Stop in Switzerland? Or, direct to Italy?

Hi Ericka,

If you really wanna see Venice instead of Lucerne, you can rearrange the itinerary like this:

Paris - July 20-25

Rome - July 25-July 29

Tuscany Region - July 29-August 1

Venice - August 1-August 3rd

Fly into Paris and Fly out of Venice

I should have noted....we fly into Paris and out of Rome. (non-refundable)
All accommodations are currently refundable, with the exception of Paris.

Paris to Lucerne is about 250 for two according the Bahn.de.

Paris to Venice will be about 300 Euros according to Bahn.de.

You can use the RS discussion about planning travel from this website to nail down your needs/costs better.

If you want to see the Alps in a unique way then the Glacier Panorama Express plus boat is awesome.
The Panorama cost is something else - about $250 for two on the Boat 2nd Class/Train 1st Class option from Lucerne to Lugano, then there is the train on to Florence.
https://www.sbb.ch/en/home.html
https://www.sbb.ch/en/leisure-holidays/travel-in-switzerland/panoramareisen/gotthard-panorama-express/purchasing.html

Going through Switzerland is almost twice the travel price... I personally love the Alps more than I love Venice.

Sounds like a great trip in either case.

Well, if you want to go to Venice, don't mind missing the Alps, and mind the extra cost of Switzerland, then yes, you should add Venice in! Especially since your original route involved a lot of travel time.
You could spend the night of 26 July on the train to Venice (don't expect luxury; a 4 berth couchette is a recommended upgrade from the standard 6 berth), spend the night of 27 July in Venice, and leave Venice in the early afternoon of 28 July, giving you 2.5 full days there.

Hi Ericka,

On the second leg of your journee , you can fly from Paris CDG airport to Pisa Italy in Tuscany to save travel time rather then taking the train there. From Pisa, it will be easier to navigate your way to the tuscan town of your choice. If the long train ride doesn't bother you, then you might consider taking an overnight train from Paris which will allow you to sleep during the night and enable you to arrive in Pisa in the early mornings.

Ryanair and EasyJet are good discount airlines that fly regularly from CDG to Pisa. Consider using them if you decide to fly.

Paris - July 20-25

Fly to Pisa

Tuscany Region - July 25-July 28

Train to Venice

Venice - July 28-July 31

Train to Rome

Rome - July 31-August 3rd

Fly into Paris and Fly out of Rome

Slightly more efficient would be to fly to Venice, then train to Florence, then train to Rome.
Thello is giving very high prices for 2 people in a double compartment, almost twice the Easyjet Flexi fare that includes luggage and seat selection.

You picked to travel on a Friday and Sunday, so you are paying extra that, going with the weekend traffic.

I believe in hedging one's bets. On that basis, your Lucerne excursion is risky.

You are really there for one full day, plus an evening and maybe morning on the side. And it takes a day to get there.

How would you feel if it rained the day you were there? Lucerne is a city with culture that can be enjoyed indoors, so probably not a dead loss. But probably not what you hope for either. Spending more time hedges against that kind of disappointment.

My rule of thumb is, if its worth traveling far, it's worth a few days. And the reverse: If it's only worth a day, it's not worth a big detour.

For transportation: I am not going to argue against a train ride, which can be an adventure in itself. But night trains can be enervating, and expensive, and you should at least compare rail versus air on the route you select (whether it is to Lucerne or Venice).

Ericka,

My suggestion would be to continue with your stay in Lucerne as that will provide a contrast to the other places you're visiting. It's an incredibly beautiful city and lots to see and do - trips to Mt. Pilatus or Rigi, day trip to the Berner Oberland, etc. One other point to consider is that Venice is going to be hot and dreadfully crowded in July and wouldn't be my first choice. The atmosphere in the mountains of Switzerland should be much more pleasant.

Where are you visiting in Tuscany?

I vote for changing your plans to Venice.

I feel like between Lucern and Venice there is no contest, Venice is the winner in terms of beauty, history, culture, uniqueness.

RJean and Sam make sense. Skip Switzerland. You really do not have enough time at your Italian locations as it is. Stopping in Switzerland is expensive and you aren’t giving it enough time. Your money will go farther in Italy. Make Switzerland a separate trip some day.

Thank you all for your thoughtful input. After careful consideration (and coaxing to get my daughter on another plane...she's quite anxious about air travel) we have decided to fly from Paris to Venice.

New question.....if anyone cares to chime in (I plan to also post a separate question on the message board).......

What is the best way to get to Tuscany (Greve in Chianti)? I plan to rent a car at some point. Should I rent in Venice and drive the whole way? Or take a train to another city and rent there?

Thanks again!

Re where to get the car: Take the train to Florence and rent there. Most efficient.

Ericka - Once you start touring Chianti, I highly recommend going to the Village of Volpaia near Greve. It is one of those walled, hill-top Italian castle villages. It is so beautiful, peaceful and welcoming.

https://italia-by-natalia.pl/en/tuscany-castello-di-volpaia-the-essence-of-chianti/