Opinions on Itinerary

Hi Jon,

I'd consider dropping Interlaken and adding that day to Paris. Then combining your days to spend 3 days in either Lake Como or Cinque Terre. Keep 2 days in Venice. Really look at travel time between destinations to make the best plan to maximize the time that you have.

Yeah from what I've found it's 4 to 5.5 hours by train between each of the cities. I'd read good things about the Interlaken/Gimmelwald area from Rick, plus I'm part Swiss so that's why I included it in our itinerary. Thanks for the advice. If anyone else has an opinion I'd appreciate it. Thanks!

Jon,

Since this is the first trip to Europe for both of you, my first suggestion would be to pre-read the Guidebook Europe Through The Back Door. It will provide you with a lot of tips for travelling easily in Europe.

Given the distance you'll be travelling, is there any possibility of getting an extra couple of days (in addition to the "extra day" that you already have)? Keep in mind that you'll lose the first day in flight times and time zone changes, and the last day will be spent on the flight home. What is the total time frame of your trip?

Are you planning to visit each place in the same order you listed? It would probably be better to go from Interlaken to the C.T. and then Lago di Como. Were you planning to stay in Gimmelwald or Interlaken (there's a big difference between them)?

In addition to the actual times spent on train travel, you also have to allow for the time to and from Hotels, checking-in and familiarizing yourself with the area before you can actually start "sightseeing".

I can appreciate your reasons for wanting to visit Switzerland, and therefore I'd try and fit in a visit there if possible. The Berner Oberland area is fantastic!

If you could provide a bit more information, it would be easier to make more specific recommendations.

Cheers!

Hi Ken!

Thanks for the reply! I've already read most of Rick's Europe through the Back Door. It has been very helpful.

Unfortunately we are only able to add 1 day to our original itinerary, and we just decided that we are definitely going to stay that extra day (16 days total).

Yes you are correct, we are planning to stay in Gimmelwald, not Interlaken. Isn't Lake Como almost directly between Gimmelwald and Cinque Terre? I'm curious why it would be better to go to Gimmelwald, Cinque Terre, and then Lake Como?

I already figured in the travel time but didn't list it in my original post. Here is our revised itinerary based on adding our original day (16 days total). We looked at flying open jaw, but it was cheaper to fly in and out of Paris.

We are looking at going to Europe September 1-16. Here is our revised tentative itinerary with the extra day included. Day 1 - Flight to Paris. Day 2, Day 3, and Day 4 - Paris. Day 5 - Half Day on Train / Half Day in Gimmelwald. Day 6 and Day 7 - Gimmelwald. Day 8 - Half Day on Train / Half Day in Lake Como. Day 9 - Como. Day 10 - Half Day on Train / Half Day in Cinque Terre. Day 11 and Day 12 - Cinque Terre. Day 13 - Half Day on Train / Half Day in Venice. Day 14 - Venice. Day 15 - Most of the Day is in Venice / 8pm Flight to Paris. Day 16 - Flight Home.

Thanks again for any help or suggestions!

Anyone else have any feedback on my itinerary? Thanks!

Jon,

Your revised Itinerary looks good. However, I still wonder whether open-jaw would have been a better idea, considering you'll have to use both time and money to return to Paris.

If I'm reading things correctly, this is what you're planning:

Day 1: Flight to Paris

Day 2-4: Arrive Paris; touring (were you planning to buy a Paris Museum Pass?)

Day 5-7: Train to Gimmelwald (via Interlaken Ost) - one train to consider departs Paris Est at 08:24, arriving Interlaken Ost at 13:57, one change in Basel, reservations compulsory. Do you know how to get from Interlaken to Gimmelwald?

Day 8-9: Train to Lago di Como (Varenna?) & touring - one train to consider departs Interlaken Ost at 08:01, arriving Milano Centrale 11:35, two changes in Spiez & Brig, reservations compulsory. As I wasn't sure if you'd be staying in Varenna, I only searched to Milan.

Day 10-12: Train to Cinque Terre & touring - one train to consider departs Varenna-Esino at 08:37, arriving Monterosso at 14:54, three changes in Milan and Genova. As I wasn't sure which village you were staying in, I chose the closest one in the north (which is the direction you'll be coming from).

Day 13-15: Train to Venice & touring - one train to consider departs La Spezia Centrale at 07:52, arriving Venezia Santa Lucia at 12:33, one change in Bologna, reservations compulsory. Travel from whichever village you're staying to La Spezia is easy, and the trains run frequently.

Note: the train times shown are of course subject to change. Don't forget to validate your tickets!

I'm assuming you have a Hotel booked for your last night in Paris (don't forget to tell them that you'll be arriving late).

Cheers!