Need help planning Switzerland trip

Happy Anniversary.

This is a lightning trip. 10 nights. And only 1 month away.
First, where are you flying into and out of? Normally, you pick places to visit, line them up on a map, and decide your entry and exit points from that. But you only have 32 days left to organise this. If you haven't booked your flights yet, get on the job as you will pay for booking at short notice.

I thought about doing is Lucerne and Spiez the first part of trip then heading to northern Italy after the wedding from July 9-14.

A plan, but, it is already 25°-30° here in Switzerland, Italy will be hotter. Munich is good, but it is a whole day's travel to Switzerland.
A plan (one of many possibilities, but you have to decide quick):

• 4th July land Zürich, train to Luzern (70 minutes). 4th, 5th, 6th: 3 nights Luzern
• 7th July - Train to Spiez (scenic over Brünig pass) 7th 8th 2 nights wedding.
• 9th July - Train Venice. 9th 10th 2 nights Venice
• 11th July train Florence. 11th 1 night Florence.
• 12th July train Rome. 12th 13th 14th 3 nights Rome
• 15th July - fly home from Rome.

You need to start making bookings NOW.

Yes I know.... I have to chalk it up to indecisiveness and trying to sell a house while planning this trip! Do you think that we will feel rushed in Italy with your proposed itinerary? If we stayed through sat (15th) would you potentially add a night in Florence? Do you think it's worth it to add the longer train rides to the middle and southern part of Italy vs staying in northern part? We have discussed coming back and doing an Italy only tour later.

I would stay in Switzerland the whole time. I like Chris's start

4th July land Zürich, train to Luzern (70 minutes). 4th, 5th, 6th: 3 nights Luzern
7th July - Train to Spiez (scenic over Brünig pass) 7th 8th 2 nights wedding.

On the 9th I would head over to Lauterbrunnen and spend 4 nights either there or in Muerren. Fabulously scenic and well-described in the Rick Steves Switzerland guidebook.

So that is July 9-10-11-12 in the Lauterbrunnen Valley/Area.

July 13 take the Golden Pass train to Geneva (you actually could take this train from Zermatt to Spiez as well) and spend two nights there. flying out the 15th.

I love Italy but it is hot and crowded and needs time. Switzerland is wonderful and you have a great opportunity to see a bit of it wrapped around the wedding time without having to spend hours and hours in transit,

I agree, stay in Switzerland and northern Italy. Save Tuscany and the southern part for your 15! There is so much to see you will feel horribly rushed!

Thanks for the advice! Yes I think we will do Italy and a few days in Northern Italy. How many days in Milan vs Venice do you think are necessary? Any suggestions in that area as far as things we shouldn't miss?

Yes I think we will do Italy and a few days in Northern Italy. How many days in Milan vs Venice do you think are necessary? Any suggestions in that area as far as things we shouldn't miss?

Plan time in Milan only if you have a list of things you really want to see there. The best source of "must sees" is always a good guidebook as we all have different priorities.

Venice deserves at least 3 nights, giving you two full days. Again, read a guidebook and list out the things that appeal to you. One thing (among many) Rick Steves does a nice job of is laying out itineraries for seeing city based on the time you have, i.e., 2 Days in Venice.

If not Milan, then what should we add that doesn't venture too far in addition to Venice??