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2 Week Winter Trip to Switzerland, France and Italy for a family of five

Posted by (USA) on

I am making plans for a two week winter trip for my family of five (kids ages are 9, 13 and 15). We had planned to cover just France and Switzerland, but the astronomical prices in Switzerland have prompted us to consider going to Northern Italy. We are not skiers, we like small towns over big cities and we are backpack travelers on rail. Right now our schedule is:

Day 1 : Train straight from airport to Annecy, France
Day 2 and 3 : Annecy, France (Christmas Market, Light Show and Farmer's Market)
Day 4 : Annecy, France to Milan, Italy
Day 5-7 : Milan, Italy and surrounding towns
Day 7 : Milan, Italy to Venice, Italy
Day 7-10 : Venice, Italy
Day 10 : Venice to Switzerland (possibly Bernina Express...would need to split up over two days...is it worth it?)
Day 11-13 : Lucerne, Switzerland
Day 14-15 : Zurich, Switzerland

What would you change? Any MUST do's in these towns? Any places we should add or skip? Thanks in advance!

Posted by
5623 posts

2024? I don't know your dates, so that makes my suggestions a bit clumsy, with Xmas market dates. You could reverse my suggestion, but flying out of Venice is a problem for early morning flights.

Perhaps fly into Venice,
Milan,
Tirano, Switzerland to Bernina Express
Pontressina (in the mountains )
Lucerne
Colmar /Strasbourg for the incredible Xmas markets ( is there a reason you want Annecy?)
Zurich or Lucerne for the return flight.

This is just a rough sketch. Interested in this direction? The Bernina Express route is pretty incredible. I've only done the route in the fall, but I've seen videos in the winter, and, wow! See if you can find the "Smithsonian: Mighty Trains Bernina Express" show.
Have a great family trip. Safe travels!

Posted by
3230 posts

How many nights will you sleep in Europe? Are you flying into Geneva and out of Zurich?
The only direct connection from Annecy to Milan is by Flix Bus taking 6h 15m.

Posted by
5 posts

The trip is 2024-2025. A total of 15 nights. Flying in and out of Zurich. We have been to Strasbourg/Colmar (loved it!) but want to see someplace different. Want to go straight to Annecy (have heard wonderful things about the town and can make it to the Christmas festivities there). Aren't looking for a direct route to Milan...train routes will be just fine. I will try to look up the show you recommended.

I'm wondering if (a) the Bernina Express is worth it and (b) what are some must sees in these areas?

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