A mention of the Alps evokes images of snow-capped peaks, perhaps an occasional thought of yodeling, or Heidi drinking hot chocolate. OK, but beyond the cough drop commercials, the world’s most beautiful lakes lie collected in deep valleys: Geneva, Maggiore, Lugano, Como. Clear blue, reflecting the warm summer sun, flower-covered villas, palm trees, and snow-capped mountains.
Glacier skiing in Zermatt and an optional Venice visit for boating on the canals complete the stunning picture painted by this trip.
Tour Details
Duration
16 Days/15 Nights
Location
Switzerland & Northern Italy
Season
June - August
Tour Type
Road Touring
Nearest City
Geneva, Milan
Physical Condition Required
Good
Destination(s)
Alpine Lakes, Italy Switzerland
Distance Traveled
Varies Day to Day
Fully Guided
Yes
Guest Capacity
19
Support Vehicles
Local Rail Lines - No Sag Wagon
Bike Rentals Available
Yes
Bike Brands
Bikes are custom-built, 21-speed road tourers, designed for the biking that is done.
Accommodations
All hotels (and sleeping berths on overnight trains) are included in the cost of the trip. Blue Marble bypasses chain hotels in favor of family-run inns: pretty in the country, central in the towns. A 17th century courtyard is preferred to an in-room television.
Transportation to Start Site
Please Contact Blue Marble for details.
Dining
Breakfast (continental) is included, except on overnight trains. It is generally taken at the hotel. Snore.
Most dinners are also included. You are on your own for dinner (and its expense) two nights per “trip week”. Included dinners may be taken in a group, or you may dine on your own, or in smaller “sub-groups”, with suggestions offered by the coordinator. On nights when you prefer one of these latter options, funds will be distributed sufficient to permit a wide selection of restaurants.
Meals are special events, and a focus of the trips, especially in the Latin countries. Choice is never lacking. But Blue Marble pride themselves on their ability to show local cuisines, often different from anglo-American tradition. “Picky” eaters, or those with special diets which exclude food types or groups, may find this focus tiresome. And since special diets are rare in Latin Europe, hosts are surprised by them. Complex dishes may contain some food you wish to avoid, hidden as a seasoning. Chefs who take pride in their creations are not only unwilling (or unable) to remove the offending ingredient, but can be unwilling to even discuss the recipe! Fortunately, the flexibility of the meal program allows you to retreat to a pizza place if the cultural experience becomes oppressive.
About Liquor
Guides showcase regional wines and beers. Guests pay for their own drinks.
Rates
$3,895.00per personCurrency Converter (Rates shown are in US Dollars. Rates and terms are subject to change.)
Additional Rate Info
Optional Private Single Room Supplement: $575 See Blue Marble's website for Canadian and Euro prices.
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Tour Itinerary
Days 1-3 : Road Biking: The Jura Meet in the evening in the heart of the Jura mountains, on the shores of the lovely Lac de Joux, a center of the famous Swiss clock trade. Monacled guys in tiny workshops surrounded by Holsteins. Seriously.
A loop ride on Sunday carries you into France. The French Jura produces some of France’s best cheeses, and her most unusual wines. The biking is idyllic. Pedal through grand expanses of pine forest, pausing for dips in clear mountain lakes. Befriend trout and betray them at dinner. Back to Switzerland for the night: if the trout left you cold, have a Jura fondue, the local and delicious variant of the famous cheese dish.
Head south (mostly down an Alp), and to lovely Lake Geneva. A steamer across the lake (and back into France) takes you to Evian-les-Bains.
Days 3-6: Road Biking: Lake Geneva, the Rhone, & the Alps Visit Lake Geneva, by bike, boat, and train: Montreux, Lausanne, Geneva, and the pretty Savoie towns that line the water. Sail or swim in the fresh blue of the lake, practice your putt or gulp Evian from a public tap in the eponymous town on the shore. Perch is a regional specialty, as is mushroom-and-cheese-covered toast. Yum! Then follow the Rhône into the Alps, through fruit orchards and camouflaged military installations. Language changes from French to German, wine from red to white.
Days 6-8 : Road Biking: Zermatt, the Vispa Finally to Zermatt, at the foot of the Matterhorn: a relaxing place – unless you like nightlife. Alpine walks with a breathtaking view of the mountain (there’s no air up here anyway), hot chocolate and fondues, tennis... the peace of your stay is interrupted only by a vicious mini-golf tournament. Optional. Back to the valley below: 40 kilometers downhill. Wheeeee!
Day 8-9: Road Biking: The Ossola Valley The route begins in Switzerland, at the base of the Simplon pass. Not interested in climbing 4,000 feet over the pass? That’s O.K., some considerate soul built a tunnel. 50+ downhill kilometers into Italian Lombardy start you on your way.
Days 10-14: Road Biking: The Lakes, Ticino The descent brings you to the lakes, and to the Borromean Islands. Lakes Maggiore, Lugano, and Como are the backdrop of your idyll for five days. Bathe, boat, and bike, surrounded by the glory of the Alps’ natural splendor, terraced gardens with their toes in the water, 17th century palaces, and tiny fishing villages. Cable cars climb to five-star views, history abounds. Cross the border to Switzerland to visit a chocolate factory, and collect your free samples.
Days 15-16: Venice (Optional Trip Extension) Two days to explore incomparable Venice’s canals and islands. No city is more affected by light, the same scene unrecognizable at different times of day.
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