Switzerland & Italy: A Luxury Vacation in the Alps, Lakes and Coast

Starting way back in the Golden Age of Travel, a luxury vacation in Europe has, over the years, become synonymous with luxury. Whilst everywhere has it’s own take on that trademark timeless elegance, for us, few do it as well as Switzerland and Italy. Packed full of romance and jaw-dropping vistas, on this twelve-night getaway through Zermatt, St. Moritz, Lake Como and the Amalfi Coast you’ll go from helicoptering over the Matterhorn one minute to finding serendipity along the ethereal Path of the Gods the next. Home to chocolate-box villages, grand villas crawled in wisteria and precipitous roads and rails, luxury unfolds at every turn in this expertly-crafted getaway.

Peak Perfection

Your trip starts high up in the Swiss Alps in the picturesque town of Zermatt. Lying in the shadow of Europe’s iconic Matterhorn peak and strictly car-free, take a breath of fresh mountain air as you settle in at the intimate Cervo Mountain Boutique Resort. Rest up that evening with a relaxed dinner at Ferdinand before heading out to explore in the morning. Catching the cablecar up to the summit of Klein Matterhorn, you’ll be treated to 360-degree views of the 38 alpine peaks and 14 glaciers that speckle the Swiss, Italian and French Alps. For an altogether more intimate look though, we can arrange for you to take to the skies on a thrilling helicopter ride over the peaks before touching back down to the comfort of Cervo. With everything from hiking to paragliding on offer, we’ll ensure you see Zermatt from every angle.

Stylish St Moritz

The next morning, you’ll board the Glacier Express and settle back into the comfort of Excellence Class as you snake your way through the mountain passes to St Moritz. Greeted by the sight of the town’s glittering lake and wreath of mountains, you’ll check-in at the storied Hotel Kulm for the next two nights. Tomorrow, it’s time to explore the Engadine Valley alongside an expert guide as you take in the local traditions and charming villages before catching the funicular up to Muottas Muragl for sweeping views across the valley. Dust off the day with a gourmet chocolate tasting before exploring St Moritz’s acclaimed restaurant scene in the evening.

Lakeside Splendour

After one last Swiss slumber, you’ll then head across the border on Europe’s highest transalpine railway, the Bernina Express, to Italy. From Milan, you’ll then wind your way out of the city to the elegant shores of Lake Como and the opulent surrounds of Grand Hotel Tremezzo, your palace on the water for the next three nights. En route, we’ll arrange for you to stop off at a local winery for a tasting that’s sure to get the Italian leg of your trip off to an auspicious start. The next morning, you’ll spend the day exploring the lake the only way we know how – on a private boat. With a skipper for just the two of you, you’ll be able to explore the lake at leisure according to whether its the towns, gardens or villas that take your fancy, before stopping off at a remote island for a private picnic. Fill the rest of your days here with a guided bike ride along the lakeshore and a wine tasting lunch at the only winery on the lake.

Coastal Romance

Your trip ends down on the sun-dappled Amalfi Coast where you’ll spend a final four nights amid the clifftop bliss of Casa Angelina. Sleek and stylish, it’s our favorite hideaway with the romance only exemplified each night as the sun melts into the Mediterranean. Get into the swing of la dolce vita with a private tour and tasting at a traditional limoncello farm before taking in some of Amalfi’s most iconic views as you rise early the next morning to hike the Path of the Gods to Positano. Making your way uphill, you’ll feel as if you’ve stepped back in time with ancient Mediterranean gardens and the scent of holm and oak lining the way and traditional houses clinging to the cliff face. Tomorrow, it’s an altogether more leisurely pace as we arrange a private boat trip to Capri. Stop off to swim in the blue waters of the Faraglioni before exploring this storybook island town.

After a thoroughly glamorous 13-days, it’s then sadly time to leave this enchanting corner of Europe behind. Though with Montreux, Venice, Tuscany and many more left untouched, there are plenty of reasons to return.