Italian Lakes & Swiss Mountains

A scenic, nature-inspired journey delivering the best of Italy and Switzerland’s stunning lakes, intimate lakeside villages and beautiful mountains.

Small Group Journey
10 Days

Journey Highlights & Signature Inclusions

Experience the crystal-clear waters of glacial lakes framed by snow-capped peaks that have lured the elite over the last millennia. This unique tour covers 6 panoramic lakes, from Italy’s Lake Como, Lake Orta and Lake Iseo; Switzerland’s Lake St Moritz and Lake Lugano; and beautiful Lake Maggiore from the shores of both Italy and Switzerland.

  • Visit Italy and Switzerland’s ‘must see’ lakes, lakeside villages and Alpine peaks
  • 9 nights in exquisite 5-star hotels and one 4-star hotel
  • 9 breakfasts (B), 4 lunches (L)
  • Guided sightseeing in Lake Como, St Moritz, Lugano, Lake Maggiore and Lake Orta
  • Visit 6 panoramic lakes of Iseo, Como, St Moritz, Lugano, Maggiore and Orta
  • Visit beautiful lakeside towns including Bellagio, Menaggio, Ascona, Stresa and Orta San Giulio
  • Lunch and wine tasting in Franciacorta
  • Lake Como private cruise with access to Villa del Balbianello
  • Train journey on the iconic Bernina Express
  • Iconic cogwheel train to Lugano’s Monte Generoso for lunch, served with spectacular views
  • Entrance to Villa Carlotta, Villa del Balbianello gardens and Palais Borromée
  • Tour Director accompanying group
  • Deluxe VIP transport and boat excursions on Lake Maggiore and Lake Orta
  • Arrival and departure transfers on first and last day
  • Note: hotel city taxes, if applicable, are not included.

Discover The Itinerary

Explore your itinerary in detail, featuring carefully selected hotels, unique experiences, and premium inclusions designed to elevate your travel experience.

Day 1
Day 2
Day 3
Day 4
Day 5
Day 6
Day 7
Day 8
Day 9
Day 10

DAY 1: Milan

Welcome to Milan for the start of an unforgettable adventure. On arrival, transfer to your centrally located hotel to freshen up, before enjoying the rest of the day at leisure.

SINA De La Ville

Overnight Hotel / or similar

DAY 2: Milan – Franciacorta – Lake Iseo – Lake Como

Visit the Franciacorta region, characterised by rolling hills and perfect soil for the cultivation of grapes. Enjoy a tasting of the area’s most famous export, Franciacorta sparkling wine, followed by a light lunch. Afterward, enjoy leisure time in Lake Iseo to perhaps cruise the crystal-clear waters of Lake Iseo, surrounded by lush green mountains. The Lake’s stunning Island, Monte Isola, is the largest lake island in Italy and with a peak of 600 metres above sea level. Afterward, continue to Lake Como for an evening at leisure.

Grand Hotel Victoria

Overnight Hotel / or similar

Breakfast, Lunch

Meals Included

DAY 3: Lake Como

Explore magnificent Lake Como, a popular retreat for aristocrats and the wealthy since Roman times. Of glacial origin, it has been voted one of the 20 most beautiful lakes in the world. Your guided excursion commences with a visit to Villa Carlotta boasting luxurious interiors and an exquisite 17-acre garden decorated with sculptures, fountains and over 500 species of plants. Afterward, board a private boat to cruise Lake Como with a visit to Villa del Balbianello gardens, featured in the James Bond film Casino Royale, before arriving in Bellagio, the famous village located on a beautiful promontory with cute shops and cobbled alleyways. Here Enjoy a brief walking tour of Bellagio village before lunch with paired wines at a lake-side restaurant. Your evening is at leisure to explore, with a ferry pass to return to your hotel in your own time.

Grand Hotel Victoria

Overnight Hotel / or similar

Breakfast, Lunch

Meals Included

DAY 4: Lake Como

Enjoy the entire day at your leisure. Options may include a visit to Como, lunch at the exclusive Villa d’Este in Cernobbio, a visit to the village of Varenna or relax and enjoy the wonderful facilities at your 5-star lakeside hotel.

Grand Hotel Victoria

Overnight Hotel / or similar

Breakfast

Meals Included

DAY 5: Lake Como – Tirano – St Moritz – Lugano

Depart early for a train ride aboard the iconic Bernina Express. The stunning journey twists, turns and loops through incredible landscapes and across amazing bridges, following the historic Rhaetian Railway which is UNESCO World Heritage Listed. On arrival in St Moritz, enjoy a guided tour of this Alpine resort standing at a crisp 5,910 feet above sea level. Afterward, have time for lunch and to browse St Moritz’s cute shops, before departing for your Lugano lake-side hotel.

Hotel Splendide Royal

Overnight Hotel / or similar

Breakfast

Meals Included

DAY 6: Lugano – Mt. Generoso – Lugano

Your guided experience of Lugano starts with an excursion by train including its 1890 cogwheel railway up the 1,701-metre-high Monte Generoso for breathtaking panoramic views of the Lakes, the city of Lugano, the Matterhorn and Jungfrau. After absorbing the mountain and lake scenery, enjoy a wonderful lunch in the clouds at the Monte Generoso restaurant before returning to Lugano.

Hotel Splendide Royal

Overnight Hotel / or similar

Breakfast, Lunch

Meals Included

DAY 7: Lugano

The entire day is yours to explore this beautiful Italian speaking Swiss town. Stroll the pedestrian streets and piazzas littered with designer stores; people watch in Piazza della Riforma ringed with pastel coloured, neo classical palazzi; or stroll Lake Lugano’s scenic promenade.

Hotel Splendide Royal

Overnight Hotel / or similar

Breakfast

Meals Included

DAY 8: Lugano – Ascona – Stresa

Our Swiss discovery continues with a quick stop at the quaint village of Ascona on the Swiss shores of Lake Maggiore. Enjoy time for an independent lunch at one of its many lakeside cafés before crossing back to Italy along a panoramic route. On arrival, experience Lake Maggiore from a different perspective with a relaxing evening at leisure.

Grand Hotel des Iles Borromées & SPA

Overnight Hotel / or similar

Breakfast

Meals Included

DAY 9: Stresa – Isola Bella – Stresa

Enjoy a morning guided tour of Lake Maggiore and Stresa. The tour includes the ferry to Isola Bella, one of the Borromean Islands for a visit to the fishing village and the beautiful Palazzo Palais Borromée with its Italianate Gardens. Afterward, return to Stresa for an afternoon at leisure.

Grand Hotel des Iles Borromées & SPA

Overnight Hotel / or similar

Breakfast

Meals Included

DAY 10: Stresa – Lake Orta – Milan

Visit Lake Orta which features the beautiful Island, Isola San Giulio and many lakeside villages. Enjoy an escorted visit to Orta San Giulio and Isola San Giulio before celebrating with a memorable closing lunch. Afterward, if not extending your stay with us into Piedmont and the Italian Riviera, transfer to a Milan airport or the Milan centre.

Breakfast, Lunch

Meals Included

Upcoming Departures

Milan Commences

Milan Concludes
Commences Concludes Price   Spots Left Updates  
Sunday, 03 May 2026 Tuesday, 12 May 2026 $13,990 AUDTwin share per person +$7,100 AUDSingle Supplement
Sunday, 07 June 2026 Tuesday, 16 June 2026 $13,990 AUDTwin share per person +$7,100 AUDSingle Supplement
Sunday, 28 June 2026 Tuesday, 07 July 2026 $13,990 AUDTwin share per person +$7,100 AUDSingle Supplement
Sunday, 26 July 2026 Tuesday, 04 August 2026 $13,990 AUDTwin share per person +$7,100 AUDSingle Supplement
Sunday, 06 September 2026 Tuesday, 15 September 2026 $13,990 AUDTwin share per person +$7,100 AUDSingle Supplement
Sunday, 04 October 2026 Tuesday, 13 October 2026 $13,990 AUDTwin share per person +$7,100 AUDSingle Supplement

Feel free to contact us with any questions or to learn more about crafting your perfect journey with Ormina Tours.

Enjoy your private itinerary

Experience the ultimate in personalised travel with Ormina Tours’ private itineraries. Tailored to your preferences, these journeys offer complete flexibility, from your choice of destinations and activities to your pace of travel.

  • Depart on any date you choose
  • Fully Customisable
  • Unique Activities
  • Comfort and Privacy
From: Get a Free Quote FIT: Private Driver

Frequently Asked Questions

What services does Ormina Tours provide?

Ormina Tours provides land services in Europe. We cover most of Europe and are continually expanding. If your destination is uncommon, please contact us to confirm availability.

We offer Small Group Journeys on set departure dates (max. 10 guests for 2025 and max. 12 guests for 2026), tailored private journeys (full F.I.T. services), and booking and coordination of accommodation. From airport transfers to fully customized European travel, we cover everything, except flights

Where is Ormina Tours based, and do you serve clients worldwide?

We are an Australian company with offices in Sydney and Perth, as well as a team in Europe to ensure seamless service delivery. While based in Australia, we cater to clients globally and partner with over 250 travel agents across Australia, New Zealand, and the USA.

When is the best time to visit Europe, and do your tours operate year-round?

Europe offers charm year-round. May and September are popular for Australians, while beach destinations are busiest in August. Most Small Group Journeys run between April and October, while private journeys are available year-round. Early planning (at least 6 months) is recommended for busy regions like the Amalfi Coast.

Is travel insurance required?

Yes, we require all clients travelling to have travel insurance as this is a requirement for Tour Operators Insurances, otherwise guests must sign a release and discharge of liability waiver for us to accept the booking. If you need assistance arranging insurance, just ask.

Do you cater to travellers with mobility challenges?

We tailor all journeys to our client’s travel preferences and needs, including any mobility challenges whether it is special vehicles, travel scooters, hotel rooms with accessible showers and hoists. We also have expertise on most attractions and towns to know which are more accessible than others.

With our Small Group Journeys, any significant mobility challenge requires an accompanying minder/helper to attend on the tour as it is not always possible for our Tour Directors, drivers and guides to offer continuous care in a group environment. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact us.

What is the group size, and what happens if only two people book the tour?

Our Small Group Journeys are designed for a maximum of 10 guests (12 guests in 2026) to ensure an intimate experience. A minimum of 2 guests is required to guarantee departure (4 guests in 2026).

Should fewer than four guests be booked, you will have the exclusive opportunity to enjoy the same itinerary as a private journey at a preferential rate, giving you the confidence and certainty to book in advance. If you do not wish to undertake the small group journey itinerary as a private journey and we advised within the require deadline as disclosed, we will provide you with a full refund.

What is included and excluded in a Small Group Journey?

Our itineraries include accommodation, transportation, guided activities, and meals as marked – B (breakfast), L (lunch), or D (dinner). Exclusions typically include flights, city taxes, personal expenses, and any items not explicitly listed in the itinerary.

Do I need to tip?

Tipping is optional but appreciated for exceptional service. After booking you will be provided with some tipping guidelines should you choose to do so.

What is the luggage allowance?

Each guest can bring one standard checked bag and one carry-on. Please inform us if you need to bring extra luggage.

What is a private journey?

Private journeys (named City Breaks and Regional Discoveries) are not tours with other people. They are suggested itineraries for the city/region that can be fully customised with prearranged services, allowing independent exploration.

Can I choose my hotel?

For private itineraries, we recommend hotels in our itineraries, we can certainly work to accommodate your preferences.

Hotels are set for Small Group Journeys but you can opt to upgrade your room.

What currency are your tours priced in?

Tours (that is our Small Group Journeys) are priced in AUD for Australian residents, NZD for New Zealand residents, and USD for US residents. Other nationalities will pay in AUD unless otherwise arranged.

Prices are fixed once paid in full. In rare cases of significant currency fluctuations, unpaid bookings may be subject to price adjustments. If this occurs, we will contact you or your travel agent to advise you and you will have the option to either pay the full tour price by a certain date or accept the increase.

Do you accept credit cards?

Yes, though credit card fees may apply. Domestic wire transfers are also accepted.

What deposit is required?

Deposit amounts vary on the size of the booking and whether the booking includes tickets and admissions that maybe non-refundable or non-transferable after purchase. Full payment is due 3 months before your first service date.

Can I change or cancel my booking after making a deposit?

Changes incur a $100 fee per request unless additional services are added. Cancelling more than 50% of services is considered a cancellation, and fees will apply.
Any cancellation made by you prior to your travel (including any changes to your departure date) will result in the following cancellation fees:

Days of notice from notification to first date of service:

  • 91+ days: Loss of deposit
  • 90–75 days: Loss of Booking Deposit and 50% of the balance of the Tour Price
  • 75 days or less: Loss of Booking Deposit and 100% of the balance of the Tour Price

We always advise our clients to purchase comprehensive travel insurance to cover any unforeseen cancellations.

What are Ormina Tours’ COVID-19 guidelines?
  • Follow local laws, wear masks, and maintain social distancing as required.
  • Do not travel if you are symptomatic, recently exposed, or COVID-positive.
  • Stay updated on airline and country-specific protocols.

Have Questions? We’re Here to Help!

Reach out to our team for personalised assistance and start planning your next European adventure with Ormina Tours.