airport. End of the tour.

HOTELS

We believe that you are entitled to know exactly what you get for your money and that’s why we clearly state not only the number of stars but also the location of the hotels we use.

Unless you are in a rush tour, where you get to the hotel late at night and leave early morning, we do believe that a good location makes a world of difference to the quality of your holiday.