14 day Switzerland/Italy Itinerary

1. Any reason you want to see Bern? You might prefer Luzern, on a beautiful lake surrounded by mountains. Also, the train ride from there to Berner Oberland region is very scenic.
2. If you want the scenic train on the way to Florence, specify via Kandersteg on the SBB route planner and you take a scenic ride to Brig. After Brig, it is the long Simplon Tunnel. then not too scenic ride the rest of the way to Milan and Florence.

What are you doing with the kids four nights in Florence? What are the ages of the children? Are they into art?
The Pompeii trip from Rome is a very long day, and it will be hot. How are you doing this, private or public transportation?
Why are you flying into Zurich if you're not spending much time in Switzerland ?
Please expand your time in the BO. As much as I love all things Swiss, I think you need to do two weeks in Switzerland or two weeks in Italy . Maybe skip Switzerland and fly into Venice ??
Pls help us with your interests and rationale.
Safe travels!

I would skip Bern.

Hi there, good question and lots of great answers. I count this as a 12-night trip, the day of arrival and departure are basically lost. Consider skipping Pompeii - too hot, too busy & too far for a day trip with kids. Instead look at Ostia Antica, a 30 min train ride from the Pyramid stop in Rome, super easy & on the coast, rivals Pompeii in some ways, without the gory volcanic story. June will be hot in Italy so you could start the trip in Rome & go north into the (hopefully) cooler Alps.

Thank you all for your inputs/recommendations, will definitely help as we plan the finer details of the trip. We decided to replace Bern with Luzern and also spend an extra night in Murren.

With 12 nights I would skip Rome and stay north. Luzern is actually worth a few nights with the lake and nearby mountains to explore. Maybe split your time at 3 nights Luzern, 5 nights Mürren, and 4 nights Florence, flying out of there instead. Or in reverse, if that works out better for flights.

Tell the kids that Rome and Pompeii will be around for a later trip. Maybe plan that for not in the summertime.

I really like @Laurel's suggestion - You will enjoy the cooler temps of being further north, ease your way into the hectic ambience of Italy which can be intimidating the further south you venture, and see Rome, Naples & Pompeii on a separate trip when it's cooler. Let us know what you decide, very interesting to watch the process!

By the way, Luzern has a stellar Transportation Museum. It is not only the kids that will enjoy it.