ALPS, LAKES AND FRENCH RIVIERA

Welcome to Italy!

Welcome to Italy! On arrival at Milan International Airport, you will be greeted and transferred to your luxury hotel in the heart of Italy’s most fashionable city. At 19:00, enjoy a welcome dinner with wine.

Meals: DW
Accommodation: Mandarin Oriental Milan ***** or similar.

City of the future

Let yourself be amazed by Milan. Walk through Piazza del Duomo and be surprised by the majestic Cathedral of Milan, considered the largest church in Italy and one of the most impressive Gothic temples. Shop famous Italian designers in the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele before cross the famous Via Dante and end the morning tour by approaching the Sforzesco Castle, an impressive fortress built in the 14th century to protect the city from invaders. After a delicious Italian lunch, explore one of Milan's most beautiful districts: the Navigli. Step away from the hustle and bustle to discover the hidden charm of this neighbourhood as you walk past the unique Naviglio Grande.

Meals: DL
Accommodation: Mandarin Oriental Milan ***** or similar.

Treasure of North-West Italy

Enjoy your cappuccino and get ready to depart for Lake Maggiore. Here a private motorboat will wait you to reach Isola Bella, admire the unique beauties of the Island, a treasure chest of Baroque art suspended over the water. Continue to Isola dei Pescatori. Walk through the typical hamlet, with its atmospheric little alleyways and ancient houses built around the church of San Vittore. Enjoy a lunch before departing for Lake Como.

Meals: B,L
Accommodation: Mandarin Oriental***** or similar

The Dorsale

Start the day with a scenic trek to Bellagio with a local guide. The view is unbelievable: in front of you the Alps, below the lake with wonderful views and on the other side the plain, where on clear days the view extends as far as the Apennines. Once in Bellagio, enjoy your lunch. Back to the hotel the rest of the afternoon can be spent at your leisure.

Meals: B,L
Accommodation: Mandarin Oriental***** or similar

The Bernina Exspress

One of the most spectacular ways to cross the Alps, the Bernina Express from Tirano to St. Moritz links up regions with different languages and cultures on a wonderfully scenic route that is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Stop at the station of Pontresina, wildly romantic, sunny and sheltered from the wind. Here a horse-drawn carriage takes you to the refuge at the bottom of the valley. Enjoy the Roseg Valley and let yourself be pampered by the chef with regional dishes before continuing towards St Moritz by private car. Nestling at a snow-sure 1770 metres on the western edge of Lake St. Moritz, the town is famed for its wonderful mountain panoramas, designer boutiques and gourmet dining opportunities. The rest of the afternoon can be spent at your leisure, to enjoy one of the world’s most famous winter resorts.

Meals: B, L.
Accommodation: Carlton Hotel ***** or similar
Suggest restaurant for dinner: Dal Mulin

The valley of the Upper Rhine

After breakfast, reboard your coach and travel along the valley of the Upper Rhine to spend some time in Vaduz, the tiny capital of the Principality of Liechtenstein, where you explore the area around the castle. Continue to Zurich, alongside the dramatic Lake Zurich, Switzerland's largest city and one with a well-deserved reputation for offering a quality of life on par with any other in the world. In the evening, you’ll travel to dinner at an elegant restaurant in style – on a private luxury Pedrazzini speedboat. Enjoy hors d’oeuvres and champagne while the boat glides through the waves at a leisurely pace.

Meals: B, L, DW
Accommodation: La Réserve Eden au Lac Zurich ***** or similar

Chocolate and hidden gems

Start the day on a sweet note. Switzerland is synonymous with chocolate, and no visit to Zurich is complete without a stop at a Swiss chocolatier's workshop, where you enjoy some delectable treats. Dive into the world of chocolate and learn about the fascinating history and production of Swiss chocolate. Design your own personal praline packaging and have a Master Chocolatier create a chocolate bar exactly to your wishes. After time for lunch, gather for a guided walking tour of the city, taking in its alluring mix of modern and Old World architecture while strolling its pedestrian-friendly avenues. Discover the power struggles, ruses, money and art that shaped the city. Visit the hidden gems and hear about the legends and life of Zurich.

Suggest for the Aperitivo: Reach the PanoramaBar in the heart of the city, enjoy one of the most spectacular views over the rooftops of Zurich, Lake Zurich, and as far as the Alps. Awaiting them here, in addition to the wonderful panorama, are delicious cocktails and first-class wines.

Meals: B, L
Accommodation: La Réserve Eden au Lac Zurich ***** or similar

A postcard mountaintop view

Drive to Mount Pilatus, journeying to the top via cog railway for lunch on the sun terrace, accompanied by amazing, postcard-worthy mountaintop views. After a cable-car descent, take a walking tour of Lucerne, a picture-perfect Swiss town on the shore of Lake Lucerne. Since the mid-19th century, this beautiful city has been the most-visited in Switzerland, and today, it strikes an ideal balance between timeless historic beauty and modern development. Cross Chapel Bridge, a landmark covered wooden bridge containing paintings of the city history, and walk the cobblestone streets to see the city's tiny squares and painted facades. Drive back to Zurich.

Meals: B, L
Accommodation: La Réserve Eden au Lac Zurich ***** or similar

Travel to Bern, named for the bears that may still be seen in the European wilderness, and discover its charms on a walking tour. Bern’s UNESCO-listed Old City never ceases to fascinate, with its distinctive limestone buildings, charming alleys, and impressive monuments. Let a local guide show you the history, culture, and local life of this amazing city. A lunch at Kornhauskeller, Bern’s most luxurious cellar restaurant, is a must.
Before reaching Interlaken, meet a yodel instructor for an KaomaTravel-exclusive yodeling lesson.

Meals: B, L
Accommodation: Victoria-Jungfrau Grand Hotel & Spa ***** or similar

The valley made by glaciers

Start the day with a scenic hike to an alpine hut to unlock the secrets of cheese production using the freshest milk from local cows and enjoy a traditional breakfast with the farmer. After the tour of the farm, meet your alpine local guide for a breath-taking trail through the Lauterbrunnen Valley. One of the most impressive valleys in the Alps between gigantic rock faces, secluded valleys and thundering waterfalls. Enjoy a pic-nic with local specialties. Back to Interlaken the rest of the afternoon can be spent at your leisure.

Meals: B, L
Accommodation: Victoria-Jungfrau Grand Hotel & Spa ***** or similar

Enjoy your breakfast before traveling to Zermatt. A a car-free village that lies at the foot of the Matterhorn. After lunch transfer by railway to the hotel at 2222 mt. Free afternoon today. In the highest spa in Europe, experience pure well-being and deep relaxation.

Meals: B, L
Accommodation: Hôtel Riffelalp Resort ***** or similar

A superb views of the mountain lakes (with the Matterhorn reflected in three of them)

Embark on a half-day hike with your guide, considered one of the best hikes in the Zermatt Mountains, Five-Seenweg takes you past five incredible lakes, with the Matterhorn reflected in three. The hiking trails around Zermatt snake around the mountains at impressive altitudes. Each of the five lakes has its own unique shape, colour and character: Leisee is a popular swimming spot, Grunsee looks out across a rugged landscape, Grindjisee is home to rare flowers, Stellisee is a photographer’s dream, and Moosjisee has a beautiful blue, milky hue.

Duration 2,30 h
Distance 9,8 km

Following your hike, you will have the remainder of your day free to relax at the St. Trop Alp Spa at the Riffelalp Resort.

Meals: B, L
Accommodation: Hôtel Riffelalp Resort ***** or similar

The top of Europe

After a delicious breakfast head to the legendary Chamonix, a destination popular the world over. Continue toward the Skyway, a cableway to the highest point near the top of Mont Blanc - the eighth wonder of the world- for a truly unforgettable experience. Discover the world from a higher perspective and share the pleasure of an alpine lunch, tasting the culinary specialties of the Valle d'Aosta in a spectacular setting at 3466m. Fall in love with a 360-degree view from the circular terrace, admire the Crystal Hall showcasing the jewels of the mountains and try Sky Vertigo for the feeling of walking suspended in mid-air. After lunch, reach Courmayeur, a modern Alpine city renowned around the world, as well as one of the most frequented mountain resorts in Italy.

End your day with a cocktail or a hot cup of tea enjoying a splendid view of the Mont Blanc from the pool edge before fine dining experience in a selected local restaurant.

Meals: B, L, D
Accommodation: Relais Mont Blanc Hotel & SPA***** or similar ***** or similar

Italy's oldest National Park

After breakfast, depart for Valnontey, a small hamlet that rises in the heart of Gran Paradiso. Italy's oldest national park and home for many rare species of animal, plants and flowers within a splendid Alpine setting. Valnontey is composed of a few houses, one side by side, mostly made of wood and stone, typical of the Valdostana Mountain.

From Valnontey hamlet follow a track that, climbing up the Valley, leads to the Valmianaz village. The valley offers a wealth of natural beauty extending as far as the eye can see over meadows, crystal-clear streams and on towards snow-capped peaks. Along the way is definitely worth stopping by the well known Prà Suppiaz peat-bog. We continue till the foot of the magnificent glacial Amphitheatre of Valnontey, and then later at the Pont de l'Erfaulet. We'll enjoy a picnic lunch with typical products ‘’Valdostani’’.

In the afternoon, get ready to explore Aosta. A very ancient city with a charming history linked to the development and maximum expansion of the Roman Empire and pilgrimage in the Middle Ages. Learn about its extraordinary past as we'll take in the highlights and the hidden secrets of this ancient frontier town.

Meals: B,L
Accommodation: Relais Mont Blanc Hotel & SPA***** or similar.

Depart for Fort Bard. Fort Bard represents one of the best examples of early 1800 military strongholds. It is situated in a strategic setting which originally served as a control point of the Alpine routes leading from France to Italy. Step back in time in the history of the fortress before reaching Castel Savoia, a nineteenth-century villa dominating the Gressoney valley. A holiday destination much loved by Queen Margherita, since 1887, and by her husband, Umberto I. Its eclectic style, decorated wood ceilings and friezes and the enormous staircase are the distinctive features which have made it famous. The location on the side of the valley in a position allows you to enjoy a wide view of the Lyskamm glacier and Monte Rosa. After a savoury lunch, depart for Turin. The rest of the afternoon can be spent at your leisure.

Meals: B,L
Accommodation: Principi di Piemonte ***** or similar

The Royal City

In one of the corners of Piazza San Carlo in the heart of Turin is a café that is a slice of the past, in a setting rich with history, where writers and famous people used to have their coffee break. The ornate décor and plush interior create an oasis of calm on a central meeting point of the city. Savor a coffee, based on the best Lavazza blends, remains a reference point, which is confirmed by their rating of “2 coffee beans” out of 3, awarded by Gambero Rosso.

Walk through the Quadrilatero Romano, the ancient roman district. Hidden among the nooks and crannies of this fascinating maze of streets are traces of Turin's past; look up and pick out beams, pillars, and the remains of Roman monuments, medieval towers and renaissance buildings. We'll admire Porta Palazzo, the largest outdoor food market in Europe, the baroque church of Consolata and the Duomo of Turin. Crossing Piazza Castello you'll reach the Royal Palace, a sixteenth-century palace constructed for the House of Savoy. Inside you will find hidden gems, like the ''Scala delle Forbici'' and the Royal Armory, an exhibition of arms armours located in the Grande Galleria, which reminds you of the Versailles Hall of Mirrors.

End the day climbing the top of Mole Antonelliana to enjoy the view of this charming city.

Meals: B,L
Accommodation: Principi di Piemonte ***** or similar

The Langhe Region

Start the day with a scenic light trek (1h 30 min) that, through vegetable gardens, hazelnut orchards and vineyards, leads to Ceretto Winery: a Family-run vineyard bottling organically farmed wines. Snap a pic over the "red big bench" before visiting the Chapel of Barolo: a little coloured church, become famous thanks to the re-interpretation given by artists Sol LeWitt and David Tremlett in 1999. Go Deep down into wine culture at the Wine Museum in Barolo with a multimedia itinerary to discover history, traditions and personalities that have shaped the history of Piedmont and Italy, helping to bring Barolo wine on the tables of European rulers in the 19TH century.

Reach the centre of the small village of La Morra, perched on a hill at the height of 513 m above sea level, one of the most striking observation points of the beautiful Langhe landscape. From the central Piazza Castello, you can see an overlook extended across the Langhe and the Alps that offers a unique show on the hills, characterized by villages, castles and towers emerging from the vineyards.

End the day with an optional air-balloon sunset flight above the Langhe Valley.

Meals: B,L
Accommodation: Relais San Maurizio **** or similar

The French Riviera

Tasty sweet and savoury treats, coffee and cappuccinos, fruit juices and extracts as well as the opportunity to "build" your own yoghurt bowl to perfection - breakfast will be something unique. After breakfast, departure to the Principality of Monaco. Don't leave Piedmont without stopping in Cortemilia to visit the ''King of Hazelnuts'' and his pastry shop where you can enjoy coffee and glasses of passito wine with the famous hazelnut cake, the unmissable bacetti di dama and many other sweets. Head to Alassio, a town in the province of Savona on the west coast of Liguria. Alassio is known for its natural and panoramic views. The town centre is criss-crossed by a cobbled pedestrian street known as 'il Budello'. The town has sandy beaches, blue sea and many bars and restaurants along the promenade. The perfect place for a lunch overlooking the sea. After lunch before arriving in Monte Carlo stop in Menton. The town lies beneath a rocky amphitheatre, along a wide crescent-shaped bay that is divided by a spur and bordered to the south-west by Cape Martin. Along the shore are tropical gardens, hotels, wide promenades and the municipal casino. Arrival in Monte-Carlo at the Hotel Metropole.
Restaurant tip: Few hotels in the world can boast not just one, but two Michelin-starred restaurants: the French gastronomic restaurant Robuchon (with its famous buttery mashed potatoes) and the Japanese restaurant Yoshi (with its whipped salmon aperitif topped with caviar and gold leaf). The hotel's third restaurant is Odyssey. This rooftop, poolside restaurant has been renovated by Karl Lagerfeld. And if all this is not enough, there is the lobby bar where you can have a snack, a cocktail or simply a cup of tea.

Meals: B,L
Accommodation: Hotel Metropole **** or similar

The cote d'azur

Enjoy your breakfast before departing for a day tour to Nice. Walk along the Promenade du Pavillon, visit the old Nice, walk up to the Castle Hill and stroll along the worldwide famous Promenade des Anglais.

Meals: B,L
Accommodation: Hotel Metropole **** or similar

An hearty Arrivederci from Kaoma Travel

After breakfast transfer to the Airport for your return flight or you may choose to extend your holiday.

Meals: B