My wife and I are planning a trip to Northern Italy and Switzerland in September. We are flying in and out of Milan. We arrive at 6pm so I thought we may stay at the Airport Sheraton and head out in the morning for Lake Como and then into Switzerland. Lake Como(3 nights) to Luzern(3 nights) to Berner Oberland(3 nights) to Zermatt(2 nights) then into Italy. In Italy we would like to visit Cinque Terre (3 nights), Sienna (3 nights) back to Milan for 2 nights and then fly home.
Every travel day is manageable except for Zermatt to Cinque Terre (8 hrs) any suggestions?
I am flexible but must see Lake Como....Berner Overland.....Cinque Terre and Siena.
Are we going to too many places...last year we did 5 nights each in Venice Florence and Rome and I thought that was perfect. Thanks.
Posted by
Brisbane, Australia
7175 posts
Changing your routing would kill that big travel day.
Arrive Milan (1 night)
to Zermatt (2 nights)
to Berner Oberland (3 nights)
to Luzern (3 nights)
to Lake Como (3 nights)
to Cinque Terre (3 nights)
to Siena (3 nights)
to Milan (2 nights)
Posted by
OP
12 posts
Thanks David...great idea. I am now leaning towards more time in Siena...maybe 5 nights because we want to do day trips from there (Pisa, Lucca). Any thoughts on eliminating Zermatt or Luzern? Have you been to either one?
-Thanks.
Posted by
Brisbane, Australia
7175 posts
Luzern is lovely, a magical setting and relaxing.
Zermatt I have not been to but would love to, and I think your trip flows well with it in there. Of course there is no guarantee you will a perfect Matterhorn view, but that adds to the allure for me. You could take a day from Luzern and add it to Siena.
Posted by
Forest Grove, OR
11315 posts
I think you have too many locations. Rather than so many locations, I would cut Luzern and make the last night in Milan a one night stay, then redistribute the 4 nights for more quality time in a couple of places. Using David's itinerary as a starting point and your desire to spend more time in Siena perhaps something like this:
Arrive Milan (1 night) makes sense given your late arrival
to Zermatt (3 nights)
to Berner Oberland (4 nights)
to Lake Como (3 nights)
to Cinque Terre (3 nights)
to Siena (5 nights)
to Milan (1 nights)
In Zermatt and the Berner Oberland the extra nights are insurance against poor weather. I like to spend AT LEAST 3 nights (better 4) in such locations to increase the chances of at least one spectacular day.