Day 2: Varenna and the Pilgrim Path  

This morning we board a ferry for a short ride to Varenna, a picturesque village with brightly painted houses and a medieval castle. Our hike to Bellano follows the historic Pilgrim Path, which links the Alps to Milan. Along the way, we take time to admire the Santi Nazaro e Celso, a Romanesque church built in 1348 AD with beautiful rose windows and frescoes of the Lombard School. After lunch we return to Bellagio by ferry. The late afternoon is free time to relax or take a swim in the lake. Tonight we head to a restaurant in the forest to taste the typical food of the mountains surrounding the lake, such as pizzoccheri and toc, a polenta and cheese dish. (Meals B/L/D)

Day 3 : On top of mount S. Primo, best view of lake Como (6 hours hiking, +400 mt - 700 mt, 9 km)

We begin our day at the Madonna del Ghisallo Church, home of the patron saint of cyclists and a huge collection of historic cycling memorabilia. We then transfer to the base of Mount San Primo and begin hiking through a beech forest and past an alpine farm that produces local milk and butter. We are soon rewarded with panoramic views of the rugged limestone cliffs of the Grigne Mountains. Upon reaching the peak of Mount San Primo (5570'), we admire the views of Lake Como. Weather permitting, we might see the sparkle of the tallest buildings of Milan to the west. Our afternoon highlight is a tasting of wines and cheeses of the Valtellina Valley, which is tomorrow's destination. Dinner is on your own tonight, providing the opportunity to experience the local fish, risotto, osso buco or other specialties (Meals B/L/-)

Day 4: The Bernina Express Train and Lake Staz (2,3 hours hiking, +200 mt - 200 mt, 8 km)

After a short ferry ride on the lake, we drive to the Italian town of Tirano to begin our train journey. The Bernina Express is the highest rail line in Europe and is arguably one of the most beautiful rail trips in the world. Our journey starts at Poschiavo Lake, passing through tunnels and crossing suspension bridges before arriving at the Piz Palu Glacier. We continue, crossing over the Bernina Pass at 7600' and reach the famous resort town of St. Moritz, Switzerland. St. Moritz owes its original fame to its therapeutic springs which were visited by guests as early as the Middle Ages. The Upper Engadin Valley, with approximately 90 mountain lakes and dramatic glacier-capped mountains, is a mecca for hikers and climbers. This afternoon we enjoy a moderate hike up to the fabulous Lej da Staz (Lake Staz). We overnight in St. Moritz the next three nights (Meals B/L/-)

Day 5: Alp Suvretta and the Lakes of Engadine (5,3 hours hiking, +650 mt - 770 mt, 12 km)

We hike in the footsteps of painter Giovanni Segantini, known as the Van Gogh of the Alps. Departing from our hotel, we hike to Alp Suvretta in the Bernina Range. An opening in the peaks will reveal some of the most legendary sights in the history of mountaineering including the Piz Bernina and the Biancograt Ridge. In the valley below, the colors of the lakes and ice melt into one as we look out over four alpine Engadin lakes. Returning to St. Moritz this afternoon, we visit the museum dedicated to Giavanni Segantini to view his masterpieces. Tonight's dinner is on your own; our guide will suggest restaurants for a hearty meal of traditional Swiss mountain specialties such as spätzle, cheese fondue or Rösti und Spiegel mit Käse gratiniert (Swiss potato dish with sunny-side up eggs and cheese). Italian influences abound and the pizza or gnocchi will not disappoint at all. (Meals B/L/-)

Day 6: Glaciers and chocolate (5,3 hours hiking, +580 mt - 820 mt, 11 km)

A transfer by public bus brings us to Pontresina (5,922'), the gateway to Roseg Valley, one of the most beautiful valleys of the Alps. We hike beside the Rosegbach River past European larch, stone pine and mountain pine to the Hotel Roseg Gletscher (6,562'). In the distance, the first glaciers of the Bernina group reveal themselves: the Caputschin, the Piz Roseg and Piz Glousciant. From the hotel we hike towards the Chamanna Tschierva Mountain Hut (8,441'), enjoying exquisite views in in all directions. Biancograt, the legendary ice ridge to the summit of Bernina, and a sea of 13,000' snowcapped mountains provide a backdrop for our picnic lunch. Our hike returns us to the Hotel Roseg Gletscher, and from here we take a one-hour horse-drawn carriage ride down the valley to Pontresina. We take the train or bus back to St. Moritz in time for dinner. (Meals B/L/D)

Day 7: From the Alps to Milan

Bidding farewell to Switzerland, we depart for Milan. Our scenic, sometimes winding drive features the 5,955' Maloja Pass, ancient stone villages and green hillsides. We stop at the Cascate dell'Acqua Fraggia, an incredible 328' waterfall that so impressed Leonardo da Vinci, he commented on it in his "Codex Atlanticus." We continue to the small, incredibly scenic mountain town of Chiavenna. Walking the cobblestone streets that border the Mera River, we reach the Paradiso Botanical Archaeological Park and explore the open air gardens and thousand-year-old fortress at the summit of the hill. Following lunch in a grotto (cave) that's been converted into a restaurant, we continue to Milan. Tonight we have a celebratory dinner and raise a toast to our adventure and newfound friends. (Meals B/L/D)

Day 8: Departure

After breakfast, transfer on your own to Milan's Malpensa or Linate airport, or continue your travels in Italy. Arrivederci!