Tour the REAL Italy & Switzerland with a fully escorted over-60 group!

Your fare excludes:

Day 1 - Alberobello

Join your tour group at the hotel.

D​ay 2 - Alberobello - Martina Franca - Ostuni

Today’s full-day trip starts with a tour of the remarkable zona dei trulli in the old town of Alberobello. This UNESCO World Heritage Site is made up of 1,500 ‘trulli’ - white painted houses with dry-stone conical roofs that date back to the 14th century, only found in southern Puglia. The sea of kiln shaped rooftops appears straight out of a fairy tale. Next, we visit the historic town of Martina Franca in the Apulian hills. With Italian cinematic good looks, we wander through the sun-dappled piazzas, baroque churches and palazzos of the old town. Rising above a patchwork of olive groves, cypress trees and the glittering waters of the Adriatic, we continue up to the whitewashed town of Ostuni - an image synonymous with Puglia and stereotypical Italy at its finest. Topped with a sand-coloured 15th-century Gothic cathedral, the ‘Citta Bianca’ (White City) sweeps down the hillside in a labyrinth of narrow alleyways and staircases, with pretty gardens, painted doorways and tiny Fiats and scooters parked on the cobbles. Our exploration will involve some uphill walking.

D​ay 3 - Lecce

Today we continue exploring this beautiful corner of southern Italy with a trip to Lecce. The old town is a masterpiece of creamy-coloured stone and intricate baroque façades. Dating back to the Trojan Wars, it was given a facelift in the 17th century and is adorned with crouching gargoyles, ornate stained glass and carved balustrades - the elaborate decorative style of which birthed its own architectural name, ‘barocco leccese’. We'll visit the cathedral and then an aristocratic mansion - where we'll enjoy aperitivo.

D​ay 4 - Matera - Altomonte

Our journey south to the Calabria region will be lengthy yet fascinating, stopping in the ancient troglodyte city of Matera. Thought to be the oldest city in the world after Aleppo and Jericho, the cave houses or ‘Sassi’ were inhabited for close to 10,000 years. Once described as the ‘the shame of Italy’ for the poor living standards, the residents were relocated in the 1950s. Finally recognising the historical significance of these dwellings, Matera was given UNESCO status in 1993 and was awarded the European Capital of Culture in 2018. Today, the caves are museums, boutique hotels and filming locations for Hollywood blockbusters. Arriving in Altomonte, we’ll stay for three nights. Our hotel is popular for local weddings and on these occasions we’ll have the use of a private restaurant and terrace.

D​ay 5 - Altomonte

This morning we take an orientation walk around Altomonte, a town known for its gorgeous churches, romantic stone squares and fabulous views over Pollino National Park and the Pellegrino mountains. The perfect wedding picture backdrop, Altomonte is known as the ‘Wedding City’ for the sheer number of couples that choose to marry here. The afternoon is free to explore.

D​ay 6 - Altomonte

The whole day is free to spend as you please.

D​ay 7 - Giardini Naxos

Today we drive south to the coastal city of Reggio Calabria or the ‘toe’ of Italy, separated from Sicily by the narrow Strait of Messina. Before we board the ferry for the short crossing, we visit the National Archaeological Museum - home to two full-size Greek bronzes of bearded warriors from around 450 BC. Known as the Riace Warriors, they were found at sea off Calabria in 1972. Our first taste of Sicily is the scenic drive to the town of Giardini Naxos.

D​ay 8 - Giardini Naxos

Spend the day at leisure.

D​ay 9 - Savoca - Taormina

Even if you’re not a film fan, you can’t fail to be wowed by today’s visit to Savoca. This small medieval village shot to big screen fame when it featured in the 1972 film, ‘The Godfather’. There’ll be free time to explore and soak up the rustic charms and cinematic scenery. Afterwards we visit the town of Taormina, the timeless jewel in Sicily's crown. Perched on a rocky hilltop with endless blue views across the ocean, the crumbling Corinthian columns, arches, and amphitheatre of the ancient Greek theatre are staggering. The one-time home of DH Lawrence and a stop on Europe’s famed Grand Tour during the 17th-19th centuries, the old town is a treasure trove of painted villas and tiled squares lined with chic pavement cafés.

D​ay 10 - Mount Etna's Slopes

We head about halfway up the largest active volcano in Europe to the Rifugio Sapienza, where it’s an easy walk across the dried lava to the smaller Silvestri Crateri. After a short stop we head to a Sicilian winery for a tour and tasting. Accompanied by local appetisers of salami, olives and bread, we'll taste four local wines made using grapes from vines grown in the volcanic soil.

D​ay 11 - Milan

T​oday we make our way to Milan. Take a transfer to Catania Airport for our flight to Milan. Once checked into your hotel in Milan the rest of the day is yours to explore at leisure.

D​ay 12 - Lake Orta

M​ake our way from Milan to Lake Orta to enjoy a day at leisure.

D​ay 13 - Orta San Giulio - Isola San Giulio

We’ll make our way to the town of Orta San Giulio, nestled into the hills. After a little exploration we’ll board a boat on this jewel-like lake, to the little island of San Giulio. On the island, we’ll visit the Romanesque Basilica di San Giulio.

D​ay 14 - Täsch - Zermatt - Täsch

Experience some superbly scenic rail journeys into and around Switzerland, as we journey from Täsch to Zermatt, at the foot of Matterhorn. From Zermatt, we'll take another train to a viewpoint for spectacular views over the mountains and glaciers, before taking a train to Täsch this afternoon.

D​ay 15 - Lake Orta

Spend the day at leisure enjoying the lake, one of the prettiest in Italy. Tour the UNESCO-listed collection of chapels in the hills above Orta San Giulio, or simply relax at the hotel.

D​ay 16 - Verbania and Villa Taranto

This morning, we’ll visit Lake Maggiore and its biggest town, Verbania, sometimes referred to as ‘the garden on the lake’. It’s home to the Botanical Gardens of Villa Taranto with almost 20,000 varieties and 3,000 species of plant. We’ll have time to wander along the 7kms of paths, taking in a small valley, terraced gardens and waterfalls, water lily and lotus pools, and ornamental fountains.

D​ay 17 - Lake Orta

Today is free to relax in your beautiful surroundings by the lake.

D​ay 18 - Stresa

We’ll journey into Stresa on the banks of Lake Maggiore. This lovely town has been popular with artists and writers since the late 19th century. The lake’s wind-ruffled waters are also dotted with three tiny islands, the Borromean Islands, and today we’ll explore two of them - Isola Bella (beautiful island) dominated by its 17th-century Palazzo Borromeo, and picturesque Isola dei Pescatori.

D​ay 19 - Lake Orta

Say goodbye from this amazing Italy tour for your onward travel.

**Please note the following itinerary is subject to change without notice.

B​ook and deposit by 31 December 2024 and save up to $1,414 per person*

3 - 21 October 2025, Alberobello to Lake Orta

• from $9,585 $8,235 per person twin share*
• from $10,649 $9,235 for solo traveller*

Call our team on 1300 414 198 to make a booking

N​ote: that prices are subject to change without notice.

• Grand Hotel la Chiusa di Chietri, Alberobello (4-star)
• Hotel Barbieri, Altomonte (4-star)
• Hotel Caesar Palace, Giardini Naxos (4-star)
• M​ilan Hotel
• Hotel L'Approdo, Lake Orta (4-star)

• Recommended airport arrival - Bari Airport
• R​ecommended airport departure - Milan Airport

Each of our tours has been given a rating from 1 to 3, with 3 being the most strenuous. It’s really important that you discuss with us your suitability for this tour prior to booking.

T​he above tour has been classified as:

• Level 2 - A moderately paced holiday with more long days. Excursions may require moderate walking at a steady pace, and you might be required to walk further distances, including over mixed terrain and up and down stairs.

Please note: This is a guide only. Please be aware that for each level you should also be comfortably able to manage the requirements set out in the lower levels.