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Italy onto Switzerland then beyond

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Greetings!
First time European trip with husband who is not too fond of travel -but he’s graciously committed to going :) . I’m planning so want to make wise choices. Departing from LAX, we have approx 10 days starting approx June 22, 2025 to spend in northern Italy then up to Switzerland before joining family for the last leg, which is already planned, and we’ll fly home out of Munich.

Never been to Italy or Switzerland and would like to experience an authentic and mostly restful trip.

We enjoy outdoors, walking, hiking, sightseeing, good food, culture (more me), not so much museums but indeed history, and hopeful for some relaxing elements.

Thinking we’d spend 2 nights in Venice, 2-3 nights in Lake Como/Bellagio area “maybe” a dart over to Cinque Terre (but not at the expense of highly recommended areas in Switzerland), and onto Switzerland to see/hike mountain/valley areas -husband wants to see Matterhorn and Eiger…which are indeed high tourist areas but hoping to find some areas to spend with less people too. I prefer not to rent a car but not sure if we should just do it in some areas.

Tips for our approx 10 days?:
-Where to fly into -Milan/Venice/other idea?
-Venice first or Como first?
-Doable or recommended without a car rental?
-Which train or other transport is recommended up to Switzerland?
-Any other tips??

Many thanks in advance! Cheers!!

P.S.
I ordered RS’s Best of Europe, Italy and Switzerland!…impatiently waiting for their arrival :)

Posted by
6583 posts

If you are wanting to get to both Italy and Switzerland, based on your number of days, I'd recommend just Venice and Berner Oberland, in Switzerland. Flying into Venice and out of Zurich or Geneva. If you would be happy with just Italy, then you could do Venice, Lake Como and possibly Milan and perhaps fly into Venice and out of Milan.

No matter what you choose, for those areas, you could likely get by with trains.

I don't feel you have time for Cinque Terre. I'd recommend keeping your travel relaxed and not run husband around too much if you'd like him to go on further trips.

Posted by
11946 posts

would like to experience an authentic and mostly restful trip
and
“maybe” a dart over to Cinque Terre

These are incompatible concepts given the other things you want to do, especially in late June.

our approx 10 days

Really need to know the number of nights you have in order to provide feasible options for where to go, and where in Switzerland you have to be.

Would definitely suggest at least 3 nights in Venice to better be able to have a 'restful' trip and not just be 'on the move' to the next sight.

Posted by
21218 posts

a dart over to Cinque Terre

Nobody "darts" over to the Cinque Terre. It is a bit of a slog.

Fly into Venice via Munich and return with a nonstop from Munich.

You can take a train to Varenna via Milan, then ferry to Bellagio. I'd say 3 nights there.

Ferry back to Varenna, then train to Zermatt via Milan and Visp, stay 2 nights.

Train to Grindelwald (since it is below the Eiger) via Visp, Spiez, Interlaken Ost. I prefer Wengen, but that is me. Stay 3 nights.

That is 10 nights, then train to Munich via Interlaken Ost and Zurich.

Posted by
12 posts

Thank you all for your insight -it’s all helpful. I guess I need to clarify that we have 10 days for Italy and Switzerland before we meet up with family in The Black Forest to spend another 11 days between Black Forest, Salzburg area and then fly out of Munich for home. It’s a lot to do in 3 weeks but we’re up to it. I guess when I mentioned dart over to Cinque Terre it’s because that’s what we’re used to as we live in a remote mountain area and regularly drive 3-6hrs to visit family, shop, dr appts etc. I do understand travel via train etc is completely different and I appreciate all your tips.

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