Burgundy in August

Kim - Why don't you rent the car in France instead of Zurich. You have to pay huge fees once you cross the border from Switzerland to France and when you drop off the car. Take the train from Zurich to Beaune and rent the car there to explore the Burgundy region. As far as Italy, use public transport. It's not advisable to have a car in certain areas of Italy. Don't forget to visit Dijon while in Burgundy and Cote de Nuits wine region.

I don't know if this is for you, but there are some legendary wine towns (Pommard! Merseult!) that are an easy bike ride from Beaune, and a shop in town that rents bikes.

We are definitely there for the wine! Any tours that are recommended? We are flying in and out of Zurich, the whole trip is Zurich, Burgundy, Lyon, Piedmont, Lake Como, Swiss Alps, and back to Zurich. So the idea was to rent and return the car in the same place to avoid fees for different location pick up/drop off. Are there fees just for crossing borders? I was under the impression there was not.

Will you just be in Beaune? When I went to Burgundy, I found the area amazing - rolling hills, farm land, horses and cows, medieval towns (surprisingly few vineyards). Beaune was a let down. The region is beautiful, Beaune not so much. Still, there are a lot of things worth seeing in Beune. I walk a lot and found the area around the tourist sights is well kept, the other half (still inside the ring road) is pretty worn down. I also found that any restaurant worth eating at needed reservations; I imagine that goes double in August (I was there in May 2017).

I'd suggest first stay near the tourist sights, it will be a nicer experience. When you book ask your lodging to reserve dinner(s) for you at a decent restaurant(s). Normally, you could do this when you check in. In August, you probably need to reserve earlier.

Do you have specific plans for Lyon? It's a very interesting, handsome, large, city with a number of worthwhile sights. Just one night there will give you only a few hours, and I don't know how easy it will be to find parking for the car.

Parking in Lyon on the street is a nightmare. Parking in underground or above-ground garages is a breeze. I wouldn't be concerned about finding parking.