Switzerland and Italy
In Lucerne, the folkloric Swiss culture fits perfectly against the backdrop of spectacular Alpine scenery.
Down through the Italian lakes region, nature’s beauty continues to amaze, all the way to the picturesque canals of Venice. Further south, humankind’s imprint becomes more pronounced, from Florence’s Renaissance piazzas to the remains of ancient Rome.Due to national and/or religious holidays, some sites may be closed and your itinerary may be modified on the following dates in 2026: March 19, April 3-8, May 1, June 29, and August 14-15. These dates fluctuate each year—please contact us for more information.
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Day 1: Fly overnight to Switzerland
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Day 2: Zurich • Lucerne
Meet your Tour Director at the airportTravel to Lucerne
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Day 3: Lucerne
Take a walking tour of Lucerne
With your Tour Director you will see:
- Lion Monument
- Kapellbrücke
- Lake Lucerne
Ride to the top of a Swiss mountain
Take a cruise on Lake Lucerne
Explore on your own orAdd this in-depth excursion:
Swiss fondue evening
Savor a taste of Swiss culture as you enjoy a fondue meal, the country’s national dish that consists of delicious melted cheese and a lot of bread. Then, experience a bit of Swiss tradition in the form of yodeling, folk dances, and Alpine horns. (Just remember to pack your appetite.)
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Day 4: Lucerne • Italian lakes district • Venice
Travel via Lake Como to Venice
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Day 5: Venice
Take a ferry to Venice
Take a guided tour of Venice
With your expert local guide you will see:
- St. Mark’s Square
- Grand Canal
Travel by water taxi to the island of Burano
See a glass-blowing demonstration
Explore Burano on your own
Enjoy a gondola ride
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Day 6: Venice • Florence
Travel to Florence
Take a guided tour of Florence
With your expert local guide you will see:
- Piazza della Signoria
- Ponte Vecchio
- Basilica of Santa Croce
- Gates of Paradise
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Day 7: Florence
Explore on your own orAdd this in-depth excursion:
Pisa
Journey to Pisa on this half-day excursion. Enjoy a guided tour of the city’s Field of Miracles, where you can snap a picture of the 12th-century Leaning Tower, aslant ever since the third floor was built. This is where Galileo was said to have developed his laws of gravity. Also visit the adjacent cathedral and baptistery, which contain exquisite marble pulpits carved in the Gothic style.
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Day 8: Florence • Assisi • Rome
Travel via Assisi to Rome
Tour Assisi with an expert local guide
Visit the Basilica of St. Francis -
Day 9: Rome
Take a guided tour of Rome
With your expert local guide you will see:
- Colosseum
- Roman Forum
- Capitoline Hill
- St. Peter's Square and Basilica
Explore Rome during a food-themed walking tour
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Day 10: Depart for home
Add 2 more days
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Day 10: Rome • Naples
Take a train to Naples and Pompeii
Tour the ruins of Pompeii with an expert local guide
Embark on a food-themed walking tour of Naples and enjoy dinner along the way
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Day 11: Rome
Visit the Vatican
Take a guided tour of Vatican City
With your expert local guide you will visit:
- Sistine Chapel
- St. Peter's Basilica
Explore on your own orAdd this in-depth excursion:
In the Kitchen: A sweet taste of Italy
Discover why food plays such an integral role in Italian culture as you dive into this hands-on cooking class led by expert chefs. Learn how to make delicious treats (like gelato or tiramisu!) and uncover the history of biscuits in Italy and why they’re used to celebrate special days there. At the end of the class, enjoy your delicious creations.
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Day 12: Depart for home
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Day 1: Fly overnight to Switzerland
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Day 2: Zurich • Lucerne
Meet your Tour Director at the airportTravel to Lucerne
-
Day 3: Lucerne
Take a walking tour of Lucerne
With your Tour Director you will see:
- Lion Monument
- Kapellbrücke
- Lake Lucerne
Ride to the top of a Swiss mountain
Take a cruise on Lake Lucerne
Explore on your own orAdd this in-depth excursion:
Swiss fondue evening
Savor a taste of Swiss culture as you enjoy a fondue meal, the country’s national dish that consists of delicious melted cheese and a lot of bread. Then, experience a bit of Swiss tradition in the form of yodeling, folk dances, and Alpine horns. (Just remember to pack your appetite.)
-
Day 4: Lucerne • Italian lakes district • Venice
Travel via Lake Como to Venice
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Day 5: Venice
Take a ferry to Venice
Take a guided tour of Venice
With your expert local guide you will see:
- St. Mark’s Square
- Grand Canal
Travel by water taxi to the island of Burano
See a glass-blowing demonstration
Explore Burano on your own
Enjoy a gondola ride
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Day 6: Venice • Florence
Travel to Florence
Take a guided tour of Florence
With your expert local guide you will see:
- Piazza della Signoria
- Ponte Vecchio
- Basilica of Santa Croce
- Gates of Paradise
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Day 7: Florence
Explore on your own orAdd this in-depth excursion:
Pisa
Journey to Pisa on this half-day excursion. Enjoy a guided tour of the city’s Field of Miracles, where you can snap a picture of the 12th-century Leaning Tower, aslant ever since the third floor was built. This is where Galileo was said to have developed his laws of gravity. Also visit the adjacent cathedral and baptistery, which contain exquisite marble pulpits carved in the Gothic style.
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Day 8: Florence • Assisi • Rome
Travel via Assisi to Rome
Tour Assisi with an expert local guide
Visit the Basilica of St. Francis -
Day 9: Rome
Take a guided tour of Rome
With your expert local guide you will see:
- Colosseum
- Roman Forum
- Capitoline Hill
- St. Peter's Square and Basilica
Explore Rome during a food-themed walking tour
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Day 10: Depart for home
Add 2 more days
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Day 10: Rome • Naples
Take a train to Naples and Pompeii
Tour the ruins of Pompeii with an expert local guide
Embark on a food-themed walking tour of Naples and enjoy dinner along the way
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Day 11: Rome
Visit the Vatican
Take a guided tour of Vatican City
With your expert local guide you will visit:
- Sistine Chapel
- St. Peter's Basilica
Explore on your own orAdd this in-depth excursion:
In the Kitchen: A sweet taste of Italy
Discover why food plays such an integral role in Italian culture as you dive into this hands-on cooking class led by expert chefs. Learn how to make delicious treats (like gelato or tiramisu!) and uncover the history of biscuits in Italy and why they’re used to celebrate special days there. At the end of the class, enjoy your delicious creations.
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Day 12: Depart for home
Reviews
Refer a friend or colleague to EF and we’ll thank you with $1,000. Learn more
Your experience includes
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Airfare & transportation
Round-trip airfare on major carriers; comfortable motorcoach
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Hotels
8 overnight stays in hotels with private bathrooms (10 with extension)
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Regional-style meals
European breakfast and dinner daily
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Guided sightseeing
5 expert-led sightseeing tours (8 with extension)
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Entrances
Swiss Alps experience; Burano island; glass-blowing demonstration; Basilica of St. Francis; (with extension: Pompeii Roman Ruins; Sistine Chapel; St. Peter’s Basilica)
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Full-time Tour Director
Your culturally connected Tour Director is with your group 24/7, providing deep local insight while handling all on-tour logistics.
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Expert Local Guides
Your expert local guides are natural historians, adding cultural insight and global perspective on your sightseeing tours.
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Continuous Support
Your dedicated EF team helps you every step of the way—from recruiting and enrolling travelers to planning and managing your tour.
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Worldwide Presence
EF has over 500 schools and offices in more than 50 countries worldwide so wherever you go, we're there too.
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24-hour Emergency Service
Travelers and their families can count on EF's dedicated emergency service team.
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Peace of Mind Program
Feel secure knowing your group can change their destination or travel dates due to unforeseen circumstances. Learn more about your flexible options at eftours.com/peaceofmind.
Lowest price
Price is valid for students under the age of 20 at the time of travel that room in triples and quads. Minimum participation is required. Change and cancellation fees of up to the total price will apply. Applicable airline baggage fees are not included and can be found at www.eftours.com/baggage. Program price is valid today only.
Price displayed includes an Early Enrollment Discount; restrictions apply. To determine if you qualify, please contact your Tour Consultant. Tours departing between 10/1/2023 and 9/30/2024 may be eligible for a $100 discount. Tours departing 10/1/2024 and beyond may be eligible for a $200 discount; restrictions apply.
