Help! We will be flying into Zurich in Sept. and have 12 days for our vacation. Keeping our travel by train. My suggested itinerary to my husband is: Zurich to Bern, Bern to Interlaken (see and stay in Grindelwald, Wengen, Murren). Not sure how many nights in that area. Then train to Domodossola, Italy (travel and stay Locarno, Cannobio). Again, haven't decided on number of nights. My husband wants to add the Chur to Tirano trip via the Bernina Express train. After much research, I believe it would be a full day of traveling to work our way over to Chur. I'm hoping a local and/or fellow traveler can convince my husband that, yes, adding the Bernina Express route is too much traveling to even start it and, two, your wife is correct in that you will see and experience the beauty of Switzerland using your wife's itinerary (you don't have to include the last sentence in your response). Many thanks in advance.
Posted by
Nashville, TN
1226 posts
Where are you flying out of?
Posted by
OP
9 posts
In and out of Zurich
Posted by
Nashville, TN
1226 posts
Bern is a good rainy day option from Wengen, I wouldn’t make it a separate base. I think you have a start but I’d make some adjustments to get the best of Switzerland.Some options to consider for 12 nights……
Zurich Airport > Wengen 5 nights > Montreux 3 Nights > Luzern 4 Nights (with day trip to Lugano/Morcote) > Zurich Airport
The benefit of this itinerary is that you’ll experience all 3 parts of Switzerland (German, French & Italian) + time on lakes, in the mountains, seeing castles, villages and cities. It also includes the scenic train ride Golden Pass Express from Montreux to Luzern as an alternative for your husband’s scenic train desire and ends close to the airport for easy exit.
An option to do Bernina….
Zurich Airport > Wengen 5 Nights > Zermatt 2 Nights > Glacier Express to Pontresina or Sils Maria 2 Nights > Bernina Express roundtrip and on to Luzern 3 nights > Zurich Airport
This would give you the Glacier Express ride + the Bernina, as well as experience the mountains in 3 different areas + time on Lake Luzern. It’s a bit busier of an itinerary as you have to move an additional time, but is technically doable if you want to compromise with your husband.