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Itinerary - Prague - Italian Lakes - Switzerland

My childhood friend and I are working on a trip for end of June-July 2024 beginning with a visit to see my son in Prague. We are active 55 year old friends who love nature (we will hike, bike, walk, swim). While we are going to be in places where we expect crowds of tourists, we’d like to include some places that are quieter, local and less expensive (in terms of overall budget for trip, we are trying for mid-range). We value your comments and suggestions!

Day 1 arrive Prague late afternoon
Day 2 Prague
Day 3 Prague
Day 4 Prague
Day 5 Prague
Day 6 July 1 flight Prague - Milan/Bergamo
Lake Iseo Rent car or public transportation or train to Stresa?
Day 7 Stresa/Lake Iseo?
Day 8 Bergamo (see friends here) or Milan to spend the night for early train
Day 9 to Zermat (reservation made-dates firm)
Day 10 Zermat
Day 11 Zermat
Day 12 leave Zermat - open - spend a night in Kandersteg or add another night in Murren? Other suggestions
Day 13 Murren (reservation made-dates firm)
Day 14 Murren
Day 15 Murren
Day 16 leave Murren- Go to Luzern or Strasborg?
Day 17 or leave Murren this day
Luzern or Strasborg
Day 18 spend the night in Frankfurt before flight to US
Day 19 Fly out of Frankfurt to US

Here are some questions in addition to the ones marked in itinerary:

– Does this itinerary seem reasonable in terms of pacing and time in each location? (I have noted the only reservations that can't be changed. All other reservations have been made refundable.)
– Do you have a suggestion for Italian lake to visit (including transportation). Italian friends suggested Iseo.
– Can you help with routes for train from whichever suggested lake to Zermat (we hope to take regional trains on same routes as scenic tourist trains)
-- Where to spend 1-2 nights en route to Frankfurt for flight to US

Again, thank you so much!

Posted by
539 posts

Any interest in the Bernina Express train? If you could use that as your transport to Zermatt?

Posted by
3 posts

Yes, that could work. Given that we'd like to stay in a less touristy area in the lake district, I'd like to find the simplest route to Zermat. From Bergamo to Lecco to Tirano to the start of the Bernina Express? I assume there are regional trains instead of actually taking the Bernina Express. I still need to learn how to read the many train routes!

Posted by
539 posts

Yeah there are much more direct routes to Zermatt. It's definitely the long and winding road, but it's beautiful. If you're into scenic trains, it's pretty cool but you're gonna see lots of great scenery on your trip.

If you didn't have to visit Bergamo, you'd fly into Zurich on the evening night of the "5th" or the day of the 6th overnight the 5th or 6th in nearby Chur. Leave Chur on the Glacier Express for Zermatt at 11:05 and get in at 17:10. Then just take the regular train from Zermatt to Murren.

Since you have the Bergamo visit, you fly into Milan, go to Bergamo straightaway for your visit then do your lake time in Varenna where you pick up the Bernina Express to Chur. Overnight in Chur and take the same train above to Zermatt.

Admittedly, my train geekiness is showing. Feel free to roll your eyes and move on ;- )

Posted by
905 posts

If you are flying to Bergamo you have a longish trip to Stresa via train (2-1/2 to 3 hrs) then back again to Bergamo. Bergamo is a lovely city. Spend the day there. A day trip to Iseo would not really be worth it, IMO. I'd leave Day 16 to Strasbourg. Nice city, cuts down travel to Frankfurt.

Have fun.

Posted by
3 posts

Marc, thank you for the suggestion about Strasborg-it’s been on my list for some time!

I see that train enthusiast Chris suggests two scenic train routes (!) and less time at lakes. To check that I got it, I think you said: Fly Milan or Bergamo, train to Varenna, pick up the Bernina Express to Chur for overnight. Take Glacier Express for Zermatt at 11:05 and get in at 17:10.

Let’s say that I love Italy and want to spend fewer nights in expensive Switzerland, :) we could spend 3 nights/2 ful days somewhere. Would you still suggest the Varenna, Bellagio, Mennagio trio for ease of access, beauty, etc. Or is Stresa desirable and less crowded in full-swing of summer - July? Any other lakes or towns?