On the last day of our trip we will be returning to Stresa at around 10 AM to drop off the rental car. We have about 6 hours before we take a train to Zurich Airport to catch our flight. Please let me know your thoughts on which option to choose for Day 9 of our trip.:
Option 1:
On the way to Stresa, stop at Lake Orta and visit Orta San Guilio island. Then proceed to Stresa and drop off the rental car. From Stresa travel to Zurich Airport via Brig, Kandersteg, Spiez & Bern.
Option 2:
Drop off the car in Stresa at 10/10:30 AM, take a boat cruise on Lake Maggiore from Stresa to Locarno. From Locarno, take Centovalli Express to Domodossola. Proceed to Zurich Airport via Brig, Kandersteg, Spiez & Bern.
Option 1 means spending some time on the San Julius island in Lake Orta and Option 2 means spending the whole day on a Ferry and scenic trains.
Here is my complete itinerary:
Day 1: Arriving in Luzern around noon. Walk around Luzern City. If time permits, take a cruise on Lake Lucerne. Overnight stay in Luzern. (Half Fare Card/Saver Day Pass)
Day 2: Round trip to Mt Rigi. If time permits, visit parts of Luzern city. Overnight stay in Luzern. (Half Fare Card/Saver Day Pass)
Day 3: Travel to Murren via. Interlaken on Luzern-Interlaken Express. Visit Schlithorn. Overnight stay in Murren (Half Fare Card/Saver Day Pass)
Day 4: Visit Jungfraujoch & Klein Scheidegg. Overnight stay in Murren. (Half Fare Card/Point-to-Point tickets)
Day 5: Visit Wengen & Grindelwald. Late evening departure to/overnight stay in Ringgenberg. If time permits, take cruise on Lake Brienz (Half Fare Card/Point-to-Point tickets)
Day 6: Take Golden Pass trains and visit Montruex. Take train to Stresa. Arrive in Stresa at around 3 PM. Visit Isole Bella. Pickup rental car in Stresa and drive to Diano d'Alba. Overnight stay in Diano d'Alba. (Half Fare Card/Saver Day Pass)
Day 7: Visit Langhe hotspots with local driver. Overnight stay in Diano d'Alba.
Day 8: Visit Langhe hotspots (self driving). if time permits, visit Noli. Overnight stay in Diano d'Alba.
Day 9: Early morning travel to Lake Orta. Visit Orta San Guilio. Depart Orta around 2 PM and drive to Stresa. Drop off Rental car. Return to Zurich via Brig, Kandersteg & Spiez. Overnight stay in Kloten. (Half Fare Card/Saver Day Pass)
Day 10: Depart Zurich