Switzerland and Italy Insight Tour

Heritage, Textiles & Grand Designs

Welcome to St. Gallen, where medieval character meets modern cultural flair. Our Swiss journey begins with an elegant balance of refined comfort, rich heritage and immersive local experiences.

Highlights

Refined Comfort
Settle into our elegant accommodation in the heart of the city — a sophisticated base with effortless access to the historic Old Town and St. Gallen’s most celebrated landmarks.

Medieval Strolls & Textile Heritage
Step into centuries of craftsmanship on a privately guided walking tour. Explore hidden laneways, intricate oriel (bay) windows and the legacy of St. Gallen’s globally renowned textile industry — the foundation of the city’s prosperity and design influence.

A Sanctuary of Knowledge
Go behind-the-scenes at the extraordinary Abbey Library of St. Gallen, a UNESCO World Heritage site and one of the most beautiful libraries in the world. Beneath its soaring Baroque ceilings, discover rare manuscripts that have shaped European intellectual history.

Welcome Dinner at Lokremise
Our evening unfolds at Lokremise St. Gallen, a former steam locomotive workshop transformed into a striking cultural venue. Here, amid industrial architecture and contemporary flair, we gather for our welcome dinner and a warm introduction to Swiss hospitality.

The Architecture of Legacy & Luxury

Day two is anchored in intellectual rigour and rare, elevated access — from Europe’s leading business institution to the ateliers and family houses defining global luxury.

Highlights

Elevated Thinking at HSG
Our morning begins at the prestigious University of St. Gallen (HSG), a globally ranked “Triple Crown” business school and intellectual engine of European commerce. We explore its striking Brutalist architecture — recognised as a Swiss heritage landmark — before convening for a private, closed-door session.

Masterclass: Navigating Family Dynamics
An intimate workshop led by Thomas Zellweger, global authority in family enterprise. This high-level masterclass examines the invisible architecture of enduring enterprise — stewardship, governance frameworks, succession planning and the dynamics that enable family businesses to flourish across generations, and in some cases, centuries.

Insider Experience at Forster Rohner Atelier
Step behind the velvet rope at Forster Rohner, a fourth-generation, 120-year pioneer of textile innovation. From the 1904 embroidery boom to contemporary collaborations with Parisian Haute Couture houses and global brands such as BMW, witness the seamless integration of artisanal mastery and advanced textile technology that sustains this family enterprise at the pinnacle of global luxury.

Experience the apex of Swiss fashion in a private dialogue with the Kriemler family of Akris. Now in its third generation, led by CEO Peter Kriemler and Creative Director Albert Kriemler, Akris is the house of choice for many of the world’s most influential women, including Amal Clooney and Princess Charlene of Monaco. Discover their philosophy of sophisticated, functional elegance.

Alpine Vitality & Living Traditions

We leave the city behind for the emerald hills of Appenzell, Switzerland’s storied heartland. This is a region where longevity is a lifestyle, architecture defies gravity, and multi-generational enterprise remains deeply woven into daily life.

Highlights

An insider’s experience at Appenzeller Huus, where visionary hotelier John Schoch is redefining Alpine wellbeing. Within the L3 Longevity Circle, cutting-edge biohacking technologies meet time-honoured wellness traditions in a holistic approach to cellular regeneration and long-term health optimisation. It is a powerful reframing of investment — not only of capital, but of vitality itself.

Dining on the Edge: Berggasthaus Aescher 
Ascend the Ebenalp by gondola to reach one of the world’s most iconic locations. Built directly into a sheer cliff face, this 19th-century guesthouse—once a National Geographic cover star—serves "honest" Alpine cuisine. Taste the heritage of the Alpstein mountains through revived regional ingredients like Ribelmais while perched above historic hermit caves.

150 Years of Craft: Brauerei Locher 
Go behind the scenes at Brauerei Locher, a family-run institution brewing in Appenzell since 1886. From an 11-person operation to a 200-strong regional leader, the Locher family has scaled thoughtfully while preserving artisanal integrity — a masterclass in balancing growth with heritage.

The Soul of Appenzell & Dinner at Waldegg
Stroll through Appenzell’s car-free streets, lined with frescoed façades and traditional shopfronts — a living expression of Swiss rural culture. Our day concludes at Gasthaus Waldegg, welcoming guests since 1877. Over a traditional feast overlooking peaks and meadows, we toast to a region where continuity, craftsmanship and community remain the true markers of prosperity.

Future Frontiers & Living History

Day four bridges scientific frontier and cultural legacy — from data-driven longevity in Zurich to the enduring institutions that quietly shaped global movements. It is a study in lifespan and legacy alike.

Highlights

The Intersection of Innovation & Equilibrium

Together, we explore the compelling duality of Zug — a discreet global centre of digital disruption and a long-standing steward of multi-generational wealth. From the dynamism of Crypto Valley to the stillness of alpine ridgelines, today is about balancing acceleration with endurance.

Highlights

Immerse yourself in the ecosystem that positioned Zug as the epicentre of global blockchain regulation. In the heart of Crypto Valley, we examine how Switzerland’s political stability, regulatory clarity and entrepreneurial culture combined to create one of the world’s most influential digital-asset hubs.

This private session unpacks how the “Zug model” is shaping the future of decentralised governance, tokenised value and cross-border capital formation.

From digital velocity to generational continuity, we shift perspective with Dr. J. Bollag & Cie. AG, a family-owned firm with more than four decades of expertise. Here, innovation is placed in context. Discussion centres on governance, regulatory certainty and disciplined stewardship — the enduring frameworks that provide resilience amid rapid technological change.

We ascend the Zugerberg for a “soft exhale” overlooking Lake Zug. On this alpine threshold, we explore guided breathwork and five practical pathways to meditation — a deliberate pause designed to integrate the morning’s high-level themes against an expansive natural horizon. Clarity replaces complexity as we transition from digital density to physical elevation.

Lakeside Evening in Lucerne 
Return to the serene shores of Lucerne. The evening is yours to decompress—whether that means a quiet stroll along the medieval ramparts, a lakeside dinner, or reflecting on the day’s insights with the mountains as your backdrop.

From Alpine Horizons to Mediterranean Heritage

We bid farewell to Central Switzerland’s peaks and journey south into the sunlit canton of Tessin, or Ticino. The rhythm softens as we transition from the German-speaking heartland to the Mediterranean character of Switzerland’s Italian-speaking south — a landscape and culture defined by warmth, stone, and light.

Highlights

Whether it’s a quiet espresso by the lake, a final stroll through the medieval Old Town, enjoy an unhurried start in Lucerne. 

After check-out, we travel through Switzerland’s dramatic alpine corridors toward Tessin. Along the way, the scenery transforms — rugged peaks give way to softer valleys, chestnut forests, and palm-lined vistas that signal our arrival in the country’s Italian-speaking region.

Our first experience in Ticino unfolds at Grotto San Michele, nestled within the historic stone walls of Castelgrande in Bellinzona. This iconic fortress is part of the UNESCO-listed defensive complex that defines the city’s skyline — a powerful reminder of Switzerland’s layered history.

Surrounded by sweeping valley views and ancient stone walls, we celebrate the region’s distinctive identity through a menu rooted in local ingredients, landscape and conviviality.

Walking Through History & A Warm Florentine Welcome

Agenda

Afternoon

• Walking Tour of Florence
  Eredità e Impronta: Inheritance and Imprint

  • Introduction to Medici family philanthropy and Florence’s Renaissance legacy

  • Historic walking tour hosted by local experts

  • Explore iconic sites: Palazzo Vecchio, the Uffizi, and Palazzo Medici Riccardi

Evening

• Welcome Dinner in Florence

  • Celebrate your arrival in the city that shaped Western art, culture, and architecture.

Legacy, Family Insight & Italian Innovation

Agenda

Morning

• Family Office Roundtable

  • Intimate exchange between PWN members and multigenerational Italian families

  • Discussion themes: succession, lasting impact, philanthropic vision, and heritage stewardship

Lunch

• Next Generation Investing in Italy

  • Hear from young Italian entrepreneurs and investors

  • Insights into how they plan for the future and collaborate across generations

Afternoon 

• Private Visit to Officina Profumo-Farmaceutica di Santa Maria Novella

  • Explore the historic apothecary whose roots trace back to 1221

  • Discover centuries of evolution from a medicinal garden to a luxury fragrance and wellness brand

Evening

• Free evening

The Art of Craftsmanship, Luxury Assets & Florentine Design

Florence is a city of guilds, and many of the historic, family-owned artisanal businesses have operated for centuries and continue to do so today. 

Immerse yourself in the pinnacle of Italian creativity—from high-performance automobiles to couture craftsmanship, luxury real estate, and the enduring value of artisanal tradition.

Agenda:

Morning

• Session: The Art of Craftsmanship
  L'Arte della Manifattura: The Art of Making

  • Visit to a centuries-old goldsmith based in Florence

  • Conversations with collectors about passion, innovation, and design legacy

  • Visit to the Gucci Garden to meet artisans and creators behind iconic Italian luxury

  • Exploration of how craftsmanship, scarcity, and brand narrative elevate cars and couture from creations to coveted generational collections

    • Theme: Tangible Assets & Branding

Lunch

• Session: Luxury Real Estate

  • Discussion on high-value properties—from Florentine palazzi to Tuscan villas

  • Insights into investing in, preserving, and transferring real estate as the ultimate legacy asset

Afternoon

• Artisan Chocolate Experience (Vestri/Rivoire)

  • Hands-on exploration of Florentine chocolate craftsmanship

  • Discussion on business continuity and the vital role of preserving tradition and quality to sustain long-term value (Manifattura)

Evening

• Free evening

Visit to Bologna 

Agenda:

Morning 

• Transfer via fast train from Florence
• Meet with local Bologna families, investors and entrepreneurs

Lunch

• Lunch venue TBC

Afternoon

• Visit to Italy's Motor Valley, home of the Ferrari, Ducati, and Lamborghini Museums 

Evening

• Dine out in the beautiful old town of Bologna before the return train to Florence

Therapeutic Gardens, Longevity Science & Tuscan Wisdom

Agenda

Morning

• Transfer to Pistoia

• The Science of Well-Being: Therapeutic Garden Visit

  • Visit MATI 1909, Europe’s pioneering horticultural and therapeutic garden center

  • Learn about sensory-rich green spaces designed for cognitive therapy

  • Explore models supporting Alzheimer’s and ASD patients, highlighting nature-based, non-pharmacological support for long-term wellbeing

• The Mediterranean Diet & Longevity

  • Presentation by Dr. Francesco Sofi, University of Florence

Afternoon

• Free time

Evening

• Closing Dinner in Florence