Switzerland in December

The Berner Oberland is the usual default answer on this website. In your case as a non-skier, I think it would be a good fit because in addition to the ski pistes, it offers extensive winter walking and sledding trails. More than I've seen anywhere else in the Alps. Keep in mind, though, if you're thinking of traveling over the Christmas holiday, this is by far the busiest and most expensive time of the year in what is already a very expensive country. Many hotels will require a minimum stay of 3-4 nights.

Would you recommend staying in 1-2 cities or towns in Switzerland as a Base; then exploring nearby areas by train?

My ambitious itinerary for 17 days includes:
Prague (3)
Vienna (2)
Saltzburg (2)
Munich (2)
Zurich (3)
Visp or another town near Berner Oberland or Zermatt (3)
Milan (2)

What are your thoughts?

I'm confused, you say 5 to 7 nights in your question but then change to days in the followup.

It would be better if you think in terms of where you are sleeping each night, give nights to us please.

That's the first time I have heard of Visp as a town of choice for visiting the Berner Oberland. Why did you pick Visp?

Have you considered train times and length of train trips in this itinerary?

What is it that you will be doing in Zurich for 3 days? Why did you pick Zurich?

I am sorry for the confusion.

I am hoping to visit Europe for 16-17 days in December, departing December 19 or 20 and flying back January 4. During this trip, I would like to visit Switzerland 5-7 days. I am trying to find one or two places in Switzerland to be our base to visit other towns, etc. if possible.

I would fly into Prague or Vienna, then take trains to Munich and Zurich. Then, fly out of Milan.

Feel free to respond to this thread or send a private message.

Thanks

You posted:
My ambitious itinerary for 17 days includes:
Prague (3)
Vienna (2)
Saltzburg (2)
Munich (2)
Zurich (3)
Visp or another town near Berner Oberland or Zermatt (3)
Milan (2)

Most of us like to think in terms of nights, not days. so assuming Prague (3) really means three nights, here is how I would look at your itinerary
1 - arrive Prague; sleep Prague 3 nights
2 - day in Prague
3 - day in Prague
4 - leave Prague for Vienna; sleep Vienna 2 nights
5 - day in Vienna
6 - leave Vienna for Salzburg; sleep Salzburg 2 nights
7 - day in Salzburg
8 - leave Salzburg for Munich; seep Munich 2 nights
9 - day in Munich
10 - leave Munich for Zurich; sleep Zurich 3 nights
11 - day in Zurich or nearby
12 - day in Zurich or nearby
13 - leave Zurich for Berner-Oberland; sleep B-O 3 nights (I say Berner-Oberland because Visp doesn't make sense and there's more to do/see than in Zermatt which is a one-mountain town and intensely skier oriented.)
14 - B-O
15 - B-O
16 - leave B-O for Milan (sleep Milan 1 night)
17 - fly home from Milan

You have a LOT of travel days in this itinerary. The mantra to repeat is "Every time you change location you lose at least half a day." At least! You have to pack, check-out, go to the train station, travel, find your new hotel, unpack, get oriented. For us that is often 6 hours total, say 08:00-14:00. when moving about the country and then we get to have lunch. The "day" is gone.

For one thing, I would skip Milan and fly home from Switzerland. Why go all the way to Italy for one night? I would also dump Munich as an outlier. Give yourself another night each in Vienna and Salzburg. I do not know Zurich so cannot comment, but would reflect on Nigel's question "Why Zurich?" Do you have a plan for what you want to do/see there?

I can tell you that the Berner-Oberland is terrific in late December. We spent 4 nights in Lauterbrunnen last New Year's and rode the trains and lifts all over from the Schilthorn to Wengen, Kleine Scheidigg, and Grindlewald. We hiked on the groomed snow trails and reveled in the scenery. The mountain views are incredible! You can also stay in a vilalge like Murren or Wengen, but we found the valley a great base for being able to explore both sides. I found a room last minute in November but if you want to stay there, you really should get on top of booking NOW.

Michael,

A few comments....

• I'd suggest spending time in Lucerne rather than Zürich. It's a beautiful city and you should be able to find enough sightseeing options to keep you busy.
• If you want to see the Berner Oberland, you might consider staying in Lauterbrunnen as it's a very convenient "home base" for visiting both sides of the valley. If you can't find any hotel vacancies there, you could also try Interlaken. Skip Zermatt on this trip.
• I agree with Laurel's suggestion to just stay one night in Milan, prior to your flight home. Unless you have specific sights to see there such as The Last Supper, your time would be better spent in other locations (IMO). I was there a few weeks ago, and that's the method I used.
• In your planning, have you allowed for your two flight days? You'll generally arrive in Europe the day after you leave home and the last day will be spent on the flight home.