Connecting Austria-Italy-Switzerland

Hi Jesse. It looks great! Each itinerary is personal, so everybody who reviews it will be tempted to say 'shave a day from xxx and take an extra day at yyy', according to their personal preferernce. But it looks like a great start. I'm jealous.. Enjoy your trip!

I agree with the above reply: while everyone would do this slightly differently, your plan is as good as any and better than most. One comment: I see that you're passing through Bolzano twice. On one of the passes, do make sure to see the museum with the Iceman. This is unique, and I found it quite fascinating. The museum covers the various Ages (Stone, Copper, Bronze) and puts the Iceman in context. His different layers of clothes and his portable fire-making tools were just two details that had me mesmerized.

Thank you so much. I was most concerned that the timing was realistic and that the order was logical. I'm still open to recommendations!

Now I'm trying to decide if Varenna is worth a stop for such a short time. My original thought was that 1. I want to go to lake Como and 2. I want to break up the ride from Dolomites to Swizterland. Thoughts?

Jesse I am going "back in time" on the posts as we prepare for our trip this autumn into roughly the same area you are visiting. I suppose you've already made your reservations but on the off chance you haven't, may I suggest that you definitely go to Varenna. We love the Albergo Milano there (get a front room overlooking the lake if possible. Incredibly beautiful). I would also reroute your itinerary. Instead of coming down to Milan then back up to Varenna then back up Murren, I would go to Murren first, then go to Lugano where you can go directly (sort of) to Varenna without the necessity of going all the way into Milan then back to Varenna. From there it's a short trip to Milan from where you could fly home. Hope this helps... Mike

I would say she has it in the right order. Bolzano to Mürren is a long journey in one day ( done that) so it makes sense to break it up with Varenna, even if it is a one-hour detour from Milan. Coming from Lugano ( bus plus ferry) would take longer. But one change you could make would be to head straight north from Varenna to Tirano, then north into Switzerland and spend a couple of nights at Pontresina on the Bernina Express route. Great hiking in the Upper Engadine( so I have heard, haven't made it yet but I have the books and have studied up). Then head to Mürren for three nights, and cut Lausanne to one. Also, as an avid hiker Imwould add a night to Alpe dimSiusi, and reduce Varenna to two. It is beautiful there, but our three-night stay felt a bit long. I was itching to get back into the mountains.

Thank you! Thats really helpful. We are now considering doing the itinerary in reverse, depending on which airfare is best.