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Swiss and Italian Scenic Journey: Zurich to Cortona with Bernina Express & Wine Tours

Viewed by 134 travelers

Day 1: Departure Toronto

Toronto, Canada on May 29, 2025

6:00pm

Pre-flight Dinner

Have an early dinner at 'Canoe' near the airport for refined Canadian cuisine with city views before your flight.
CAD50, 1h30m

8:15pm

Flight to Zurich

Depart from Toronto Pearson International Airport on an overnight flight to Zurich.
Included in airfare, 8h15m
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Day 2: Arrival & Zurich

Zurich, Switzerland on June 13, 2025

10:30am

Arrive in Zurich

Land at Zurich Airport and transfer to your accommodation KAYA Zurich Apartment.
Taxi approx CHF 40, 1h

12:00pm

Lunch at Hiltl

Enjoy Zurich’s famous vegetarian dishes at Hiltl, the oldest vegetarian restaurant in the world, open 11:30am-10pm.
CHF 25-40, 1h

1:00pm

Explore Old Town

Walk and explore Zurich’s charming Old Town, visiting landmarks like Grossmünster and Niederdorf district.
Free, 2h

3:00pm

Check-in KAYA Zurich Apartment

Check into your apartment and relax before dinner.
Prepaid, N/A

6:30pm

Dinner at Zeughauskeller

Dine at Zeughauskeller, a traditional Swiss restaurant known for sausage and hearty dishes (open till 11pm).
CHF 30-50, 1h30m
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Day 3: Zurich to Spiez via Lucerne

Zurich to Spiez, Switzerland on June 14, 2025

8:00am

Breakfast at Babu's Bakery & Coffeehouse

Have a fresh Swiss style breakfast in Zurich at Babu’s Bakery before heading out (opens 7am).
CHF 15-25, 1h

9:30am

Train to Lucerne

Take a train from Zurich HB to Lucerne (about 1h), enjoy lakeside views upon arrival.
CHF 30, 1h

10:30am

Explore Lucerne Old Town

Stroll through Lucerne’s medieval old town, visit Chapel Bridge and Water Tower, open all day.
Free, 1h30m

12:00pm

Lunch at Rathaus Brauerei

Try Swiss brewery fare at Rathaus Brauerei with local beers and Zurich-style veal sausage.
CHF 25-40, 1h

1:30pm

Train to Spiez

Continue train journey from Lucerne to Spiez (approx 2h), enjoy scenic views during travel.
CHF 40, 2h

3:30pm

Check-in Accommodation

Check into your accommodation in Spiez and unwind.
Prepaid, N/A

6:30pm

Dinner at Restaurant Seehof

Dine lakeside at Restaurant Seehof, famous for fresh fish and Swiss dishes (open til 9:30pm).
CHF 40-60, 1h30m
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Day 4: Spiez & Lake Thun

Spiez, Switzerland on June 15, 2025

8:00am

Breakfast at Hotel or local café

Start your day with a classic Swiss breakfast at your hotel or nearby Café Falco.
CHF 15, 1h

9:30am

Spiez Castle & Gardens

Tour Spiez Castle and its beautiful lakeside gardens, open 9am-5pm, learn about medieval history.
CHF 10, 1h30m

11:30am

Lake Thun boat cruise

Take a 2-hour scenic boat cruise on Lake Thun, enjoy mountain views and charming villages (check summer schedule).
CHF 25, 2h

2:00pm

Lunch at Restaurant Schlossberg

Enjoy lunch with panoramic lake views at Schlossberg, open 11:30am-3pm.
CHF 30-50, 1h

3:30pm

Walk along the lakeside promenade

Leisurely stroll along Spiez lakeside promenade, visit vineyards along the way.
Free, 1h

6:30pm

Dinner at Restaurant Alpina

Experience traditional Swiss cuisine at Restaurant Alpina, known for rösti and fresh local dishes.
CHF 35-55, 1h30m
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Day 5: Day Trip Bern & Thun

Bern & Thun, Switzerland on June 16, 2025

7:30am

Breakfast at accommodation

Enjoy a hearty breakfast to prepare for a day trip exploring Bern and Thun.
Included, 1h

8:30am

Train to Bern

Take the train from Spiez to Bern (approx 30 mins), arrive early to beat crowds.
CHF 20, 30m

9:00am

Explore Bern Old Town

Visit Zytglogge Clock Tower, Bear Park, and the rose garden with city views, open all day.
Free, 3h

12:00pm

Lunch at Restaurant Kornhauskeller

Enjoy elegant Swiss and Central European dishes in this unique vaulted cellar setting.
CHF 40-60, 1h

1:30pm

Train to Thun

Continue by train from Bern to Thun (approx 30 mins) to explore lakeside town.
CHF 15, 30m

2:00pm

Visit Thun Castle and Old Town

Tour Thun Castle museum and stroll through historical streets with cafes and shops.
CHF 15, 2h

4:30pm

Return to Spiez

Train back to Spiez (approx 20 mins) and relax for the evening.
CHF 15, 20m

6:30pm

Dinner at Bistro du Parc

Casual dinner by the lake in Spiez serving fresh local ingredients and seasonal dishes.
CHF 30, 1h30m
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Day 6: Outdoor Adventure

Spiez, Switzerland on June 17, 2025

8:00am

Breakfast at accommodation

Eat a nutritious breakfast to fuel your day outdoors.
Included, 1h

9:00am

Hiking Stockhorn

Take the cable car up Stockhorn (9am-5pm open hours), hike and enjoy panoramic Alpine views.
CHF 40 roundtrip, 4h

1:00pm

Picnic lunch on Stockhorn

Bring a packed lunch or buy local snacks at the summit for a relaxing picnic.
CHF 15, 1h

2:30pm

Return to Spiez

Enjoy the descent and stroll around Spiez town.
Included, 1h

6:30pm

Dinner at Restaurant Kartause

Dine at Restaurant Kartause, a cozy spot with Swiss specialties, open until 9:30pm.
CHF 40-60, 1h30m
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Day 7: Relax & Local Culture

Spiez, Switzerland on June 18, 2025

8:30am

Breakfast at Café Morgenstund

Delight in fresh pastries and coffee at this popular local café.
CHF 15, 1h

10:00am

Visit Thun Emmental Cheese Dairy

Take a half-day tour to the nearby Emmental region for cheese tasting and dairy farm experience (tours start at 10am, book in advance).
CHF 30, 4h

3:00pm

Return to Spiez

Relax and enjoy lakeside views or your accommodation facilities.
Free, N/A

6:30pm

Dinner at Restaurant Panorama

Experience dining with spectacular views at Restaurant Panorama, serving seasonal Swiss cuisine.
CHF 50, 1h30m
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Day 8: Prep Travel Bernina Exp.

Spiez, Switzerland on June 19, 2025

8:00am

Breakfast at accommodation

Enjoy a restful breakfast preparing for tomorrow’s scenic train journey.
Included, 1h

10:00am

Leisure stroll and shopping

Explore local shops in Spiez or take a short walk along the lake.
Free, 2h

12:00pm

Lunch at Café Vitznauerhof

Casual lunch featuring Swiss classics beside the lake.
CHF 25-35, 1h

3:00pm

Pack and rest

Prepare for next day’s early travel to Chur.
Free, N/A

6:30pm

Dinner at local pizzeria

Enjoy a relaxing pizza dinner close to accommodation.
CHF 20-30, 1h30m
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Day 9: Bernina Express to Italy

Chur to Tirano, Italy on June 20, 2025

6:30am

Early Breakfast and checkout

Have breakfast and check out early to catch the train to Chur.
Included, 1h

8:00am

Train to Chur

Travel from Spiez to Chur by train (approx 3.5 hours, allow extra time to arrive by 1pm).
CHF 60, 3h30m

12:30pm

Lunch in Chur

Quick lunch near the station at Café Restaurant Stern, open till 3pm.
CHF 20, 30m

1:30pm

Bernina Express Train

Board the Bernina Express, a UNESCO heritage train, to Tirano. Enjoy remarkable alpine landscapes.
CHF 90, 2h30m

4:00pm

Travel to Sondrio

Take a regional train from Tirano to Sondrio (about 50 minutes).
EUR 10, 50m

5:00pm

Check-in Stanza in Sondrio Coal

Settle into your accommodation in Sondrio for the night.
Prepaid, N/A

6:30pm

Dinner at local trattoria

Enjoy traditional Italian cuisine nearby, savor local specialties of Lombardy.
EUR 25-40, 1h30m
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Day 10: Sondrio Wine Tasting

Sondrio, Italy on June 21, 2025

8:30am

Breakfast at Stanza in Sondrio Coal

Enjoy a fresh Italian breakfast of espresso and pastries.
Included, 1h

10:00am

Explore Sondrio Old Town

Wander through Sondrio’s quaint streets and small shops before lunch.
Free, 1h30m

12:00pm

Wine Tasting at Sottovoce

Attend the scheduled wine tasting session at Sottovoce at noon, taste Valtellina wines.
EUR 30, 1h30m

2:00pm

Lunch at Osteria della Posta

Savor regional dishes with robust wines at this cozy spot, open 12-3pm.
EUR 35, 1h30m

4:00pm

Leisure time

Relax at your accommodation or explore nearby vineyards on your own.
Free, N/A

7:00pm

Dinner at Ristorante Pizzeria Al Mulino

Casual dinner featuring classic Italian pizza and pasta in a friendly atmosphere.
EUR 20-30, 1h30m
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Day 11: Cooking Show Italy

Sondrio, Italy on June 22, 2025

8:30am

Breakfast at accommodation

Have a simple Italian breakfast with coffee and focaccia.
Included, 1h

10:00am

Visit Local Market

Explore Sondrio’s local market for fresh ingredients and souvenirs.
Free, 1h30m

12:00pm

Light Lunch at Café Rossi

Enjoy a light lunch to prepare for the evening cooking show.
EUR 20, 1h

3:00pm

Relax or walk in nearby park

Rest and enjoy some leisure time before dinner event.
Free, 2h

6:30pm

Cooking Show at Local Restaurant

Participate in an engaging cooking show where you learn Italian recipes and techniques, booked for 6:30pm onward.
EUR 60, 2h
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Day 12: Sondrio Leisure Day

Sondrio, Italy on June 23, 2025

8:30am

Breakfast at accommodation

Enjoy a relaxed breakfast to start your leisure day.
Included, 1h

10:00am

Explore Valtellina Vineyards

Take a self-guided tour of nearby vineyards, appreciating the landscape and local wines.
Free, 3h

1:00pm

Lunch at Enoteca Nino Negri

Taste locally acclaimed wines paired with fresh Italian small plates.
EUR 30-40, 1h30m

3:00pm

Relax or visit local museum

Visit Museo Valtellinese di Storia e Arte to learn regional history or rest back at accommodation.
EUR 5, 2h

7:00pm

Dinner at Ristorante Da Martino

Delight in authentic local cuisine featuring hearty mountain dishes.
EUR 35, 1h30m
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Day 13: Travel to Cortona

Sondrio to Cortona, Italy on June 24, 2025

7:30am

Breakfast and pack

Eat breakfast and prepare for rental car pickup and drive to Cortona.
Included, 1h

9:30am

Pickup rental car

Collect your rental car in Sondrio at 10:30am to begin your drive to Cortona.
Included in rental, 30m

10:30am

Drive to Cortona

Enjoy the scenic approximately 4-5 hour drive to Cortona through Tuscany countryside.
Fuel cost approx EUR 40, 5h

3:30pm

Check-in Apartment Girabaldi

Arrive and check into your Cortona accommodation after a drive; rest and unpack.
Prepaid, N/A

6:30pm

Dinner nearby

Dine at a local restaurant such as Osteria del Teatro for authentic Tuscan cuisine.
EUR 40, 1h30m
Find Hotels in Sondrio to Cortona

Day 14: Baracchi Winery Tour

Cortona, Italy on June 25, 2025

8:00am

Breakfast at Apartment

Enjoy a relaxed breakfast at your accommodation.
Included, 1h

10:00am

Explore Cortona

Stroll through Cortona’s charming streets visiting historic sites and shops before winery tour.
Free, 1h30m

12:00pm

Baracchi Winery Tour & Lunch

Attend your booked guided lunch and wine tour at Baracchi Winery, savoring local wines and cuisine.
Included (pre-booked), 3h

3:30pm

Return to Cortona

Relax at your accommodation or nearby cafes.
Free, N/A

7:00pm

Light Dinner or snacks

Opt for a casual light dinner in Cortona or enjoy evening aperitivo.
EUR 15-25, 1h
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Day 15: Leisure in Cortona

Cortona, Italy on June 26, 2025

8:30am

Breakfast at local café

Try a local café for cappuccino and pastries.
EUR 10, 1h

10:00am

Visit Etruscan Academy Museum

Explore Cortona’s rich Etruscan history at this well-curated museum (open 10am-5pm).
EUR 10, 1h30m

12:00pm

Lunch at La Bucaccia

Enjoy traditional Tuscan dishes in a warm, inviting atmosphere.
EUR 35, 1h30m

2:00pm

Visit local vineyards or olive groves

Spend the afternoon exploring nearby vineyards or countryside by car.
Free, 3h

6:30pm

Dinner at Ristorante Logge del Vignola

Finish with a gourmet dinner featuring regional specialties.
EUR 45-60, 1h30m
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Day 16: Departure Day

Cortona to Rome, Italy on June 27, 2025

7:00am

Breakfast and pack

Have breakfast at your apartment and pack for departure.
Included, 1h

8:00am

Drive to Rome Airport

Leave Cortona early for Rome airport, approx 2h30m drive allowing buffer for car drop-off.
Fuel approx EUR 50, 2h30m

10:30am

Return Rental Car

Drop off your rental car at Rome Airport rental desk before international flight procedures.
Included, 30m

12:00pm

Airport check-in & relax

Check in for your 2:30pm flight and take time to relax or explore airport amenities.
N/A, 2h30m

2:30pm

Flight Home

Depart Rome on your flight home with memories of your Swiss and Italian journey.
Included, N/A
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