Swiss Alps & Italian Lakes

Day 1 (Aug 10) — Arrival day: Andermatt warm‑up (activities + food)

15:00–15:30 Check-in / refresh

15:45–17:15 Easy gorge walk at Schöllenen Gorge + photos by Teufelsbrucke

17:30–18:15 Coffee + pastry at Bäckerei Café Oberalp

19:00–20:30 Dinner (Swiss comfort food) at Toutoune

20:45–21:30 Short evening stroll around Andermatt village (optional)

(If you land earlier than expected: add a quick scenic stop at Oberalp Pass lookout.)

Optional add-ons if you have extra energy:

• Swap dinner to a classic Swiss room at Ochsen
• Or do a nicer dinner experience at The Japanese Restaurant
• If you want a quick wow photo on day 1, drive 20–30 min toward the pass road for golden hour.

Day 2 (Aug 11) — Oberalp Pass + Disentis + local dinner

07:30–08:15 Breakfast / coffee in Andermatt (quick option: Bäckerei Café Oberalp)

08:15–09:15 Drive to Oberalp Pass (best light + fewer crowds)

09:15–10:00 Short walk / viewpoint time at the pass

10:00–10:45 Drive to Disentis

10:45–12:15 Visit Disentis Abbey

12:30–13:30 Lunch in Disentis (keep flexible)

13:30–15:00 Scenic return drive with photo stops

15:00–16:30 Rest / spa time back in Andermatt

19:00–20:30 Dinner at Spycher Young Gastro or Hotel & Restaurant zum schwarzen Bären

Optional scenic alternative (if you want a bigger mountain day):

• Day trip to Engelberg for glacier views at Titlis and Titlis Cliff Walk. (This is longer than your 1.5h target but very wow.)

Day 3 (Aug 12) — Interlaken + Lauterbrunnen + Grindelwald (very early)

06:00–06:20 Grab breakfast to-go

06:20–08:40 Drive to Interlaken

09:00–10:30 Up-and-down viewpoint at Harder Kulm

10:45–11:15 Coffee break / lakeside walk

11:15–11:40 Drive into the valley

11:40–13:15 Waterfalls + valley viewpoints around Lauterbrunnen

13:15–14:00 Lunch at Restaurant Oberland or Restaurant Weidstübli

14:00–15:30 Underground waterfall experience at Trummelbach Falls

15:45–17:00 Continue to Grindelwald for village stroll OR go up to First Cliff Walk if you want extra adrenaline/views

17:00–19:30 Drive back to Andermatt

20:00–21:15 Late dinner back in Andermatt (keep flexible; many places close earlier)

Tip: If weather looks perfect, prioritize Grindelwald/First; if cloudy, prioritize Lauterbrunnen + Trümmelbach.

Food options on this big day:

• In Interlaken: Restaurant Taverne (Swiss classics)
• In Grindelwald: Restaurant «Belvedere» Grindelwald
• Quick snacks near the falls: Trümmelbach Cafe

Day 4 (Aug 13) — Lucerne lake day + old town + great dinner

07:30–08:15 Breakfast in Andermatt

08:15–09:30 Drive toward Lucerne / lake viewpoints

09:30–10:30 Lakefront stroll along Lake Lucerne

10:30–12:30 Old Town wander + photos at Chapel Bridge

12:30–13:45 Lunch in Old Town (choose one): Old Swiss House or Restaurant Schiff

14:00–15:15 Extra sightseeing time (optional museums / lakeside)

15:15–16:45 Drive back to Andermatt

19:00–20:30 Dinner back in Andermatt (suggestion: Ochsen)

Optional add-ons if you want more nature than city:

• Swap part of Lucerne for a gorge walk at Aare Gorge (Aareschlucht)
• Or a waterfall stop at Giessbach Waterfalls near Brienz (longer day).

Day 5 (Aug 14) — Transfer to Bergamo + evening Città Alta (timed)

07:30–08:15 Breakfast + coffee in Andermatt

08:30–10:00 Final scenic stop at Schöllenen Gorge

10:00–11:15 Pack / relax / early lunch

12:30 Depart Andermatt (per your plan)

15:30–18:00 Travel logistics (car return/pickup) (per your plan)

19:00–19:30 Arrive / refresh in Bergamo

19:45–21:30 Sunset stroll in Bergamo Città Alta + viewpoints on Mura Veneziane

21:30–22:45 Dinner (pick one): Da Mimmo Bergamo Alta or Circolino Città Alta

If you want a lighter evening:

• Aperitivo + small plates at Lalimentari
• Then a short dessert walk around Piazza Vecchia.

Day 6 (Aug 15) — Bergamo (more attractions + meals)

08:00–08:45 Breakfast/pastry stop (Città Alta)

09:00–10:00 Morning walk around Piazza Vecchia + surrounding lanes

10:00–11:00 Art stop at Accademia Carrara Museum

11:15–12:15 Historic viewpoint circuit at Rocca di Bergamo

12:30–14:00 Lunch (pick one): Da Mimmo Bergamo Alta or Antica Trattoria La Colombina

14:15–15:15 Quick nature break at Bergamo Botanical Garden "Lorenzo Rota"

15:30–17:00 Leisure time / shopping / gelato

18:30–19:30 Aperitivo at Lalimentari

20:00–21:30 Dinner (classic, lively) at Circolino Città Alta

Extra option if you want more nature close to Bergamo:

• Short hike / viewpoint drive in Parco Regionale dei Colli di Bergamo (go early or late for cooler temps).

Day 7 (Aug 16) — Lake Como (triangle) + villa + food

07:00–08:00 Breakfast + depart early (Como gets crowded)

09:00–10:00 Old Town stroll in Como

10:00–11:15 Views from Como-Brunate funicular

11:30–12:30 Lunch in Como (suggestion: Passion Como)

13:00–15:00 Villa gardens (choose one): Villa del Balbianello or Villa Carlotta

15:15–16:15 Lakeside gelato / promenade

16:15–18:15 Drive back toward Bergamo

19:30–21:00 Dinner back in Bergamo (keep flexible)

Tip: If you do Balbianello, aim for early afternoon entry; it’s popular.

Extra food options on Lake Como:

• Waterfront dinner/lunch in Como: Ristorante Antica Darsena
• If you want a quick casual bite: L'Ora della Pasta

Day 8 (Aug 17) — Varenna + Bellagio (villages + food)

07:30–08:30 Breakfast + depart

09:30–10:30 Lakeside stroll + photos in Varenna

10:45–12:00 Gardens at Villa Monastero

12:15–13:30 Lunch in Varenna (pick one): LA SCARPETTA or Al Prato Restaurant

13:45–14:30 Ferry/drive to Bellagio

14:30–17:00 Explore lanes + viewpoints in Bellagio

17:00–18:00 Aperitivo with a view (keep flexible)

18:00–20:00 Drive back to Bergamo

20:30–22:00 Dinner in Bergamo (easy night)

Tip: If it’s hot, schedule your Bellagio wandering for later afternoon + golden hour.

Dinner ideas in Bellagio (if you prefer eating at the lake before driving back):

• La Lanterna Bellagio
• La Fontana Bellagio (classic)

Then drive back after dinner.

Day 9 (Aug 18) — Milan (more attractions + food + timings)

07:30–08:30 Early departure + coffee in Milan

09:00–11:00 Cathedral + rooftops at Duomo di Milano

11:00–11:30 Walk through Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II

11:45–13:00 Art in Pinacoteca di Brera

13:00–14:15 Lunch (Brera area; keep flexible)

14:30–16:00 History + courtyards at Sforzesco Castle

16:15–17:15 Optional: Basilica di Santa Maria delle Grazie (book ahead if you want the Last Supper)

17:30–19:30 Aperitivo + canal stroll in Cerchia dei Navigli

19:30–21:00 Dinner on the Navigli: La Prosciutteria Milano Navigli

21:00–22:00 Drive back to Bergamo (or stay later if you prefer nightlife)

Note: The Last Supper tickets sell out far in advance; if you already have tickets, I’ll place it precisely in your day.

Extra Navigli bar option:

• Cocktails at Rita Cocktails after dinner.

Day 10 (Aug 19) — Lake Garda: Sirmione + more stops

07:30–08:30 Depart Bergamo early

09:30–12:00 Explore Sirmione old lanes + lakeside promenade

12:00–13:00 Visit Castello Scaligero di Sirmione

13:00–14:15 Lunch in Sirmione: L'Arcimboldo Ristorante con Pizza Centro Storico Giardino e Terrazza a Lago

14:30–16:30 Optional extra town for variety: Desenzano del Garda for lakeside walk + gelato

16:30–18:00 Relax time by the lake

18:00–19:30 Drive back

20:00–21:30 Dinner in Bergamo (easy)

Tip: park outside the very center of Sirmione and walk in; it can get busy.

Dinner alternative (if you want to eat at the lake before returning):

• Make a reservation at one of the lakefront terraces in Sirmione and drive back after sunset.

Day 11 (Aug 20) — Verona + food (timed)

08:00–09:00 Depart Bergamo

10:00–12:00 Historic center walk starting at Piazza delle Erbe

12:15–13:45 Lunch: La Vecia Mescola

14:00–15:15 Iconic amphitheater visit at Arena di Verona

15:30–17:00 Free time for shopping + gelato (or museum/river walk)

17:15–18:15 Aperitivo (keep flexible)

18:30–20:00 Early dinner: Trattoria al Pompiere or Antica Bottega del Vino

20:00–21:15 Drive back to Bergamo

Optional add-on viewpoint:

• If you want a last look over Verona, do a short uphill walk to Castel San Pietro area near the river before dinner.

Day 12 (Aug 21) — Departure day (MXP)

07:30–08:30 Breakfast + final stroll in Bergamo

08:30–09:15 Quick photo loop in Bergamo Città Alta

09:15–10:00 Optional quick stop if time allows: Lake Iseo viewpoint OR skip and go straight to MXP

10:00–12:00 Drive toward the airport + return car (per your flight schedule)

(If your flight is later, I can expand this day with one more nearby stop.)

If you choose Lake Iseo on departure day:

• Keep it to a single lakeside promenade + coffee, then head to MXP.

If you prefer wine-country instead:

• Very quick scenic drive through La Franciacorta (no long tastings on departure day).