We are planning to travel from souther Italy north to Switzerland.
We are planning on 3 to 6 weeks, most likely closer to 6 weeks.
we are interested in some resort experiences in Sicily and then hitting small towns and Agriturismos along the way. We have done all the major cities but are interested in Siena Cinco Terra, possibly Florence and cities like it. Milan and Rome are not if interest.
We were wondering if anyone might have any experience with a trip like this.
Are flights purchased?
What month? That might determine whether you start south or north.
If you start in the south, I would fly to Sicily and rent a car, fly to mainland and rent a car (avoiding having a car in cities). Drop car and take train to Switzerland, where you are unlikely to need a car. If you start in the north, just reverse.
You might want to look at Google Maps and come up with specific cities you'd like to visit. I also use Wikipedia.com to investigate all cities as I plan trips. Sounds as if you have plenty of time available.
The most popular Italian travel cities seem to be from Rome to the north. I'd be looking to fly from Sicily to Rome.
Just over an hour (by train) north of Rome is Orvieto, and it's a very popular hilltown--and a good place to pickup a Hertz car rental (across the street from the train station.) To the north are the popular cities of Assisi/Perugia, Sienna, Florence, San Gimignano, Volterra, Lucca, LaSpezia and the Cinque Terre and Turin in Italy.
Then you could turn in the Italian rent a car and catch either a train or bus into Switzerland around Lake Como/Lugano. Switzerland has really good train service going to the more popular areas.
Looking for agriturisimos and bed and breakfasts in Italy is very easy on Booking. com or even Agriturisimos.com. Virtually every farm in some Italian regions have rooms and apartments for rent as a source of secondary income.
hopefully you're aware that taking rental cars from one country to another is not so easy and can be very expensive, and you'll also need a vignette for driving in CH
Fly into Catania and take a direct train from Catania Fontanarossa Airport to Siracusa (1h 15m) and sleep in Siracusa. I’ve never been to Siracusa but I would start there. When you’re ready to leave Siracusa take a train to Cefalu (5h 15m) that requires a transfer.
Cefalu is a fishing village where the elderly men dress for their late afternoon/early evening passeggiata and the cannolis can’t get any better than what you’ll eat here. Even if you don’t like cannolis still try one. Dining along the seaside lets you watch the sunset with memorable meals; you’ll be reminded that this is why you travel.
A day trip to Palermo by direct train (45 minutes) is a must-do so you can appreciate its unique Norman Roman architecture.
To get from Sicily to the mainland fly nonstop from Palermo to Florence for less than $100 on Vueling and take a direct bus to Siena (1h 45m).
When you’re ready to leave Siena rent a car and drive along the Sienese Crest Road. Learn about the ZTL zone laws to avoid paying hefty fines six months later. Driving for a few seconds in a bus lane will cost money.
No need to get an early start when driving along this hilly curvy road because when I did it, I missed seeing the scenery the first hour because of fog. Once the fog lifted, I saw many landscapes that reminded me of Tuscan paintings.
Good stops along the way are Pienza’s old town and Montepulciano. Tuscany is a good spot to stay in an agriturismo. Other hill towns to visit are Volterra and San Gimignano.
From San Gimignano drive to La Spezia and drop off your car then take a train to Monterosso (30 minutes) in the Cinque Terre. From Monterosso take a train to Lauterbrunnen that will require three connections taking 7h 30m and explore the Lauterbrunnen Valley.
You can then take a train from Lauterbrunnen to Zürich’s Flughafen airport train station (2h 45m) that involves two connections and fly home from Zurich.
Be prepared to pay for a traffic ticket a year after you return. Happens to many who drive there.
To avoid this don't ever speed (cameras will get you); don't try to drive into cities that have blocked off traffic or limited traffic to busses. Learn the signs that tell you not to enter or park.
Otherwise take the train.
