20 Day Backroads Of Switzerland, Italy & France

Buongiorno! Welcome to Italy. Today begins your culinary journey of a lifetime. Upon arrival at the airport, you will be warmly greeted by our representative and transferred to your hotel. Crowded with ancient ruins and religious monuments, Rome still pulses to the beat of modern life and is packed with designer shops, restaurants, cafes and exciting nightlife. There are no activities planned for today, so if you arrive early there are plenty of things to keep you busy. One highly recommended highlight would be Vatican City and St Peter's Basilica. Entry to the Basilica is free however there is a small charge to climb the dome for a breathtaking panorama over Bella Roma. If there's time, visit the Vatican Museum and the Sistine Chapel or do as the Romans do – sip an espresso at one of the tiny streetside cafes and sample the many flavours of gelato that colour the city.

This morning will begin with a group meeting to discuss some tour logistics and to give you a chance to meet your fellow travellers. Following this we'll head out on a guided walking tour, passing the most popular sights of Rome including the magnificently renowned Colosseum. This fascinating city has more than 3,000 years of globally influential art, architecture and culture on display. For those captivated by this incredible city, known as the 'Capital of the World', remember to throw a coin from your right hand over your left shoulder into the Trevi Fountain, a practice said to ensure another visit to Rome.

In the early afternoon we'll take the train to Cortona, a lovely hilltop town in Tuscany, where we'll enjoy a scrumptious welcome dinner after checking in to our hotel.

After breakfast join your local guide for a walking tour of Cortona. This small, charming town sits on the top of a hill, enclosed by stone walls that offer spectacular views over the surrounding valley and Lake Trasimeno. In the steep narrow streets you'll find local shops that offer handcrafted goods and purvey fresh produce. You'll also spot many local restaurants that offer traditional Tuscan cuisine, the most famous dish being bistecca alla Fiorentina – a huge steak from the revered Chianina breed of cattle, which is raised in the valley below. It's one of Italy’s oldest, and highest quality, bovine breeds.

Later in the day you'll prepare your own meal with the assistance of a local chef. Learn how to create mouth-watering Tuscan dishes during an exciting hands-on cooking class. The menu will depend on the season and may include delectable specialities such as traditional pici (a fat spaghetti) with cherry tomatoes and pecorino, saltimbocca of pork tenderloin with bay leaves and fennel, or cantucci (twice-baked almond biscuits) with vinsanto zabaione (a light custard whipped up with dessert wine).

After breakfast travel by private transfer to the city of Perugia, a well-known cultural and artistic centre. Founded by the Umbrians, Perugia was the heart of the great Umbrian school of painting, which reached its height in the 15th century. Here we'll go for a guided walking tour before stopping for a delicious lunch in a local restaurant. After lunch we'll continue to Assisi, a UNESCO World Heritage Site best known as the birthplace of Saint Francis, the man who renounced all his possessions in order to devote his life to helping the people in need. Here, we'll also visit the Basilica of Saint Francis of Assisi, one of the most important places of Christian pilgrimage in Italy.

Later we'll return to Cortona to wind down with an aperitivo and some tasty snacks.

Today we travel to the Renaissance hill town of Montepulciano, where we'll visit a lively local dairy. During the guided tour of the farm you can see what it's like to live in rural Italy today from the stunning Val d'Orcia. During the tour we'll get a personal introduction to the various animals and their integral roles on the farm, and we'll taste some of the locally produced cheeses, accompanied by a delicious selection of salumi, or cured meats.

After our tasting we'll continue on to Arezzo, one of the wealthiest cities in Tuscany thanks to its tradition in goldsmithery. Even though the medieval centre was destroyed during World War II, Arezzo still has plenty of historical monuments, beautiful churches and museums, as well as a Roman Amphitheatre. And during a guided walking tour of the city you'll have a chance to take a step back into its rich history.

After our tour we'll return to Cortona, where the remainder of the day is yours to spend at leisure.

After breakfast we'll leave Cortona to travel to San Gimignano, known as the Town of Fine Towers. Here we'll enjoy a lunch and wine tasting in an agriturismo – an independently owned farmhouse that also serves as a B&B, offering a truly unique experience for tourists.

After lunch we head to Gelateria di Piazza to taste their world-famous gelato and then enjoy some free time exploring San Gimignano and it’s stunning skyline of medieval towers, including the stone Torre Grossa, which dates back to 1310.

Our final destination today is the capital of Tuscany, Florence, where food plays a major role in the city's identity. Meat lovers should certainly try the bistecca alla fiorentina, a huge T-bone steak that's usually shared between two people, or ribollita, a thick and delicious vegetable soup that's made with bread, beans and greens. Ensure you don’t miss the signature sweet treat, panforte, a chewy dessert containing fruit and nuts.

During your free time this evening you might want to walk up to Piazzale Michelangelo, which is set on a hill on the south bank of the Arno River, to take in beautiful views of the city and watch the sunset.

This morning we'll enjoy a guided walking tour of Florence, one of the most culturally rich and beautiful cities in Italy, and known to many as the beating heart of Tuscany. The Medicis, Leonardo da Vinci, Raphael, Brunelleschi, Machiavelli, Donatello and Michelangelo all lived in Florence at the height of their creative reign. One of the highlights of our tour today will be a visit to the Galleria dell'Accademia to see the renowned sculpture of David.

After lunch we'll travel north to Lake Como, an area of stunning natural beauty. Set in the foothills of the Alps, Lake Como and its surrounding resort area offers some dramatic scenery. The remainder of the day is yours to relax or explore.

This morning we’ll be joining our tour leader and boarding a ferry to travel across the sparkling blue waters of Lake Como to explore the pretty village of Bellagio. The so-called 'Pearl of Lake Como', Bellagio is known for its cobbled lanes, elegant buildings and stunning lake views. Here we'll learn how to prepare the traditional meals of the lake district in another hands-on cooking class. Enjoy the fruits of your labour before continuing the rest of your day at your own pace, perhaps exploring more of this gorgeous area.

After breakfast enjoy a free morning to relax or to visit the many beautiful locations this locality has to offer. Feel free to take the ferry between the various parts of Lake Como, like Varenna, Cadenabbia, or the beautiful Villa del Balbianello, which film fans may recognise from movies such as Casino Royale or Star Wars: Episode II – Attack of the Clones.

Villa Carlotta is another waterfront villa open to the public. Once the country estate of a Milanese marquis, Villa Carlotta dates back to the late 17th century and operates today as a museum. It holds a wealth of artwork and is surrounded by acres of romantic Italian gardens. A further option is to visit the beautiful Villa Melzi. This grand white villa sits just back from the water, and its surrounding estate is filled with a plethora of rare and exotic plant life.

In the afternoon we leave Italy behind and travel to St Moritz, a luxury Alpine resort town in Switzerland’s Engadin Valley. Take in the beautiful scenery surrounding the resort, which is famous for its mineral springs and abundance of sport opportunities, both in summer and winter. St Moritz has twice been honoured as the host of the Winter Olympics.

A new adventure awaits us today as we board the Glacier Express, which connects the two major mountain resorts of St Moritz and Zermatt in the Swiss Alps. Famed as one of the world's most awe-inspiring train rides, the Glacier Express wraps around towering mountains, powers over lofty viaducts and glides past sprawling lakes. The route consists of four sections, each with its own unique landscape.

Upon arrival in the resort town of Zermatt, you’ll have the rest of the day to spend at your leisure. In the evening we recommend that you try some of the world-renowned Swiss cheese dishes such as fondue or raclette in a local restaurant.

Today we take the Gornergrat Railway from Zermatt town centre to Gornergrat, a rocky ridge located 3,089 metres above sea level and overlooking the Gorner Glacier. The Gornergrat Railway is Europe's highest open-air cog railway. From the summit we'll enjoy an amazing panoramic view of the mountains, including the magnificent Matterhorn, said to be the most-photographed mountain in the world. It's also one of the highest summits in Europe, with a peak of 4,478 metres.

From here we'll travel to Montreux, a traditional resort town nestled between steep hills and the beautiful Lake Geneva. Take the remainder of the day to settle in and revel in your picture-postcard surroundings.

Another gourmet experience awaits us today as we head out to discover the secrets of Switzerland’s most famous culinary traditions onboard the Chocolate Train. Our first stop is Maison du Gruyere, where we'll learn more about the production of this famous cheese. Before we depart we'll have time to explore the charming medieval town of Gruyères and its impressive castle.

Later we continue on our magical gastronomical journey to Maison Cailler, where we’ll discover the secrets to making great Swiss chocolate. First established in 1820, this chocolatier is one of the oldest in Switzerland and makes for a sweet excursion.

Upon returning to Montreux, spend the evening at your leisure.

After breakfast this morning we'll depart Montreux and drive alongside the stunning Lake Geneva before heading up and over the Jura Mountains into France. Our first destination today will be Le Fort des Rousses – perhaps the most unusual fromagerie you'll ever have the pleasure to visit. The Comté producer (a raw-milk cheese that's unique to the region) is housed within a vast former military fortress that boasts kilometres of underground tunnels. Here we'll enjoy a cheese tour after being welcomed by our host for the next three days, Chef Jacques Reymond.

After our tour we'll head for lunch at a local restaurant that overlooks the beautiful Lake Vouglans – the first of many meals with our host, Jacques. Following lunch we'll travel to the town of Lons-le-Saunier, tucked into the foot of the Jura escarpment. We'll check into our hotel and freshen up before heading to the medieval city of Cuiseaux for dinner. Prior to arriving at the restaurant, Jacques will host a walking tour of his home town.

Tonight we'll dine with Jacques at a one-off chef's table dinner, where he’ll cook some of his favourite local dishes.

Today we continue our delightful culinary journey with Chef Jacques Reymond. First on the agenda is Louhans, a commune renowned for its poultry market. We'll enjoy a walking tour around the town before continuing on to Tournus where we'll savour a six-course lunch with wine pairings at Michelin-starred restaurant Aux Terrasses.

Following lunch we'll drive to Varennes-Saint-Sauveur to visit a chicken farm in the famous Bresse region. Bresse is noted for the one million-plus chickens raised per year by its 330 stock breeders; they're recognised as the highest quality chickens in the world, and as such, the birds also command the highest prices. From here we continue on a lovely scenic drive through the communes of Dommartin-lès-Cuiseaux and Maynal before taking the stunning Route des Vins (wine route) back towards Lons-le-Saunier. En route we'll visit a winery in the quaint village of Rotalier.

Upon arrival back at our hotel, take some time to freshen up before we head to dinner with Jacques at one of his friend's local restaurants in Lons-le-Saunier.

This morning we'll drive to the cliffside commune of Château-Chalon. En route we'll stop at a winery for a tasting. Upon arrival at Château-Chalon enjoy a sightseeing tour of the local vineyards and the picturesque village. Lunch will be served at a beautiful provincial restaurant. After lunch we depart Chalon and head to Baume-les-Messieurs, a small town almost completely surrounded by limestone cliffs some 200 metres tall. Delight in a short village walk here, stopping to visit Abbaye Impériale, a beautiful abandoned Benedictine abbey complex and the centrepiece of this old village. From here we return to our hotel in Lons-le-Saunier to freshen up before heading to dinner with Jacques at a local restuarant for some true French fare.

For further information on the beautiful Château-Chalon, check out our snapshot article by clicking HERE.

Enjoy a leisurely start this morning, taking some time to enjoy your last moments in Lons-le-Saunier before we depart.

Our first stop today will be the tiny commune of L’Etoile, where Jacques will introduce us to a local winemaker to learn all about his wines and vineyard. We continue from here to the Hostellerie de Levernois – a luxurious hotel and adjoining gourmet restaurant, set in a 4.5-hectare park along the River Bouzaize – where we'll enjoy lunch.

After lunch we'll depart for Beaune, an elegant walled town at the centre of the Burgundy winemaking region of France that's surrounded by the Côte d'Or vineyards. This beautiful cobbled town is known for its annual charity wine auction. Upon arrival in Beaune enjoy a guided city tour, including a visit to La Moutarderie Fallot, otherwise known as the Fallot Mustard Mill. The last independent and family mustard mill in Burgundy, Fallot offers interactive displays that document the history of mustard and explain how the condiment is made.

Today we’ll explore the storybook countryside of Beaune, the wine capital of Burgundy. From meeting local winemakers to strolling through the enchanting vineyards and tasting famous reds and whites during a guided walking tour, well uncover every aspect of this historic region's wine industry. The wines from this region rank among some of the most expensive in the world due to their reputation, quality, and small production quantities.

This morning we'll visit the gorgeous Hospices de Beaune with its stunning 15th-century gothic architecture; this prestigious historical monument is one of France’s finest and now features a museum. The Hospices de Beaune, otherwise known as the Hôtel-Dieu de Beaune, also plays host to the town's famous annual wine auction. After a guided tour here, we depart Beaune and travel to the commune of Vonnas, where we'll enjoy a delicious farewell lunch and rediscover the spirit of times gone by.

Following lunch we'll continue on to Lyon, an alluring and richly historical city that sits at the junction of the Rhône and Saône rivers. Upon arrival we'll take a guided walking tour and explore 2,000 years of history. Enjoy the rest of your final evening in France at your leisure.

Your extraordinary culinary adventure comes to an end this morning. Enjoy some free time before departing for the airport to board your flight home. We hope you return home inspired and enlightened.

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