Milan & Switzerland - Fly & Drive Tour

Informacje o miejscu docelowym: With something almost Northern European in the air, yet exuding Italian style, Milan is Italy's most cosmopolitan city. The capital of Lombardy is both hardworking and glamorous - powerful in businesses from finance to fashion and, of course, football. But what gives Milan its certain something is its status as the epicentre of Italian fashion and interior design. International fashionistas, designers, supermodels and paparazzi descend upon the city twice a year for its spring and autumn fairs: Milan, which has carefully guarded its reputation for flair, drama and creativity, is Italy's natural stage. This is certainly one of the best places in Italy to shop, or windowshop. Milan is the main industrial, commercial and financial centre of Italy and as such, is unsurprisingly business-like in appearance. At first glance, it lacks the wow factor, but if you take time and are determined to explore Milan’s streets, you’ll access its aesthetically appealing gems – and they do exist. Cut through the modern metropolitan bustle, and you will stumble across impressive churches and palaces, the pretty Navigli area, the chic Brera district and lively university quarter, and no need to mention a landmark such as the Duomo, or that the city is impressively home to Leonardo da Vinci's 15th century masterpiece The Last Supper. Milan cannot be faulted when it comes to having a good time. The Milanese know how to party – and they don’t waste time getting started. Nightlife tends to kick off at 6pm; enjoying an aperitivo in which locals unwind with post-work drinks and nibbles before heading home is the rule rather than exception. So whether you’re looking for cut-price fashion, an alternative city break or a chance to paint the town red, Milan has undoubtedly got it covered.

Informacje o miejscu docelowym: Enchanting Stresa: A Jewel of the Italian Lakes Nestled on the shores of the magnificent Lake Maggiore in the Piedmont region of Northern Italy, Stresa is a picturesque town that offers a blend of natural beauty, historic charm, and Italian elegance. Known for its stunning views of the snow-capped Alps and the serene waters of the lake, Stresa has been a beloved retreat for poets, artists, and travelers seeking inspiration and tranquility. Upon arrival in Stresa, visitors are captivated by the grandeur of the Belle Epoque hotels and the lush gardens that line the lakefront promenade. A leisurely stroll through the town's narrow streets reveals a collection of quaint shops, delightful cafes, and intimate restaurants where one can indulge in the region's culinary delights, such as fresh fish from the lake, rich cheeses, and exquisite wines. The town's piazzas, with their lively ambiance, are perfect spots to savor a gelato while soaking in the local culture. One of Stresa's most enchanting attractions is the Borromean Islands, a group of three small islands and two islets that can be easily reached by a short boat ride. Isola Bella, the most famous of these, is home to the opulent Borromeo Palace with its terraced gardens that seem to float on the water. Isola dei Pescatori, with its charming fishing village and narrow lanes, offers a glimpse into traditional Italian life, while Isola Madre features a botanical garden renowned for its rare plant species and exotic birds. No visit to Stresa would be complete without taking the cable car to the summit of Mount Mottarone. The journey offers panoramic vistas that stretch from the lake's sparkling waters to the distant peaks of the Alps. At the top, adventure seekers can enjoy hiking trails in the summer or skiing in the winter, while those looking for a more relaxed experience can bask in the breathtaking scenery. Stresa is not just a feast for the eyes; it's a haven for the soul. Whether you're looking for romantic escapism, cultural exploration, or outdoor adventure, this Italian gem on the lake is sure to create unforgettable memories.

Informacje o miejscu docelowym: Courmayeur stands at the 4,016 feet-marker of Mont Blanc, within a verdant basin surrounded by firs, spruces and larches, and of course mountain peaks, glaciers and other gorgeous and traditional towns along the Dora Baltea River that traverses the entirety of Valle d'Aosta. The welcome that locals give to their visitors and their care for and attention to the details are evident in the numerous lodging structures – from luxury hotels to typical Alpine baitas, from the historic cafes in the town center to the mountain huts in the vicinity of the slopes. And it was in Courmayeur that the story of the ski-lift began: in 1908 the Donzelli, Gilberti and Lora Totino families commissioned the first cable transport. Then, in 1939, this pioneering idea led to the Mont Blanc Society, which worked to realize the funicular running from La Palud to Punta Helbronner. Thus access to the mountains was expanded to include everybody, not just professional mountaineers. Today, with more than 62 miles of pistes, Courmayeur has established itself at the upper reaches in its winter sports offering, not only in Italy but on a European level, as well. Indeed, its alpine ski zone is frequented by skiers from all over the world. For Nordic skiers, there's nothing better than days filled with fun in Val Ferret, where slopes abound for both experts and non. These run in part next to a pedestrian path on the snow, allowing for pleasant nature walks just a few miles short of the town center. Not only, but backcountry skiing is also an option, with a descent over the Toula Glacier and over those of the Vallée Blanche; from here one can reach Chamonix – on Mont Blanc's French slope – by way of the the Mer de Glace Glacier. If you happen to be in Courmayeur, don’t pass up crossing Mont Blanc, Europe's highest mountaintop. With the Funivia Monte Bianco or Mont Blanc Funicular, visitors can ascend to over 6,562 ft in just a few minutes. During this trip - that begins in La Palud (at the heights of 4,347 ft) and arrives to Le Pavillon (at 7,129 ft a.s.l.) - expect to be rewarded with a magnificent view of the glaciers and grand peaks of the Alps. You can even visit an Alpine botanical garden and look out upon awe-inspiring glaciers, Alpine peaks, and the icicles of Mont Blanc. Not only, but Courmayeur is one of Alpine mountaineering's historic capitals, a topic on which tourists can learn more at the Museo Alpino Duca degli Abruzzi, located in the town center's Casa delle Guide and displaying a collection of documents, heirlooms and climbing apparatus. Easy to get to in any season of the year (from France and the rest of Europe by way of the Mont Blanc tunnel, and from other Italian Regions via the Autostrada connecting Turin to Mont Blanc), Courmayeur is an excellent vacation choice even in summer. What matters is its year-round natural beauty and its cosmopolitan atmosphere, both cozy and intimate yet social at the same time!

Informacje o miejscu docelowym: Chamonix-Mont-Blanc is a commune in the Haute-Savoie département in the Rhône-Alpes region in south-eastern France. Situated near the massive peaks of the Aiguilles Rouges and most notably the Aiguille du Midi, Chamonix is one of the oldest ski resorts in France and is known as the ""gateway to the European Cascades."" The north side of the summit of Mont Blanc, and therefore the summit itself are part of the village of Chamonix. MAIN TOURIST ATTRACTIONS • Mer de Glace. One of the biggest glaciers in continental Europe, accessible by the Montenvers rack railway. • Aiguille du Midi cable car. One of the highest cable cars in the world. • Brevent cable car. • Musée des cristaux. A museum exhibiting an impressive collection of crystals, mostly from Chamonix, but also from the rest of the Alps and worldwide.

Informacje o miejscu docelowym: Annecy in the North of the French Alps, is called for the tourism world the Venice of Savoie. The medieval town center built around a 14th Century Chateau is dissected by small canals and streams running out of Lac Annecy, which is clean, fresh and a wonderful azure color. Annecy is also the prefecture of the department of Haute-Savoie. MAIN TOURIST ATTRACTIONS Annecy’s Castle It is a restored castle which dominates the old French town of Annecy in the Haute-Savoie department. It was bought by the town, restored and transformed into a museum. The castle is listed as a historic monument by the French Ministry of Culture. The castle was built between the 12th and 16th centuries. Palais de l’Isle It is the best image of Annecy. Sitting on a triangular islet surrounded by the Canal du Thiou, the whimsically turreted, 12th-century Palais de l’Isle has been a lordly residence, courthouse and prison over the centuries. Today Annecy’s most visible land mark hosts exhibits on local architecture and history.

Informacje o miejscu docelowym: The city of Geneva has a population of 200,000 inhabitants and is one of largest in Switzerland, is the capital of the canton and is situated on the Lac Leman, also named Lake of Geneva, it is divided by Rhône River, which emerges from the lake. It is a nice and charming city with numerous bridges. The Gothic Cathédrale de St-Pierre towers over the vieille ville, Geneva’s old section of narrow, winding streets and flower-bedecked homes. Climb the north tower for a spectacular view of the old town. Most of the city’s museums are in the vieille ville. The Musée d’Art et d’Histoire prides itself on its eclecticisms. Exhibits range from ancient Greek vases to Dadaism art. The Petit Palais houses a wonderful collection of modern art in an intimate 19th century palace. Geneva’s lakefront is beautiful. The audacious Jet d’Eau is one of the world’s tallest fountain. Don’t miss the manicured Jardin Anglais with its famous Horloge Fleurie, a large clock adorned with flowers, erected in homage to Geneva’s clock industry. Geneva remains the international city it has been for centuries, epitomizing the Swiss neutrality which has welcomed such diverse visitors as Lenin and Borges. Today, diplomats and the executives of innumerable corporations fill Geneva’s offices, though seldom its spotless streets. Sedate and picturesque, Geneva is the most pleasant city in Switzerland.

Informacje o miejscu docelowym: On the shores of Lac Léman at the foot of towering Alpine peaks, Lausanne is the seat of the International Olympic Committee. In summer, the Quai d’Ouchy becomes the equivalent of a Mediterranean resort with sailing, swimming, and waterskiing. But Lausanne was once the seat of bishops, and its old sections retain an ecclesiastic, medieval air. The rue Cité Devant and rue Cité Derrière comprise the heart of the old city. These medieval streets lead to the beautiful Gothic Cathédrale. Famed for its rose windows, it’s one of the outstanding monuments of Switzerland. The Château Saint-Maire is a short walk up from the cathedral and has a large and sunny terrace, which offers a good view of Lac Léman. Place de la Palud, nearby, has a large fountain where young people congregate. Place St-François, a small, quaint shopping district, is also a good spot for people-watching. The church of St-François has brilliantly coloured stained glass windows and a 15th century steeple. The Olympic Museum presents the philosophy of the Olympics and recounts their history. The quai de Belgique is a lakeside promenade flanked by flowers, immaculate gardens, small fountains and benches. Nature-lovers will also enjoy the statues and placid ponds of the Parc du Denantou at the end of quai d’Ouchy. Home to two highly regarded universities, Lausanne is a happening and dynamic city offering many attractions and activities. Lausanne is, as well, a city for active night owls, over the past decade Lausanne has transformed itself into the nightlife capital of French-speaking Switzerland: bars, nightclubs, pubs, discos, jazz clubs, theatres, etc. The city offers a wide range of establishments. If you happen to be in Lausanne in July, make sure you don't miss the Festival de la Cite. In the streets of the old town, this festival presents all types of performing arts, from dancing to theatre to rock concerts

Informacje o miejscu docelowym: Montreux is a municipality in the district of Riviera-Pays-d'Enhaut in the canton of Vaud in Switzerland. It is located on Lake Geneva at the foot of the Alps. MAIN TOURIST ATTRACTIONS • Château de Chillon. A historic castle and the country's most visited place, on a small island in Lake Geneva only a few meters from the shore. The Castle is more famous in modern times for having inspired Lord Byron's poem, The Prisoner of Chillon, based on the true story of François Bonivard, a political prisoner from Geneva who was released in 1536. • Marmots' Paradise. The mountains around Hauts-de-Montreux are threaded with forest trails, isolated villages, caves, grottos, and wildlife. • Casino Barrière de Montreux.

Informacje o miejscu docelowym: Capital of Switzerland, Berne is a calm, beautiful city, lined with 17th century arcades and dotted with colourful fountains. A cultural centre, Berne bustles with activity, and its people are easy-going and friendly. The best introduction to Berne is to stroll around its old town with its cobblestoned streets, marketplaces and colourful 16th century fountains. At the entrance to Berne's Old Town there is the clock tower with its famous moving figures. The clock tower dates back to the early 13th century and the astronomical clock dates from the 15th century. From there continue to the Albert Einstein House. Albert Einstein rented this small flat during his years working at the Swiss patent office. Here are numerous photos and original documents from Einstein's life, work, and speeches. There is a look-alike of the genius selling postcards and books. A small alleyway a few blocks down leads to the cathedral, which has a 100m steeple, and is a fine example of Swiss Gothic architecture. The Rosengarten allows a magnificent view of the old city and the River Aare. Berne offers many fine museums, several of them grouped together at Helvetiaplatz. The renowned Bernisches Hiatoriche Museum exhibits collections related to the history of Berne from prehistory to the present. It includes the Einstein Museum. The Kunstmuseum is the oldest art museum in Switzerland with a permanent collection and houses works covering eight centuries. The Swiss Alpine Museum’s collection of maps and old hiking equipment will interest visiting hillwalkers. Berne has got everything one needs: a great shopping mile where you don't get wet if it rains, a wonderful Cathedral, the river Aare to swim in, picturesque surrounding hills, good restaurants and bars with a dynamic atmosphere. So come explore this nice town, it won’t disappoint.

Informacje o miejscu docelowym: Interlaken is a town and municipality in the Interlaken-Oberhasli administrative district in the Swiss canton of Bern. It is an important and well-known tourist destination in the Bernese Oberland region of the Swiss Alps, and the main transport gateway to the mountains and lakes of that region. The town is located on the Bödeli, between Lake Thun and Lake Brienz, and alongside the Aare river that flows between the two lakes. MAIN TOURIST ATTRACTIONS • The Höheweg is Interlaken's main street which runs between Interlaken West and Interlaken Ost Railway Stations. Have a look at the ""Japanese Garden"", the 150-year old Victoria Jungfrau Grand Hotel, and don't miss the beautiful view of the famous snow-covered Jungfrau mountain from ""Höhematte"". • Jungfrau-Aletsch-Bietschhorn is a glaciated UNESCO World Heritage Site above Interlaken in the Bernese Alps. • Unterseen. Unterseen is a small old town near the Interlaken West train station.

Informacje o miejscu docelowym: Lugano is a lakeside city in Ticino, the Italian-speaking part of southern Switzerland. Part of a temperate micro-climate, Lugano offers palm trees, picturesque boulevards, stunning views of the lake and the Alps, and plenty of opportunity for outdoor and indoor activities. Lugano also makes a good base for visiting other cities and sites in the area. The city is a pleasant place to relax in the summertime and is only half an hour away from Lake Como. The Santa Maria degli Angeli chapel, designed by the world famous architect Mario Botta, is a marvel of contemporary architecture, with paintings by Enzo Cucchi. The chapel, built from 1992 to 1994, is dedicated to Santa Maria degli Angeli, and boasts innovative features in terms of religious building design. You can also visit the Parco Civico-Ciani. This area has both the features of an Italian and an English garden: lush flower beds alternate with green spaces and trees and shrubs from all over the world. The Swiss Miniature in Melide, which was opened in 1959, is the only miniature park in Switzerland. The detailed and authentic models include well-known sites such as the Heidi Village in Maienfeld, the castles of Burgdorf and Chillon, the Federal Parliament in Bern, and the Cathedral of Milan, the only model that can also be viewed from inside. Eighteen model trains travel between the buildings on approximately 3.5 kilometers of tracks.

Informacje o miejscu docelowym: Como is a city and comune in Lombardy, Italy. It is the administrative capital of the Province of Como. MAIN TOURIST ATTRACTIONS • Volta Lighthouse. Boasting some of the best views on the lake, this very high building will allow you to look down on the lake some 2000 feet below. • Cathedral. • Tempio Voltiano. A nice stop on your stroll along the waterfront, the temple to Volta is designed in neoclassical style • War Memorial. • City Walls. The ruins of the 12th century city walls, which encircle the narrow, winding streets of the old town. • Isola Comacina. A small island with ruins of several byzantine churches.

Informacje o miejscu docelowym: With something almost Northern European in the air, yet exuding Italian style, Milan is Italy's most cosmopolitan city. The capital of Lombardy is both hardworking and glamorous - powerful in businesses from finance to fashion and, of course, football. But what gives Milan its certain something is its status as the epicentre of Italian fashion and interior design. International fashionistas, designers, supermodels and paparazzi descend upon the city twice a year for its spring and autumn fairs: Milan, which has carefully guarded its reputation for flair, drama and creativity, is Italy's natural stage. This is certainly one of the best places in Italy to shop, or windowshop. Milan is the main industrial, commercial and financial centre of Italy and as such, is unsurprisingly business-like in appearance. At first glance, it lacks the wow factor, but if you take time and are determined to explore Milan’s streets, you’ll access its aesthetically appealing gems – and they do exist. Cut through the modern metropolitan bustle, and you will stumble across impressive churches and palaces, the pretty Navigli area, the chic Brera district and lively university quarter, and no need to mention a landmark such as the Duomo, or that the city is impressively home to Leonardo da Vinci's 15th century masterpiece The Last Supper. Milan cannot be faulted when it comes to having a good time. The Milanese know how to party – and they don’t waste time getting started. Nightlife tends to kick off at 6pm; enjoying an aperitivo in which locals unwind with post-work drinks and nibbles before heading home is the rule rather than exception. So whether you’re looking for cut-price fashion, an alternative city break or a chance to paint the town red, Milan has undoubtedly got it covered.