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Help Finalizing Itinerary: Zurich to Italy

Posted by (Colorado, USA) on

Hi everyone, Thank you so much for your ongoing help! I’m finalizing an itinerary for my parents (mid-70s) and me. After a Rhine River tour, my mom and I will meet my dad in Zurich, and then we’ll take the Bernina Train into Italy.

I’m wondering about the long travel day from Zurich to Florence—it seems like a lot, but it might be worth it to avoid traveling the next day. What do you think?

Here’s our outline so far:
Day 1: Zurich
Day 2: Bernina Train (where to sleep?)
Days 3–5: Florence
Days 6–8: Heart of Tuscany
Days 9–11: Rome (fly out)

Originally, I wanted to include Lucca instead of Florence, but with the big travel days on Day 2 and Day 6, Florence seemed like the better base.

We aren’t big on museums—our focus is food, wine, and scenery.

Any feedback on the itinerary? Suggestions on where to stay on Day 2? Thank you in advance!

Posted by
21426 posts

If you spend the first night in Chur, then you can get the morning Bernina Express direct to Tirano, change to the train to Milano Centrale then change to a train to Florence.

Posted by
9 posts

I am now thinking about staying a few nights in Bologna, instead of Florence, since you have to stop there anyway.

Here’s our outline so far:
Day 1: Full day in Zurich
Day 2: Bernina Train (Zurich - Bologna)
Days 2-4 sleep in Bologna - food and wine tours, relax
Days 5–8: Heart of Tuscany Siena and Montepulciano
Days 9–11: Rome (fly out)

Posted by
21426 posts

I would still go to Chur in the evening. The Bernina Express departs at 8:17 am direct to Tirano. If you stay in Zurich you will have to be up at the crack of dawn and depart by 6:38 am to make the 8:17 train. Hotels will be a bit less expensive than Zurich.

Bologna is only 40 minutes before Florence on the train.

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