Hello. We are planning a 14-day trip for Sept 2022 from Philadelphia whereby we fly into Milan and back home from Paris. Our interests are to spend time on Lake Como, in Antwerp, Bruges and Paris. Of note, we have been to Paris before (and love it) but have not been to the other three areas mentioned. The main question I have is for help with an itinerary and suggestions on whether to take the train from Lake Como-area/Milan to Belgium or to fly. I believe taking the train involves going through Paris which we thought from a practical standpoint we visit last given our flight home is from there. I have read about different trains and if we went that way would love to take a scenic train with panoramic windows that travels through the Swiss Alps vs lots of tunnels. Maybe even make a day trip to San Moritz? There is a lot of info out there so having trouble understanding which train is which. I say all of this noting we also would like to relax a bit and I realize packing/unpacking and too many travel days might impact that. Your thoughts are appreciated.
Posted by
Sweden
6438 posts
If you have the time, taking a slower scenic train through the Alps is a great idea. A very popular route is the Rhätische Bahn from Tirano in Italy to Chur in Switzerland. They have a couple of Tourist oriented trains, the Bernina Express and the Glacier express, but the views are the same from a normal train. Read more and buy tickets at: https://www.rhb.ch
Posted by
Moncton NB
1039 posts
I second the suggestion to take the Bernina Express. From Varenna on Lake Como, take a Trenord regional train to Tirano, then cross the city square to the Swiss train station and catch the Bernina Express to Chur. The views are amazing.
From Chur, the most convenient connection would be train to Zurich. You didn't mention wanting to see the Berner Oberland, but for us its the best part of Europe. Its a different direction from Chur than Zurich is. Perhaps you don't have time to see that.
From Zurich, there are easy train connections to Paris. From there, easy to get to Belgium.
So, in terms of timing, it would be:
- as much time as you want in Milan;
- as much time as you want at Lake Como;
- one day, depart Varenna 11:24; depart Tirano 12:52; arrive Chur 18:19. Stay in Chur if you like, or continue on to Zurich, arriving 19:53 (see https://www.seat61.com/trains-and-routes/bernina-express.htm);
- one day from Zurich to Paris;
- as much time as you want in Paris;
- one or two hours to wherever you are going to Belgium;
- as much time as you want in Belgium.
Posted by
Southwest Florida
870 posts
St. Moritz sounds sexy to visit but in the summer it is not what I would consider a prime destination.
Bruges is a great 3 day/2 night town.
If all you have are 14 days then I would suggest flying from Milan to Antwerp. Otherwise you are going to burn 2 days on the train to arrive there.
Also, I think you should consider Linate as your airport of choice in Milan. Easier access to Milano Centrale and less expensive. If you choose to fly to Antwerp you will also find lower fares from there.
Posted by
Northamptonshire, England
32847 posts
Although the journey from Chur to Bruges/Brugge is a little faster via Paris than via Frankfurt it involves more changes and a station change in Paris... which is why an overnight in Paris may be good. Via Frankfurt it is much simpler and only a little more time.
Every ">" means change train...
Via Paris: Chur to Basel > Strasbourg (local train) > Paris Est > Paris Nord > Lille > Kortrijk (local train) > Bruges.
Via Frankfurt: Chur to Zürich > Frankfurt > Brussels > Bruges.
The Frankfurt route is easily done in one day.
Posted by
Moncton NB
1039 posts
Chur to Bruges via Paris is not as complicated as previous poster says. There are direct high speed trains from Basel to Paris, and high speed connections from Paris to Bruges. The correct route is: Chur > Basel > Paris Lyon (via TGV Lyria) > Paris Nord > Brussels (via Thalys) > Bruges.
Posted by
Sweden
6438 posts
one day, depart Varenna 11:24; depart Tirano 12:52; arrive Chur 18:19.
Stay in Chur if you like, or continue on to Zurich, arriving 19:53;
one day from Zurich to Paris;
Or, arrive in Zürich 19.53, have dinner in Zürich before you board the night train to Amsterdam. Arrive next morning in Amsterdam and take a connecting train to Antwerp.
If all you have are 14 days then I would suggest flying from Milan to
Antwerp.
Good luck trying to find a flight to Antwerp!
Posted by
Wyckoff, NJ, USA
7337 posts
Be aware that some of the low-budget airlines don't fly to BRU, but to a less convenient airport. You may wish to consider whether some special train services can deliver you directly to Antwerp, which is worth money over a change in Brussels. I personally would sleep only in Antwerp, but you may be saying you want to wake up in Bruges as well. There is considerably more to see in Antwerp, and I recommend Bruges as a daytrip from Antwerp. That opinion is not widely shared among those who post here.
I have not traveled directly from Italy to Belgium. I wonder if you are covering too much ground? I think it may be wise to visit Lake Como in shoulder season, but make sure your sights are open at the dates you will be there. Speaking of sights, there is (pre Covid) a special Open Monuments Weekend in Belgium (and separately, in the Netherlands) in late September.
Posted by
Southwest Florida
870 posts
Badger is correct - flights to antwerp are few and far between. Brussels instead then train to Antwerp. Far faster than routing via Switzerland.