12 days in Switzerland, Milan & Lake Como Itinerary

A favorite vacation spot for more than a century, Lake Como was once an exclusive retreat for local aristocrats and wealthy people. It is not only one of Europe's most beautiful lakes, but also one of the deepest at more than 400 m (1,300 ft). Surrounded by elegant villas, the lake has become a popular holiday destination for tourists because of its range of attractions, from landscapes, wildlife, and spas, to activities like sailing, windsurfing, and kite-surfing. The area has been an inspiration for artists since Roman times. English poet Percy Bysshe Shelley wrote, "This lake exceeds anything I ever beheld in beauty…It is long and narrow and has the appearance of a mighty river winding among the mountains and the forests."

Immerse yourself in a snow-capped mountain wonderland in Switzerland's serene Alpine setting. See the world-renowned Matterhorn, Switzerland's second-highest mountain at 4,478 m (14,962 ft) tall, or zoom down the mountains on toboggan, ski, or snowboard. In the warmer seasons hike around the rolling green hillsides covered with pine trees and picturesque aqua blue lakes. Luxurious cities dotted with cozy wooden chalets and colorful flowerbeds balance quaintness with first-class cultural offerings. Indulge in the country's opulence of milk chocolate, cheese fondue, and keg-carrying St. Bernard dogs.

The Canton of Lucerne showcases the lakeside city of Lucerne with an impressive panoramic view of the Swiss Alps. At the heart of this historical old town, dotted with watercolor-painted houses, is the medieval Chapel Bridge, complete with gable paintings and considered one of the oldest covered wooden bridges in Europe. This holiday spot brings excellent opportunities for tours of the old squares and churches, including a 17th-century Jesuit church regarded as Switzerland's first sacral Baroque building. Your itinerary may include the Culture and Convention Centre of Lucerne, the Swiss Museum of Transport, or a cable car trip up one of the neighboring mountainsides.