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Switzerland and North Italy Itinerary Help - First Time European Travelers

Hi Everyone,

A couple of my friends and are are planning on an European trip come June...2 of us will be first time European visitors and one and possibly a couple others are more seasoned. Here is what I have in mind...please review and let me know your feedback! Will greatly appreciate your help! Our trip will be ~8-9 days and i'm thinking a round trip to and from Zurich. So I mapped everything "circular"...if that makes any sense.

(Please excuse my spelling...)
- Arrive in Zurich (AM)
- Lucern
- Lauterbrunne (Valley, Murren, Wengen...)
- Milan
- Cinque Terre (Italian Riviera)
- Verona
- Venice
- Dolomiti mountains
- Depart from Zurich (PM)

I know it's a lot of cities...but open to suggestions on deleting a couple of course. We're thinking of driving ourselves to have more flexibility (unless the cars are manual shift and on the right side?)...any thoughts on how you would complete this trip?

Thank you again!
Angela

Posted by
4 posts

I think that is a lot of cities especially for first time European travelers. My first time to Europe I only had 8 days and spent 4 in Florence and 4 in Tuscany at a little agritourism and fell in love with the country. and have returned many times focusing on small sections each time allowing us to soak up the area. I'm afraid all you will remember is how tired you were and how you missed some great sights because of a day of bad weather, going all the way to Lauterbrunnen and not being able to see anything would be such a disappointment.

Here is the trip I am doing this summer. I am staying longer in Varenna but 2 days will be a nice rest up before the trip, If you have time, add a 3rd night and just chill. We are doing this all on train. Flying into Milan and out of Zurich. The Bernina express and the Golden Pass are 2 fabulous train trips.

Arrive Milan AM
Varenna on Lake Como - 2 nights
Varenna to Tirano (lunch in Tirano)-Bernina Express to Chur 1 night close to the train station
Chur to Lauterbrunnen (Stopping in Lucern for lunch) - Lauterbrunnen 3 nights
Lauterbrunnen to Lusanne (Golden Pass) on Lake Geneva 2 nights
Lusanne to Zurich night before flight 1 night

Posted by
19638 posts

There is a duplicate post on "General Europe".

Posted by
23177 posts

More answers are running under the General Europe posting.

Posted by
37 posts

Thanks Frank and also Alicia for sharing your itinerary! Varenna looks stunning! Will definitely consider it and possibly a different city departure from Milan...