Essential Italy and Switzerland

Essential Italy and Switzerland

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10 Days From

$2677

Essential Italy and Switzerland

10 Days Starting in Rome, Italy and ending in Zurich, Switzerland

Visiting: Rome, Florence, Venice, Zurich, Lucerne

Tour operator:

Indus Travels

Guide Type:

Fully Guided

Group size:

1 - 35

Physical rating:

Easy

Tour operated in:

English
From: $2677

NB: Prices correct on 22-Dec-2024 but subject to change.

This tour is no longer available, please see similar tours below or send an enquiry

Tour Overview

Embark on an unforgettable journey through Italy and Switzerland with the "Essential Italy and Switzerland" tour. Begin your adventure in Rome, exploring iconic landmarks like the Colosseum and St. Peter's Basilica in Vatican City. Discover the artistic treasures of Florence and the romantic allure of Verona. Cruise to the enchanting island of Venice and witness the craftsmanship at the Murano Glass Factory. Cross the stunning landscapes of the Apennine Mountains to reach Zurich, where you'll marvel at the shimmering lakes and snow-capped peaks. Experience the thrill of a cable car ride in Grindelwald and the majesty of the Rhine Falls. Enjoy superior hotel accommodations, daily buffet breakfasts, and guided city tours, all while traveling comfortably in a modern air-conditioned motor coach. This tour promises a perfect blend of cultural immersion, scenic beauty, and unforgettable experiences.

Highlights

  • Travel to Rome, the breathtaking capital of Italy, where you will see the Colosseum

  • Explore Vatican City and visit St. Peters Basilica, the largest cathedral in the world

  • See the shimmering lakes and snow-capped mountains of Switzerland in Zurich

  • Visit Verona, the City of Romeo and Juliet, and learn about Italian art in Florence

  • Take the cable car up to Grindelwald Mountain, a famous ski resort in Switzerland

  • Pay a visit to the Rhine Falls, the largest waterfall in Europe, by width and flow rate

Places You'll See

The Colosseum, Rome

Itinerary

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Day 1: Rome Arrival

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Location: Rome

Accommodation Name: hotel

Welcome to Rome! Upon arrival at the Rome International Airport, you will transfer to your hotel. Spend the rest of the day at leisure.




Overnight in Rome

Day 2: Rome & Vatican – Full Day Tour (B/-/-)

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Location: Rome

Accommodation Name: hotel

Meals Included: Breakfast

In the morning, after breakfast, In the morning, we have a scenic tour, which will be a great introduction to “The Eternal City”. We will visit the tiny state of the Vatican, the epicenter of Christianity in the world. You will be able to visit St. Peters Basilica. We include the entrance to the Imperial Forums, an impressive architectural complex formed by monumental buildings and squares, the center of the political activity of Imperial Rome. At the end of the evening, we arrange a transfer to the Trastevere area for a stroll in the narrow-cobbled streets of the district with hidden treasures, such as some modest medieval churches, small shops with the most peculiar of objects or scenes of daily life. Many trattorias (informal Italian eating establishments) and osterias (inns) imbued with the Italian spirit will be ready to serve your local dishes. Other restaurants serving Indian, Chinese, and international food can be found in this area. Return to hotel. Note: On many occasions during the low season, as well as on some specific dates of the rest of the year, instead of the entrance to the Imperial Forums, we will enter the Roman Colosseum, a symbol of Rome.




Overnight in Rome

Day 3: Rome – Florence (B/-/-)

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Location: Florence

Accommodation Name: hotel

Meals Included: Breakfast

Today you will head on a beautifully landscaped to Florence, the Birthplace of the Renaissance. Upon arrival tour with a local expert from Florence. View from Piazzale Michelangelo. Today we will leave Rome, heading north. This route has beautiful landscapes. Arriving in Florence, we head straight to the impressive Piazzale Michelangelo. In the evening we take a tour with a local expert, walking through the historic center, taking in places such as the Ponte Vecchio, the Duomo, and Plaza della Signoria. This city is truly an outdoor museum. Enjoy some leisure time to explore. In the evening you will have time for dinner, as, in this district you can find many restaurants serving international cuisine.




Overnight in Florence

Day 4: Florence – Venice (B/-/-)

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Location: Venice

Accommodation Name: hotel

Meals Included: Breakfast

Today we enjoyed stunning mountain landscapes while crossing the Apennine Mountains. We will arrive in Venice, take the boat, and cross the Giudecca to the Island of Venice. With a local guide, we will visit the marvelous St. Mark´s Square and enter the Basilica (entrance included). Afterward, we will visit the Murano Glass Factory. It is fascinating to see the technique of how this ancient glass is made. Enjoy some time at leisure to explore. Accommodation in the Mestre district.




Overnight in Venice

Day 5: Venice – Innsbruck – Zurich (B/-/-)

Location: Zurich

Accommodation Name: hotel

Meals Included: Breakfast

After a delicious breakfast, we will depart Venice and head to Austria. Arrival in Innsbruck, time to take a stroll in its historic town center and to have lunch. Next, we will continue our journey through the wonderful Tyrolean scenery as we cross into Switzerland. Arrival in Zurich. Free time in the historic city center which sits right by the lake. There is a wide variety of local and international restaurants where you can have dinner.




Overnight in Zurich

Day 6: Zurich – Grindelwald - Lucerne (B/L/-)

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Location: Lucerne

Accommodation Name: hotel

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch

Today´s journey has beautiful landscapes with high mountains and lakes. Breathtaking scenery in the region of Interlaken. We will stop in Grindelwald where we will have time for a coffee before taking the cable car up to mountain. We will walk along the winding path which will lead us to the “footbridge over the empty”. Dare to walk along the bridge amongst the fantastic scenery enjoying glaciers all around us. We will take lunch up the mountain (included) before heading back down. We continue to Lucerne, one of the most beautiful cities in Switzerland. In the evening we have time to stroll around, enjoying the city.




Overnight in Lucerne

Day 7: Lucerne – Einsiedeln – Heididorf - Vaduz – Feldkirch (B/-/-)

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Location: Lucerne

Accommodation Name: hotel

Meals Included: Breakfast

In the morning, we leave Lucerne driving along the Four Cantons Lake towards Einsiedeln, its immense baroque abbey is the most important pilgrimage center in Switzerland. After that we continue towards the East of Switzerland. Maienfeld is the village which inspired Heidis story. In Heididorf we will be visiting Heidis House (ticket not included. Entry to the facility is free), a picturesque place with beautiful landscapes that we will reach through a pedestrian path. Then we enter into the independent country of Liechtenstein, and its capital city Vaduz with its impressive castle. Time to stroll and have lunch. Subsequently, we go to the neighbor city of Feldkirch, in Austria, located next to the borders of Switzerland, Liechtenstein and Germany: charming walled city with a genuine historic city center and a castle.




Overnight in Feldkirch

Day 8: Feldkirch – St. Gallen - Constance – Stein And Rhein - Rhine Falls – Zurich (B/-/-)

Location: Zurich

Accommodation Name: hotel

Meals Included: Breakfast

After a delicious breakfast, we start our day heading to St. Gallen, whose center is part of the World Heritage List by UNESCO with a wonderful cathedral and its historic center. Afterwards we will continue by Constance Lake, between Germany and Switzerland. We will have time for a walk at Constances center before visiting Mainau Island (access by pedestrian bridge) with its stunning botanic garden (entry included). Then, again in Switzerland, we will take a stroll in Stein Am Rhein, a typical village on the Rhine River with precious houses with painted walls. We will also visit Rhine Waterfalls (entry included), the waterfalls with the most abundant flow in Europe. Arrival in Zurich at the end of the day.


Overnight in Zurich

Day 9: Zurich – Rapperswill - Zurich (B/-/-)

Location: Zurich

Accommodation Name: hotel

Meals Included: Breakfast

In the morning, you will head on a guided tour of Zurich, a beautiful Swiss city, and the financial and cultural capital of Switzerland. Zurich has twice been declared one of the best cities to live in the world. You will continue your day with a two-hour cruise on Lake Zurich. The boat will make brief stops along the way to give you a glimpse of the Swiss villages. You get off the boat in Rapperswil, a picturesque village overlooked by its medieval castle. Your tour will take you back to the city center in Zurich. With a local train, you will get the opportunity to ride on the Swiss Railways.

Note: Depending on the number of travelers, at this stage, the transfers to the center and from the station may be made by public transit.




Overnight in Zurich

Day 10: Zurich (B/-/-)

Location: Zurich

Meals Included: Breakfast

After breakfast, make your own way to the Zurich International Airport to board your flight back home.

What's Included

  • 09 Nights accommodation at listed superior hotels or similar

    Enjoy comfortable stays at superior hotels or similar accommodations for 9 nights.

  • Daily buffet breakfast

    Start each day with a delicious buffet breakfast.

  • 01 Lunch in Lucerne

    Savor a delightful lunch in the beautiful city of Lucerne.

  • Airport arrival transfer in Rome

    Convenient airport transfer upon arrival in Rome.

  • Transportation in a modern AC motor coach

    Travel comfortably in a modern air-conditioned motor coach.

  • Service of Bilingual/English-speaking tour guide

    Guidance from a bilingual/English-speaking tour guide throughout the trip.

  • All sightseeing as per the detailed itinerary

    Experience all the sightseeing activities as outlined in the detailed itinerary.

  • City tours in Rome, Florence and Venice

    Explore the cities of Rome, Florence, and Venice with guided tours.

  • Boat to the island of Venice and Zurich Lake

    Enjoy boat rides to the island of Venice and on Zurich Lake.

  • Evening transfer: Trastevere in Rome, Via Cavour in Rome and Piazzale Michelangelo in Florence

    Evening transfers to Trastevere and Via Cavour in Rome, and Piazzale Michelangelo in Florence.

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What's Not Included

  • Items of a personal nature, tips, and gratuities

    Personal expenses, tips, and gratuities are not included.

  • Departure airport transfer in Zurich

    Airport transfer upon departure from Zurich is not included.

  • Travel insurance

    Travel insurance is not included and should be arranged separately.

  • Visa fees if applicable

    Visa fees, if applicable, are not included.

  • Items not mentioned as included

    Any items not specifically mentioned as included are excluded.

Mode of Transport

Travel in a modern air-conditioned motor coach, with airport arrival transfer in Rome and various city tours, boat rides, and a train ride from Rapperswil to Zurich.

Accommodation

Enjoy 9 nights of superior hotel accommodations, ensuring comfort and convenience throughout your journey in Italy and Switzerland.

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Check out our Q&As

  • What type of transportation is provided during the tour?

    You will travel in a modern air-conditioned motor coach, with airport arrival transfer in Rome and various city tours, boat rides, and a train ride from Rapperswil to Zurich.

  • What kind of accommodation can I expect on this tour?

    You will enjoy 9 nights of superior hotel accommodations, ensuring comfort and convenience throughout your journey in Italy and Switzerland.

  • Are meals included in the tour package?

    Yes, the tour includes daily buffet breakfast and one lunch in Lucerne.

  • Is there a tour guide provided during the trip?

    Yes, the service of a bilingual/English-speaking tour guide is included throughout the trip.

  • Are there any entrance fees included in the tour?

    Yes, admission tickets to the Imperial Forums of Rome, Saint Mark’s Basilica, Murano Glass Factory in Venice, Botanic Garden in Mainau, and Rhine Waterfalls are included.

  • What activities are included in the tour?

    The tour includes city tours in Rome, Florence, and Venice, boat rides to the island of Venice and on Zurich Lake, a cable car ride in Grindelwald, and a scenic train ride from Rapperswil to Zurich.

  • Are airport transfers included in the tour package?

    The tour includes an airport arrival transfer in Rome, but the departure airport transfer in Zurich is not included.

  • What is the policy on personal expenses and tips?

    Items of a personal nature, tips, and gratuities are not included in the tour package.

  • Is travel insurance included in the tour package?

    No, travel insurance is not included and should be arranged separately.

  • Are visa fees included in the tour package?

    No, visa fees, if applicable, are not included in the tour package.

  • Can I join the tour once it has departed?

    Yes, but only in case it was previously agreed by both sides and arranged by us.

  • What documents will I receive before I travel?

    Our e-document package includes all local contact details, daily itinerary, airline e-ticket information, service vouchers, and travel tips which should be everything you require to go on your trip.

  • If I need one, who is responsible to obtain my visa?

    You are responsible for obtaining the proper travel documents for the destinations on your itinerary, including having a passport that is valid for at least 6 months before the date of departure and a visa if required. Please check the Visa section in the Know Before You Go document for the countries you will be visiting.

  • Do you operate a “single share” option and how does it work?

    No, not as standard. Solo travellers can book and occupy their own room for a supplement.

  • How long has the tour company been trading?

    We have been organizing unforgettable trips since 2001.

  • Can I arrange flights via Indus Travels, too?

    In some cases, yes. Indus Travels can provide flights from/to selected departure points in the USA. If you would like a quote inclusive of flights, please let us know and we'll be happy to check the details for you!

  • Will the accommodation included meet local health and safety regulations?

    Yes.

  • What happens if I need to change my holiday date once I’ve booked?

    Changes to an existing reservation up to the Final Payment Date, whatever the cause, will incur a $100 per person amendment fee, potential loss of any supplier fees (such as non-refundable event tickets, park permits, and sea cruise reservations) plus any costs for replacement services. On/ after the Final Payment Date, the $100 change fee is no longer valid, instead cancellations terms apply.

Reviews of this operator

Terry Kratz (Google Reviewer)  

Thanks to Indus and Nicko...

13-Sep-2024

Thanks to Indus and Nicko Cruise for a great trip down the Danube. I had not been on a river cruise prior to this and found it a very relaxing way to travel and see some European highlights. The ship was superb. The staff served great meals, were friendly and accommodating. As far as the tours and city visits, they all gave us a reasonable amount of time and insight into the location we were visiting to come away with a sense that we had a good glimpse of the city and were able to spend some free time in the city as well. A special thanks to Dhruv our fearless leader from Indus who was a great organizer. Lastly - nice to meet all of you in our group. terry

Joyce Elyse Baumbach  

The tour organized by Indus Travels ...

16-Dec-2022

The tour organized by Indus Travels was flawless. Hotels, tours, and transportation all impressed me. We had a very relaxing time knowing what was happening at each stage. The scenery and activities were fantastic and did not disappoint. The highlight of the trip was definitely Galapagos Islands.

Indus Travel Reviews
Sirjirick Gibson (Google Reviewer)  

This is my fourth Indus...

20-Aug-2024

This is my fourth Indus trip coming up. I love the way the app works. I love the way the trips are organized and small groupings. I love the accommodations. I love the transportation it’s just top-notch service for individual traveler. I just completed my fourth trip with This and I have already signed up for my up-and-coming fifth trip with Indus travel. Once again, I have to say the service of this is absolutely top-notch service. I am so grateful to have this opportunity to travel and style and comfort. The organization of this is top-notch service from start to finish.. I have to say this sales management and associate team is absolutely amazing which basically allows me to continuously book my trips through end this. My travel life is to travel to as many countries as possible, and it will all be done through excellent job. I would like to give a special thanks to Rachel P. And Ravi., I have been involved with Rachel for the past five years and I will continue to travel within due to the fact that she makes this such a pleasant experience. Great job to her..

Neeraj Nauhwaar (Google Reviewer)  

Booked Mystical Egypt tour with...

07-Dec-2023

Booked Mystical Egypt tour with them visiting Cairo and a 03 Nights Cruise from Luxor to Aswan in May. All services were perfect since the time we arrived at the airport, we were met by a hospitable Indus Representative who helped us with the purchase of local SIM and currency exchange. He was always there in time to assist for transfers. The Amwaj Cruise which we took from Luxor to Aswan was a Gem. We had great guides and all sightseeing worked like a clockwork. We enjoyed visiting Karnak Temples, Temples of Edfu, Kom Ombo and the boat ride to see Phillae Temple. Evening entertainment on cruise were great and engaging. In Cairo and Aswan, we had ample leisure time to explore on own, the Pyramids were impressive and visiting Khan e Khalili was fun. Overall and impressive and enjoyable tour, Thanks to Indus Travels!

Dhruv R (Google Reviewer)  

Recently went on a Rhine...

09-Jun-2023

Recently went on a Rhine River Cruise, a first for me. I must say the experience was exceptional, their tagline says. The group I was with were some of the most fun and interesting set of people I've ever traveled with. The ground transportation arrangements were top notch and comfortable. Variety in menu that we were provided with in the cruise was astounding. I was a bit worried if they'd have much options for me as I'm a vegetarian. But they not only had options, the taste was something I'd savor for foreseeable future. There's a reason Rhine cruises are popular owing to it's serene and picturesque route. Guided tours were very informative and gave us a bit of an insight of German culture. We had good amount of time to explore the towns on our own too. Strasbourg and Cochem were my favorite stops. Luckily the weather worked in our favour and it didn't rain the way it was predicted originally. No one from our group wanted the tour to end. If this trip was any indication, I can't wait to book my next trip with Indus Travels.

Dennis V (Google Reviewer)  

My wife and I travelled...

02-Jul-2024

My wife and I travelled with Indus on the essentials Portugal Spain Switzerland and Italy tour last October and had the time of our lives. The tour was very well planned we visited a lot of the highlights the countries had to offer. The tour went very smoothly with knowledgeable guides and courteous drivers. We would highly recommend travelling with Indus.

Gloria Parra (Google Reviewer)  

Indus Travel runs a highly...

04-Mar-2024

Indus Travel runs a highly professional organization. From customer service to brochures, bookings, tour guides, etc. and the consideration for their customers is superb. This was the first time I had travelled with Indus Travels. We took the Taste of Portugal Tour. Group numbers are small, accommodation comfortable and food excellent. The expert guide who accompanied us was outstanding - passionate, informative, engaging, and entertaining. This company is obviously at the heart of the itinerary planning, and attention to detail is second to none. I would highly recommend this company to anyone wanting a fun, relaxed, educational vacation with fine food - they will deliver! We will never forget this trip and we are already planning for another one to Wonders of Italy, Vienna, Budapest, and Prague.

Olivia  

Best of Italy

16-Nov-2022

Indus Travels did an excellent job planning the trip to Italy. We were on Best of Italy in Oct 2022. The tour was 5 stars all the way. The hotel accommodations were comfortable and clean & guides were top-notch.

Indus Travel Reviews
Kim Eisnor (Google Reviewer)  

We had an absolutely amazing...

12-Sep-2024

We had an absolutely amazing experience on our first ever river boat cruise. The itinerary and ports were incredible, the ship was beautiful, the food was great (especially Mario’s Grill), the excursions were excellent and the staff was lovely. We had such a memorable trip with our group and made lots of memories that will last a lifetime.

DJWalter Capote (Google Reviewer)  

We were looking for a...

07-Oct-2023

We were looking for a customized, small group tour. We took a chance on Indus without knowing much about the company. We just returned from our trip to Greece and are more than highly please and satisfied with our experience. They planned an amazing itinerary, booked amazing hotels, hired knowledgeable tour guides and arranged high quality transportation services. Everyone went above and beyond to please us. We are already planning a trip for next year (2024) and will definitely use Indus to do so.

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Book with Confidence

  • Low Deposit

    Indus Travels requires a minimum deposit of 25% or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 45 days before departure.

  • Cancellation Policy

    We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of indus travels charges.

    Up to 75 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.

    At 74 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.