Overview

Immerse yourself in history and culture with this two-week excellent train tour package traversing three countries, six cities, and ten villages in Europe.

This tour starts in Milan, Italy's fashion capital and home to Leonardo Da Vinci. Then, you will proceed to Tirano, Italy, where you will catch a train ride on one of the World's most beautiful railways, the Bernina Express Scenic Train Route, from Tirano to Chur, Switzerland. From the German-speaking city of Chur, you will head to Geneva, a French-speaking city to discover chocolate and cheese making.

As you have already practiced your French pronunciation, you will cross the border and enter Lyon, France - the gastronomical capital of the World, the birthplace of the cinema, and the finest French silk producer. The next stop is Nice Cote D' Azur. Nice is the place to relax, breathe, and learn perfume-making. When days in Nice are over, you'll cross the border and head to the coastal region, Liguria, and spend the rest of your days of this trip in Cinque Terre - the fabulous five villages of Italy. You will return to Milan on the last day, where this tour ends.

Is this tour for me?

Tour type: Small group max 8 - average 6.

Travel Style: History buff and cultural geek who are active and genuinely curious.

Age limit: Over 18.

Level of Service: Upgraded - Fresh and sustainable accommodation and proximity close to the train station, including meals, private tours, and activities.

Solo Traveler: We believe solo travelers should not pay more than other pair travelers. Therefore, our group tours are arranged for sharing accommodation with the same gender.

Highlights!

• Get close to Leonardo Da Vinci’s masterpieces, Doumo Church, Navigli District, Scala Theater, and Sforzesco Castle.

• One day, heroic winemaking in Cinque Terre

• Board one of the world's most scenic railway routes and soak up stunning views - Bernina Express.

• Visits the mastermind of the Ridley Scott film Alien, Hans Rudolf Giger, also known as HR Giger.

• Full-day workshop at the Oldest Chocolate Brands - Cailler in Switzerland

• Educational tour in Gruyére Cheese factory

• Traditional cooking in Lyon, France

• Discover French finest silk at Maison des Canuts(Hermes Silk produce here) and the birth of the first cinema at Institut Lamiere.

• Create your very own Channel number 5 perfume at Grasse. A full-day tour of the french perfume capital.

Full Itinerary

Day 1: Meet & Greet

Welcome to Milan. Once you arrive and check in at B & B Hotel Milano, you will have time to explore the city before you meet with your guide and the groups at 18 00 at the hotel lobby for a quick tour briefing.

Meals included: No meals.

Accommodation: 

Day 2: A full-day tour of history and culture.

Your tour guide will pick you up at the hotel lobby at 8:00 in the morning. This full-day tour includes a visit to Santa Maria Della Grazia church, where Leonardo da Vinci’s painting ‘The Last Supper was painted directly onto the wall of this church. A climb up the rooftop of the most famous attraction of Milan, the Duomo Church. Roam the Museum La Scala and learn why Teatro La Scala remains one of the finest opera theaters in Europe. Amaze with the grandeur of Sforzesco castle and a pick on cafes, restaurants, and boutiques in Navigli District, where da Vinci also influences the district designs. The guide will then let you explore at your own pace at the Golden Triangle, where you can window shop some of the biggest fashion brands in Italy and the world. At 19:00, you will take a two-and-a-half-hour train ride to Tirano from Milan, where you will stay overnight at Eco Room and Breakfast.

Meals included: Breakfast.

Activities: Walking tour guide + entrance fees 

Transportation: Covered by Eurorail train ticket

Day 3: Bernina Express

You will board one of the most beautiful train rids in the world. This UNESCO World Heritage railway line blends with the alpine landscapes around the Albula and Bernina Passes. The Bernina Express links regions with different languages and cultures and winds gently through splendid scenery. The train easily negotiates the 55 tunnels, 196 bridges, and inclines of up to 70 per mile. There are many stops along the way you choose from, and enough time to enjoy the magnificent scenery. You will decide when you prefer to arrive in Chur, Switzerland, where you will stay overnight.

Meals included: Breakfast

Accommodation: Hotel Drie Könege 

Activities: History city tour + castle 

Transportation: Covered by Eurorail train ticket

Day 4: Switzerland’s oldest City, Chur

You’ll wake up and have breakfast at Hotel Drei Könege before heading out to explore the history of Switzerland's oldest city. You will visit a castle and check out the HR Giger masterpieces—he is famously known as the ‘Alien’ creator of the Hollywood Ridley Scott film and was awarded for his fantastic realism. After spending a day in Chur, you will proceed to Geneva in the late afternoon, where you’ll spend a few nights.

Meals included Breakfast.

Accommodation: Hotel Drie Könege 

Activities: History city tour + castle 

Transportation: Covered by Eurorail train ticket

Day 5-6: Cheese and Chocolate in Geneva

Your day in Geneva involves a workshop on the oldest chocolate brand, Cailler. This chocolate brand has been producing fine chocolate since 1796, with fresh milk from the local dairies and sustainable cocoa that ensures the quality of its product. You will also have an educational tour of the Gruyére Cheese factory and a stroll around the Medieval village of Gruyére itself. The following day, you will explore Lavaux Vineyard Terraces and its typical villages before crossing the border to France and heading to Lyon for a two-hour train journey.

Meals included: Breakfast

Accommodation: Hotel Terminus

Activities: 1-day chocolate and Cheese factory tour, including lunch -

Transportation: Covered by Eurorail train ticket

Day 7-9: Food, silk, and cinema in Lyon

After checking at the hotel, you will have the whole evening to roam Lyon. Lyon has been the gastronomical capital of the World since 1935, where the female chef dominates. Mérlyones, or Mothers of Lyon, are female chefs who brought the genuine expertise of excellent home cooking to the masses from the 18th century to the early 20th century. One of these females is Mère Brazier, who achieved legendary status when, in 1933, she became the first woman to be awarded three Michelin stars. You will learn to cook a century-old dish created by one of these female chefs called tétons de Vénus or Venus Nipples in one of 4000 restaurants in the city.

On the second day in Lyon, you will join a private tour of Maison Des Canuts and Institut Lumiere. Lyon is also known as the capital of the European silk industry. Chanel and Hermes's silk came from and was made by the Canuts( silk waiver in France) from Croix- the Rousse city district. Another interesting fact about this city is that it is also the birthplace of cinema. The Lumiere brothers invented the dual camera as a projector in 1890, attracting massive crowds to the theater and revolutionizing the cinematic experience.

On the third day in Lyon, you'll explore the architectural site and the many markets around the city before heading to Nice, French Riviera, in the late afternoon. A couple of days in Lyon will fill your curiosity and imagination.

Meals included: Three breakfasts and one lunch.

Accommodation: Nenea Apart Hotel & Residence(3 nights)

Activities:

Transportation:

Day 10-12: Relaxing and creativity in Nice

After a very fulfilling, hectic day in Lyon, you’ll relax in Nice. You can swim and relax on the beach with cold drinks or explore the architectural gems the city offers. On the third day, your guide will pick you up at the hotel and take you to the town of Grasse - the perfume capital of France. Grasse is the hub of perfume makers like Chanel, Dior, and other market perfume brands. You will visit the flower fields to understand how climate change affects the production of flowers, primarily used to make perfumes. Here, you will test your sense of smell by creating your scent by mixing different raw materials from flowers grown here.

After a day trip in Grasse, you’ll head back to Nice. Hop on the train and traverse the coastal railway towards the Italian border. You'll then spend two nights in one of the five villages in La Spezia.

Meals Included: Breakfast

Day 13-15: Winemaking and historical sightseeing in Cinque Terre

A UNESCO World Heritage site and a national park, Cinque Terre is a group of picturesque villages sitting on the rock with a breathtaking view overlooking the sea in the coastal region of Liguria. You will uncover the many exciting facts of the site, visit historical points, taste local produce, and enjoy the unique experience this place has to offer. You will stay at Riomaggiore, the first village in Cinque Terre, closer to La Spezia. Riomaggiore is one of the most famous villages to visit. It is known for its colorful houses and picture-perfect village that fits into one frame, crystal clear water, and cozy atmosphere. It is also a beautiful village where you can watch the sunset.

Your first activity is a full-day tour guide to Primaterra Winery, where you will be received by the owner and walk through the local winemaking process. Native grapes are cultivated in narrow and steep terraces. The wave along the cliffs makes winemaking here heroic due to the complex demand for work, from growing to harvesting, done by hand. The next and last day will be self-guided, meaning you will explore the five sleepy towns of Cinque Terre by yourself before heading to Milan, where this trip ends.

Meals Included: Three breakfasts and one lunch.

Package inclusions:

• One Eurorail train ticket, which covered all the destinations, including Bernina Express

• A self-guided pocketbook for the whole trip.

• Accommodation - 14 nights

• Meals - 14 breakfasts and two lunches

• Private tour guide in Milan including entrance fee; The Last Supper, Doumu Church, La Scala Theater, and Sforzesco Castle

• Chur history tour + castle

• Workshop and educational tour at Cailler Chocolate factory and Gruyere Cheese factory, including lunch

• A full-day tour in Lyon, including cooking, a visit silk museum, and a cinema museum, including lunch

• Private tour guide in Grasse including visits in the flower field, perfume-making and transport

• One-day tour guide in Cinque Terre, including a winery visit

Package exclusions:

• All transportation, accommodations, activities, services, etc. that are not written in the inclusion.