Italy and Switzerland History Tour

Neptune's Fountain in Piazza della Signoria in Florence, Italy

What to expect on this itinerary

The thrill of the Alps and majesty of master artists reflect the grandeur of possibility during your custom-tailored 9-day Switzerland and Italy historical tour.  Glassy glaciers loom above iconic towns and historic villages in Switzerland. Paintings and sculptures of Italian legend decorate royal chambers and represent the rebirth of artistic ingenuity. Enjoy an unrivaled look at the awe-inspiring majesty of preserved medieval streets, Renaissance masterpieces, and preserved ancient ruins.

Countries Visited

Italy, Switzerland, Vatican City

Places Visited

Switzerland – Interlaken, Grindelwald, Lucerne, Bern, Meiringen, Furka Pass, ZurichItaly – Roe, Vatican City, Florence, Venice, Milan, Pisa, Murano

Suggested Duration

9 Days

Customizable Itinerary

Expand All
Day 1

Rome – Settle into the Comforts of the Eternal City

Rome has had an influence on the Western World for over two millennia earning the name the “Eternal City.” The mixture of art, ruins, cobblestone streets and vibrant cafes highlight a culture shaped by a history of diversity and renewal. Your flight lands at Fiumicino Airport, where your transfer greets you upon arrival. The stunning city shines with medieval piazzas and lavish fountains, ornate churches and a daily enjoyment of the life’s sweetness. The comforts of your luxury hotel welcome you to the city allowing you the remainder of the day at leisure to wander along the exciting narrow streets at the center of the city.

What's Included:

Transfer
Accommodation
Day 2

Rome – Visit Vatican City and the Roman Empire

Day 3

Florence – Explore the Cradle of the Renaissance

Day 4

Venice – Find the Charms of Piazza San Marco

Day 5

Milan – Enjoy Verona en Route to Milan

Day 6

Milan - Bask in Luxurious Milan

Day 7

Zurich – Enjoy Stunning Lucerne and Gorgeous Zurich

Day 8

Zurich – Explore Bern, Grindelwald, and Meiringen

Day 9

Zurich – Depart for Home

Trip Highlights

  • Discover the thrill of viewing the works of Italian masters in person when visiting the Vatican Museum and La Trasfigurazione by Raphael
  • Bask in the indelible natural beauty of Switzerland when walking along the Schwarzhorn metallic walkway for panoramic views of the Alps
  • Visit the exemplary embodiment of Renaissance architecture in Florence when exploring the feats of design, engineering, and art of the Duomo
  • View an artisan blowing glass during a tour of a private studio for insight into the intertwined history of the art and the Venetian Republic
  • Witness the often-overlooked frescoes in the Campo Santo, one of the few places revealing the original outlines of celebrated frescoes known as sinópie
  • Wander the incredible depths of the Doge’s Palace in Venice to witness enchanting artwork like Tintoretto’s Paradise
  • Discover the unique cultural heritage of Bern’s decorative fountains, each possessing a character of local folklore
  • Experience the revelatory history of Romeo and Juliet in Verona when visiting the home of Juliet Capulet, the patron of love and romance

Starting Price

$4,000 per person (excluding international flights)

Your Zicasso trip is fully customizable, and this sample itinerary is a starting place for your travel plans. Actual costs are dynamic, and your selection of accommodations and activities, your season of travel, and other such variables will bring this budget guideline up or down. Throughout your planning experience with your Zicasso specialist, your itinerary is designed around your budget. You can book your trip when you are satisfied with every detail. Planning your trip with a Zicasso travel specialist is a free service.

What's Included

  • Accommodations
  • In-country transportation
  • Some or all activities and tours
  • Expert trip planning
  • 24x7 support during your trip

Your final trip cost will vary based on your selected accommodations, activities, meals, and other trip elements that you opt to include.

4.9

Verified Traveler Reviews

Based on 7273 reviews

Margaret T.
Switzerland Travel Review: Grindelwald, Matterhorn, Nature, 10-Day Trip

Our trip with Zicasso's tour company was beyond exceptional. The itinerary was exactly what we asked for and the activities included were perfect for our group. We gave the tour company the information on the type of trip we would like and everything was top-notch. The hotels were incredible and our driver was absolutely the best. He was extremely flexible, always on time, and his vehicle was impeccable.

We received communication throughout the planning process and whenever we asked a question, the response was very timely. After the initial planning phase, we received updates and information from our travel designer, who was wonderful. The company's attention to detail allowed us to relax and enjoy our vacation. We had no issues whatsoever at any time during the trip with reservations, tickets, and vouchers. He even noticed that one voucher for a particular day had the wrong guest's birth date and he contacted me, as well as the hotel, so they could print the correct voucher.

The question is not if we will plan another trip with them, it is when. Don't hesitate to book a trip. As we say in the south, this tour company is a well-oiled machine.

See more

kavita A.
Italy Tour Review: Rome, Venice, Tuscany, Chianti, Vespa Tour, Boat Ride, Cooking Class, 20 Days

Our trip was absolutely amazing and the planning done by Zicasso's travel company surpassed my expectations. The attention to detail was amazing: from excellent and punctual drivers to assistants who helped us with the water taxis in Venice to the lounge access for trains. It was truly white-glove service that made my trip seamless and allowed me to enjoy every moment because every detail was handled.

The excursions were fantastic. I especially enjoyed the cooking class at a farm in Tuscany and the Vespa tours in Rome. There was a nice mix of private excursions for the walking tours and boat rides, to a few shared excursions, such as the cooking class.

The hotels the travel company booked were chic, boutiquey Italian hotels and each had its own charm (from the former palace in Venice to the castle in Chianti), and we loved them. We would absolutely recommend to anyone booking a trip to Italy!

See more

Carles P.
Italy Travel Review: Assisi, Tuscany, 15-Day Trip

Zicasso's team was excellent with planning and execution of the itinerary to meet our specific needs.

I was able to add an additional city on short notice!

We had knowledgeable local city guides and all drivers were professional.

We had a wonderful family trip!

See more

Jeff S.
Italy, France Vacation Review: Rome, Florence, Venice, Paris, Bayeux, Normandy, 18 Nights

We had an excellent experience with Zicasso's travel company. We are a family of four and spent 18 nights going through Italy and France. We worked with the company to make arrangements to see the cities and sites we wanted to visit. They offered great options for hotels and activities. They stayed in close contact with us during the trip and made additional arrangements upon request. The company provided outstanding service making arrangements and during the trip. We were very satisified and have already recommended them to our friends.

See more

Dorothy K.
Italy Tour Review: Rome, Florence, Amalfi Coast, Pompeii, Mount Vesuvius, Ancient Sites, Cooking Class, 1 Week

I can confidently say that Zicasso's travel specialist is truly dedicated to providing her clients a luxury experience. From the outset, we had a 20-minute call where she wanted to learn about our dream vacation and get to know us. She was attentive to every request we made and organized our itinerary accordingly. During the trip, she texted us daily to inform us about our drivers and guides for the next day. Additionally, she checked to ensure our trip was progressing smoothly.

Here are some highlights:

Rome: We were greeted at the airport by our agent, who expedited our passage through passport control. The following day, we started our exploration at the Vatican. Our agent had purchased our tickets in advance, allowing us to skip the line. She also planned the remainder of our self-guided tours of the Colosseum, Roman Forum, and other ancient sights. We accomplished so much in just two days!

Florence: We took part in a pasta-making class with a chef who was fantastic! Her husband was also quite charming. Our experience there was truly wonderful. Special thanks to our driver, who was incredibly helpful and informative.

Sorrento (Amalfi Coast): We began with a visit to Pompeii, where our guide, also arranged by our agent, was spectacular! His passion and extensive knowledge made the experience enjoyable. Next, we had a fun blind wine tasting. When we arrived at our amazing hotel, we were greeted with a surprise.

While in Rome, we encountered a minor issue, which our agent resolved quickly. She even went above and beyond by ordering us a bottle of prosecco to celebrate. We also took a car tour of Positano and Ravello, guided by a local from Ravello who was informative, knowledgeable, and delightful. We loved her! Our day ended with a lovely sunset cruise off the coast! Both days had excellent drivers.

This trip was a dream come true for my husband and me. Without a doubt, our agent made it the luxurious experience we desired. I highly recommend her and her team!

See more

Laura M.
Italy Trip Review: Florence, Amalfi Coast, Uffizi Gallery, 9 Nights

The trip went very well! Our Zicasso travel specialist did a thorough job planning our vacation to Italy. We would definitely use her again.

See more

Customizable Itinerary

This is a sample itinerary to inspire a personalized trip designed with your travel specialist.

28,000+ Verified Traveler Reviews
Zicasso in the News