Bolzano , Italy
ITALY
Lake Lugano , Switzerland Aosta , Italy
ITINERARY
DAY 1 • Depart U . S . Depart today on your flight to Geneva , Switzerland .
DAY 2 • Geneva , Switzerland • Chamonix , France Upon arrival in Geneva , transfer to Chamonix , France , where you ’ ll meet your fellow travelers , including those on our Catalonia , Spain : Barcelona , Girona & Tarragona pre-trip extension . Hotel Mercure Centre Chamonix or similar
DAY 3 • Montenvers Train ride • La Mer de Glace glacier Take the historic Montenvers Railway up the sides of the Aiguilles de Chamonix to an altitude of around 6,276 feet , then disembark to explore La Mer de Glace glacier .
Meals : B , D | Hotel Mercure Centre Chamonix or similar
DAY 4 • Chamonix • Aiguille Du Midi Take a funicular to Aiguille Du Midi , the highest mountain peak that can be reached by an aerial lift .
Meals : B , L | Hotel Mercure Centre Chamonix or similar
DAY 5 • Biella , Italy • Aosta Journey to Biella , Italy today , driving through the Mont Blanc Tunnel . Along the way , visit the ancient Roman city of Aosta . Meals : B , L , D | Augustus Hotel or similar
DAY 6 • Biella • Visit the Oropa Sacred Mount • Home-Hosted Dinner Discover the city of Biella , including the medieval Piazzo Square and historic Palazzo Ferrero . This afternoon , we ’ ll visit the Oropa Sacred Mount : A UNESCO World Heritage Site located nearly 4,000 feet above sea level . Then , meet a local Alpine Italian family during a Home-Hosted Dinner . Meals : B , D | Augustus Hotel or similar
DAY 7 • A Day in the Life of a local cheese farm Experience A Day in the Life of a typical Italian cheese farm . The farm ’ s owners will show us their animals and explain the cheese making process . We ’ ll help with some chores then head to the farmhouse to prepare a meal with the family . Meals : B , L | Augustus Hotel or similar
DAY 8 • Lugano , Switzerland • Winery visit • Arborio village Along the way to Lugano , stop to visit a winery in Italy ’ s Piedmont region . Then head to the village of Arborio to learn about its production of the rice that is used to make creamy Italian risotto . Meals : B , L | Hotel de la Paix or similar
DAY 9 • Lugano • Lake Lugano boat ride • Funicular to Mount Bre Witness the beauty of Lugano from both the water and the mountain top . Begin with a private boat ride on glacial Lake Lugano , then — once back on land — climb aboard a funicular and ascend to the top of Mount Bre . Meals : B , D | Hotel de la Paix or similar
DAY 10 • Lugano • Optional Lake Como tour Enjoy a day on your own in Lugano . Or , join us on an optional tour to the resort town of Tremezzo , located on the shores of iconic Lake Como . Meals : B | Hotel de la Paix or similar
DAY 11 • Monza Duomo • Bolzano Journey to Bolzano — the capital of the South Tyrol region . Along the way , stop in Monza to visit its impressive Duomo .
Meals : B , L | Parkhotel Laurin or similar
ADVENTURE HIGHLIGHT
On Day 3 , ride the historic Montenvers Railway up the sides of the Aiguilles de Chamonix .
Information & Reservations 1-800-955-1925 www . oattravel . com / fsa 125