Traveling to meet my college age daughter in Italy (she will be finishing a summer internship). Departing Florence July 28 and wish Austria and Switzerland as next stops before returning to Rome to fly home (Aug 6) What order should we travel and suggested stops and duration? What are must see/do as this is our first time but want to experience as much as possible. Travel mode specifics appreciated as well as any lodging suggestions. Enjoy all things: art, museums, walking tours, nature/hikes/gardens, food/wine etc. Many thanks!
Posted by
Huntsville, AL, USA
8359 posts
Have you considered visiting Venice for a few days before renting a car and heading north through the Dolomites and into The Alps in Austria? You really don't have time to take in Switzerland in 8 days. I find both Northern Italy and Tirol to be incredibly beautiful.
You could drop back into Italy through the Brenner Pass, turn in the rental car and take a fast train down to Rome.
Posted by
613 posts
I think your idea of going to Austria is great. On our way back to USA after our 17th EU trip, I said to my wife, "We've spent 16 trips driving around EU outside of Austria and one trip to Austria. By the time we reach 32 trips, it should be 16 to 16". In reality, we didn't reach parity until 18 to 18 (currently 36 Austria) .
Rent a car. Head for Innsbruck, but keep Innsbruck & Hall in Tyrol in reserve for bad weather. In good weather go east to Worgl, Zurs, St Johan in Tyrol, & Lofer. Or go west to the Oetztal & the next two Alpine Valllies to the west. Maybe north to Mad King Ludwig's castles in Germany.
Must have for driving: Michelin Green Guide (essential for planning) & a good map-- 1:200,000 Again, go Michelin.
Posted by
613 posts
You are going at the worst possible time for crowds. For lodging on the road, head for ski resorts where even high summer is low season.
Posted by
Buford, GA
29 posts
The Dolomites would also be a great stop.
Posted by
OP
NC
2 posts
Thanks to all for your suggestions. Would prefer train travel to renting a car, definitely more relaxing and know we could maximize travel time. We will be visiting Venice prior to leaving Florence on the 28th. Happy you like Austria as a place we would like to visit but we really would like to experience another country as well. If Switzerland is not feasible in 8 days or under, are there other suggestions for breaking up the 8 days?
Most appreciate any input!
Posted by
Rick Steves' Europe
16895 posts
There are a number of stops you could make in Italy, but if you want a quick hop to the next country, then here are some hints on timing. A circular route takes about the same time in either direction; clockwise or counter-clockwise don't matter. Flying one or two longer legs can also save time and be pretty affordable on budget airlines; try www.skyscanner.com.
Train travel from Florence to Lauterbrunnen, Switzerland, for instance, can be done in 6 hours with 3 connections, departing at 9:00 and arriving at 15:00, which still leaves time for more local transport if you stay further up one of the surrounding mountains, like in Muerren or Gimmelwald, Rick's favorite home bases in that country. Best to stay at least 3 nights and 2 full days. Or from Florence to the city of Lucerne, Switzerland is slightly shorter, with only 1 or 2 connections, and also means shorter connections toward Austria.
Looking Up Train Schedules and Routes Online gives you the Deutsche Bahn train schedule link and tips for using it. Some regional Italian train schedules are not published yet past June 9. That's relevant if you're looking from Milan to Varenna (on Lake Como) to Tirano (the border change point in the direction of St. Moritz area), for instance, but not for most other Swiss or Austrian connections.