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Help with Itinerary - Open to anything and everything

Posted by on

Hello,

First of all thank you to everyone who is trying to help. Reaching Zurich around 9 am on May 18. Planning to depart either from Rome or Venice on May 28 or 29 (not decided yet). 4 adults and 2 youths travelling together. That being said, I am open to all kinds of itineraries to do the best sight seeing as possible. Currently, I am thinking of Zurich to Rhine Falls, then to Lucerne and may be Wengen. Then to Rome and Venice or Venice and Rome. We would like to to enjouy some nature, sight seeing and history and culture. Want to do a budget travel by saving as much as possible, so any itineraries with right rail passes and options of where to stay would help. Any suggested free activities would be greatly appreciated. Goal is to spend 5 to 6 nights in Switzerland and the 4 to 5 nights anywhere else. Chose Italy as it seems closer. Definitely open to other suggestions.

All of us travelling to Europe for the firs time and half of us have never seen snow before.

Thank you.

Posted by
3179 posts

If you want budget travel, don’t stay in Switzerland. It is the most expensive country to visit in Western Europe. But if you want to see a little bit, after arriving in Zurich, immediately go to Lucerne and spend 2 or 3 nights there. Then go by train to Venice and then Rome. You do not need rail passes for this trip but buy tickets as early as you can commit to taking specific trains to get the lowest prices. As nice as they are, taking almost a full day to visit the Rhine Falls is a waste of your limited time. As is, it will take 7 hours to get to Venice from Lucerne. Then spend 3 nights in Venice and 4 nights in Rome.

Posted by
768 posts

I agree with the previous post about skipping Rhine Falls if you have time constraints--not worth the trip. Go straight from Zurich to Lucerne.
In Lucerne, your youth might enjoy the mirror maze in the Glacier Garden, right next to the Dying Lion monument.

I also agree that Switz. is expensive. HOWEVER, most of that expense comes from eating out.
I've lived in Geneva, and I've also visited a dozen times as a budget traveler, and it's not bad if you can avoid expensive restaurants. Most of our meals come out of the stores, which have reasonable prices.

If you can rent an apartment with a kitchen in Wengen, Murren, or Lauterbrunnen, you'll save a lot.
I prefer Murren or Laut. as they are closer to the scenic trails and more transportation, but it is hard to know in advance which may still have snow in them. Click on my name to see previous posts describing the trails

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