My husband and I are flying into Zurich at the end of June and wanted some suggestions on how long and where we should go. I have been 2 times before starting in Germany and making my way to the south of Italy and have always had a rental car. We have never had an itenerary and have usually just stayed 1 night in each place then on to somewhere else. Looking for a more relaxing trip so want to plan. I do want to go to Venice, Florence, Sienna and like the idea of staying 2 nights in each. Thought could get a rental car while in Siena for day trips. We are only there 8 nights and fly back out of Zurich. Would love help and what do you think about the train?
Posted by
Huntsville, AL, USA
8359 posts
Amy: I too used to make short stops in Europe, driving as far as I could in 2 weeks. There's so much in Italy to see, and so much to eat and drink; It needs to be taken slower. Most travelers now travel from city to city by train in Italy. Gasoline is now so expensive that car travel is best doing day trips from a centralized location. I'm visiting Florence 3 nights, San Gimgnano agritursimo 4 nights, Orvieto 1 night and Rome B&B 4 nights. We'll use a rental car to visit Siena, Voltera, San Gimgnano and the Chianti wine country. Rooms outside the cities are much more reasonable, and there are hundreds and hundreds of accommodations to choose from. If you've only got 8 days, you'd do best to limit yourself to Venice, Florence, and the Tuscan hill country. Don't forget that you'll lose 1/2 day traveling between the towns. Rome would be best visited when you have more time, as it's a major trip to itself. If you have not already made your plane reservations, make open jaw reservations flying into one city and out of another. It's not necessarily any more expensive, and saves big $ by not backtracking. Have a great trip!
Posted by
lagrange, Ga., USA
13 posts
Not possible for 8 days.How do you plan on getting to Italy?Train?If you went from Zurich(I would not spend a night there) but you might want to walk the city for several hours.Go towards Venice and visit Glorenza and merano,possibly spending the night there.Or get to Bolzano on your way to Venice.Venice is worth it but I would not go to siena and florence and venice!Only my suggestion but see what others say.
Posted by
Northamptonshire, England
34172 posts
@Dennis It is generally considered unwise to post your email address in the open on the Helpline. You may very likely attract spam. You can edit your post and remove it if you like. You could PM the original poster Amy with your email address. We have a pretty decent PM - Private Message - system here.
Posted by
lagrange, Ga., USA
13 posts
Nigel,thanks for helping me buddy I am grateful!Did I get it off?
Dennis
Posted by
Seattle, WA
17574 posts
From Zurich into Italy your fastest route is the direct train to Milan. That takes 3:41 and as I mentioned on your other post, you can get discount tickets in advance on the SBB website, rail.ch. From Milan you can do a triange, Milan to Florence, to Siena, back to Florence, then to Venice and from there to Milan. I guess that actually is a triangle with a detour to Siena. With only 8 nights you will be moving. If you are willing to jump right on the train after landing in Zurich, you could get to Florence and start your Italian vacation the first night. But unless your flight home departs from Zurich really late, you will have to travel back to Switzerland on day 8 and spend that night within striking distance of the airport ( Luzern works for this). That leaves one night not accounted for. It you want to do day trips at Siena, you should add that night to Siena.
Posted by
Northamptonshire, England
34172 posts
done
Posted by
OP
oxford, ms, United States
10 posts
That helps alot. I regret buying our plane ticket in and out of Zurich but it shaved off about 7 hrs getting there and 450 dollars per ticket by doing that. I do wish i would have flown out of venice. All these suggestions have been great. I am more interested in enjoying siena and venice so I am agreeing with you on i dont wish to stay in zurich. i can get to lucern at a descent time and stay there the last night. this trip planning is more stressful than i thought. I think it is the train situation and not having a car that stressful. I still may get a car so i can be on our own time schedule since we are cramped for time. Still not sure if I am going to stay inside Siena or stay out a bit. I think I would be ore relaxed staying out. even though i am sure experiencing the excitement of the Palio would be unforgettable. Any suggestions?