Italy and Switzerland with Alsace and Black Forest (2025)

Day 1

Welcome to your tour with Europamundo! We’ll transfer you to the hotel and you’ll have some free time. In the afternoon, you’ll find information about the start of your tour on the boards located at the hotel reception.

Day 2

In the morning, we’ll take a three-hour guided tour of the Eternal City, combining a walking tour of Imperial Rome with a panoramic bus ride to admire one of the oldest and most influential cities in Western civilization. During the tour, we’ll see highlights such as the Arch of Constantine, the exterior of the Colosseum and the Imperial Forums, the Circus Maximus, the Baths of Caracalla, the Basilica of Saint Mary Major, the Pyramid of Cestius, and Castel Sant’Angelo.The tour will end at VATICAN CITY around 11:00 a.m. Afterward, our guide will offer an optional visit to the Vatican Museums and the Sistine Chapel.At the end of the day, we’ll include a transfer to the popular Trastevere neighborhood, known for its cozy restaurants and lively atmosphere. Return to the hotel will be around 8:30 p.m.

Day 3

Free day. If you wish, you’ll have the option to join an optional excursion. From April to October, enjoy a visit to the island of Capri; from November to March, discover Naples and Pompeii.

Day 4

Today we will leave ROME and head north, enjoying the beautiful landscapes along the way. We will arrive in FLORENCE, where we will go directly to the Michelangelo Viewpoint, which offers an impressive panoramic view of the city. Afterward, we will walk to the historic city center, where, after some free time for lunch, we will take a guided walking tour with a local guide of Tuscany’s capital—one of the most visited cities in the country, considered the birthplace of the Renaissance and home to some of the most influential artists and thinkers in history, such as Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo, Botticelli, and Raphael.Highlights include the Gothic cathedral (the Duomo), the ancient stone bridge Ponte Vecchio with its traditional goldsmith shops, and Piazza della Signoria—the political heart of the city, featuring the medieval town hall.The rest of the afternoon will be free.Note: We recommend wearing comfortable shoes for the visit to Florence.

Day 5

We’ll leave Florence early and head towards northern Italy, crossing the Apennines. In Venice, we’ll take a boat transfer to the city center for a walking tour of the San Marco district, where you’ll see the Basilica and the Campanile. We’ll also visit a Murano Glass Factory to admire traditional glass-working techniques. Accommodation will be in the Mestre area.

Day 6

Day 7

We’ll depart from Zurich and travel to Basel, a key city on the banks of the Rhine at the intersection of Germany and France. Here, you’ll have the chance to explore the old town, with its standout Town Hall Square and the impressive Cathedral that overlooks the Rhine River. Next, we’ll continue to Alsace, a French region historically contested between France and Germany. Alsace preserves its own German dialect, Alsatian, and features architecture and traditions with strong Germanic roots. We’ll stop in Colmar, a city renowned for its unique architecture, with colorful wooden houses and charming canals. Colmar is also famous for its white wine and excellent cuisine. You’ll have time for lunch and a leisurely walk through the city. In the afternoon, we’ll visit one of Alsace’s most beautiful villages: Riquewihr, a medieval town with cobblestone streets and colorful houses that look like they’re straight out of a fairy tale—and were, in fact, the inspiration for scenes in Beauty and the Beast. We’ll arrive in Strasbourg in the evening. We suggest taking a walk through the Cathedral and Petite France areas, both filled with charming spots and cozy restaurants.

Day 8

We’ll start our day in Strasbourg, the capital of Alsace and home to the European Parliament. The city’s historic center is a true gem, with its charming medieval streets, a stunning Gothic cathedral, and picturesque canals lined with flowers. We’ll include a boat trip through the canals of Petite France to fully appreciate this beautiful area. Afterward, we’ll cross into Germany, passing through the scenic mountain landscapes and towns of the Black Forest. In Freiburg, you’ll have time for lunch and a walk through this lively university city, known for its medieval center and impressive cathedral. We’ll then continue through the Black Forest to Triberg, one of the most picturesque towns in the region, famous for its cuckoo clocks. We’ll include admission to the Triberg Waterfalls, Germany’s highest waterfalls, which we´ll reach via a lovely walking path. Next, we’ll make a quick stop so you can take some pictures of Gengenbach, a charming town with a beautiful central square, before heading to Baden-Baden for the night. This spa town, once a favorite retreat for European nobility and the upper bourgeoisie, still exudes an air of elegance with its casinos, architecture, and parks.

Day 9

We’ll begin the day with some free time in Baden-Baden for a relaxing stroll through its lovely parks before we head to Rhineland-Palatinate. Our first stop will be Speyer, a historic city along the Rhine River. Here, you can explore the grand Romanesque cathedral, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and wander through the old quarter, where Alte Münze stands out. We’ll then make our way to Heidelberg, where a cable car will take us up to the impressive castle, offering breathtaking views over the city (tickets included). Your ticket includes access to the castle’s gardens, wineries, and the apothecary museum. Afterward, you’ll have time for lunch and a leisurely walk through the old town, including the Marktplatz. In the afternoon, we’ll arrive in Frankfurt, a bustling financial center known for its modern skyscrapers, historic old town, scenic views of the Rhine River, and vibrant nightlife. In a typical beer garden located in the historic heart of the city, Römerberg Square, we’ll enjoy a tasting of a classic German specialty: beer paired with Frankfurt sausage and sauerkraut.

Day 10

We’ll journey to France, beginning with a visit to the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, a small country where both German (Luxembourgish dialect) and French are spoken. We’ll arrive in Luxembourg, a cosmopolitan city that seamlessly blends its rich history with the modernity of being a financial hub and a key location for European institutions. Some of its highlights include the old town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, as well as the city’s fortifications, the Grand Ducal Palace, and the Notre-Dame Cathedral. After lunch, we’ll continue our journey into France. In the heart of the Champagne-producing region, we’ll stop in Reims, where you can marvel at its stunning Gothic cathedral, the historic site of numerous French royal coronations. We’ll arrive in Paris by the end of the day.

Day 11

After breakfast, our journey will come to an end, leaving you with wonderful lasting memories.