15 days in northern Italy/Switzerland/Austria for active family

One of my favorite places in Switzerland is Interlakken. You can even go up the nearby Youngfrau where there is a glacier in the Summer. The lakes there are great.

Lucern is worth a full day for sure. Switzerland is expensive, it will cost you at least 50% more for just about everything that you find in Austria or Germany.

The other lakes like Como are nice, not sure what is the best place.

Salzburg is worth 2-3 if you include going to nearby Berchtesgaden, Germany (go up to the Eagle's Nest the scenery is awesome).

Venice is good for three days. It is also expensive, but small hotels and B&Bs within 1/4 if a mile of the main train station are more reasonable.

Verona is a place you might visit between Switzerland and Venice.

Hey Pam,

1. Upon your arrival on Lake Como, you can stay in Varenna or Menaggio. Both towns are less pricier then Bellagio. Look into Bnbs there.

http://www.hotelgarnicorona.com/

2. You can stop by St. Moritz Switzerland from Lake como instead of going to Lucerne or stop in Bellinzona Switzerland. Both swiss towns are near Lake Como.

https://www.myswitzerland.com/en/destinations/bellinzona/

3. Salzburg - You have the option of visiting Hallstatt or the towns of (St. Gilgen and St. Wolfgang)

https://www.bedandbreakfast.eu/bed-and-breakfast/salzburg/austria/c2766824

4. for the Dolomites, a good base would be the towns of Bolzano or Ortisei in Val Gardena

https://www.agriturismo.it/en/farmhouse/trentino_alto_adige/bolzano/Pardillerhof-7590899/index.html

5. Venice - Possible day trips to Verona or Padua

Venice Hotel recommendations:

https://www.hotelflora.it/

https://www.cadogaressa.com/en/

Venice Restaurants :

Taverna Scalinetto and Aciughetta

http://www.tavernascalinetto.it/?utm_source=tripadvisor&utm_medium=referral

http://www.aciugheta.com/en/

https://www.ristorantedaalvise.it/?lang=en

6. Milan.

Question: Trains or car rental?

Bolzano has a very pretty historic district as well as the very good museum housing the Iceman (interesting for all ages). However, it is down in the valley, not up in the Dolomites. It can be surprisingly hot in the summer, and a lot of the moderately-priced lodgings are not air conditioned--not a good situation. If you want to focus on outdoor activities, I'd recommend staying up in the mountains instead (Ortisei is a popular suggestion) and just day-tripping down to Bolzano one day.

Note that this area has a very, very strong Austrian influence. It is lovely, but it may not feel too much like Italy. That's not a problem unless you think it is. The Dolomites offer a lot of hiking possibilities from casual meadow walks to more challenging endeavours, and at a cost much lower than what you would encounter in Switzerland.

Great question Sam. We're inclined toward a car for ease and flexibility, but would be open to trains if that makes the most sense.

I vote for Varenna in Lake Como- you have both a train station and a ferry stop. Ride the ferries around the lake to visit the lake towns. See the RS suggested route. We were just there.

In Austria, we really like the Hallstatt salt mine tour, and it would appeal to teenagers. We were able to ride down the "horizontals" to the lower levels.

Safe travels!

PS - We saw many serious bikers in Menaggio.

Wow! Great trip!

Changing places/lodgings takes half a day so at least 2-3 nights in each location is (to me) essential to avoid the crazies. I schedule AM, PM and Evening blocks to keep my touring/traveling separate in my own mind.

Lake Lugano and Lugano, Switzerland is right next to Lake Como.

It takes 2 hours to get to Lucerne from Lugano by high speed direct train through the Gotthard tunnel. Or about the same amount of time for a regular train to Altdorf at the south end of Lake Lucerne and then take the steamer on the Lake up to the City at the north end.

Or, take the more expensive Gotthard-Lucerne Panorama Express over the pass and on the Lake.

https://www.sbb.ch/en/leisure-holidays/travel-in-switzerland/panoramareisen/gotthard-panorama-express.html

https://www.luzern.com/en/

https://www.sbb.ch/de/kaufen/pages/fahrplan/fahrplan.xhtml

Maybe Como/Lugano to settle into Europe (2 nights), trip up to Lucerne for 2-3 nights (0ne train/lake steamer day, One art and Museums day in town, or take the lift up to the Pilatus Mtn.) and back to Lugano/Como on the direct train, plus Como to Verona to pick up the N-S train line on day 4/5

https://www.trenitalia.com/en.html

https://www.lefrecce.it/B2CWeb/search.do?parameter=searchOutputViewer&cFID=WGAxSzTQjIaZ

Then north to Bolzano and the Dolomites, or south to Venice. Which one first?

Val Gardena area of the Dolomites is wonderful but there are lots of other places there... It is where I stay when I have been there to ski several times. LaPosta Restaurant in Santa Cristina is wonderful.

https://www.valgardena.it/en/
https://www.valgardena.it/en/bus-schedule/
https://www.suedtirol.info/en

If you like hiking check out Gillian Price's "Short Hikes in the Dolomites." We used it on our visit last summer. It has 50 to select from across the Dolomites.

I understand the attractions of Venice, but in August, and if cost is any issue, I would suggest staying in Padua (45 minutes away by train). It is a university town that is charming in its own right. The Scrovigni Chapel there by Giotto is awesome. And Padua is much more relaxing that Venice. BUT, of course, then you miss the less crowded early and late Venice ambience when the day trippers (like me)/cruise shippers have gone. Your choice, or do some of both.

http://www.cappelladegliscrovegni.it/index.php/en/

The only real "out there"place mentioned is Salzburg, which would add a lot of travel time. 4 to 5 hours each way by train.

https://www.lefrecce.it/B2CWeb/search.do?parameter=searchOutputViewer&cFID=rIonPP595Iyy

BUT you can do Innsbruck, Austria (and Hall, Austria right next door) just north of the Brenner Pass in just over 2 hours by train from Bolzano. And there are gorgeous valleys for hiking/exploration just south of town. Stubaital, Zillertal.

You might want a car for four travelers, but it will need to be big enough to carry all of you and all of your luggage!?!

Everything I have suggested however can be done by train or bus. At least part of the trip's adventure could be trying that out, such as Como/Lugano to Lucerne and back.

Maybe:
2 nights around Lake Como/Lugano.

2 - 3 nights in Lucerne.

2 nights in Bolzano

3 -4 nights in the Dolomites

2-3 nights in Innsbruck

3-4 nights Verona-Padua-Venice

Back to Milan

RJean’s recommendations are 101% spot on!

I have done that itinerary and loved every second.

You guys are THE BEST! Thank you all for your great suggestions. I admit I have all the books but feel paralyzed by all the info. This has given some excellent direction. If you have any more suggestions for day trips and/or must-sees I'd love to hear it!

So much helpful info here. I am now thinking about skipping the Dolomites (slight ache in my heart) to spend more time in other places so as not to go home exhausted. We want the kids (teens) to have time to just walk the streets and mingle with locals and other travelers at the B&Bs. See what you think...

Lake Como 3 nights (relax, walk, bike, EAT)
Lucerne 3 nights (Mt Rigi)
Salzburg 3 nights (Hallstatt salt mine)
Berchtesgaden 2 nights (Eagle's Nest)
Venice 3 nights (day trips out of the crowds; mornings & evenings in Venice)
Stop in Verona on the way to Milan
Milan 2 nights

Now to find a rental car...

Go with auto europe for car rental. They are highly recommended.

https://www.autoeurope.com/

Instead of Berchtesgaden, why not stay in Innsbruck Austria for 2 nights on your way to venice from salzburg. The kids would enjoy Innsbruck.

You could also add Udine Italy as a place to spend 2 nights on way to venice.

https://www.turismofvg.it/Locality/Udine

A second option would be to use the most western route, through Innsbruck and down to Verona. The fast driving total time would also read some 6 hours. One could spend the night somewhere in the Italian Dolomites (either in Vipiteno or Bressanone). From the Italian Alps to Venice it would be a 3:30 hour drive. Once you're planning to go from Venice to Milan, a stop in Verona could considered in that leg. Just about all of the driving would be on divided Autoroutes.

A third possibility from Salzburg to Venice (much more scenic) would be through Kitzbühel, Lienz and Cortina d'Ampezzo. The nonstop driving time would add up to 6 hours. One could leave Salzburg in the morning and plan to stop in beautiful Kitzbühel for a visit (1:30 hours from Salzburg). After lunch, one would take off to Lienz (1:30 hours from Kitzbühel). After a short stop one would go on to Cortina (1:15 hours). Cortina would be a very nice little mountain town to spend 2 nights. Next morning, one could spend a couple of hours to go up a mountain (using one of the numerous lifts) before taking off to Venice (2 hour drive). By taking this route one would drive mostly on two way roads.

You definitely don't need 2 nights for Bertchesgaden. You can do it as a easy daytrip from Salzburg. I would suggest staying overnight in Hallstatt. It is charming IMO. Your teens would get a kick out of going down the slides at the Salt Mine. It is a World Heritage Site. And in Switzerland, why not go south of Interlaken area to the Berner Oberland? The Alps are awesome and there is great hiking. Lucern would be nice for a couple of days.

Also, be aware that when you cross into Switzerland you will need to purchase a vignette. I believe they are around $50 and you must have it to drive on Swiss roads.

I personally would cut Switzerland from this trip and focus elsewhere. We love Ortisei in the Dolomites and the Alpe di Siusi would certainly fit the bill for outdoor activities!

We were just in Bellagio last month and the hotel we stayed in was the least expensive of all the towns we stayed in. Bellagio certainly has many higher end, expensive accommodations if one so desires but they also have lesser expensive ones too.