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Spiez Castle on Lake Thun

10 Day Journey from Switzerland to Italy

(10 days / 9 nights)

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Magical mountains, dazzling lakes and bustling cities

Experience the spellbinding beauty of 2 Alpine countries on this 10-day self-drive adventure. Your journey begins in Switzerland, where you’ll travel from Zurich through the Lake Geneva area to Zermatt, Grindelwald and Lugano. Then, you’ll cross the Italian border and visit the beautiful Lake Como and vibrant Milan. Expect breathtaking landscapes in both countries, with monumental mountains and sparkling lakes. And between each day’s attractions, you can indulge in some delicious local delicacies like raclette and risotto!

Want to spend some more time exploring Zurich, Milan or both? You can easily add extra nights at the start or end of your trip during the booking process.

10 days / 9 nights

Price p.p. from

EUR

The amount will be charged in EUR

Approx 2760 EUR

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— Why book with Nordic Visitor

  • Seamless travel experience
  • Handpicked hotels and routes designed by local experts
  • Reliable rental cars with trusted partner
  • Comprehensive itinerary, personalised map & travel guide
  • 24/7 helpline during your tour
  • Service from local travel experts in the Alps
  • Great customer reviews
  • Carbon offsetting included

Read more

— Cancellation Protection

  • Rebook your tour on one occasion, or
  • Cancel for any reason and receive a partial refund and travel credit

Terms and conditions apply

Tour Highlights

  • Experience the wonders of 2 Alpine countries: Switzerland & Italy
  • Immerse yourself in the glorious scenery of the Swiss Alps
  • Soak up the beauty of the Swiss Riviera with visits to Lake Geneva, Lausanne and Montreux
  • Admire breathtaking views from Bellagio, Menaggio & Varenna, the magical waterside towns of Lake Como
  • Take in Milan from the top of the Cathedral before marvelling at Da Vinci’s world-famous Last Supper painting
  • Visit Zermatt and see the famous Matterhorn, the symbol of Switzerland
  • Go hiking and take in the great outdoors around Grindelwald
  • Reach the “Top of Europe” at Jungfraujoch via an epic railway ride
  • Discover history, culture and natural beauty in Switzerland’s largest city, Zurich
  • Enjoy a road trip with peace of mind with your personal itinerary from a local travel expert

Travel style

Self-Drive i

Interest

Active i, Alps i, Classic i, Honeymoon & Romance i

Season

May – Oct

Departure

Daily

Interest

Active i, Alps i, Classic i, Honeymoon & Romance i

Driving distance

978/606 km/mi

Itinerary

A day-by-day plan to guide your journey.

  • Day 1: Welcome to Switzerland

    After arriving in Zurich and checking in to your accommodation, head out to explore Switzerland’s largest city at your leisure.

    Stroll the city’s bustling streets and visit landmark sights such as the churches Grossmünster and Fraumünster. Or wander up Lindenhof Hill to enjoy unbeatable views from above.

    Nearby, you could also go for a walk along Lake Zurich, where the promenade is an ideal place to catch some sun. There’s also countless world-class art galleries and museums to explore, while foodies can make the most of the vibrant restaurant scene here.

    Spend the night in Zurich.

    Attractions Attractions Attractions Attractions Attractions Attractions See Activities for this day

  • Day 2: The Tranquillity of Lake Geneva

    Start your road trip around Switzerland! Pick up your rental car and travel to the iconic Lake Geneva (“Lac Léman”). Your route will take you through Switzerland’s capital city, Bern.

    Make sure to explore the enchanting towns that are dotted along the lake’s magical shoreline. Lausanne in particular is well worth a visit. Its lively city centre features cobbled streets and colourful architecture.

    Wander through vine-covered walkways, indulge in local delicacies at charming cafés. Or simply relax by the sparkling lake and gaze upon the magnificent Alpine mountains that surround you.

    Spend the night in the Lake Geneva area.

    Average driving distance: 252 km / 157 mi

    Attractions Attractions Attractions

  • Day 3: Swiss highlights & the Matterhorn

    Begin your journey to Zermatt today. First, head into the Swiss Alps to the idyllic town of Montreux. Explore the enchanting Château de Chillon, a medieval castle perched on the edge of the lake, before you begin your drive into the mountains.

    You’ll journey along the picturesque Rhone valley before stopping in the town of Sion, known for its 2 imposing hilltop castles.

    To reach Zermatt you’ll need to leave your car at Täsch and board a short shuttle train, as Zermatt itself is car-free. As you enter the town keep an eye out for the iconic Matterhorn mountain.

    Spend the night in the Zermatt area.

    Average driving distance: 171 km / 106 mi

    Attractions Attractions Attractions Attractions Attractions Attractions Attractions

  • Day 4: Exploring Zermatt

    Spend today exploring the incredible sights of Zermatt. You could take a gondola ride through the clouds and enjoy unbeatable views of the immense natural landscape from a mountaintop.

    You could also take a cogwheel train to the top of Gornergrat station, located almost 3,000 metres (10,000 feet) above sea level!

    From the mountaintops, you can explore a huge range of hiking trails, and you’ll even find ski slopes that are open year-round.

    And after a day of adventuring, you can unwind in one of Zermatt’s many mouth-watering restaurants.

    Spend another night in the Zermatt area.

    Attractions Attractions See Activities for this day

  • Day 5: Journey from Zermatt to Grindelwald

    After breakfast, you’ll continue your travels through the Swiss Alps. You could explore the picture-perfect towns of Spiez, Thun and Sigriswil in the Lake Thun (“Thunersee”) area. Or stop at Interlaken to relax by the serene blue lake, with views of towering mountain peaks.

    As you journey deeper into the heart of the Alps, you’ll reach the chalet-style village of Grindelwald.

    Wander along its charming streets and gaze upon the immense Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau mountains. You can take your pick from the many hiking trails that weave through these mountains, or you could simply relax in the town instead.

    Spend the night in Grindelwald.

    Average driving distance: 129 km / 80 mi

    Attractions Attractions Attractions Attractions Attractions Attractions Attractions

  • Day 6: Majestic peaks and deep valleys

    Wake up in breathtaking Grindelwald with a whole day of exploration ahead of you.

    You could take a hike through the mysterious Rosenlaui glacier gorge with its narrow pathways and hidden waterfalls. Venture up to the Jungfraujoch railway station for panoramic views of the breathtaking landscape and the incredible Aletsch Glacier.

    Or check out the nearby Lauterbrunnen valley and the mesmerising Staubbach Falls, where water tumbles down a 300-metre (1,000-foot) drop.

    Spend another night in Grindelwald.

    Average driving distance: 34 km / 21 mi

    Attractions Attractions Attractions Attractions Attractions Attractions See Activities for this day

  • Day 7: From Mountain Peaks to Lake Lugano

    Today, you’ll drive to Lake Lugano, making a few pit stops along the way.

    First, head to the lakeside town of Lucerne. Stroll across the historic Chapel Bridge (“Kapellbrücke”) and admire the views of the monumental Mount Pilatus.

    Hop back in the car to complete today’s journey, travelling over the jaw-dropping Gotthard Pass, nicknamed the “King of Mountain Passes”.

    Upon arrival in the Mediterranean-influenced city of Lugano, make sure you head out to explore the incredible sights here. Discover pastel-coloured villas, the buzzing Piazza Riforma and the breathtaking Cattedrale di San Lorenzo.

    Spend the night in Lugano.

    Average driving distance: 251 km / 155 mi

    Attractions Attractions Attractions Attractions Attractions Attractions Attractions

  • Day 8: Journey across Italy to Lake Como

    Today you could go on an Italian adventure, and explore some of the charming towns that are dotted along the shores of the picturesque Lake Como (“Lago di Como”). You can easily hop between the towns by ferry.

    Stroll past the pastel-coloured buildings of Menaggio, indulge in some shopping in Bellagio, or soak up the serene ambience of Varenna. The botanical gardens at both Villa Melzi in Bellagio and Villa Monastero in Varenna are particularly noteworthy.

    And make sure you sample the local Italian delicacies before you head back to Lake Lugano! The north is known for its decadent risottos and melt-in-your-mouth osso buco.

    Spend another night in Lugano.

    Average driving distance: 56 km / 34 mi

    Attractions Attractions Attractions Attractions

  • Day 9: Journey to Milan via Como

    Hit the road and cross the border into Italy today, as you drive towards Milan (“Milano”). If you fancy stretching your legs along the way, make a stop in the city of Como, on the shores of the famous lake of the same name. Stroll winding cobbled streets and visit the magnificent Como Cathedral (“Duomo di Como”).

    Arriving in Milan, get ready to soak up more cultural and historical sights. Admire spectacular Gothic architecture at Milan Cathedral (“Duomo di Milano”). Marvel at Da Vinci’s world-famous painting, The Last Supper, at Santa Maria delle Grazie. Or indulge in some shopping in Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II.

    Spend the night in Milan. 

    Average driving distance: 85 km / 53 mi

    Attractions Attractions Attractions Attractions Attractions Attractions

  • Day 10: Departure from Italy

    Today, your adventure in Switzerland and Italy comes to an end. If your flight is scheduled for later in the day, spend the morning enjoying some more of Milan. You could buy some last-minute souvenirs or relax in a local café.

    Later, make your way to the airport in time for your departure flight. You could take the train or, if you’d prefer a more comfortable journey, we can arrange a private transfer direct from your accommodation. 

    Attractions
View full itinerary

Optional extras

We recommend adding your extra activities to the tour now for the best booking experience and to secure your spot, as activities are likely to sell out.

Map

Here’s a map of your travel route, to help put things in perspective.

What's included

Don’t worry, we’ve got this covered.

Included

Not included

Optional Extras

10 days / 9 nights

Price p.p. from

EUR

The amount will be charged in EUR

Approx 2760 EUR

Find your price
Request info

Essential information

Everything you need to know about this tour before you book

We recommend that you read carefully through the following information before booking this self-drive tour in the Alps. We’ve answered the most frequently asked questions here so you know what to expect.

On a self-drive tour, Nordic Visitor supplies you with a quality rental car and a detailed personal itinerary. You act as your own tour guide and driver, and you get to pick the road trip music!

All your services will be pre-booked by your personal travel consultant at Nordic Visitor. This includes your rental car and accommodation in the Alpine region, along with planned activities, as specified in the itinerary.

As this is a self-guided tour, you’re welcome to stop whenever and wherever you wish along the way. Except for accommodation and booked activities, other highlights we’ve listed in the itinerary are suggestions based on Nordic Visitor favourites.

And rest assured that we’re with you every step of the way. Upon your arrival, you’ll receive personalised information, including an itinerary, hand-annotated map and our very own Alps Travel Guide. Plus, you’ll have access to our 24/7 helpline during your trip should you need to contact us.

During your tour of the Alps, you’ll stay in accommodation hand-picked by our local travel experts. We’ve partnered with local businesses and selected hotels, B&Bs and guesthouses based on excellent ratings, comfort and personal experience.

Across the Alps region, you can choose from single, double or triple rooms. Please also note that in the countries you’ll be visiting, room types are based on European standard sizes, which means they are smaller than in North America.

For example, a double bed often consists of 2 single beds pushed together. Twin rooms are 2 separate single beds. Triple rooms include a double bed along with an extra bed, rollaway or sofa bed. And single rooms are often smaller than the standard double.

Travelling with your kids? No problem! Just let your travel consultant know during the booking process. We’ll arrange any cots needed at your accommodation.

If you need multiple rooms, please note that we can't guarantee family rooms or interconnecting rooms at all accommodation. You may even have rooms on different floors.

If you'd like us to arrange for a car seat to be provided for your trip, please let us know ahead of time. This will incur a small extra cost.

The minimum age to hire a car in the Alps is 19. A small fee will also apply to any drivers under 25.

If you are under 25, you may also be restricted in the size of vehicle you are able to rent. Please contact your personal Travel Consultant if you are unsure about which car to choose.

The roads across the Alps are usually in good condition all year long and are renowned for their road trip worthiness.

You’ll be driving on the right side of the road and the left side of the car. Most rural roads in the Alps are 2-lane, but they can be narrow and winding. This is especially true when crossing mountain passes.

Due to the altitude of some roads, and especially in winter, storms, rain, snow and ice can cause adverse conditions. We recommend checking weather forecasts daily and not taking any risks when it comes to driving.

It’s also a good idea to plan how you will navigate around the Alps ahead of time. Your travel consultant will prepare a detailed hand-annotated map of your route to help you stay on track.

We also recommend using navigation apps on your phone, such as Google Maps. Make sure to download the route ahead of time, in case you don’t have signal in the more rural areas.

During your tour of the Alps, you’ll be travelling through both lowland and high-altitude regions. The lowland in central Europe is fairly warm all year around, but the mountains are chillier.

In higher mountain villages, the average temperature in summer is between 15°C – 20°C (59°F – 68°F). In lower-altitude towns and cities, close to lakes at the foot of the mountains, temperatures in summer can reach 30°C – 35°C (86°F – 95°F).

Many regions of the Alps are famed for their many days of sunshine, especially in Switzerland’s Rhône valley. But that doesn’t guarantee there won’t be any rain on your trip! And you’ll need to be prepared for chillier weather when you’re boarding mountain gondolas.

As you’ll be spending a lot of time outdoors exploring the mountains, it’s a good idea to come prepared for a combination of weather conditions.

Here is a recommended packing list for a summer trip:

  • A warm jumper or fleece
  • A waterproof jacket
  • Hiking clothes and good walking shoes or boots
  • Light scarf or thin jumper
  • An umbrella
  • Reusable water bottle
  • Lip balm and moisturiser
  • Sunglasses, sunscreen and a sunhat

There are limited laundry facilities in the countryside, though you’ll find laundrettes in the larger cities and towns. Some hotels do offer dry cleaning for an additional cost.

It’s good to be aware that you may require different currencies during your Alps trip. Germany, Austria and Italy have the Euro (€) as their local currency.

That said, Switzerland and Liechtenstein both have the Swiss franc (CHF, ₣) as their currency.

On your Alps road trip, you should budget for petrol costs of around €1.50–€1.90 per litre. That’s ₣1.40–1.80.

As for meals, your breakfast is included at all your accommodation in the Alps. For the rest of your food, your spending money will depend on the standard of restaurants you decide to go to.

Budget between €25–€30 per person for each day’s lunch, or ₣20–30. Dinners at casual restaurants might cost between €30–€35, ₣25–35. Meanwhile at upscale restaurants, you can expect to pay €50–€70 or more, which would be ₣45-65. This does not include the cost of alcoholic beverages.

In Germany, Switzerland and Austria tipping is not mandatory, but welcomed. It is usually based on the quality of service. Locals often add around 10% or simply round up their bill.

Yes, you can customise this tour online. During the booking process, you can easily add extra nights to your itinerary as well as optional day trips, excursions and upgrades.

If you prefer, you can begin your tour in Geneva, Switzerland instead of Munich, Germany. You would then take a train to Zurich to start your road trip. Just let your travel consultant know and they’ll be happy to rearrange your itinerary.

By booking with Nordic Visitor, you’ll have peace of mind knowing that there’s always someone there for you throughout your trip.

For support and advice during the day, you can call our office. And if anything unexpected happens outside working hours, you can reach us on our 24/7 helpline.

During your tour, there will always be a Munich-based travel expert on call to handle any unforeseen situations, such as unusual weather or events.

You’ll likely spend time in a few different countries on your tour of the Alps. Germany, Italy and Austria are all part of the European Union. This means that if you are visiting from Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia or another EU state, you won’t need a visa to enter.

Switzerland and Liechtenstein are not part of the European Union, but they are part of the Schengen area. This means that those visiting from the countries listed above won’t need a visa to enter.

Visiting from another country? You can find the complete lists of countries whose nationals require visas to visit the Alps on the following websites:

Good to know: Liechtenstein does not issue visas. If you enter via Switzerland, you’ll see there is no border control. The same visa requirements apply between both countries.

Your passport needs to be valid for the entirety of your stay in the Alps, and for at least 6 months after your departure date. It’s a good idea to check your passport expiry date early in case you need to renew it.

It’s best to book as soon as you can to secure your preferred travel dates. Once you have picked your tour, check the availability calendar to see which months are open for booking. Then, select the date you want and complete your booking. 

Nordic Visitor offers 10–20% deposits so you can reserve your trip as early as it’s convenient for you. The remaining balance is due 30 days before you travel. 

Many tours are also open for the following year if you like to plan well ahead. And if you have any questions or need advice, you can always contact us. 

After booking your tour package online, you will be contacted within 2 business days by your own dedicated travel consultant. They will be your point of contact for all your travel needs before, during and even after your trip. 

At that time, they’ll confirm the availability of your tour. Then the booking process starts, which may take a few weeks. Once this is done, your travel consultant will provide you with all the details of your trip. You will also receive more information about what to expect during your trip.

No need! Nordic Visitor is already working on offsetting the estimated carbon footprint of your package. We’ve partnered with an environmental fund in Iceland to carbon offset all our tours.

Carbon offsetting your international flights is not included, but we highly recommend you look into possibilities with your airline or directly through a local environment fund. 

After you have booked your tour, it will only take a few days to confirm its availability. But it may take a few weeks to create your itinerary and book everything. Once your trip details are finalised, we’ll send you e-copies of your travel documents.

Upon arrival, you’ll receive a welcome bag with hard copies of your itinerary, accommodation and tour vouchers, the Nordic Visitor Alps Travel Guide and more.

So when do you check in? And what can you expect upon landing in the Alps?

After picking up your luggage, make your way to your accommodation in the city centre. The Alpine cities in our tours are well connected to their respective airports.  Simply hop on public transport, catch a taxi or book an optional private transfer.

Check-in times vary between hotels and guesthouses, but it normally starts between 2–4 PM. You are welcome to request an early check-in for an additional fee. Although this isn’t always available, you’ll be able to store your luggage at the hotel if you have to wait. Please contact your travel consultant well in advance of your arrival if you’d like an early check-in.

When you depart may depend on the time of your return flight. Check out early if you’re heading to the airport for a morning flight. On the other hand, if you’re flying home later in the day, you might like to enjoy a leisurely day or visit one more attraction.

You will need to check out from your room, but will be able to store your luggage at the hotel reception. Simply return later to collect your bags before catching public transport or a taxi to the airport.

All bookings are billed in Euros (EUR), the local currency in Germany, Italy and Austria.

Prices displayed in other currencies are indicative only and based on the daily exchange rate. This means conversions from EUR to other currencies will fluctuate from day to day.

Accommodation

Sleep soundly, in the accommodation type of your choice, and wake up ready to enjoy another day of exploration.

Comfort Plus

In this category, you can expect standard rooms in good quality 3-star guesthouses or country hotels.

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Superior

In this category, you can expect standard rooms in 4-star hotels or boutique guesthouses.

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Rental car

Enjoy your journey with free GPS and Collision Damage Waiver (CDW) to reduce liability.

VW Polo (automatic)
or similar

  • x4
  • x5
  • x2
  • A
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VW Polo (automatic)
or similar

  • Description: Economy
  • Passengers: 4
  • Suitcases: 2
  • Doors: 5
  • Transmission: Manual
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Ford Focus (automatic)
or similar

  • x5
  • x5
  • x2
  • A
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Ford Focus (automatic)
or similar

  • Description: Compact
  • Passengers: 5
  • Suitcases: 2
  • Doors: 5
  • Transmission: Automatic
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BMW 3 Series (automatic)
or similar

  • x5
  • x4
  • x4
  • A
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BMW 3 Series (automatic)
or similar

  • Description: Saloon
  • Passengers: 5
  • Luggage: 4
  • Doors: 4
  • Transmission: Automatic
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Jeep Compass (automatic)
or similar

  • x5
  • x4
  • x3
  • A
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Jeep Compass (automatic)
or similar

  • Description: Crossover SUV
  • Passengers: 5
  • Suitcases: 3
  • Doors: 4
  • Transmission: Automatic
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BMW X5 (automatic)
or similar

  • x5
  • x4
  • x5
  • A
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BMW X5 (automatic)
or similar

  • Description: Luxury SUV
  • Passengers: 5
  • Suitcases: 5
  • Doors: 4
  • Transmission: Automatic
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Mercedes Vito (automatic)
or similar

  • x9
  • x3
  • x5
  • A
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Mercedes Vito (automatic)
or similar

  • Description: Premium Passenger Van
  • Passengers: 9
  • Luggage: 5
  • Doors: 3
  • Transmission: Automatic
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Price per person from

EUR

The amount will be charged in EUR

Approx 2760 EUR

Request info

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