B | L | D denotes included breakfasts, lunches and dinners.
Day 1 | Depart gateway city
AHI FlexAir passengers depart for Zürich, Switzerland. Please check your luggage from your gateway city to your arrival city. Your claim checks should have the following airport code: ZRH.
Day 2 | Zürich, Switzerland | St. Moritz
Schweizerhof St. Moritz Hotel
R
Arrive at Zürich Airport. Proceed through immigration to the baggage claim area and retrieve your luggage. After completing customs, AHI FlexAir passengers traveling on flights that qualify for the group arrival transfer and Land Program passengers who have purchased seats on the group transfer should exit the baggage claim area and proceed to the Arrivals Hall, where an AHI Travel representative will meet you.
Transfer to the Schweizerhof St. Moritz Hotel. Please note, if you arrive before check-in time, your room may not be immediately available.
Join us for a Welcome Reception tonight and meet your fellow travelers.
Day 3 | St. Moritz
Schweizerhof St. Moritz Hotel
B
Enrichment: Essential Switzerland. Discuss the iconic and unique elements of Swiss culture.
St. Moritz Walking Tour. Take a walking tour of St. Moritz, the famous Alpine resort. Breathe in pristine mountain air as you enjoy views of the lake and mountains, and glimpse daily life while visiting local shops. St. Moritz has hosted two Winter Olympics and you’re sure to experience the outdoor lifestyle while spending time here. (Moderate)
Free Time: Enjoy an afternoon to discover St. Moritz on your own. Find a cozy spot for lunch. Take a walk around the lake or visit the Segantini Museum. Feeling active? Head outside and hit one of the area’s many trails. Or stay indoors and enjoy a spa treatment!
Day 4 | St. Moritz
Schweizerhof St. Moritz Hotel
B | D
Free Time: Enjoy a full day at leisure. You may wish to take a hike on the nearby trails. If you prefer something more relaxing, you may wish to arrange for a massage and unwind in the hotel’s wellness facilities.
Enrichment: Meet the People. Learn about life in the Swiss Alps during a discussion with residents who can tell you about the local lifestyle and traditions.
Join your fellow travelers for dinner this evening. Swiss cuisine will satisfy any gourmand. You may dine on an array of dishes during your visit, from cheese fondues and gratin potatoes to special Swiss cheese and sausages. Of course, no day is complete without some Swiss chocolate!
Day 5 | Bernina Express | Tirano, Italy | Zuoz, Switzerland | St. Moritz
Schweizerhof St. Moritz Hotel
B | L
Bernina Express. Hop aboard one of the world’s most scenic rail routes. Wind your way from the craggy mountain peaks of the Swiss Engadine Alps to the palm-lined streets of Tirano, Italy. You will be traveling along portions of the Rhaetian Railway, a UNESCO World Heritage site and one of Europe’s most impressively engineered rail routes. (Mild)
Enjoy a lunch of regional dishes in Tirano. After, return to St. Moritz, stopping at Zuoz for a walking tour.
Zuoz Walking Tour. Revel in this picturesque and romantic Upper Engadine village. A walking tour showcases its beautiful cobblestone main square adorned with flowers and bubbling fountains. While strolling through the winding streets, take note of the brightly painted buildings, many built in the 13th century. This postcard-perfect setting is quintessentially Switzerland! (Moderate)
Dinner is on your own this evening. Your Travel Director is available to offer dining suggestions.
Day 6 | Lake Como | Bellagio | Stresa
Hotel La Palma
B | D
After breakfast, travel to Stresa, Italy.
The Road to Stresa. Travel one of the most picturesque roads in the Alps, the Maloja Pass. Take in views of sparkling glacial lakes, rivers and picture-perfect Swiss villages. Enjoy the breathtaking scenery and dramatic hairpin turns and switchbacks. Arrive in Tremezzo, Italy, located on the shores of Lake Como, and board a boat for a relaxing cruise to Bellagio. From its inviting promenade lined with lime trees and oleanders to the quaint cobblestone streets to the charming buildings painted in shades of cream, peach and butterscotch, it’s easy to see why poets and writers from every part of the world have found inspiration in Bellagio.
Enjoy some free time and lunch on your own in Bellagio, before cruising to Como. Along the way, relish the tranquil, soul-stirring vistas before you. With a perimeter splashed with vibrant flower gardens, elegant villas and forests of beech, birch and fir trees, Lake Como is among Italy’s most scenic spots. Disembark in Como and continue to Stresa via motor coach. (Moderate)
After checking in to the Hotel La Palma, get to know the area around your accommodation. Perhaps enjoy the splendid lakeside views from your hotel’s terrace.
Later tonight, dine on delicious northern Italian cuisine for dinner. After your stay in Switzerland, you’ll delight in Northern Italy’s culinary traditions. Find dishes that thrill the palate, including savory stuffed pastas, fresh seafood, delicious meats and mouthwatering risotto.
Day 7 | Milan
Hotel La Palma
B | D
Exploring Milan. Travel to Milan, one of the world’s fashion capitals and Italy’s economic powerhouse. Visit the stunning Biblioteca Ambrosiana to see the “Codex Atlanticus,” a magnificent collection of Leonardo da Vinci's writings and drawings that offers a window into his brilliant mind. Next, discover the world of opera at La Scala Museum where Puccini’s “Madama Butterfly” and Verdi’s “Otello” were first performed, and see the Duomo, a beautiful cathedral built by artisans from across Europe. Construction began in the late 14th century in the Gothic style, but architectural elements became more grandiose as construction continued in the next century. (Moderate)
Free Time: Craft your own path through Milan during leisure time. For an incomparable view of the city and its surroundings, walk (or take the elevator) to the roof of the Duomo, or explore the chic boutiques of the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II, a 19th-century shopping arcade named after the first king of Italy.
Day 8 | Borromean Islands
Hotel La Palma
B
Enrichment: Italy’s Lake District. Discover how this beautiful region became one of Europe’s favorite retreats.
The Borromean Islands. Located in the turquoise waters of Lake Maggiore, the Borromean Islands are named after the family who has owned them since the 15th century. The group consists of three lovely islands, each one different from its neighbors. Begin your outing with a cruise on Lake Maggiore aboard a private motorboat to Isola Madre, the largest of the Borromean Islands. Enjoy a guided visit of the island’s extensive botanical gardens. The impressive English-style gardens are lush and filled with exotic flowers, rare plants and ancient trees. You may also spot some of the delightful peacocks, parrots and pheasants that make their home on the island. Then embrace the rustic charm of the peaceful fishing village of Isola dei Pescatori. Stroll its narrow streets lined by the quaint houses of the fishermen and families who call this island home. Finally, visit Isola Bella, the “Beautiful Island,” extolled by writers over the centuries. Explore its 17th-century baroque palace and summerhouse that is home to a mosaic grotto and an astounding collection of art and antiques. Enjoy a relaxing walk through hanging gardens adorned with Greek and Roman statuary while listening to rare birds. (Moderate)
Enrichment: Golden Age of the Renaissance. Delve into the true genius of Michelangelo and Leonardo da Vinci and trace their profound influences on sculpture and painting.
This evening, gather with your fellow travelers for dinner at a local restaurant.
Day 9 | Stresa
Hotel La Palma
B | L | R | D
AHI Connects | The Piedmontese Kitchen. Journey into the hills to a family-owned restaurant and learn how to prepare a few delicious and proudly authentic Piedmontese dishes. This traditional cuisine is based around using locally produced foods, and characteristic dishes often include truffles, veal, rabbit, gnocchi and risotto. Tuck into a tasty meal, complemented by the view of the lake. (Mild)
Free Time: Enjoy a final free afternoon in the Italian Lakes District. Your Travel Director will be available to suggest activities and excursions. Perhaps head out for a stroll in the sunshine or spend time searching for a souvenir.
Tonight, celebrate the end of a wonderful journey at a Farewell Reception and Dinner.
Day 10 | Depart for gateway city
B
After breakfast, bid farewell to Stresa. AHI FlexAir passengers traveling on flights that qualify for a group transfer and Land Program passengers who have purchased seats on the group transfer depart for Milan Malpensa Airport for your return flights home. Your Travel Director will provide the details.