We will be ending a 3.5-week European tour in Switzerland on Oct 16. (London, Paris, Venice, Florence, Rome, Cinque Terre) I just don't know how to plan those last few days and would love some help determining how much we can really do in that short amount of time, at that time of year. Our plan has been to take the train from Monterosso to Milan to Lucerne on Oct 12. I even reserved a hotel room for that night in Lucerne. But I'm having my doubts about what to do after that (and if we should even bother with Lucerne.) Ultimately, we want to spend the last 2 days with friends who live outside Basel.
My planning brain is taxed! I'm wondering if we should buy 3-day Swiss passes. We have rail passes for Italy, but as soon as we hit the border we'll have to pay to get to Lucerne or wherever we end up. Add the Golden Pass and then our travel to Basel, and I'm wondering if it's worthwhile to do the 3-day pass.
Here is my sketchy itinerary, friends. I welcome any opinions, suggestions, warnings, etc.
Oct 12 Monterosso to Lucerne, arrive late afternoon, walk around, eat, visit Jesuitenkirchen; sleep in Lucerne?
Oct 13 Golden Pass to Montreux, early start - where should we hop off and tour - Interlaken?; sleep in Montreux?
Oct 14 Should we tinker around Montreux or hit the train and stop someplace between there and Basel? Sleep in Basel.
Oct 15 Basel (would love to head to Colmar in the Alsace for the day- any opinions?) Sleep in Basel.
Oct 16 Basel to Zurich in the morning for 1 p.m. flight to Chicago :(
Please chime in! I really appreciate your help. Many, many thanks.