Italy, Switzerland, and France -23 days

Watch Rick's video on the planning process. It works.
https://www.ricksteves.com/watch-read-listen/read/travel-news/january-2015/video-of-the-month

Paris (4N)
Lyon (2N)
Annecy (2N)
Swiss Alps (3N)
Lucerne (2N)
Venice (3N)
Florence (3N)
Rome (3N)

It always depends on what you like to do. Are you into art? History? Hiking? Wine Tours? Which "Alps:" Swiss Alps, French Alps, or Italy's Dolomites?

We love history and we also love the outdoors but probably wouldn't want to spend too much time hiking since we want to visit as many places as we can reasonably fit in on this trip. Here's my rough draft of a plan:

Rome (4N)
Florence (2N)
1 night in an agriturismo
Venice (1N)
Night train to Salzburg (We thought it would be fun to see Salzburg too but maybe this is too ambitious)
Salzburg (2N)
Lucerne (2N)
Swiss Alps (3N)
Paris (6N)

I would skip the night train and Salzburg. Instead, add a night or two to Venice. Then, take the train to Varenna on Lake Como ( via Milan) and spent one night. Alberto Milano is right on the lake with lakeview rooms. Next day, take the train north to Tirano and board a Swiss train going over the Bernina Pass. This is the most scenic of Switzerland's so-called scenic trains, and the one route that actually crosses over the Alps instead of under them in a tunnel. You do not need the designated Bernina Express train; regional trains run frequently on the same tracks.

You could go as far as Pontresina or Samedan and overnight, or go all the way to Luzern if you prefer to spend more time there. Note that your itinerary puts you in the Swiss Alps in late May which is early-season. Depending how n the altitude and the snowpack, you may see either lots of mud or lingering snow stead of green hillsides. But the peaks and glaciers will still be snowy and beautiful.

Thank you, Lola!

Three nights in Florence and 2 in Venice and skip Salzburg (too far out of the way).

There are two threads going on this. . .