September Honeymoon advice (Paris, Switzerland and Italy)

Congratulations on your upcoming wedding! Paris is a lovely place to start, but if you've never been there before I think you will be happier if you spend at least 4 nights, giving you 3 full days. Then go to Switzerland, which is lovely in September. I would skip Italy, as much as I love it. With 12 nights and on a honeymoon, two countries is enough.

If you scenic beauty, Luzern and the Lauterbrunnen Valley of the Berner Oberland are good choices. (NOT Interlaken.)

Take a train from Paris to Luzern and spend 3 nights. It is an expensive town so set your expectations to top of budget.

Then take a train to Interlaken Ost where you will change trains again. You might like the little village of Mürren, where you can take in the magnificent views of the Jungfrau, Mönch, and Eiger. Rick Steves' Switzerland guide has great advice on this area and the transportation. Well worth purchasing and thoroughly reading the Berner Oberland section. Spend 4 nights, minimum.

So perhaps 5 nights Paris, 3 Luzern, 4 Mürren? Then fly to London from Zurich. If you set your flight for the mid-to-late afternoon, you can get from Mürren to Zurich in time for a flight so you do not need to spend a night in Zurich.

Thank you.

So something like below?

So the trip so far is land in Paris at 8am from a flight from south Asia on 4 September...
4 - rest day but go out in evening
5, 6 and 7 Sep in Paris (one day in Disney land)
8 - morning train (around 10am) to Murren arriving around 4.30 (have to change 4 times apparently)
9, 10 and 11 in Murren
12 train to Lucerne
13/14 stay in Lucerne
15 somehow get to London from Lucerne?

Any tips on above.. do i need to leave Lucerne on 14 to be able to get to London by evening of 15?

Lucerne to Zurich ( nearest airport) is about a 90 minute train ride.

Zurich to London appears easy with an abundant choice of flights --- see skyscanner.com

Thank you.
So something like below? So the trip so far is land in Paris at 8am
from a flight from south Asia on 4 September...

4 - rest day but go out in evening

5, 6 and 7 Sep in Paris (one day in Disney land)

8 - morning train (around 10am) to Murren arriving around 4.30 (have
to change 4 times apparently)

9, 10 and 11 in Murren

12 train to Lucerne

13/14 stay in Lucerne

15 somehow get to London from Lucerne?

Any tips on above.. do i need to leave Lucerne on 14 to be able to get
to London by evening of 15?

Yes, excellent. Paris to Mürren is a few changes. If you leave Paris at 10:28, you go to Basel where you change for a train to Interlaken Ost. In Interlaken you change trains and take the one to Lauterbrunnen where you change to a gondola. The Gondola takes you to the cliffside train that runs into Mürren. It sounds a bit crazy but it is easy enough and quite fun. Swiss trains run on time, so do not dally between trains! your tickets will show you which platform you need to go to at the next station.

Lucern to London should be booked with a train to Zurich Airport and then your flight. You can take a train at 10:10, for example, and be at the airport by 11:13. Perhaps a plane after 13:00?

When we arrive jetlagged, we always check-in, unpack, shower and change, Then we head out for a walk and a meal. If we are flagging, we take a nap of no more than 90 minutes about 17:00, then go back out for dinner and in bed by 22:00.

Thank you. So I have skipped Italy for now..

Flying in to Paris at 8am (from south asia) on 4 September and flying back from Zurich (to London) on 15 September at 9.30pm so just need to book hotels and trains now along the route outlined above. Any tips in this regard will be appreciated and also any things that we should do / day trips etc when we are there.. heard the paragliding is a good option in switzerland as an eg.

Switzerland is VERY expensive.

Venice actually has it's own beach resort. Except I believe your dates will clash with the annual film festival so it will be more expensive than Switzerland and already fully booked.

Italy has an option that meets your needs in one deal - Lake Garda (you didn't say the beach had to be salt water sea). http://www.visitgarda.com/en/garda_lake/ Various resorts with many hotels, often with private beach or pool. Weather still warm in September (and usually more stable). Access to the Alps a few miles to the north and Venice as a day trip is possible, either by train or a tour from a local operator. Return flights by easyjet or Ryanair from Milan (obviously Ryanair's "Milan" is miles from the city, it's actually Bergamo but this is close to Garda so is useful). Or from Venice (which may turn out to be Treviso......)

Paris to Garda is possible in a longish day. Depart Gare de Lyon at 0941, change in Turin (Porta Susa station) 16:18/17:17 then direct to Desenzano del Garda arrive 19:06.

Desenzano has the good rail connections but the better resorts are at the northern end of the lake (Riva, Limone, Bardolino, Malcesine). So, go to Switzerland and break for 2 nights in the middle. Paris -Luzern has several train options per day but the most convenient is 10:23 from Gare de Lyon, change trains at Basel (Bale in french) then direct to Luzern arrive 15:05, rest of day and next to see city.
Onwards! Depart Luzern 09:18, change at Arth Goldau and Milan, arrive Desenzano at 14:47 (this train also calls at Brescia and Peschiera so offers various connections for bus and boat to the other resorts).

Thank you. Yes, I have heard how expensive Switzerland is.. I have been to loads of places in Europe but not there as I always thought its one of the places you go to on a romantic vocation... so hopefully its worth it despite the cost...

Current plan is Paris -- Murren ---Lucerne--- Zurich (back to London)

Are you suggesting I go from Paris to Italy and then to Lucerne and then fly back?

Are you suggesting I go from Paris to Italy and then to Lucerne and then fly back?

I think he is simply suggesting Italy as an option. You cannot do it all in one trip of two weeks.

For trains, see SBB.ch, the Swiss trains site. I suggest you buy Rick Steves' Switzerland guide ASAP and read it thoroughly for lodging ideas as well as details on transportation and things-to-do. He also has an excellent Paris guide book that will help you make the most of your time in Paris.

Books answer a lot of questions you do not even know you have.

September
4..Fly in to Paris (3N) at 8am
5-6..Paris
7..TGV (3hr 40min) to Lausanne (3N)
8..Day to Geneva
9..Day to Montreux
10..Train (2hr 35min) to Lauterbrunnen (3N)
11..Day to Murren
12..Day to Wengen/Jungfrau
13..Train (2hr 22min) to Luzern (2N)
14..Day to Pilatus
15..Train (1hr 03min) to Zurich Airport.
Fly out of Zurich at 9.30pm

Unfortunately the OP only has 12 days/11 nights.
Four locations in that time is quite reasonable.
Total travel time by trains from Paris to Zurich Airport is 9hr 40min - quite manageable.
Day excursions, of course, are suggestions only.

Thanks for all the replies. Really do appreciate it.

Currently, my plan is as follows and some questions with thanks in advance!

4 September 8am Paris - Hôtel Le Relais Montmartre, 6, rue Constance 75018 Paris or Hotel de la Bretonnerie 22 Rue Sainte-Croix De La Bretonnerie, Paris. Any recommendations of which of the two.

8 September Wengen - Hotel Edelweiss (is this fine for all 4 nights or should I try to find someplace in Murren or Lauterbrunnen instead?)

12/13 September Lucerne - Hotel des Alpes Luzern lake view room.... unfortunately we will need to switch to a city facing room on 14 if we stay there an extra day.... I was thinking of potentially staying on 14 in Zurich or going to stay near Rhine Falls near Zurich.. is that a good idea?

Any recommendations on whether it's worth staying in Lucerne for 3 nights or 2 is enough and we should spend the 3rd somewhere else which close to Zurich (as we are flying around 930pm on 15 September)

Currently, my plan is as follows and some questions with thanks in advance!

4 September 8am Paris - Hôtel Le Relais Montmartre, 6, rue Constance 75018 Paris or Hotel de la Bretonnerie 22 Rue Sainte-Croix De La Bretonnerie, Paris. Any recommendations of which of the two.

8 September Wengen - Hotel Edelweiss (is this fine for all 4 nights or should I try to find someplace in Murren or Lauterbrunnen instead?)

12/13 September Lucerne - Hotel des Alpes Luzern lake view room.... unfortunately we will need to switch to a city facing room on 14 if we stay there an extra day.... I was thinking of potentially staying on 14 in Zurich or going to stay near Rhine Falls near Zurich.. is that a good idea?

Any recommendations on whether it's worth staying in Lucerne for 3 nights or 2 is enough and we should spend the 3rd somewhere else which close to Zurich (as we are flying around 930pm on 15 September)

Looks like a good plan. I would stay the 14th in Luzern. I think there is more to do there than in Zurich and it is more scenic. You have plenty of time to get to Zurich on the 15th since your flight is so late. Take a train the morning of the 15th, stow your bags at the train station in Zurich, visit Rhine Falls and enjoy your day in Zurich before your flight.

One more question please. I am travelling from Paris to Wengen on 8 September and have booked the Paris to Basel SBB fast Train ticket already (leaving a Paris at 720 or so AM). I would like advice on what to do for the Swiss tickets for this journey and until I leave on 15 September 2017 in the evening. Should I get the 8 day full pass? I understand the half card gives more discounts on the trains to mountain peaks.

I am staying in Wengen from 8 to 12 and then 12 to 15 in Lucerne. Flight back is 950pm from Zurich to London