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Switzerland (with hikes), Austria (Salzburg), Venice Itinerary Help--14 days

After lurking on these boards for a while, absorbing lots of great ideas, I'm ready now to reach out and ask for your input. My husband and I are planning a many-years overdue trip to Europe, emphasis Austria and Switz. Trip begins mid- to late-Sept and we have 14 days in addition to a travel day on each side for leaving and returning home. We are planning to use trains to get around but are open to other options. We enjoy nature but would also like a bit of variety in this trip. Could you take a look at this itinerary and offer input and ideas? We are so grateful for any help.

Day 1: Arrive Salzburg via train from Vienna

Days 2-6: Salzburg area-- *Old Town, Mozart, Gardens, Fortress

*Lake: Zel am See or Halstaat
*Jennerbahn Cable
*Castle: Hohenwerfen or Hernenchiemsee
*Hike/Bike--5-Finger Lookout, Ice Cave? or Gorge/Waterfall or Lichten.Klamm
Days 7-8 Venice

St. Marks, Gondola, Rialto
*
*Need help here on traveling from Venice ultimately to Lauterbrun. or Wengen area. Should we travel directly there via Spiez (??Milan or Verona?? ) or detour through St. Moritz or Lugano?

Days 9-12: Berner Obeland--Wengen Base

*Schilthorn or Jungfrau? One or both?
*Lauterbrun. Paragliding
*Murren Hikes: Männlichen to Klein Scheid? Grutschalp-Murren
*Harder-Klum Hike?
*Trummelbach Falls

Day 13: Open

Days 14-15: Lucerne

*Chapel Bridge, Old Town
*Mt. Titlis and Glacier Cave

Posted by
6365 posts

Schilthorn or Jungfrau? There are cameras that show the summit. One can be clouded in while the other is clear. Jungfrau is pretty pricey. I wouldn't do it if the skies are cloudy. Schilthorn has the James Bond connection and exhibits so if its cloudy and you have no where else to go, you could consider Schilthorn. Schilthorn is included in Swiss Travel Pass as is Mt. Rigi in Lucerne. I've been to Salzburg, Berner Oberland and Lucerne. You might consider another day in Lucerne and Berner Oberland. I like Salzburg a lot, but you may have more days there than you need. You are going to marvelous places!

Posted by
6365 posts

Regarding train from Vienna. I usually like to buy train tickets in advance, but if you are flying into Vienna and then immediately taking a train to Salzburg, advance purchase of train tickets can be risky. Consider using the Westbahnhof where tickets to Salzburg are always something like 28 euro.

Posted by
14 posts

Wow! Jules, great insight and encouragement. Thank you for responding.

Liking the extra day in BO and Mt Rigi suggestions.
Is there anything you would add or take away regarding our BO hikes?

And thanks for the train tip from Vienna, too.